The Lucan Murders

[Burning of the Ryder Barn]

[ Interior of the Barn Located On the Donnelly Property Today, This barn was built in the 1880s, after the murders took place.  Some claim to have sighted ghost-like figures in the barn. Thanks to Robert Salts, present-day owner of the Donnelly Homestead, who allowed this photograph to be taken. Copyright Great Unsolved Canadian Mysteries Project, Jennifer Pettit,   ][...] The last trouble in which the family was involved consisted of a charge of incendiarism laid against the old man and his wife. On the night of the 15th of January the barns of Patrick Ryder, a neighbour, were burned to the ground. That night the four boys, John, Thomas, William, and Robert, were at a wedding party, and as the outrage could not be attributed to them it was fastened on the old folks, who were arrested, but subsequently released on bail. The case was set down for hearing yesterday, but prior to that time the accused had appeared before another and a higher tribunal. [...]

Source: Unknown, "The Lucan Murders, Burning of the Ryder Barn," Toronto Globe, February 6, 1880.

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