A couple of weeks back, we told you about Conn Smythe – one of the founders of the Toronto Maple Leafs – and how he once homesteaded in Clute Township.
This week, local history buff Peter Politis has unearthed a story connecting Colonel John McCrae to the area. McCrae once owned land in Mabee Township, about 30 km south of Smooth Rock Falls.
“And you’ll know John McCrae as the person who wrote the infamous hallmark poem, In Flanders Field,” Politis says, refreshing your memory. “So we have a tie back to one of the most famous and infamous poems that will go on for a long time to this district, where the owner of the property here in Cochrane actually wrote that poem.”
“What we’ve just recently found out is a very interesting story around Col. John McCrae, who actually owned property in Cochrane District mind you, but about 30 km south of Smooth Rock Falls, which is very close to where we are here.”
Politis adds that that land is in Mabee Township.
“So the ties just continue to go on and on and on.”
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields.