ELGIN ASSOCIATION DISSOLVES AND KING TAKES A VACATION

The Elgin Association dissolved in 1873, the final report written in January of 1873.   It must have been satisfying for King to see his dream and plan go full circle; from the initial land surveys despite local protest to the bittersweet farewells of the young people who having profitted from their upbringing in Buxton moved to help newly emancipated blacks build communities in the US south.  King corresponded with many of the southern missionaries, not doubt delighting in their victories and troubled by the news of the emerging Klu Klux Klan groups.

In the summer of 1873, King accompanied by wife Jemima boarded the Trinacria steamship in New York for a trip to the British Isles.  This was trip was strictly for recreational purposes, there were no speaking engagements or causes to be served.  Among King s visits were Westminister Abbey, the Zoological Gardens, the British Museum and watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace like any other tourist.

The Kings were to return home on the SS Hungarian. Word reached Chatham via telegraph from the Toronto Globe that the SS Hungarian had sunk without a single survivor...  The Toronto Globe put their flags at half mast, mourning the passing of a great man.  Back home in Buxton, all work ceased and the churches were packed with praying settlers.  In Chatham, stores on King Street hung mourning black on their shop signs and  Mayor Smith proclaimed a day of mourning.  It was soon learned by close friend Archibald McKellar, that the Kings had not been passengers on the sinking ship and had extended their stay due to a stomach ailment King experienced.  The despair of loss was replaced by gratitude and joy that the Kings were safe.

The Kings arrived in home a few weeks later, on an evening train to Chatham.  They must have been overwhelmed to be met at the station by a torchlight procession, with "welcome home" speeches, and escorted to Buxton by the Twenty-fourth Kent Infantry wearing full dress uniform.

Although no longer a director for the Elgin Association, King resumed his pastoral charge of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Buxton.