THE BIDDULPH TRAGEDY

[...] THE FUNERAL OF THE DECEASED

[ Interior View of the Donnelly Home (Constructed by Ray Fazakas), Thanks to Ray Fazakas for permitting the Project to photograph the model of the Donnelly home he created. Photograph Copyright Great Unsolved Canadian Mysteries Project , Jennifer Pettit,   ]occupied the attention of the people this morning.

[...] Among those present were many Orangemen living in the neighbourhood. It is thought they came as a matter of policy in the way of keeping on good terms with the surviving members of the family.

[...] WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY

Mr. Wm. Stanley, Reeve of the village, was fearless in stating that two years ago the Donnellys were the terror of the township. On being questioned as to Father Connolly’s accusation that the magistrates neglected their duty, he said that although the boys were often arrested on various charges it was very difficult to secure a conviction. In fact if was impossible to get evidence, as the people seemed to fear that if they swore against the Donnellys their barns would be burned down, or they would be made to suffer by other depredations.

[...] A TALK WITH PATRICK DONNELLY

[...] Patrick said that he had frequently of late written to his father, advising him to sell out and leave the township, as he would never have peace while he lived there. He also wrote to his sister in St. Thomas, urging her to use her influence in this direction. When Patrick was home a few months ago he discussed the question of removal, but the old man could not be persuaded to go. He did not like the idea of leaving the homestead at his time of life, and his wife agreed with him. Patrick was disappointed, and says that on his return home he wrote back that something would happen if they did not leave. He deeply regrets that this prophecy has been so horribly fulfilled. [...]

Source: Unknown, "The Biddulph Tragedy," Toronto Globe, February 7, 1880.

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