From the Hamilton Spectator – 19 January 1869.
“We have further particulars in reference to the fatal affray mentioned in yesterday morning’s Spectator, which occurred in Waterdown on Friday evening last, whereby a man named Carlton* Shannon, who formerly resided in this city, came to his death. It seems that the deceased, together with George Armstrong, and a few other men of the village, engaged in a game of cards called “Bluff”, staking a small sum on the result of each game. This was on Friday evening last, in John Anderson’s tavern*, both the landlord and his wife being absent from home. No blows were exchanged but the light was extinguished, and Shannon seized the money and went downstairs.
According to the evidence of some of the witnesses, Shannon attempted to strike Armstrong. A scuffle between the parties then ensued, in which the light was again put out. When re-lit, Shannon was found in an insensible state on the floor. He recovered, however, in a few minutes and went down stairs, washed himself and shortly after went to bed.
In the morning (Saturday) he was found dead. Dr. Skinner had a jury of inquest summoned in the evening, and sent for Dr. Philp to perform a post mortum examination. This the latter declined doing stating that the case was of such serious impact that another physician should attend. The Coroner then telegraphed to Hamilton for a doctor, and Dr. Henwood arrived, and was willing to perform the duty alone, and did so in a most satisfactory manner. The evidence of Dr. Henwood showed that the upper portion of the temporal bone of the deceased head was fractured and a middle artery supplying the brain had been ruptured. A large clot of bood weighing 6oz and 2 drachms had formed which pressing on the brain had caused death.
The jury returned a verdict “that deceased Carlton Shannon, came to his death from injuries inflicted at the hands of George Armstrong.” A warrant was at once issued for the arrest of Armstrong, and he was brought before H. O’Reilly and John Glassco Esq., and by them committed for trial at the next Assizes.
From the Hamilton Spectator – 24 March 1869.
“Wentworth Spring Assizes, His Lordwhip Justice Maggarty presiding. The case of the Queen vs George Armstrong – Manslaughter.The prisoner, George Armstrong was charged with killing Charles Shannon at Waterdown on the 15th January last.
Counsel for the Crown explained to the Jury that only a bill for manslaughter had been found. The prisoner and deceased had been engaged in a quarrel and fought and the death of Shannon had been caused. The fact for the Jury to consider was whether the charge of violence having been used could be sustained.”
The newspaper article then included accounts from each of the witnesses, Oscar Crooker, Sappho Crusoe, John Fletcher, Edward La Marche, John Yake, and Francis Dawson. They all stated that they lived in East Flamborough and knew the deceased and the accused man, Armstrong and that Shannon was living at the hotel at the time of the incident. Everyone agreed that the two men went from the bar-room upstairs together and that they heard a noise. Much of the testimony that was given was identical, almost word for word, but two of the witnesses did make additional comments in their account of the happenings, so these have been included.
Edward La Marche admitted that he was present on the occasion of the incident referred to. “There was a party of us playing cards. The prisoner and Shannon quarrelled, Shannon having accused Armstrong of cheating. Shannon took out a card apparently from Armstrong’s knee, then he picked up the money and on both rising, the lamp on the table was upset. When the light was got, Armstrong made an attempt to clutch and upset the lamp in Shannon’s hand. I went and got a light, and on going up the stairs found Shannon lying on the floor. I did not hear Armstrong say he struck him and no one else struck him”.
John Yake stated that “I was at Anderson’s that night, happened to go in, but was not upstairs. Shannon came down and talked to me, he had charge of the bar. He then went up, leaving me and said he would soon be down. He had some liquor and cigars, and carried up the liquor twice or three times while I was there. I heard a noise as if the table had been upset, glass breaking and a scuffle. Shannon came down, Armstrong with him. The deceased asked to excuse the light and went upstairs. Perhaps a minute after, I heard a heavy thump on the floor, like something falling, then several more and then a great scrambling as if people were moving about. Shannon came down and was besmeared with blood, his right eye nearly closed. He attempted to go out and was told not to go and he returned and sat down. Armstrong came down last. Someone spoke and said a knife had been used. Armstrong said no, a knife had not been used, but he had struck a heavy blow and thumped him on the floor”.
After Dr. Henwood had given his medical evidence on the deceased, the jury brought in a verdict that Armstrong was guilty of manslaughter but recommended mercy.
Additional material at the Archives donated by Mr. Costello provides background material on the murder victim.
Carlton or Charles S. Shannon was married twice. His first wife Mary is buried in Millgrove Municipal Cemetery, West Flamborough Township. Her monument records that she was born 20 July 1834, married 21 September 1853 and died 27 September 1854. His second wife was Ann Wright, widow of William Blain of East Flamborough Township. William Blain who owned two pieces of property in Concession 4 of the township, died in 1853. There were two children from the marriage, Peter (1851) and Benjamin (1852). Following William’s death, his estate was valued at £750 and was equally divided amongst Ann and her children. In May 1854, Ann applied for the guardianship of her two children. On 10 December 1855 she sold one of the pieces of property owned by her husband, 50 acres in Lot 4, Concession 4 for £450. Ann is not listed on the 1861 Census, but in the returns for St. Mary’s Ward, Hamilton, a hotel keeper named C. S. Shannon, whose wife’s name was entered as Ann is listed, together with two children, Peter and B. Her marriage to C. S. Shannon is confirmed by her signature on a deed to the sale of an additional piece of property in East Flamborough that had been owned by William Blain. She signs herself as Ann Shannon of Hamilton, formerly Ann Blain.
Just prior to the incident that is this Heritage Paper, Ann Shannon of the City of Hamilton, wife of Carlton Shannon, late of East Flamborough Township, a Tavern Keeper applied on 26 October 1868 to James Cahill, the Police Magistrate of the City of Hamilton for an order of protection for the earnings of herself and her minor children and for all her acquisitions against the debts of Carlton S. Shannon, her husband and from his control.
John Anderson’s Tavern possibly refers to the American Hotel which was listed as under the ownership of Samuel Anderson. No John Anderson was listed as Hotel Keeper or Tavern Owner during the 1860s.
© The Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society 1998, 2023.
