Month: April 2023

Episode 264: In Montreal, Quebec on the evening of April 10, 1734, a fire broke out in the home of Madame de Francheville on Rue Saint-Paul and quickly spread throughout the city. Raging for hours, it destroyed over 46 buildings, primarily residential homes, and the Hôtel-Dieu, a hospital that provided medical care to soldiers and people who were too poor to care for at home. There were rumours that Madame de Francheville’s Portuguese-born black enslaved woman, Marie-Josèphe dite Angélique, started the fire as an act of rebellion on learning she was to be sold and sent away from her lover, a white man and salt trafficker named Claude Thibault. Angélique was arrested and subsequently tortured until she confessed to setting the fire. She was then convicted of arson and hanged on June 21, 1734. The fire significantly impacted Montreal’s development and created new building codes and fire prevention measures. The event remains integral to Montreal’s cultural and historical heritage and yet another dark spot in Canada’s history. Some have called Angélique a heroine, others a scapegoat. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is lost to time.

Sources:

Torture and Truth: Angélique and the Burning of Montreal

The Hanging Of Angelique by Afua Cooper – Ebook | Scribd

Marie-Josèphe-Angélique | Mémoires des Montréalais

Le procès de Marie-Josèphe-Angélique | Mémoires des Montréalais

A Canadian Slavery Story — CANADIANA web series

Biography – MARIE-JOSEPH-ANGÉLIQUE — Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Biography – POULIN DE FRANCHEVILLE, FRANÇOIS — Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Marie-Joseph Angélique | The Canadian Encyclopedia

The role of seigneur in New France — The French-Canadian Genealogist

Old Montreal fire: Questions raised about safety of building | CP24.com

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Episode 263: Approaching the week of 4/20, cannabis enthusiasts worldwide are preparing for a unique celebration. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the dark history of cannabis prohibition in Canada and the USA. The criminalization of cannabis wasn’t based on scientific evidence of its harmful effects or widespread health concerns but was fuelled by moral panic, racism, and xenophobia. It served as a tool to maintain a rigid social hierarchy, where those in power and privilege oppressed and marginalized those considered inferior. The ‘war on drugs’ transformed into a ‘war on cannabis,’ ultimately becoming a war on minorities in both countries.

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Episode 262: In early March of 1946, John Dick, a 39-year-old streetcar conductor in Hamilton, Ontario, disappeared. Weeks later, five local children found John’s torso on the city’s outskirts — his head and limbs were missing. Suspicion soon fell on John’s wife, Evelyn, who was arrested and charged with the murder. The pair had had a whirlwind courtship and had been married only months before John turned up dead. 

During the investigation, police discovered the body of a newborn encased in concrete in Evelyn Dick’s father’s attic. At her trial, evidence emerged of her volatile relationship with her husband, multiple extramarital affairs, and allegations of other criminal activities, including involvement in the alleged murder of her child. Despite her claims of innocence, Evelyn was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Her story was not close to over.

Sources:

1947 CanLII 12 (ON CA) | R. v. Dick | CanLII

1947 CanLII 116 (ON CA) | Rex v. Dick | CanLII

Evelyn Dick Photos | Digital Archive: Toronto Public Library

The Evelyn Dick Files – A second look at the post-war trials of Evelyn Dick

Evelyn Dick (nee MacLean) (@evelyndick1946) | Instagram

John J. Robinette by George D. Finlayson – Ebook | Scribd

Evil Wives Fully Illustrated: Deadly Women Whose Crimes Knew No Limits Fully Illustrated | Scribd

Documentary: The Notorious Mrs. Dick by Reel-to-Reel films for CTV | YouTube

EvelynDick.com

Evelyn Dick | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Canada: ONTARIO: The Dick Affair – TIME

Story of murderer Evelyn Dick enthralled and enraged Hamilton | TheSpec.com

75 years later: The endless fascination with Evelyn Dick | TheSpec.com

How Could You, Mrs. Dick? | Steel City History

Forgotten Rebels – Mrs. Evelyn Dick, live @ Lee’s Palace in Toronto. Nov 22, 2014 | YouTube

Mark McNeil — Song: Evelyn Dick | YouTube YouTube

Search Results: Evelyn Dick – ProQuest

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Episode 261: On September 5th, 1998, between 11:00 and 11:30 pm, Brianne Ruth Wolgram was last seen at the 7-11 store in Revelstoke, BC., in the company of three young females whose identities are unknown. Five days later, Brianne’s abandoned car was discovered 30 km south of Revelstoke, towards the Akolkolex Falls & River, on Echo Lake Road. Inside the car was her wallet, driver’s license and $200, but there was no sign of Brianne. Nearly 25 years later, Brianne’s family and friends are left wondering whatever became of the shy 19-year-old. Police have not ruled out foul play in her disappearance.

If you have any information on Brianne Wolgram’s disappearance or whereabouts, please email the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) at tips@mcsc.ca or contact Crimestoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or the Revelstoke RCMP non-emergency number at 250-837-5255. You can also leave an anonymous message through the contact page at findbreanne.wordpress.com. You can also email darkpoutinepodcast@gmail.com, and we will pass the information to the proper authorities.

Sources:

The History of Revelstoke — Revelstoke Museum & Archives

Find Brianne Wolgram

Cold Case BC – MISSING: Brianne Wolgram | Facebook

Reddit: Breanne Wolgram

MCSC – Home

Brianne Wolgram | Missing Children Society of Canada | Archived

287. Use of Hypnosis—Purpose | JM | Department of Justice

Hypnosis Decision SCC: 2007 SCC 6 (CanLII) | R. v. Trochym | CanLII

Sotirios Konstantinos Kaviris – California Missing Person Directory

Second person, Allan Ellsworth, reported missing in Beaton area – Revelstoke Mountaineer

Public help sought as Revelstoke RCMP search for missing man – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

The Ghost Story Guys Podcast

A Strange Little Place: The Paranormal Secrets of Revelstoke, British Columbia by Storr, Brennan | Amazon.ca

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