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Oct. 30, 2009
Photos and text by Jean-Sébastien Marier
Ottawans are getting ready to personify monsters, zombies and other strange creatures for the time of one night. But some of Ottawa’s most famous landmarks also have their very own ghosts…
On Feb. 11, 1869, Patrick James Whelan, a young tailor who immigrated from Ireland, was hung at the gallows of the Carleton County Gaol for the murder of Thomas D’Arcy McGee.
McGee, a Father of the Confederation, was found dead at the doorsteps of his Sparks Street apartment on April 7, 1868. Whelan was first suspected of firing the fatal pistol shot because of his ties with the Fenians. McGee was seen as a traitor by this radical Irish group.
Years later, some historians question the guilt of Whelan and his ghost is said to be haunting the old jail.
The story of Patrick James Whelan is one of many that can be heard during a guided ghost walk around Ottawa. Haunted Walks, which operates a kiosk on Elgin Street north of Sparks Street, offers year-round tours.
We followed one of its guides for a spooky Halloween ghost hunt.
JEAN-SÉBASTIEN MARIER was born and raised on the South Shore of Montréal. After spending a year studying the basics of television production at Cégep de Jonquière, he took part in the first Canada World Youth Journalism and Human Rights Quebec-Benin program. During those seven months, he wrote articles and co-directed two short documentaries on the Quebec students’ movement, and child trafficking in Benin. Jean-Sébastien holds an Attestation of College Studies in Community Development and Cross-cultural Relations from Cégep Marie-Victorin, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Certificate in Law and Social Thought from York University. His work has been notably featured on the NFB’s Parole Citoyenne web portal, in La Presse, and in various student newspapers. Passioned by languages, Jean-Sébastien is fluent in English, French and Spanish. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, reading and rock climbing.
Jean-Sébastien is currently pursuing a Master of Journalism degree at Carleton University.