Shedding New Light on an Old Murder
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ÓÊÊ*,,9Ê-"1 Ê ",/Ê-/,ÊU Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Shedding new light on an old murder egular readers of the magazine Her premonition was justified, and Sideroads of Parry Sound & MACFIE news of the murder quickly reached Almaguin might remember my the Elmvale area. Two neighbours, R article in this spring’s issue, named Madill and Gray, went to Seguin titled Murder on the Nipissing Road. It By John Macfi e Falls to view the body. Articles of told how, in June of 1896, James Mullen, clothing, described by Mary Jane who newly arrived in the district in search of had made some of them with her own employment, was murdered near Seguin hands, together with distinctive tattoos, Falls. up with stops at Rose Point, where identified it as that of James Mullen. That story was sadly lacking in one Hanson was taken into custody, and The pilgrimage also provided Lisa area: I had no photograph of either the the Parry Sound jail and courthouse and Scott Rance with the answer to a victim or his murderer to offer readers. where he was confined, tried, and given minor mystery. Earlier questioning of But shown here, belatedly, is a picture of a death sentence, later commuted to life people who once lived around Seguin James Mullen, taken a number of years in prison. Falls, or whose ancestors did, often before he was brutally clubbed to death Finally, I joined the pilgrims for drew references to “Murder Barn in a barn on the Nipissing Road. Here’s dinner in a Parry Sound restaurant. Hill.” The Rances always supposed how I got it: There, I was handed the photograph of this meant that the barn in which the Scott Rance, a great-grandson of James Mullen, and learned new facts murder occurred, no trace of which now James Mullen, and Scott’s wife, Lisa, surrounding the long-ago drama. remains, must have stood on an elusive did the lion’s share of research for the Janice Carson of Bobcaygeon, hilltop. Sideroads story. The months that they Ontario, provided the photograph. On Not so. In the horse-and-buggy age, spent probing various avenues in search reading my story in Sideroads detailing every incline on the road had its name, of facts and photographs also served to her ancestor’s murder, she looked in and Murder Barn Hill, it turns out, refresh some family connections that a box of papers left by her mother and refers to a rise on the Nipissing Road had withered over the generations. The found the faded old studio portrait. near where it is intersected by Highway results of the Rances’ research, followed Lisa Rance’s relentless pursuit of 518, and close to where the infamous by the appearance in print of the murder information sources had turned up structure once stood. tale, aroused new interest in a story that another newspaper item about the One final item: William Fleming, the had largely faded into sketchy legend. murder, this one from the July 9, 1896 Seguin Falls hotel-keeper who joined Photo courtesy of Janice Carson The end result was a pilgrimage edition of the Elmvale Chronicle. Upon the local constable in pursuit of the made this midsummer by about a dozen arriving in North America from Ireland, James Mullen, photographed in the 1870s at murderer, then made the arrest, stood the Mullens lived for a time in New York folk who could claim a connection with Geneva, New York, was murdered at Seguin six-feet-five-inches tall. State, where the photograph was taken. the murdered James Mullen. Falls in 1896. No wonder the culprit meekly handed One direct descendant, Cheryl In their most recent foray for facts, the over the murder weapon, a club-like Ellsworth, came all the way from High Rances found James and Mary Jane had a number of children to look after, stick on which he shouldered his River, Alberta, to take part. The route Mullen and their firstborn son, Thomas, was “in great fear of some accident belongings, when Fleming confronted taken first retraced, via automobile, in the 1875 census records for Geneva, happening to [her husband] from the him in the room of the railway workers’ Mullen’s final footsteps. That was his New York. At some later time, they very day he left.” boarding house at Rose Point. 