Augustin Gagnier, a 37-year-old father of two children, suffered fatal injuries when he intervened in a street fight at the intersection of St-Dominique and Ste-Catherine. The fight occurred at about 2 a.m. Saturday and was witnessed by a crowd of between 60 and 75 people. Mr. Gagnier, who was beaten and kicked, received fractured ribs, a crushed chest and a punctured lung. Initailly he refused to go to hospital when police suggested this. Later he was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was placed in an oxygen tent, but he died about 24 hours after the attack. It was later suggested that his life might have been saved if he had gone to hospital immediately. Police were given a description of the suspect who turned himself in on Tuesday. He was charged with murder but ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

St. Catherine Street at night, about 1952 judging by the Palace Theatre marquee. "Lydia Bailey," starring Anne Francis, was released in 1952. (Source: "St. Catherine St. at night, Montreal Que. Canada" (detail). Plastichrome postcard published by Benjamin News Company, Montreal, via Hippostcard.)