Queen vs. Thomas Donnelly, Theft Against Edward Ryan, 1878

Ry (Ryan) vs Donnelly

[ Drawing of Thomas Donnelly, This drawing originally appeared in the 1880 newspaper coverage of the Donnelly murders.  It is reprinted in Donald L. Cosens, ed. Statement of
Edward Ryan

On the 5th of March 1878 — I was in the village of Lucan in the afternoon. I had on my person $83.00 [...] I met Donnelly & Feely in Lucan that afternoon & we had a few drinks together — I drank only ginger wine perhaps ten glasses [...]I had taken out the purse showing the money to Donnelly & Feely. I left M Falls hotel in the company of Thos Donnelly & Feely between 8 & 9 o'clock on the evening of that day. After we had got a few yards from M Falls hotel Feely said he had forgotten something & sho go back. [...] Donnelly then walked along at my right side [...] When we had proceeded in this manner about 50 rods from M Falls' some one came up behind me and threw his arms around my body pinning my arms. Donnelly then put his right hand in my pocket. I struggled and shouted. Donnelly then took me by the throat with his left hand. I was thrown on the ground and Donnelly took the money out of my pocket [...].

Donnellys brother John offered me his father's note for the amt—for half the money if I would settle. I was threatened if I dared to proceed and my barn was burned down last September (1878)

Source: J.J. Talman Regional Collection, University of Western Ontario Archives, Donnelly Family Papers, B4877, File 24, Unknown, "Queen vs. Thomas Donnelly, Theft Against Edward Ryan," March 5, 1878.

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