In 1918, there was a write-up and a lovely photo of Karl while he was visiting Brandon, Manitoba, his first visit since travelling through on his journey on September 1, 1899. The paper reported that Karl had worked for many years with CNR, but had been forced to give up railroading due to ill health, and had recently been appointed the Western Representative for the Ridgely Protective Insurance Co. He was also now a member of the Minnehaha Lodge No. 7 in Winnipeg. Karl had become an Odd Fellow.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOFF) is a fraternal organization similar to the Masons and the Knights of Pythias that emphasizes brotherhood, charity, and personal growth. These groups share DNA in their structure and values, but each has its own history, symbols, and rituals. The Knights of Pythias, fittingly, appeared in Karl’s life long before the Odd Fellows; he referenced staying in the Rossland, B.C. lodge in his October 15, 1899 letter to sister Mattie (see Post #188).
The Masons are the oldest, tracing their roots to medieval stonemasons. The Knights of Pythias was founded in 1864, while the Odd Fellows trace their origins to the early 18th century in England.
The Odd Fellows’ philosophy centres on Friendship, Love, and Truth, and their mission is to “visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan.” Karl’s role, according to his business card, was to pay sickness and accident benefits to Odd Fellows only. Ridgely was a fraternal insurer tied to the IOOF, offering a kind of early disability and accident-death protection, more personal and fraternal than commercial.
Then, on March 13, 1923, the Kamloops Standard Sentinel reported that Karl had been living in Kamloops “for the best part of a year,” but would be leaving that night with his wife and daughter for Vancouver. The article revisited the highlights of his world trip nearly 25 years earlier.
Karl showed the reporter his travel books with postmarks and signatures authenticating his journey. Even in 1923, the journalist noted how difficult Karl’s trip had been in comparison to “modern travel”, remarking that “the bicycle was of that old-fashioned type without coaster brake.” The article concluded: “Such an adventure does not always fall to the lot of the average person.”
The next day, March 14, 1923, the Vancouver Sunday Sun ran another article: “Circled the Globe With a Capital of 3 Cents and Large Supply of Grit.” It reported Karl had arrived in Vancouver “to take up his residence,” once again sharing the extraordinary story of his ride around the world.
But less than a year later, on February 17, 1924, a telegram arrived at Jean Creelman's home in Bible Hill, Truro, Nova Scotia, conveying the sad news that her brother Karl had passed away in Vancouver.
The news reported:
Mr Creelman had been in poor health for some time. An attack of pneumonia was contracted and in his weak state of health he could not withstand the extra strain upon his strength.
The deceased was a son of the late E. R Creelman, Bible Hill. He is survived by his widow and an adopted daughter* Miss Margaret. He also leaves to mourn their loss his mother, Mrs E. R. Creeman, Bible Hill, Truro, and four sisters: Mrs E. M Straight**, Vancouver Island, Mrs. A. J. Brownell, Vancouver, Mrs. J.M. Swaine, Ottawa, and Miss Jean Creelman, Bible Hill.
Mr. Creelman was well known and highly esteemed by a large number of friends in Truro and different parts of Colchester County. All of whom will learn with regret of his death in far away British Columbia.
As a young man Karl won considerable fame by making an “Around the world tour” on a Red Bird bicycle starting in 1899 from Truro without a cent in his pocket on his long trip and arrived home in 1901.
The widow, mother and the four sisters, so widely separated at this time of bereavement, have the sincere sympathy of their large circle of friends and acquaintances both in the home-land of the East and in the far west.
Karl died in his home at 1607 Yew Street, Vancouver. He was just 46 years old.
His funeral took place two days later, February 19th, at T. Edwards Co.’s new chapel at 2421 Granville Street, with Rev. H. L. Kempton officiating. He was then laid to rest at Ocean View Burial Park.
* I believe the newspaper mistakenly referred to Margaret as “adopted.” Her birth announcement and her official birth record both identify Marjorie as her mother, consistent with a birth, not an adoption. Other obituaries correctly identify Karl as surviving by “a widow and a daughter.”
** Mrs. E. M. Straight was Karl’s sister, Mattie. A newspaper reference notes that the Creelmans visited the Straights’ home in Sidney, British Columbia, shortly before Karl’s death. That detail genuinely warmed my heart and strengthened my belief that Karl and Mattie shared a special relationship.
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The Karl Journey is registered as an official expedition with the Royal Geographical Society