The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-25
McLane Executed in Can
ada For Treason.
"A Rhode Island Citizen and
Fled From Creditors.
How the "Bl00dy Townships" Re-
ceived the Grues0me Name.

Most OF those who have visited Canada
and good many persons who have not
have heard of the "Bloody Townships, :"
hut it is safe to say very few of those who
hear that gruesome designation are aware
that II was given because the territory in
question was conferred upon witnesses
who swore away the lie of citizen of
Rhode Island, yet such is the fact. David
McIane came to Providence from Frank
lin. Mass, aud esta blished himself in
business on South Main street. For some
years he prospered but later troubles
came upon him and he was unable TO
meet his financial obligations. In those
days the Jaws were very stringent on
debtors and as McLane failed TO effect a
compromise with his creditors he went 10
Canada TO ecsaIe imprisonment here
which would probably have been his por-
tion had ne remained. However, inipris-
onment for debt would have been far
kinder fate than the awful one which
overlook him in the Dominion of Canada
where he expected to find an asylum.
McLane took up his residence in Quebec
and early in 1897, was arrested on the
capital charge OF treason. His trial took
place in July OF that year and he was
called upon to answer an accusation of
conspiring TO compass the death of tho
King and TO seize the city OF Quebec.
John Black, a ship carpenter, the chief
witness against McLane testified that
the accused had unfolded to him a plot
to arm 500 men with pixies seven or eight
feet long, 10 over3pne the garrison by
dosing the soldiers with laudanum and to
seize the city In behalf OF he French
government. But that didn't constitute
the whole of Blacks revelation for he in
sisted that McIane had gone TO Canada
under the name OF Jacob Felt and had
shown a letter OF recommendation from
the French minister TO the United States.
There was much more testimony OF
similar kind, hut not one scintllla OF
proof was produced to show that there
had ever been any conspiracy or that
such thing had any existence outside
the malevolent brain of Black and his
fellow witnesses, who seemed determined
to put an end to McLsne's existence IL
hard swearing would accomplish that re-
suit
No less determined TO convict was Chief
Justice Osgood, who presid at the trial
while the jury was selected with the same
end in view, only English inhabitants
being placed upon it, though the French
constituted the vast majority of the pop
ulation. To this prejudiced Judge and
manipulate jury Mel Lean made all address
which marked him ss a man of consider
able ability. He denounced the story OF a
conspiracy and plot as fabrication and
explained that the letter from the French
minister was for use in France where his
wife, who mad relatives living at New
port. was entitled to some property. He
contended with every mark and indica-
tion of truth that his coming to CANADA
had no political significance whatever,
but was due entirely to the exigencies
Of business. This convincing statement,
however, had not the slightest effect upon
Judge or jury, for McLane was convict
ed, as from the outset 1t was intended
and planned that he should be, and he
was sentenced TO be hanged, drawn and
quartered, the punishment meted out TO
those convicted of treason in those days.
He heard the sentence without finching.
McIane went to the scsffold without
the slightest show of fear, and the first