22-mile hike on a hot June day from moved to Canada where, after working Emsdale west to the junction of Highway for a number of years as a labourer, 518 and the Nipissing Road. There, James made a down payment on a small the group met descendants of Jane farm near Elmvale. It was a need to earn Thank You So Very Much!!! and Percy Vigrass, the last citizens to money for further installments that led see Mullen alive. Then they continued to his trip north to Parry Sound District THE AVERY SECA YOUTH IN SPORTS FOUNDATION west to Orrville, where the murderer, in search of work. Christian Hanson, now travelling alone, The news story also noted that Mary Thank you for your generous support of the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament held purchased food. The pilgrimage wound Jane Mullen, who was unwell and now July 18, 2009. The Tournament was a huge success and we look forward to assisting our youth play organized sports. PLATINUM PRIZE DONATIONS Burk’s Falls Lion Club Ridge at Manitou Golf Course - McKellar W.A. Morgan Const. – Parry Sound Parry Sound Golf & Country Club Trial now underway for Aunt Dot & Aunt Olive – Janetville The Bear Chair – South River GOLD Sundridge Home Hardware Hawkeridge Golf Course - Barrie Stan Darling Insurance – Sundridge Greg DeVries - Sundridge alleged Humphrey assaults C.A. Boyes & Sons Ltd. – Sundridge The Ridge Golf Course - Sundridge SILVER Almaguin Special Olympics Ray White Masonary – Parry Sound Party Lite – Kelly Reid - Whitby Anderson Lumber – Sundridge Eagle Lake Golf Club – South River BY SARAH BISSONETTE the arguments Tuesday, take Wednesday Hall Construction – Parry Sound Almaguin Minor Hockey North Star Staff to consider the request for a stay in Kreps Chiropractic Centre – Sundridge Blue Roof Restaurant - Sundridge proceedings, and render his decision MacFarlane Construction – South River Sundridge Royal Bank The trial for the former Humphrey Public Thursday. Marshall Well Drilling – Emsdale Marshall Well Drilling - Emsdale Patty’s Double Decker - Sundridge School teacher charged with sexually If the judge allows the planned three- Michael A Hardy – Sundridge South River Kwik Way Ha’s Restaurant - Sundridge assaulting male students in the 1970s got week trial to continue, assistant Crown The Red Brick Café – Sundridge The Flower Garden - Sundridge underway this. attorney Steven Scharger said he would Opatovsky Funeral Homes – Sundridge Renee’s Café & Jazz House - South River The trial, by judge alone, started with call his first witness Thursday. The nine Wendigo Lake Expeditions – South River Danny’s Justa Pasta - Sundridge a request from Ken Bull’s Barrie-based alleged victims, five “similar fact case Jim MacLachlan Presentations – Sundridge Coldwell Banker – South River lawyer, Phillip Brissette, that all charges victims”, and six witnesses and are lined Boston Café Hockey Team – Parry Sound Canadian Auto Workers - Toronto Mandy Branham & Family – Midland Algonquin Fitness & Wellness – South River against his client be stayed because they’ve up to take the stand against Bull, Scharger Toronto Blue Jays taken too long to come to trial. said. Bill Buck & Family – Markham Kirby & Sheri MacIntosh – Sundridge Montreal Canadians Bull was initially charged in December In 1978, Mr. Bull was convicted of Joan Malek – Sundridge Kimberley Littlefi eld Griffi th Bros. – South River 2006. He faces a total of 40 counts of indecent assaulting four of the five “similar fact Peggy Parent – South River assault and gross indecency under the case victims”, while they were students Crabby Joe’s Tap & Grill - Huntsville BRONZE Frito-Lay – Mich Paradis – South River 1970s criminal code against nine alleged at the school, and was sentenced to 11 Bray Motors – Sundridge South River Kawartha Credit Union victims stemming from when he was a months in jail. dePeuter’s Decorating Centre – Sundridge Signcraft – Tom and Pat Crane - Sundridge teacher with the Parry Sound and Area The judge may not allow facts from the Despres-pacey Insurance – Sundridge John and Lynda Blackmore - Sundridge School Board, now part of the Near North previous trial to be included in the current Enzo’s Pizza – Sundridge Jean Minor - Sundridge District School Board. one, but if he does, it adds credibility to Donohue Family – Toronto Randy and Denise Leighton – South River The Crown argues that the defense delayed the stories told by those Bull is now on Anthony and Norma Griffi th Wade Wager & Kelly Mantha - South River the trial date throughout the process and trial for assaulting, said Scharger. Jason and Jen Newman - Sundridge therefore it should continue. Brissette declined to comment at his The judge was scheduled to listen to client’s request. The 2010 Golf Tournament will be held July 17, 2010. If you wish to donate to this Charity at any time, please contact: Serena Wager (705) 386-2120, [email protected] Birth Registered Charity # 817471022RR001 GLAD/NEAR— at the West Parry Sound Health Centre on August 28, 2009 PARRY SOUND/MUSKOKA to Gregory Glad and Mandy Near of MacTier, Ontario, a son Ares August Glad. EARLY YEARS SYSTEMM Your Children Will Like This Place... And So Will You!! Early Years Programs are great places for moms, dads, caregivers and children 0-6 years to drop- in, meet, share, play and find friendly support and information. Welcoming staff provides, fun, interactive activities for you and your child to enjoy together. These programs are free and open to anyone.