The Assassination of D'Arcy McGee
A Canadian political assassination mystery: the assassination of D'Arcy McGee! Less than a year after Confederation, one of Canada's founding fathers was shot dead on Sparks Street in Ottawa, and to this day the question remains: who killed D'Arcy McGee?
#documentary #history #canadianhistory #assassination
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The story of the assassination of D'Arcy McGee is gigantic. Putting this episode together was daunting because so many details, characters, and events had to be left out. We strongly suggest that interested viewers dive into external sources to come up with their own theories and see the trial from angles we might have only touched on. We tried to find common denominators between the works of multiple historians, in tandem with primary documents, to tell the tale in as succinct (yet open-ended) a way as we could. But bear this in mind: the debate surrounding the trial and who killed McGee rages to this day-there is no definitive accepted truth, just clues, court transcripts, a whole lot of rumours, and a hanged man.
It would be impossible to share everything we came across in our research in this description, so here are a few highlights:
First, it's worth mentioning just how determined McGee was in his campaign against Fenianism. He was a rebel in Ireland, to the point he had a warrant out for his arrest-he escaped to North America on a ship disguised as a priest. In Canada, he became a pioneer of multiculturalism and equality, and he traveled the country passionately sharing his message. Undeterred by the constant real threat of being killed, McGee gave furious speeches in both Catholic and Protestant Irish societies, a lot of the time to enraged crowds. He was fearless, even though he suspected his tenacity might lead to a violent end. McGee apparently had nightmares about his death, and said to a colleague: “There is no danger of my being converted into a political martyr. If ever I were murdered, it would be by some wretch who would shoot me from behind.”
We briefly touch on how strongly the country mourned the loss of their 'Prophet of Confederation,' but it can't be over-emphasized. McGee's funeral was the biggest in Canadian history, our country’s first-ever state funeral, and an official day of public mourning. It took place on what should have been D’Arcy McGee’s 43rd birthday. A crowd of 80,000 lined the streets of Montreal-80% of the city’s entire population-to pay their respects as a black catafalque was driven to St. Patrick's Church. 15,000 mourners followed the body while the band played Handel's “Death March.” McGee had spent most of his time living in Montreal where he was beloved.
Now the elephant in the room: was Whelan a Fenian and did he have a role in the murder? Briefly: most agree Whelan was a Fenian whether or not he admitted to it, but that doesn't make him a killer. What we hoped to accomplish in this episode wasn't to project a verdict on Whelan, but on the trial itself. It's generally accepted that if this trial were to have taken place in modern times, Whelan would have received a 'not guilty' verdict. Clearly, the fact that John A. and Judge Richards worked together to make sure Whelan was convicted and hung quickly is cause for a mistrial, but there's grounds for a 'reasonable doubt' of his guilt in just considering that the entire trial relied on circumstantial evidence given by witnesses who could not be trusted. A quick list of some key points:
- The guards who recounted Whelan's confession in jail may have misinterpreted sarcasm, or worse-as it's been suggested elsewhere-they may have made it up. That confession played a significant role during the trial.
- We weren't joking when we said the reward money for witnesses was problematic. A majority of the witnesses who testified against Whelan didn't come out of the woodwork until the reward was raised, months after the murder.
- Pistols like Whelan's were commonplace in Ottawa at the time.
- Lacroix described Whelan as short and McGee as tall, the reverse was true.
- Whelan appealed his sentence based on the stacked jury, a clear injustice to many at the time.
- A lot of witness testimony was focused on hearsay "threats" Whelan allegedly made but could be summed up as common grievances hundreds of people had against McGee.
- We've run out of space, we aim to compile our research in a blogpost one day.
*Listen with Described Video: • The Assassination of D...
Thank you to those who graciously contributed their voices for some of the quotations in the episode: Leete Stetson (D'Arcy McGee), Hayden Finkelshtain (Patrick J. Whelan), Nikolai Efimov (Patrick Buckley), and Josef Beeby (Messenger).
Пікірлер: 156
Stick around until after the credits for a mysterious anecdote that will have you second-guessing any theories you come up with! Please check out the description for just a handful more of the massive amount of information that we couldn't fit into the episode. And don't stop here with us, there is a lot of material out there surrounding this subject. We hope you enjoyed our dive into Canadian true crime!
