Hans Canon

in Swedish

Hans Canon

1794 - 1837

Hans Canon was a military sergeant and field accountant. In 1836 he was the chief prison warden at Malmöhus. The castle, now a museum, was then a prison with up to 1,000 prisoners. Some were allowed to go free in the city while the perpetrators were forced to remain within the castle's moats. The correctional inmates number 304 Carl Fredric Carlquist and number 242 Johan Fredric Wahlgren were both of the tougher kind. Carlquist was 30 years old and had previously been in prison for theft, escaped and was convicted again, now for false reporting. Wahlgren was 27 years old and serving his 7th year for theft and forgery, among other things. Both had been whipped during their prison time for violence against guards.

On the stone it says: "The warden at Malmö Correctional Labor Prison Field field accountant Hans Canon. Born on January 31, 1774. Died on September 19, 1837. Honest civil servant, tender husband, true friend of mankind, he enjoyed the respect of his fellow men and the trust of his superiors, but fell victim in his service - Ps 482 v 62".

The Assault on Hans Canon

On 19 July 1837, Carlquist was released after 13 days in solitary confinement for drunkenness and disobedience. The warden, Hans Canon, then had Carlquist his hair cut with a pair of paper scissors, which Carlquist perceived as an insult. Carlquist and Wahlgren laid in wait for Canon when he was walking across the courtyard that afternoon.

With homemade knives, they attacked Canon, stabbing him in the head and neck. Hans Canon died within minutes.The Malmö City Court sentenced both to death, which was confirmed by the Royal Court, and on June 8, 1838, Carlquist and Wahlgren were executed at Malmöhus Castle. Their only defense was that they considered themselves to have been treated unfairly and too harshly..

His grave is at the Gamla kyrkogården/Old cemetary (IDstory)
which is next to Gustav Adolfs Torg (IDstory).

References

• About BiBB, an encyclopedia 4.0 and media company
• Helge Andersson: Hans Canon. Malmö Fornminnesförenings årsbok 1974
• Text: Christian Kindblad | Photo: Jonas Andréasson

Published: 2003.06 Updated: 2025.05.23

Kategorier 20 Historical persons 45 Malmö 44

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