Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1869-05-27
The Challoner-W Whitaker Tragedy,
Quebec. >


Quebec. aD
The third day of March last will
be long remembered in Quebec,
Canada. The skating rink in st. |
Lewis suburbs presented the Gus
lively appearance. The
civilians. and ladies Of the
city were well represented. Non
subscribers to the rink were denied
except when introduced
by members. This arrangement
but few spectators, among
whom, however, on the above day
was one whose brow throbbed, and
whose heart was smarting under
feelings Of abuse honor and purpos,
ofrevenge. This was a youth OF
sixteen years, small for his age, the
son of respectable citizen Of Que
bee. He took his stand in the en-
trance to the boys dressing-room,
and Immediately by that of the gen
tlemen's, s,swhen the object of bis
search. Ensign Whitaker, of tn.
Fifty Third Regiment, who was
then in the dressing-room remov-
ing his skates, soon passed out to
the platform. AS the officer PASSED
young Challoner raised a Reming
ton revolver and fired, but missed
his aim, The sudden explosion
caused Whitaker to face quickly
around, with his arms extended, as
if to grarpIe with his dangerous foe;
but before he had time to do more,
a second shot wa, fired, the ball en-
tering his left temple. He fell in
stantly upon his face an insensibi z
nan, and continued SO for sever
days, when death terminated his
melancholy career.
You know what that is for, ,"
laid Challoner, as his victim fell 81,
his feet. He made no attempt to
escape; but surrendered himself to
The first peace-officer that appeared
and was immedi tely taken to jail.
TO await the result Of his desperate
act.
Ensign Whitaker was twenty
two years of age. stood upward O
six feet in height, entered the arm
IN 1865, enjoyed the reputation of a
'ndsome, fast young man, and OF
he day he received his morta
wound was gazetted a Lieutenant,
On the third day after his death hi,
'emains were conveyed to Noun
Hermon Ceme.ery, followed by tn,
Fifty third Regiment, and Royal
Artillery, and the Rifle Brigade
But few citizens joined the process
ion, which slowly wendcd it's way
through the .serpentine apprcache.
, he old citidel. The solem;-
notes of the bands playing the Dea,
march, the measured tread Of tn,
long procession, and the sad refec-
tons Of blasted hopes and happi
less that the scene furnished tt.
very mind and pictured upon ever:
countenance, gave the cortege sick
ening impressivness.
The cause of this tragic affair wa
not long in coming to light. an.
furnishes another of numerous in
stances of British officers being ad
| mitted into families as gentlemen
while many of them neither care MOI
are sufficiently honorable to sup
port such a reputation. For months
Whitaker had been received into
the Challoner family as gentleman.
Daving court to Miss Challoner, sis
ter of the prisoner, whom lie seduc
ed by means of drugs. For time
he silenced her by promises Of mar
riage. To injury he added insult
hv accompanying his victim to th,
hurch door ostensibly for marriage
when he said to her. Tell the cler
rvman that / will call another day"
and then let her. Legal redres,
was now sought, when it was ascer
tanned that the law Of Quebec doe.
not punish the seducer. On the 3
of March the law-officers we're cali
ed in to counsel the family Will;
they were in the house young Chal
loner returned from his office. Nv,
are ruined; there is no hope for us,
said his father to him. He rushed
away from his sad home, his father,
grief, bis mother's tears. and sister
dishono, nerving his arm. An houl
after he met Whitaker and shot him
The trial, which las ed nearly thre,
days, was impressive and narrowing
To see arraigned at the bar spiritet
youth, who bore an excellent charac
ter, and who was general favorit'
Ito see him weeping passionatel,
as his counsil dwelt upon the wrongs
inflicted upon his family-to SCI
jurors and an associate judge upo1
the ench in tears while the prison
e s father and mother reluctantly
told their story, was a scene seldom
witnessed in a court of justice.
| On the morning of May 5 the jury
rendered their verdict acquitting th'
prisoner, who was congratulated by
the citizens present, and carried
away in triumph.-Harpers Weekly
Four Great Events.
| One of the great events of tn,
century occurred Monday. Th'
present century has seen these fou
great events:
l. Morse's invention of the Tele
graph. .- a.=
2. The laying of the Atlanti
Cable
3. The death of Slavery in th
United States.
4. The completion Of the Pacif
Railway.
In twenty-five years the continen