The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-08
HANGED, DRAWN AND QUARTERBD.
Story of the Execution of McFarlane
on the Plains of brnha

ON Nne ruins O1 AUranaAf.
Montreal Letter in St. Louis Globe-Dem-
A rather tragic anniversary was observed
In the old city of Quebec this week. Just
one hundred years ago, on the. 18th of July,
David McFaTlane, an American suDJe-t
and Sympathizer. was executed there for
high treason. The execution took place
near the summit of the hill Immediately
outside the Notifications on the landward
side of the fortress, since known as Gal
lows HILL" The tragic spot is now crossed
by the prolongation of Richclieu street TO
Mcmahon street through the fortitcaton
wall.
Toward the close of the last century and
the early years of the present the citizens
of Quebec had on many occasions 10 Wit
ness the execution of those upon whom
the death sentence had been pronounced.
Hanging was Of frequent occurrence, as
also military executions. On one occasion
no less than seven soldiers were shot side
by side on the plains of Abraham for de-
Sertion.
But there was one execution that pro-
duced a profound impression on the minds
of the inhabitants, it being the solitary in
stance of carrying out, even in semblahce,
of hanging, drawing and quarierlng III
America. 1t is a case which stands pre-
eminent among the causes c~eiebres OF
Canada, and from the madness of the
project which led up TO 1t, the novelty or
the judicial proceedings and the barbarlty
of the execution in conformity with the
savage spirit of the English code in those
days, is perhaps without a parallel. me
case was that of David McFarlane, a ma
tive of Attleboro. Mass. who was employed
and sent to Canada by Adet, one OF the
representatives of the then French repuD-
lie in the United states, to arouse the
French-Canadians, witt a view to the re-
conquest of Canada from England Tor
France with American AID. For TINS Nc
Farlane was arrested at Quebec and
brought to trial, when he was found guilty
and sentenced ito be hanged, to be taken
down while still alive, cut open. disem-
boweled, have his entrails burnt before his
eyes, his head cut off, and his body divided
into four parts"
On July %, 1897, this barbarous sentence
was carried out. McFarlane was taken
from prison on a hurdle, attended by ING
sheriff and a military guard. The ak anu
block were carried with him. A little aIteT
10 o'clock they reached the gallows eTectso
outside st. Johns gate, at the foot, OF INC
glacis. an elevated spot visible 10 the ~
rounding country, and now occupleu py St o
convent of the Sisters of Charity, and also
where formerly stood the Christian broth-
ers' School. McFarlane, who belonse9 -
the Church of England, was attenQed ny
the Rev. Mr.. Mountain and Mr. SpaI ne
and after a few words addressed 10 tho
people was cast off the ladder.
After hanging about twenty-five mihuteS
he was taken down., his head cut oil anu
held up by the executioner, crying &c
hold the head of a traitor. A par{ Oh ed'
entrails was then taken OUT afu Ne Yer
and the limbs cut. but not cut on. NeFEl
says the historian Garneau, had such o
spectacle been seen in Canada" tho
McFarlane had the sympathy 9I +bnv
French-Ca At personal risk tHheS
had bestowed. care and consolation on MN
before and during his trial; their chdilo5
prompted them to give his remains emr
rites of burial. Toward evening LA os
French-Canadians dug a grave on the 800
of execution, on what is now the hoILnSi
corner of Richelieu street, near the 5leGts;
and near the north angle OF the oIseOHtiv
new building, and there inferred ugCrneta
the mutilated remains of the unIonntuua ia
stranger. Of McFarlane's family ntte
known. except that in 1925 a daughtelin ms
his came to Quebec to remove MS I0i'"'-
to a more respectable tomb.