Photo by Sally Sehn
William White's boyhood home, today.
When William Cousins’ large frame house at 271 First St. SE was constructed, it was the same year that his daughter Grace was born, 1896.Four years later, a new house was built a couple of doors west of the Cousin’s residence. The homeowner, E.B. Thomas White, his wife and three sons became the Cousins’ new neighbours White’s middle son Willie was near the same age as Grace and the two would have become instant playmates.
Much has been written about the historic Cousins’ house which is a Provincial Historic Resource and is also on Parks Canada Register of Historic Places. But little has been said about the 120-year-old Thomas White house located at 233 First St. SE. This Victorian two-storey cedar sided building with its cross-gable roof once featured a fine wraparound porch which was altered in 1952.
Thomas White was born in Maine; his wife Florence, a native of Scotland. White worked as a local CPR conductor from 1892 until his retirement in 1917. At that time, the Whites moved to Dundee street, renting out the First Street house. White also owned a ranch where he raised horses for the City livery. Son William White was working on the ranch when he enlisted with the Canadian infantry near the end of the First World War.
In 1919, both Private William White and his father Thomas died. While overseas, William fell victim to the Spanish flu and died in February. Thomas passed away unexpectedly in November at the age of 62. After the loss of both her son and husband, Florence moved back to the First Street house where she lived for about four more years before leaving the city. For many years afterwards, the White house was rented out on behalf of the Estate of Thomas White.
William was initially interred in England, but in 1923 Florence had her son’s remains relocated to her beloved Scottish homeland. He now rests in the Kilmore Churchyard in county Argyllshire.
Grace Cousins lived to be 91 years old. She spoke fondly of the White family. Just before she died, she asked the Medicine Hat Museum curator to repair a frame of a photo she had of a young man. The young man was William White. In the back of the frame was a love poem which spoke about a loved one not returning from the war. Grace never married.
The story of Will and Grace is one of many tales told about the occupants of the historic homes in the First Street South Municipal Historic Area. Heritage Resources Committee walking tours will be starting up again this Spring.
Sally Sehn is a Member of the Heritage Resources Committee of the City of Medicine Hat.
