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{{Short description|Canadian mass murderer}}
{{Infobox mass murderer {{Infobox mass murderer
| name = Thomas Young | name = Thomas Young
| penalty = ] | image = Thomas_Young_1957.jpg
| caption = Young at a construction camp about two years before the murders
⚫ | country = ]
| conviction = ] | birth_date = 1931
⚫ | birth_place = ], Canada
⚫ | death_date = June 30, 1959 (aged 27)
⚫ | death_place = Kenora District Jail, ], Canada
| death_cause = ] | death_cause = ]
| occupation = ] worker (formerly)
⚫ | conviction = ]
| criminal_penalty = ]
| criminal_status = ] | criminal_status = ]
| weapons = ]<br>] | weapons = {{ubl|]|]}}
| injuries = | injuries =
| fatalities = 5 | fatalities = 5 (including a pregnant 16-year-old girl and a police officer)
| locations = ] | locations = ]
| targets = | country = ]
| date = December 25, 1958 | date = December 25, 1958
| spouse = | motive = {{ubl|]|]}}
| image = | states = ]
| other_names =
⚫ | death_place = Kenora District Jail, ], ]
⚫ | death_date = June 30, 1959 (aged 27)
⚫ | birth_place = ], ]
| birth_date = 1931
| occupation =
| caption =
| image_size =
| motive = ]
}} }}


'''Thomas Young''' (1931 – June 30, 1959) was a Canadian ] who killed five people, including his father and a police officer, on ] 1958 on a Native American reservation in ], ]. Young was convicted of killing the police officer, Calvin Fulford, who he shot with his own service revolver, and sentenced to death. He was executed on June 30, 1959. '''Thomas Young''' (1931 – June 30, 1959) was a Canadian ]er and ] who killed five people, including his father and a police officer, in ], Ontario, early on ] in 1958. Young was convicted of murder for killing the police officer, Calvin Fulford, whom he shot with the officer's own service revolver, and sentenced to death. He was executed in 1959.


== Early life == == Early life ==
Thomas Young had two brothers, one of whom was named John.<ref name=":0" /> Thomas Young had two brothers, one of whom was named John.<ref name=":0" /> He was a former ] worker.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=1959-03-21 |title=Thomas Young trial |pages=1 |work=The Leader-Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100438619/thomas-young-trial/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>


== Murders, trial, and execution == == Murders, trial, and execution ==
On late December 24, 1958, Thomas got into an argument at a Christmas party. When his brother, John Young intervened, Thomas slapped him in the face and said he was going home.<ref name=":2" />
⚫ On December 25, 1958, a drunken Thomas was at the cabin of his father, 47-year-old Albert Young, when a young couple, Walter "Jimmy" Gordon and Clara Gordon, arrived with John Young to play phonograph records. Thomas started acting belligerent before suddenly opening fire on them with a rifle, killing his father and the Gordons. He raped Clara before killing her. Thomas also tried to kill John and a teen who was present, 16-year-old David Williams, but both of them managed to escape.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1959-03-23 |title=Young to hang |pages=14 |work=The Expositor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100430776/young-to-hang/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-12-27 |title=Fulford |pages=1 |work=The Kingston Whig-Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100436370/fulford/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>


⚫ On December 25, a drunken Thomas was at the cabin of his father, 47-year-old Albert Young, when a young couple, Walter "Jimmy" Gordon, 18, and Clara Gordon, 16, arrived with his brother John to play phonograph records. John opened the kitchen door to find Thomas standing here holding a rifle. He yelled at the others to run before Thomas opened fire. Albert and the Gordons were killed. Thomas also tried to kill John and another teen who was present, 16-year-old David Williams, but both managed to escape.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1959-03-23 |title=Young to hang |pages=14 |work=The Expositor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100430776/young-to-hang/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-12-27 |title=John Young and David Williams |pages=1 |work=The Kingston Whig-Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100436370/fulford/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>
The two went to the house of David's father, 47-year-old George Williams, and told him what had happened. John and George then went to the house of constable Calvin Russell Fulford, 28, for help.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1959-03-23 |title=Young no reaction death |pages=16 |work=The Windsor Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100434124/young-no-reaction-death/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref> Fulford, who had been preparing for Christmas with his wife and three small children, got his service revolver and approached the Young cabin with John and another man, 47-year-old George Williams. When the three were about 60 feet away from the cabin, Thomas opened fire on them with the rifle. Williams tried to charge at the cabin but was fatally shot. Fulford was shot in the shoulder and tried to crawl back to his car. He managed to crawl about 20 yards before losing consciousness. Thomas then approached Fulford, took his revolver, jammed it into his mouth, and shot him. John was once more able to escape.<ref name=":0" />


