Born February 1st, 1831 in London, Upper Canada, Francis Evans Cornish was the son of a prominent immigrant family. His father was both a practicing physician and lawyer. From a distance it would appear that Francis Cornish lived a predictable Victorian bourgeoisie life. He was Married to Victorine Leon Clench in 1853, called to the bar in 1855, and was appointed as Queens Counsel in 1857. Perhaps the most notable case of his incredibly successful law career was his prosecution of the infamous "honest" Jack Donnelly; of Black Donnelly fame. And though some history books may tell this story, his contemporaries might tell you others.

It was often cited that Frank Cornish's penchant for the drink fueled his erratic and often violent behavior. Long before running for mayor of his hometown, Cornish participated in local politics. He was elected Alderman on numerous occasions and though he painted himself as a man of the people, his violent, riotous behavior sometimes threatened those he swore to serve.

In 1858 he was arrested for assault when he and four others were apprehended in their attempt to "seize some cattle which had been impounded by the sheriff." This same year he had drunkenly assaulted Mayor David Glass outside of Glass's home; for which he was fined $10. This was not the first time Cornish's short temper and fast fists had gotten him in trouble, and it wouldn't be his last.

In 1863, while acting as Mayor of London, Cornish was involved in a late night, alcohol fueled altercation with a prominent British Military Officer -Major Bowles. Cornish's wife was rumored to have had relations with Bowles, to which -according to Cornish- Bowles boasted about freely. After a night of heavy drinking, Cornish confronted Bowles with his fists cocked and a fight broke out on the steps of the old Tecumseh House. The altercation ended with two assault charges laid upon Cornish and the evacuation of an entire British garrison.

Cornish's foul mouth was something of a spectacle for the times as well. Upon calling Mr. B. C. Galvin "a damned liar," and refusing to repent for his actions, Galvin publicly shamed Cornish. Publishing an open letter to Cornish and the city, Galvin took out an advertisement in the local paper, officially branding him "a coward and no gentleman."

But it is here, at the site of the old City Hall, where perhaps Cornish's most brazen act of drunken behavior took place. While under the influence, Cornish road his horse up and down the pedestrian walkway of City Hall; through the arcade, up and down the stairs. Arrested for being drunk and disorderly he was arranged in court for the next day. As chief magistrate Cornish tried, prosecuted, and defended himself. He fined himself, paid himself, and took his judge's fee in the process.

In 1865 it is alleged that Mayor Cornish incited riots at the election polls in an attempt to block his opponent's constituency from casting their votes. The city militia was called in and Cornish eventually lost the election. After several years of a somewhat dissapointing political career, Cornish moved west.

By 1871 Cornish had made his way to Manitoba, leaving his wife and family behind, where he would eventually become the 1st Mayor of Winnipeg. Though he put his law degree to good use, his heavy drinking, quick tempered, violently erratic behavior would not cease. Here, again, he was accused of manipulating the polls, excessive drinking, and violent outbursts.

For four years, from 1861-1865, Francis Evans Cornish acted as Mayor and Chief Magistrate of London. Though his accomplishments are many, so too are his faults. His term as Mayor was riddled with corruption allegations and public embarrassments. Indeed, his entire life was riddled with them.

Sources:

Baker, Michael and Hilary Bates Neary. 100 Fascinating Londoners. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., 2005.

Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, London, Ontario, Canada.

Reaney, James. "My London: If these walls could have talked…" The London Free Press, last modified 1 January, 2014, http://www.lfpress.com/2014/01/01/my-london-if-these-walls-could-have-talked

Richardson, Mark. On The Beat: 150 Years of Policing in London Ontario. London: The Aylmer Express Ltd., 2005.

Wilson, Keith. Francis Evans Cornish. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba, 1986.