@craigwesley1504
3 жыл бұрын
It was John a mac Donald that killed him. He had his carriage and driver close by How else could he be covered in blood. See. It had to be the last person with him who knew where he was and where he was going. John pretended to part ways. But he actually followed him in the shadows. That’s why he insisted to sit next to the judge. Lmao. Very guilty action right there. Also his parade of paid witnesses and his own driver obviously got arrested. Because John got out before they pulled him over. If John parted ways. And went home. How is he covered In his blood lmao. The body fell back. Into johns arms. Covering him in blood. So he had to act like he was at the scene after he got killed. No. That caliber gun was easy to get. He set him up literally. John did it because of the one speech when he said
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
Sir John A drank himself stupid ,maybe his conscience was bothering him?
@tammysimard8055
2 жыл бұрын
What’s with the weird Indian music in the beginning
@CanadianRebel479
Жыл бұрын
I would like to hear your thoughts, on a theory i have. The plot for abraham lincolns murder was planned in canada, and the man who killed john wilkes booth was a Canadian do you think it could of been the Canadians who had lincoln killed and tried to cover it up. MacDonald seams like the man who would go to that lengths to make sure abraham never turned his sights north, very much a fear that sll canadian leaders had at that time
How am I a Canadian, yet I studied more American history in school than Canadian? How have I literally never heard of McGee before?
@Canadiana
4 жыл бұрын
Our thoughts exactly! A couple of us barely remembered McGee from school, and had no idea the trial was so insane!
@dosmundos3830
4 жыл бұрын
i'm also canadian and i don't recall being taught any american history in school.
@mewesquirrel6720
2 жыл бұрын
Because y'all obsessed
@zizimycat
Жыл бұрын
I remember studying Darcy McGee & the Fenian war in history in high school in the early 70s.
@peggy-ann1961
Жыл бұрын
@@dosmundos3830 I guess it depends how old you are. We had to label each American state along with their capitals! A few years ago we had to let some American folks we met know where Manitoba was while we were holidaying in Arizona. All they knew was BC and Toronto! We’ve also run into this in Mexico with Americans.
Subbed today by a Canuck expat, living in the USA for many decades, with still a finger on the pulse of the homeland, and much thanks for your most excellent work in this underrated province of fascinating tales.
Now this is worth being on CBC unlike a lot of the crap they normally play
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
CBC would not play this ,,,hence.
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
Who had the most to gain?
@randomdude1053
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed CBC is garbage
@johnnyraider
6 ай бұрын
WELL SAID SIR. THE GOV'T SHOULD NOT BE IN THE TV OR RADIO BIZ. THANK GOD KNOWLTON NASH IS GONE. HE WAS NO WALTER CRONKITE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊
This channel deserves a bigger following, you do fantastic work.
@framboise8845
3 жыл бұрын
So agree on this! It's excellent AND entertaining.
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
I wonder who had the most to gain?
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
Who had the most to gain?
@framboise8845
3 жыл бұрын
@@markdemell3717 ?
The amount of times I walk Spark St. and I had no clue about this historical event. Thank you for this great piece!
@Canadiana
5 жыл бұрын
There's actually an inconspicuous plaque marking where D'Arcy McGee was shot right next to Subway Sandwiches on Sparks Street. It took us a while to figure out precisely, but the Subway shop is in the spot where the entrance to Mrs. Trotter's boarding house was. Thanks for watching!
@jeffwalker6815
2 жыл бұрын
My dad reminded me literally every time we went down in since I went to TDM elementary..Also there's actually a plaque on the spot he was shot to look for next time you're down there.
This production value is incredible. Really enjoyed the video, glad I discovered your channel!
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
Who had the most to gain? Was it the PM?
Your work is filled with amazing atmosphere and a great sense of story. It's so rare to find brilliantly made Canadian content on KZread anymore. Truly, thank you.
This truly is Canadiana at it's best. Well done
@markdemell3717
3 жыл бұрын
Did sir John have the most to gain from this ?
You, good sir, have earned a subscriber! Thank you for this excellent Canadian content!
