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Ottawa's courthouse on Nicholas Street where Alfred Bonenfant's inquest was held. The adjoining jail (to the right of the courthouse) has been restored, complete with a second-floor gallows that allowed the public to watch hangings from outside the jail's walls. The jail is now operated as a hostel.

Source:

Court House and Jail, Nicholas Street, circa 1870-1880 (William James Topley / Library and Archives Canada / PA-009188).

Last Trip: The Death of Alfred Bonenfant / 28

The Inquest

Needless to say the excitement surrounding Alfred Bonenfant's death turned the coroner's inquest into a major event. When it opened on Tuesday evening the crowd overflowed the courtroom and curious onlookers strained to hear the proceedings from the stair landing outside the door.

The inquest was held over two evening sittings and heard fifteen witnesses including doctors Archambault and Fontaine, Henri Fern, the hotel bartenders and a woman from the Aylmer Road "resort"

Though foggy on a number of points, Malcolm McMillan impressed the jury with his sincerity.

The Bonenfants' neighbour, Dr. Parent, had conducted the post mortem with Dr. Haist. He brought along pieces of Bonenfant's skull to show the jury how thin the bone was.

Some self-important jurymen asked irrelevant questions. Alfred Nadon was called on to tell his story for the purpose of quashing it once and for all.