Shot Down On Christmas Eve

“A crime as dark, cowardly and mysterious as ever disfigured the history of the province.”—Victoria Colonist 

Dec. 24, 1890 – Christmas Eve in Victoria. Despite predictions of clear skies, evening brought rain.

For East Wellington storekeeper David Findlay Fee Jr., in town to visit his family and friends, midnight brought sudden, violent death.

It all began innocently earlier that evening with a masquerade party in the Philharmonic Hall on Fort Street. Among the celebrants were David Fee and Frank Partridge. Resplendent in their white costumes with red braid, they slipped away from the party to attend midnight mass in St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

Minutes later, as they headed back to the party, they were accosted by a man standing in the rain beneath an umbrella and apparently leaning on a walking stick. As they came abreast of him, he said something to the effect of, “I challenge you.”

To their horror they saw him raise what they’d thought to be his cane—a double-barrelled shotgun—aim it point blank at Fee and fire.

Next week in the Chronicles, the story of one of Victoria’s most sensational—and senseless—crimes. 

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PHOTO: Bad news travels fast; this appeared in the San Francisco Call the day after.