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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================= SOURCE: The Montreal Gazette 20 September, 1924 JAMES CARRUTHERS GRAIN AUTHORITY DIED SUDDENLY ----------------- Suffered Seizure in Office and Succumbed in Montreal General Hospital ----------------- WAS IN 72ND YEAR ----------------- Once Regarded a "Canada's Wheat King" - Active in War and Philantrophic Work ---- James Carruthers, grain merchant and director of financial instutitions, picturesqely referred to in past years as "Canada's Wheat King," died at 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the Mon- treal General Hospital, to which in- stitution he had been taken earlier in the afternoon following a seizure in his office in the Board of Trade building. Mr. Carruthers had been downtown as usual and during the earlier part of the day had shown his usual keen in- terest in the grain markets and the ticker. The first intimation of any- thing wrong came on his return to his office after luncheon, when he spoke of having a pain in his back. He de- cided to telephone his physician, who advised Mr. Carruthers to go to his own residence at 260 Peel street, where he would meet him. Mr. Carruthers then telephoned for a taxicab and was driven to his home, where the exam- ination took place. It was at once seen that his condition was serious, and his immediate removal to the Mon- treal General Hospital, of which he was a governor, followed. After entering the hospital a hemorrhage of the brain ensued and death followed. There had been no hint that Mr. Carruthers was at all ill and he had been regular in his attendance at his office during the week, although, naturally, his hours were brief since his retirement from active business, which took place on August 1. Not many men possessed such a wide acquaintance as did Mr. Carruthers, who was really known from coast to coast and even beyond the boundaries of the Dominion because his particular activities made him an international character and his name was one well remembered across the border in the United States and in Europe. He was in many ways a popular figure, largely because of his interest in so many diverse activities and through the wide ramifications of his business. He was always approachable and amongst his numerous friends were the many newspapermen he encountered during the years. On 'Change Mr. Carruthers was a noted figure and of all the men who entered the Board of Trade building daily he was, perhaps, known to the greatest number of friends acquain- tances. The firm of James Carruthers and Company had been extensively engaged in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg and New York for many years, but during this year Mr. Carruthers came to the conclusion that he desired to be re- lieved of business responsibilities and retired, being succeeded here by his former associates, T. H. Reeves and J. A. Allan. Mr. Carruthers, however, clung to his old office in the group and it was there his call came. WAS IN 72nd YEAR. Mr. Carruthers was born in Toronto, August 13, 1853, and was, therefore, in his seventy-second year. He was the son of Andrew and Janet Carruthers, who were natives of County Dumfries, Scotland. Mr. Carruthers was educated in Toronto and then entered business first with T. C. Chisholm, then with Crane and Baird, later becoming a part- ner, after which was formed the partner- ship of Norris and Carruthers, which continued for ten years, to be suc- ceeded by the firm of James Carruthers and Co., Ltd., with offices in Montreal, New York and Winnipeg. During these growing years, Mr. Carruthers had become a member of boards of trade, grain exchanges and produce exchanges in Montreal, Toronto, Winni- peg, New York, Minneapolis, and Chicago, and with that development also grew his interest in elevator organizations, transportation companies and constructing firms, and this was to be followed by active participation in the direction of banks, insurance companies and other business enterprises. Mr. Carruthers was president of the Canada Steamship Lines for a considerable period, eventually retiring from the board of the latter corporation. Other direct- orates of which Mr. Carruthers was a member included the Dominion Bank, Canadian Locomotive Co., Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, Liverpool and Manitoba Assurance Com- pany, the Eastern Trust Company. He was president of the Hiram L. Piper Co., Ltd. Mr. Carruthers had participated actively in all the Victory Loan drives and indicated his personal opinion of the values of these securities by be- coming a large purchaser as each one was placed on the market. Mr. Carruthers was so keenly interested in the success of these loans that on one occassion at his own expense he brought a captured German submarine to Montreal with an idea of placing it on a float to be carried through the steets, but it was too heavy for the local streets. The spirit of the Canadian Forces impressed Mr. Carruthers to such an extent that he was particularly gen- erous in his contributions to such war- time efforts as the Patriotic Fund. He had interested himself heartily in all the war movements and his early con- tributions included a gift of aeroplanes to the British Government. Mr. Carruthers was also devoted to the Navy League Move- ment and was president of the Quebec Branch; he was also vice-president of the British Sailors' Relief Fund. In other human matters which possess a wide appeal Mr. Carruthers always dis- played a lively interest and he was a sportsman in the very best sense of that term. It may surprise some of those who knew him only later in life to learn that in his youth Mr. Carruthers was a partici- pant in athletic games and of these the then national game of lacrosse was his favorite. Horses also appealed to Mr. Carruthers, and in his latter days he kept his mounts and took his exercise as frequently as possible, being a familiar figure on the bridle paths of Mount Royal. At one time the Carruthers stable was well known and his colors were to be seen on many tracks, maintaining both steeple- chasers and runners. Mr. Carruthers was one of those who assisted in the organization of the Montreal Jockey Club and was a director of that organi- zation. He was a daily attendant on the members' lawn whenever there was racing at Blue Bonnets. He was a mem- ber of many clubs in Montreal, Toronto and London, including the Forest and Stream, Royal St. Lawrence Yacht, Royal Montreal Golf and the Beacons- field Golf Clubs. Mr. Carruthers married Miss Louise Coleman, who survives, as does also one son, Lt.-Col. George A. Carruthers, of Winnipeg, the latter serving overseas with the 5th Artillery Brigade. HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM "The news of Mr. Carruthers' death will come as a great shock to every- one in the grain trade," said F. A. Heywood, president of the Montreal Corn Exchange, last night. "James Carruthers was one of the biggest men in the business and his reputation was world-wide. He was known and es- teemed by everyone in the trade from the office boys up, and all will regret his passing." H. B. Mackenzie, president of the Montreal Board of Trade, said Mr. Carruthers' death would be keenly felt by all the members of the board, with whome he had been associated for many years. "Mr. Carruthers was very well known to all connected with the board, and everyone held him in the highest esteem," said Mr. Mackenzie. "His death is a great loss to the business life of Montreal." ===========================================================================