The Black Donnelly Essay

The Black Donnelly story is both interesting and sad. In one night a feud happened over devastating a family also making Canadian history. In years since the Black Donnelly massacre, their story has become a Canadian legend. It is known across the country has inspired books, plays, along with a television show. The "Black" Donnellys were an Irish family who emigrated to Ontario. Five of the family were murdered by armed people in the township of Biddulph in February 1880 also their farm was burned down, the culmination of long-standing conflict between the family and other residents. Nobody was ever convicted even though there were a few trials. The Donnelly family were never referred to as The Black Donnellys. The name was never used until Thomas P. Kelley, a very successful pulp fiction writer wrote his sensationalized account of the Donnelly tragedy in 1954 he titled it The Black Donnellys.

Since Mr. Kelley coined the name in 1954 because of its notoriety the name has been used throughout the years. By the way...that may be a Johannah and James Donnelly in your article, but it’s

James answered and went to meet their visitors. Tom, being strong and quick, barrelled past his attackers outside despite his handcuffs. Several men chased after.Minutes later, after beating him outside. It was around 2:30a.m and Will, his wife, his brother Jon, and a family friend were all asleep in bed. Hearing shouts of fire from outside Jon Donnelly went to the door. As he opened it two shots rang out ripping through his chest and pelvis. He collapsed in a bloody heap. Thinking they had murdered William the mob left. Jon died on the floor of Williams kitchen soon afterward. His cry, Will, Will, I’m shot ringing out through thy cold winter