A Murder, A Spy & A Song: New Carlisle’s Past Uncovered
- Ginger North
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 22
Nestled along the shores of the Baie-des-Chaleurs, New Carlisle is more than just a picturesque village with beaches, boardwalks, and trails. It is a place where history lingers.
Best known as the boyhood home of René Lévesque (although he was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick), its population of nearly 1,500 enjoys a mix of coastal charm and deep-rooted history shaped by Indigenous peoples, Loyalist settlers, Acadians, and European immigrants.
Its story is one of resilience and cultural blending, where English and French heritage intertwine, and historic buildings stand as reminders of the town’s evolving identity. Whether it’s the echoes of shipbuilding and fishing industries or the impact of wartime events, New Carlisle has always been more than just a stop along the Gaspé Peninsula —it’s a place where history leaves a lasting imprint.
At the heart of this history is Heritage New Carlisle (HNC), a passionate group preserving the village’s past from their base in the Victorian-era Kempffer Cultural and Interpretation Centre. Through exhibits, workshops, and storytelling, they bring the past to life. And trust me—some of these stories are wild.
This story comes from a project I worked on to highlight the incredible work of heritage groups across Quebec—proving that preserving history means keeping its stories alive.
The Hanging of Daniel Sullivan (1866)
It all started on a British ship anchored near Paspébiac in 1866. Two young Irish sailors, Daniel Sullivan and Michael O'Brien, got into a heated fight over money. It ended in tragedy when Sullivan pulled a knife and fatally stabbed O'Brien.
With no family in the area, O'Brien was buried in Paspébiac. Sullivan, just 24 years old, was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to hang. The locals opposed the execution, but their petitions failed. The night before his death, Sullivan wrote a sorrowful song, lamenting his fate and pleading to be buried beside O’Brien.
On March 16, 1866, an estimated 2,000 people gathered near the courthouse to witness the hanging. Retired Rangers, dressed in their old uniforms, took down his body and laid their rifles at his shoulder in tribute. A letter from a juror, held in HNC’s archives, gives chilling insight into this dark chapter of New Carlisle’s past.
The Inept 12-Hour Spy
By 1942, the people of New Carlisle were no strangers to the distant groans of German submarines in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But one November morning, a spy made a grand entrance—only to be hilariously incompetent at his job.
Under cover of darkness, a U-boat surfaced, and Werner Alfred Waldemar von Janowski rowed ashore in a dinghy. After burying his uniform and changing clothes, he hitchhiked into town, hoping to blend in. But blending in was not his strong suit.
The first mistake? Telling the hotel clerk he had arrived by bus—hours before the first bus was scheduled. Then, he paid with outdated currency and carried the musty scent of an enclosed ship. But the biggest giveaway? A Belgian matchbook he left behind, which raised suspicions.
Local Earle Annett Jr. (the hotel owner’s son) tailed him to the train station and, in a stroke of genius, offered him a cigarette. When Janowski pulled out the same Belgian matches, Annett quietly slipped away to alert the authorities. Soon, Quebec Provincial Police Constable Alfonse Duchesneau boarded the train and questioned him.
Cornered, Janowski confessed: "I'm a German officer, and I need my uniform." Without it, he was a spy and could be executed. With it, he was a prisoner of war and had a chance at survival. A search of his luggage uncovered a powerful radio transmitter, sealing his fate. He was captured, interrogated, and eventually used as a double agent before spending the rest of the war in an English POW camp.
These are just two of the many fascinating stories that make New Carlisle’s past so unforgettable. And thanks to the dedicated work of Heritage New Carlisle, these tales continue to captivate visitors year after year.
Want to explore more? Visit New Carlisle's Kempffer Cultural and Interpretation Centre to learn more about their exhibits, workshops, and events.
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