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Shiners’ War

From 1835 to 1837, Peter Aylen and a band of perhaps 200 Irishmen remained in Bytown (Ottawa) after winter timber operations and terrorized the village. The “Shiners,” as his followers were known, virtually controlled the working-class Lower Town, and engaged freely in physical assaults and petty larceny. The lack of a professional police force allowed the Shiners to act with impunity. The pattern was set in July 1835 when Aylen was arrested for assault; the enraged Shiners went on a rampage that ended when they destroyed a canal steamer in Bytown harbour.

Shiner rioting reached a peak in March 1837, when magistrates, supported by a citizen organization, formed armed night patrols and swore in special constables to arrest lawbreakers. With determined community action, the Shiners were brought under control in April and May 1837.

Related Biographies

AYLEN (Vallely), PETER
MONTFERRAND (Montferan), dit Favre, JOSEPH (Jos (Joe) Montferrand)

Other Resources

Outaouais’ Forest History - The Shiners’ war. Content archived on 19 Jan. 2024
Shiners' War - Wikipedia
Shiners' Wars - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 4 Dec. 2024
WHC-CPO Workers' Heritage Center - Centre Patrimoine Ouvrier

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