This small cemetery in the Rural Municipality of St. Francois Xavier is situated on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway #1. Surrounded by farm fields and a chain-link fence, it is accessible via the first dirt road east of the Principal Meridian cairn. It contains the remains of executed inmates from the nearby Headingley Gaol whose bodies were not claimed by family. Once located nearer the Assiniboine River, the graves were moved due to erosion of the river banks. Small markers in the ground, showing the names of inmates and their dates of death, are listed below. A white cross in the centre of the cemetery has a quotation from the bible: “You are my dearest son, the child I love best. / Whenever I threaten to punish, / I still think of you with love. / My heart goes out to you; / I will be merciful.” (Jeremiah 31:20)
Headingley Gaol Cemetery (October 2010)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87233, W97.45644
denoted by symbol on the map above
Name
Birth Date
Death Date
Hanged for murder of
Camille Allarie
1919
9 May 1950
Mr. and Mrs. William Delbridge at Poplar Point
Andrew Bodz
c1879
3 February 1932
His wife Mary Bodz near Pine River
George D. Jayhan
1900
12 February 1935
St. Boniface police officer John Verne
William Kanuka
1898
16 February 1939
Anna Cottick at Gilbert Plains
Peter Kidala
1901
27 January 1938
Mike Rurak at Boulton
Julian Komarnicki
1897
21 May 1934
Gilbert McQuade at Barrows Junction
Peter Korzenowski
1909
16 February 1939
Anna Cottick at Gilbert Plains
William Lusanko
?
9 May 1950
Dora Sadova at Winnipeg
Andrew Orichowsky
1875
22 May 1934
His wife at Meleb
John Pawluk
1887
21 August 1936
His wife at St. Clements
Peter Piniak
1908
1 September 1933
Martha Squarok at Whytewold
Dan Prytula
1912
16 February 1939
Anna Cottick at Gilbert Plains
Clarence Richardson
1915
5 November 1948
Ann Varty at Winnipeg
Walter S. Stoney
1913
17 January 1951
Martha Perreault at Winnipeg
Joseph Verhoski
1897
2 February 1932
Peter Demschyzn at Winnipegosis
Nick Zhiha
1922
8 May 1941
Tony Topolnicki at Gardenton
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Headingley Gaol / Headingley Correctional Centre (RM of Headingley)
“Winnipegosis man goes to trial for life,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 July 1931, page 3.
“Bodz captured and is held on murder charge,” Winnipeg Tribune, 28 July 1931, page 3.
“Jos. Verhoski sentenced to hang on Feb. 2,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 December 1931, page 1.
“James M’Grath to die on scaffold today,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 February 1932, page 1.
“Peter Piniak to pay penalty for killing, Friday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 August 1933, page 10.
“Two slayers at Headingly have few days to live,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 May 1934, page 3.
“Jayhan will hang Tuesday at Headingly,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 February 1935, page 3.
“Pawluk to hang on Friday morning,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 August 1936, page 2.
“Triple execution early Thursday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 February 1939, page 5.
“Zhiha dies on gallows at Headingly,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 1941, page 1.
“Mrs. Richardson, 29, dies suddenly,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 June 1948, page 1.
“Inquest slated for Thursday in farm deaths,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 September 1949, page 15.
“Only last-minute stay could save Stoney’s life,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 January 1951, page 3.
Death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
This page was prepared by Leslie Tsai and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 20 April 2025
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