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July 31st 1933. The murder of Mr. Wilshaw.
7/31/2009 at 8:09 AM
Mr. Wilshaw, a 75-year-old widower, was the janitor and messenger for the Dominion Bank. He lived in a small cottage at 257 – Eleventh Street. The local children nicknamed him “Mr. Peanuts” because he always welcomed them into his yard, and they knew they would get free peanuts.
Mr. Wilshaw lived alone, but ate his meals with the Moore family at 1630 Princess Avenue, and when on July 31st, 1933 he was late for dinner, ten-year-old Evelyn Moore was sent to his house to get him. She returned home saying that there was no answer at his door.
Her father then went to investigate, and peering through the widow saw a man lying on the floor with his clothing smouldering.
The Coroner’s inquest ran for nearly twenty hours over a number of evenings. It was established that Mr. Wilshaw had been fatally stabbed in the back of the neck, and his clothing had been set on fire.
After an extensive police investigation the police described the man as being “noted for his particularly pleasing and affable manner of approach.”
The Sun reported:
"He willingly loaned money to friends, and had a curious relationship with two deaf mute sisters. He was a man with regular habits, and it was said he passed each corner on his way to work at precisely the same time every day".
This murder remains unsolved, and even a motive has never been established.
Source: The Wheat City by Fred McGuinness.