The two went to the house of David's father, 47-year-old George Williams, and told him what had happened. John and George then went to the house of constable Calvin Russell Fulford, 28, for help. Fulford had been preparing for Christmas with his wife and their three children, ages 21 months to 9 years, and the family had just opened presents.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-12-26 |title=Fulford |pages=1 |work=The Expositor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100437943/fulford/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>
⚫ John ran to Fulford's house and told the officer's wife that he saw him being shot at. Fulford's wife then called the police. Two officers arrived and found Fulford's body. They radioed for help and additional officers arrived. They entered the cabin, where they found the bodies. Thomas started firing at the officers from his grandparents' nearby shack. The officers crawled near it and flushed him out by firing two tear gas bombs inside. Thomas subsequently surrendered, and was found with a rifle and Fulford's revolver. He did not give a reason for the murders.<ref name=":1" />


After being told about Thomas, Fulford got his service revolver and approached the Young cabin with John and George. When the three were about 60 feet away from the cabin, Thomas opened fire on them. Williams tried to charge him but was fatally shot. Fulford was shot in the shoulder and tried to crawl back to his car. He managed to crawl about 20 yards before losing consciousness. Thomas then approached Fulford, took his revolver, jammed it into his mouth, and shot him. John managed to escape unharmed.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Calvin Russell Fulford (1930-1958) - Find a Grave... |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200315984/calvin-russell-fulford |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.findagrave.com |language=en}}</ref>
Thomas was only charged with Fulford's murder. During the investigation, police still could not find a motive, but announced that there was strong evidence that Clara Gordon had been raped. She had fled the house, but was then dragged inside. Her body was found on a couch.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-12-27 |title=Clara |pages=5 |work=The Ottawa Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100436539/clara/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>


⚫ John ran back to Fulford's house and told the officer's wife what had happened. She called the police, and the two officers who responded found Fulford's body. They radioed for help and additional officers arrived. They entered the cabin, where they found the bodies. Thomas started firing at the officers from his grandparents' nearby shack. The officers crawled near it and flushed him out by firing two tear gas bombs inside. Thomas subsequently surrendered and was found with a rifle and Fulford's revolver. He did not give a reason for the murders.<ref name=":1" />
⚫ Neighbors said Thomas had been upset when Clara, who he had known for years, married Jimmy. They described him as moody and unpredictable.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1958-12-27 |title=Young |pages=13 |work=The Calgary Albertan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99647053/young/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref> It was later found that Clara had been pregnant. The ages of the Gordon's are disputed. Newspaper reports say Jimmy was in his early 20s and Clara was 17, but their graves say both of them were teenagers, with Jimmy being listed as 18 and Clara as 16. The couple had only been married for about two weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Munro “Jimmy” Gordon (1940-1958) - Find a... |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228503432/walter-munro-gordon |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.findagrave.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clara May Williams Gordon (1942-1958) - Find a... |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228503334/clara-may-gordon |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.findagrave.com |language=en}}</ref>


