Memorable Manitobans: George Mitchell “Scotty” Harper (1888-1969)

Sports journalist.

Born at Airdrie, Scotland on 24 June 1888, he came to Canada and worked as a printer. In October 1914, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and served overseas. His hearing was impaired permanently as a result of an explosion at The Somme. After his military discharge, he returned to Winnipeg and began working at the Manitoba Free Press, first as a printer and later as a reporter. He became known for his articles on soccer, golf, football, and especially curling. He was said to have visited almost every town in Manitoba to report on curling. He covered his first Canadian championship in 1929. He was made a life member of the Manitoba Curling Association in 1956, the first person to achieve this distinction without having played an active role in a curling club. On 17 July 1923, he married Eva Hall (1888-1980) at Winnipeg and they had a son, Donald Harper. He died at his Winnipeg home on 30 March 1969.

Sources:

Attestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.

Marriage registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Scotty Harper is dead,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 March 1969, page 26.

Obituary [Eva Harper], Winnipeg Free Press, 15 October 1980, page 94.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 15 August 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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