The Timeline: 1892

The pitt street shootout

On September 5, 1892, a former Cornwall resident, James Slavin who went by the alias James MacMahon, shot another local “tough guy” named Antoine Lefess, after he attempted to break up a fight between Slavin and someone else.[1] Slavin was a known agitator and miscreant, that was known to start fights with surrounding people as well as instigating pistol fights. Rather than admitting his crime, he fled and ran up the south of Sydney Street with a mob of those who had witnessed the shooting trailing behind him. Slavin was then pursued by a constable by the name of John Davey and a special constable called Louis Lefebvre, who then attempted to restrain Slavin. This was a fatal mistake for Constable John F. Davey who was shot by Slavin and died almost immediately, leaving behind a wife and three children. It was Constable Daveys first day as a Constable with the Cornwall police, he is now honoured by the Cornwall police for his actions.  In this ordeal he also injured Constable Lefebvre who ended up with a bullet wound in his shoulder but ultimately survived. Rather than being apprehended by the police, Slavin was brought to justice by the angry mob who handed him over to the Cornwall police. Unfortunately, Antoine Lefess died of his injuries as well. This event is now known as the Pitt Street shoot out. 

James Slavin went to trial on October 12, 1892 and was convicted for the double homicide of Constable J. R. Davey and Antoine Lefess. His trial was quick and uncontested due to the many witness that watched the events unfold. He was hanged using a trapdoor scaffold at the Cornwall gaol on December 16, 1892, at just 21 years old, his last words noted as being “Well, goodbye, gentlemen”.[2] He appeared calm and refused the religious ceremonies that were offered in an attempt to give peace and reconciliation to those awaiting execution. Slavin’s execution was attended by newspapers, medical professionals, and a few select citizens that totaled to a group of about 50 people. He was officially pronounced dead by the gaol doctor – Dr. Gravely at around 7:50 am. Slavin was one of the unclaimed bodies that was buried onsite of the Cornwall Gaol in an unmark grave.[3]

[1] St Catherine’s Standard. October 15, 1892.

[2] The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 16, 1892.

[3] The County Weekly News. July 7, 2021.