Victoria Daily Times, 2 April 1917

Assistant Collector for Past Ten Years

Henry N Short died early yesterday morning after brief illness

Death yesterday claimed one of the city’s most efficient servants in the person of Henry N Short, cashier and assistant city collector, who passed away at St Joseph’s Hospital about 12.45 am.  The deceased had been in failing health for two months, but it was not until six days ago that it was thought advisable to remove him to the hospital, where he was operated upon last Thursday.  Since then little hope of recovery has been held out.

Forty-six years of age, the late Mr Short was born and educated in Victoria at the public and high schools from which he graduated in due course. His father, the late Henry Short, was the leading gunmaker and sporting goods merchant in the city, and the deceased was associated with him in business.  After the father died, the brothers HN and Richard, carried on the business successfully for a time, but competition changed the conditions of earlier years and the store was closed. During those days the deceased was a well-known shot, and constantly hunted and fished in the district round Victoria.

Afterwards Mr Short turned to clerical work, and after various association he entered the city treasury about ten years ago, first in a temporary capacity.  He was assistant collector at the last.  Being of a high-strung nature, the duties and difficulties of his work in handling large sums of money undoubtedly worried him, and this phase became particularly noticeable at the last. Few officials were more conscientious than he was in discharge of his duties.

Mr Short was a very active lodge man, being a member of the Camosun Court of Foresters, also a member of the Woodmen of the World, and a charter member of Post no 1 of the Native Sons.  He was a member at one time of the 5^th Regiment.

Some years ago, Mr Short married a sister of FA Pauline, MPP, of Oak Bay.  The family home for some time had been at Landsdowne Road.  Besides the widow, there survive four boys, the eldest 13 and the youngest 5 years of age.  There also survive a brother, Richard, and a sister, Mrs McIntyre.  His parents predeceased him some eight or nine years.

The Foresters are taking charge of the funeral, which is to be to-morrow afternoon at 2:30 from the BC Funeral Company’s rooms.  Fifteen minutes later services will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, of the congregation of which he had been a member for many years.