McGee didn’t go straight from Ireland to Canada. He was convicted and hunted. He escaped Ireland and went to New York, then Boston, and then Buffalo. He became disillusioned with Republicanism and became a Loyalist, moving to Canada. He championed the rights of Irishmen within the British Empire, especially Canada.
@Canadiana
4 жыл бұрын
We could only fit so much in the episode and keep the pace up, you're absolutely right though. We really wanted to include how he disguised himself as a priest to evade authorities in Ireland too.
@robbmorrow
4 жыл бұрын
Canadiana; That’s a fair point, I never thought of that. Brilliant video though, fair play to you!
My grandfather was a Scot from Glasgow and an Orangeman . It is common knowledge that a Catholic would never be allowed to hold public office in Toronto "The Good" at the time. It wasn't until the late 1950's when this stupidity was allowed to die. Toronto at one time was divided into neighbourhoods mainly Catholic and Protestant and either group didnot venture into the others domain. God help you if you as a member of either group tried to date a young lady of the opposite group. You got off lightly if you just got a beating, at worse you could be killed along with members of your family and have your house burnt down. In fact some banks required that if you wanted to take out an account you had to sign a document that stated that you were belonged to an approved church abstained from tobacco and drink and had to be vouched for by members of your community. And recent immigrants complain about "systematic racism"which is a load of hot air.
@michinwaygook3684
Жыл бұрын
My grandfather, a protestant from Northern Ireland, married my grandmother, a French Catholic from Quebec, at the back of a church in Trois-Rivières. My great grandmother was a staunch, but progressive, Catholic who owned her own businesses, putting all eight of her children through private school. My great grandfather worked for my great grandmother. My grandparents were married 53 years. There was also a catholic cousin in our family line who married a Protestant. Their affiliations were not secrets and they were never subject to violence or ostracized. That said they were married in the back of the church and if they had been married in Northern Ireland it would not have been pretty. While I think there is some truth to your story it was in select parts of Canada and certainly not everywhere.
@notanantiGnostic
6 ай бұрын
@@michinwaygook3684 It was very true in Toronto at one time. My great Grandfather came to Toronto in 1913 and despite being protestant he couldn't get a job because he was Irish. He went north and did logging work. He was trying to work as a lithographer.
@michinwaygook3684
6 ай бұрын
@@notanantiGnostic My grandfather came to Canada through the Salvation Army and had a job waiting for him. It was on a potato farm of all things; sort of like being Korean and having some organization give you work on a Kimchi farm. He hated it and jumped a fence at some factory to skip the "queue" (workers were lined up outside it waiting for a job opportunity). He went and found the boss and got a job that way. Later he joined the Canadian army. As a protestant Irish he never mentioned any discrimination, but he wasn't in the lithographer trade.
Thank you for doing this, I feel our countries history gets overshadowed...or we are told we have no history.
this channel is amazing, the quality is insane.
@Canadiana
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Always nice to hear :)
Great video! It's something that i'll be thinking about the next time i'm walking down Sparks Street.
Great video, it answered many questions I had for a long time, many, many thanks! I've visited that hostel, and I could feel the desperation they must have all felt, entering the back court with it's high dark walls and feeling so trapped, then climbing that narrow stair toward those tiny cells must have felt like torture, and then looking at that door where they would be hanged, some I guess innocent, filled me we dread, I'm glad that that time is over.
one more very interesting and informative video and also nice narration 👍 great way to learn Canadian history’s thanks for it 👍✌️
Well done. I learned something new about Canadian history. I wish all Canadian history was this interesting.
Wow glad I found your channel! Surprising you only have 10k subs :0
Thanks for this. Been living in Asian for decades, but still miss and love my hometown of Ottawa. Had more than a few beers at D'Arcy McGee's. Always thought that the prison turned youth hostel is a pretty unique place as well. Well worth a look if you're visiting the nation's capital.
Cool series. I was glad to be introduced to it during TO Web Fest!
@Canadiana
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for checking us out! Hope you had fun at TO Web Fest!
@fishsuitcase368
4 жыл бұрын
We definitely did. Keep winning those awards!
I love your videos! You do an amazing job telling Canadian stories and Im super excited for season 3!
