BLANCHARD, Dr. Robert Johnston
Visited the Bell Farm on Oct. 13-14, 1895 - Dr. Robert Johnston Blanchard (1853-1928) was a Scottish medical doctor (graduated 1878) who moved to Winnipeg in 1879. In mid October 1895 he was summoned by Major Bell to attend to his ailing wife, Catherine. Dr. Blanchard came as quickly as possible, travelling by CPR President Sir William Van Horne's private train. However, Mrs. Bell was too sick and died on Oct. 14 from appendicitis.
Both Dr. Blanchard and his wife Janie Louise, came to the Winnipeg CPR Station along with at least a dozen other mourners who were friends and associates of Major and Catherine Bell, when the Van Horne train carrying Mrs. Bell's remains passed through en route to Brockville, Ontario for burial.
Dr. Blanchard served oversees during World War I, and afterwards returned to Winnipeg, where he practised until his death in 1928.