⚫ Thomas was charged only with Fulford's murder. During the investigation, police did not state an official motive, but said there was strong evidence that Clara Gordon had been raped. She had fled the house, but was dragged inside by Thomas. Her body was found on a couch. Neighbours said Thomas had been upset when Clara, who he had known for years, married Gordon. They described him as moody and unpredictable.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1958-12-27 |title=Young |pages=13 |work=The Calgary Albertan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99647053/young/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-12-27 |title=Clara |pages=5 |work=The Ottawa Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100436539/clara/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref> It was later found that Clara had been pregnant. The couple had only been married for about two weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Munro "Jimmy" Gordon (1940-1958) - Find a... |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228503432/walter-munro-gordon |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.findagrave.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clara May Williams Gordon (1942-1958) - Find a... |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228503334/clara-may-gordon |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.findagrave.com |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ During his murder trial in March 1959, Thomas was the only witness to take the stand in his defense. He said he was drinking heavily that night and could not remember what had happened. Thomas claimed his last memory was leaving a party at a neighbor's home and heading home, and that he "came to" while walking on a nearby highway, and realized he was carrying a rifle and a revolver. He then said he came across the bodies, got scared, and ran to his grandparents' home.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ During his murder trial in March 1959, multiple witnesses said Thomas was the shooter.<ref name=":2"/> Thomas was the only witness to take the stand in his defence. He said he was drinking heavily that night and could not remember what had happened. Thomas claimed his last memory was leaving a party at a neighbour's home and heading home, and that he "came to" while walking on a nearby highway, and realized he was carrying a rifle and a revolver. He then said he came across the bodies, got scared, and ran to his grandparents' home.<ref name=":0" />
⚫ The trial lasted for four days. On March 21, after deliberating for three hours, the jury found Thomas guilty of murder. He received a mandatory death sentence without a recommendation for mercy, and had an execution date set for June 30, 1959. Thomas did not react as the verdict and sentence were read.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ The trial lasted four days. On March 21, after deliberating for three hours, the jury found Thomas guilty of murder. He received a mandatory death sentence without a recommendation for mercy, and had an execution date set for June 30. Thomas did not react as the verdict and sentence were read.<ref name=":0" />
⚫ After Thomas's appeals failed, and the federal cabinet denied his bid for reprieve, he was executed as scheduled at the Kenora District Jail. A sheriff said Thomas was "exceptionally calm" as he walked to the gallows and had no last words. He was pronounced dead at 2:20 AM.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1959-06-30 |title=Thomas Young hanged |pages=1 |work=North Bay Nugget |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100430636/thomas-young-hanged/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>

⚫ After Thomas's appeals failed, and the federal cabinet denied his bid for reprieve, he was executed as scheduled at the Kenora District Jail. A sheriff said Thomas was "exceptionally calm" as he walked to the gallows and had no last words. He was pronounced dead at 2:20&nbsp;am.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1959-06-30 |title=Thomas Young hanged |pages=1 |work=North Bay Nugget |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100430636/thomas-young-hanged/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>

A bridge was named in Fulford's honor in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-10-04 |title=Former Emo Man Honoured |url=https://www.931theborder.ca/2011/10/04/former-emo-man-honoured/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=93.1 The Border |language=en}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

{{Mass shootings in Canada}}


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Latest revision as of 16:22, 30 September 2024

Canadian mass murderer
Thomas Young
Young at a construction camp about two years before the murders
Born1931
Ear Falls, Ontario, Canada
DiedJune 30, 1959 (aged 27)
Kenora District Jail, Kenora, Ontario, Canada
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
OccupationOntario Hydro worker (formerly)
Criminal statusExecuted
Motive
Conviction(s)Murder
Criminal penaltyDeath
Details
DateDecember 25, 1958
CountryCanada
State(s)Ontario
Location(s)Ear Falls
Killed5 (including a pregnant 16-year-old girl and a police officer)
Weapons

Thomas Young (1931 – June 30, 1959) was a Canadian mass murderer and rapist who killed five people, including his father and a police officer, in Ear Falls, Ontario, early on Christmas Day in 1958. Young was convicted of murder for killing the police officer, Calvin Fulford, whom he shot with the officer's own service revolver, and sentenced to death. He was executed in 1959.

Early life

Thomas Young had two brothers, one of whom was named John. He was a former Ontario Hydro worker.