I really enjoy all these. You are a perfect narrator, story teller. Perfect voice.
The only mystery is how the real assassin John O'Farrell managed to not be arrested and disappear completely
This is a great insight to what may or may not have happened! Nice work!!
@Canadiana
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! We're glad you enjoyed it!
I love the hand emphasis’s. It helps me like a conductor helps his orchestra.
The videos of this channel should be played in Canadian schools, they are so interesting and well made.
So glad to see you guys back! I missed last weeks episode, I need to catch up.
@sanjarsocool
3 жыл бұрын
Didn’t you make the cocaine Coca Cola
Extremely well done and riveting!
Good old John Eh, the more I learn the more I wonder. Wonderful series, so very glad to have found it.
Glad I found your channel I love history and especially Canadian history keep up the good work ... and tuck in your shirt lol
I currently live in Gatneau but I'm from Ottawa and it's nice to have an in-depth explanation of stuff I already vaguely know and learn some new interesting stuff
What a story !!!!!! this should be on TV
I really find Canadian history very fascinating.
@annalisavajda252
Жыл бұрын
Yes well it's a true crime drama too.
Now I am imagining Russell Crowe playing the part of McGee in a cinematic adaptation of this story.
@kylew2165
6 ай бұрын
William H. Macy as John A. MacDonald. Or else that guy on the $10 bill.
This is a long overdue and well-done analysis of this excellent murder-mystery. Too bad it'll never be made into a great movie.
This channel is excellent!
Well done...keep it up
I took a Canadian History class a few years back but the lessons that were taught were VERY broad and the teacher tried to focus more on implementing modern politics into it. A waste of money because it was this kind of stuff that was more in depth and not a rehash on the little we learned in grade school that I wanted to learn. It went something like this: migration during ice age, europeans, confederation, 1812 getting a brief acknowledgement, general strikes, WW1, WW2. I love being able to find more history of our nation online for free than dropping ~1k for a brief that could be summed up in a 2 hr long video.
I remember learning about McGee growing up in Ireland. I thought him a traitor to the cause. Now I'm older and live in Canada, I feel more conflicted.
@notanantiGnostic
6 ай бұрын
I grew up in Canada with a grandfather that was pretty much full Irish. I have never felt sympathy for McGee. He went too far in the degree to which he supported MacDonald's Dominion of Canada which was essentially on the side of the British and abandoned the cause of the Irish all together. The Fenian movement didn't really accomplish much especially in North America but I can see why emotions would be high enough to kill McGee at that time.
Very cool! And very well done.
I've stayed at the Ottawa Jail Hostel! ❤ My daughter and I had a blast, but that's when I learned my husband is claustrophobic 😢
Not sure where this channel has been hiding but wow, awesome work.
Such a good story!
Marcel and Marcia from New Brunswick. There Abandoned Car found Parked in a dirt road. Never solved never found bodies. RIP We got some darkness all over this continent.
I thought d'arcy mcgee's was just a bar I got drunk at lol. This is so cool!
Make a vídeo about the Church of the Holy Cross in Stalin, BC.
well done
From Spain I don´t know a lot about the history of Canada, amazing.
I'm so embarrassed, I had no idea. I had a few drinks at the pub whenever i have visited the capital but never knew the significance as the name sake of an important part of out countries history. thank you for this
War Measures Act, version One.
An inspired presenter, narration in particular, can make all the difference in the world. My teachers in the 70s made our history a gawdawful bore.
Corruption in canadian politics? Cmon now!
Omg, I learned about him in my history class
Great video, how about some east coast stories. The 1st official murder in a bar in Canada. The murder in the split crow. Or the story of fort Anne the bloodiest fort in Canada
@Canadiana
4 жыл бұрын
We are currently trying to get funding to shoot a bunch of episodes in the Maritimes! Thanks for watching!
Just found this channel how to love the Canadian content What about the black Donnelly‘s or the Mad trapper of Rat river, so many interesting stories out there of Canadian contact that needs to be told
@Canadiana
Жыл бұрын
We mean to do both one day! We've had them roughed out for literal years! Thanks for checking us out!
@jayneterry8701
Жыл бұрын
@@Canadiana you can take your time on the black D. That story I've heard so many times throughout public school I'm sick of it.
Poor Whelan... :( False conviction stories bring tears to my eyes, but this was very well told! so not crying.... Poor Whelan...
Going to school in Canada I was never told of any of this in my History class. The five dollar bill is now a reminder.
Well in 1690-09-13 my relative Tossanait Hanault dit Deschamps was assassinated by Dumont de Blaignac a lieutenant.
I should have gone to that pub when I was in Ottawa!
Would love to hear more about O'Farrell.
Let the record show that Whelan should not be pronounced "Wailin'". Try "Wheelan". Enjoyed the video, thank you.
The house of commons sat at 2am? Just months after Canada installed electricity in Parliament? New country, old country, modern times or at the time of confederation... doesn't matter, the Canadian parliament never held sessions at that hour.
Sasha Trudeau?
Canadas own assassination conspiracy. This should be a movie.
Something that you definitely dont learn in school
Man I’ve eaten at that Darcy’s. So weird to see online.
@Canadiana
5 жыл бұрын
We ate there too! Thanks for watching.
It was John a mac Donald that killed him. He had his carriage and driver close by How else could he be covered in blood. See. It had to be the last person with him who knew where he was and where he was going. John pretended to part ways. But he actually followed him in the shadows. That’s why he insisted to sit next to the judge. Lmao. Very guilty action right there. Also his parade of paid witnesses and his own driver obviously got arrested. Because John got out before they pulled him over. If John parted ways. And went home. How is he covered In his blood lmao. The body fell back. Into johns arms. Covering him in blood. So he had to act like he was at the scene after he got killed. No. That caliber gun was easy to get. He set him up literally. John did it because of the one speech when he said
@PeterCPRail8748
Жыл бұрын
Exactly what I was thinking Mcgee was becoming popular in Ottawa political circles, clearly John and his political circle saw him as a growing threat to there leadership.
After shooting McGee he said, "Sorry".
I got to see the inside of that prison on my grade 8 field trip to Ottawa
@speez6106
3 жыл бұрын
Grade 8 field trip.....suuuuuuure. 😅
@MegaHello202
3 жыл бұрын
Speez Speez 😂
mr. Shaughnessy i do not understand ;)))
what ever happened to O Farrell
At least we know it wasn't Oswald.
An innocent man was hanged.Mcdonald had a hand in it i think.
What was Darcy McGhee doing living in a boarding house? Did MacDonald visit him often? Ludicrous.
@johnkidd1226
6 ай бұрын
Most politicians of the time maintained a residence in their home riding and lived in a boarding house in Ottawa when parliament was in session.
I'm the 2000th like
Only a poor Irishman could hire a lawyer that committed the crime. My ancestors have had their own form of suffering in Canada. At least the railroad treatment was better than the Chinese workers from the west. You should do a episode on the railroad workers.
All I can say is this is a conspiracy why did McDonald not want to check into the letter
Guy's name was John The Baptist The Cross. Think he went to church?
@hilariousname6826
6 ай бұрын
Everyone did in those days - so, yeah.
ask for a grant from the government
Busted dead in Barton rouge,
Don't Canadians Open Inside
John A Macdonald did it😏
I would live to see a video about the still very controversial killing of Albert "ginger" goodwin in cumberland bc.
@Canadiana
4 жыл бұрын
Ginger Goodwin is on our list of over 100 episodes we've been researching in the last couple months to pitch to funders!
poor whelan, hung for a crime he did not commit.
Life is a mystery. Only those who deserve the truth get it . . . According to an old Jesuit truth saying.
khasar mafia who else
🍀🍁Maple Leaf Forever🍁🍀 IMO thats the day True Canadian Confederation died with McGee, the British gov. was intolerant of an Irishman Leading a Free Democratic Country... Period. I am totally in favour of forming an old fashioned political party based on Darcy McGees' views and dreams... oh ya..im from Irish decent, same crowd came across the water 😂 😂 Easy to feel kinda gypped !!
@hilariousname6826
6 ай бұрын
Wow - that's a convoluted and, if you'll forgive me, astronomically far-fetched theory.