Murders, trial, and execution

On late December 24, 1958, Thomas got into an argument at a Christmas party. When his brother, John Young intervened, Thomas slapped him in the face and said he was going home.

On December 25, a drunken Thomas was at the cabin of his father, 47-year-old Albert Young, when a young couple, Walter "Jimmy" Gordon, 18, and Clara Gordon, 16, arrived with his brother John to play phonograph records. John opened the kitchen door to find Thomas standing here holding a rifle. He yelled at the others to run before Thomas opened fire. Albert and the Gordons were killed. Thomas also tried to kill John and another teen who was present, 16-year-old David Williams, but both managed to escape.

The two went to the house of David's father, 47-year-old George Williams, and told him what had happened. John and George then went to the house of constable Calvin Russell Fulford, 28, for help. Fulford had been preparing for Christmas with his wife and their three children, ages 21 months to 9 years, and the family had just opened presents.

After being told about Thomas, Fulford got his service revolver and approached the Young cabin with John and George. When the three were about 60 feet away from the cabin, Thomas opened fire on them. Williams tried to charge him but was fatally shot. Fulford was shot in the shoulder and tried to crawl back to his car. He managed to crawl about 20 yards before losing consciousness. Thomas then approached Fulford, took his revolver, jammed it into his mouth, and shot him. John managed to escape unharmed.

John ran back to Fulford's house and told the officer's wife what had happened. She called the police, and the two officers who responded found Fulford's body. They radioed for help and additional officers arrived. They entered the cabin, where they found the bodies. Thomas started firing at the officers from his grandparents' nearby shack. The officers crawled near it and flushed him out by firing two tear gas bombs inside. Thomas subsequently surrendered and was found with a rifle and Fulford's revolver. He did not give a reason for the murders.

Thomas was charged only with Fulford's murder. During the investigation, police did not state an official motive, but said there was strong evidence that Clara Gordon had been raped. She had fled the house, but was dragged inside by Thomas. Her body was found on a couch. Neighbours said Thomas had been upset when Clara, who he had known for years, married Gordon. They described him as moody and unpredictable. It was later found that Clara had been pregnant. The couple had only been married for about two weeks.

During his murder trial in March 1959, multiple witnesses said Thomas was the shooter. Thomas was the only witness to take the stand in his defence. He said he was drinking heavily that night and could not remember what had happened. Thomas claimed his last memory was leaving a party at a neighbour's home and heading home, and that he "came to" while walking on a nearby highway, and realized he was carrying a rifle and a revolver. He then said he came across the bodies, got scared, and ran to his grandparents' home.

The trial lasted four days. On March 21, after deliberating for three hours, the jury found Thomas guilty of murder. He received a mandatory death sentence without a recommendation for mercy, and had an execution date set for June 30. Thomas did not react as the verdict and sentence were read.

After Thomas's appeals failed, and the federal cabinet denied his bid for reprieve, he was executed as scheduled at the Kenora District Jail. A sheriff said Thomas was "exceptionally calm" as he walked to the gallows and had no last words. He was pronounced dead at 2:20 am.

A bridge was named in Fulford's honor in 2011.

References

  1. ^ "Young to hang". The Expositor. 1959-03-23. p. 14. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  2. ^ "Thomas Young trial". The Leader-Post. 1959-03-21. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  3. "John Young and David Williams". The Kingston Whig-Standard. 1958-12-27. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  4. "Fulford". The Expositor. 1958-12-26. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  5. "Calvin Russell Fulford (1930-1958) - Find a Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  6. ^ "Young". The Calgary Albertan. 1958-12-27. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  7. "Clara". The Ottawa Citizen. 1958-12-27. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  8. "Walter Munro "Jimmy" Gordon (1940-1958) - Find a..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  9. "Clara May Williams Gordon (1942-1958) - Find a..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  10. "Thomas Young hanged". North Bay Nugget. 1959-06-30. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  11. "Former Emo Man Honoured". 93.1 The Border. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
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