1901 - Death of Queen Victoria, Hamilton's Reaction Part 1

“In common with British subjects the world over, the people of Hamilton are today showing in a quiet way their admiration and love for their dead sovereign. Everywhere are to be seen signs of mourning, plain black and black and purple ties and small knots of ribbons of the same colors being very numerous.”

Hamilton Times.    January 23, 1901.

The news was not unexpected. People around the world had known that the beloved Victoria, Queen of England was dying.

A telegram which had been sent and was received in Hamilton and throughout the British Empire formally made the announcement. Hamiltonians knew of Queen Victoria’s death barely three minutes after she drew her last breath.

Immediately, Hamilton Mayor John Hendrie wrote and had sent the following telegram:

 “Hamilton, Ont. Jan. 23. 1901

‘Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, London:

‘ The citizens of Hamilton have received with profound grief the announcement of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, and desire to express their deep sympathy to His Majesty the King and members of the royal family.”

John S. Hendrie, Mayor.’¹

 ¹  “Hamilton Mourns Majesty’s Death : Private Citizens and Public Bodies Express Sympathy”

Hamilton Times.    January 23, 1901.

It was midafternoon when the news arrived and people’s plans for the following evening had to be changed, where possible:

All of the entertainments of last night which could not be postponed on account of the shortness of time were more or less modified as a mark of respect and indoor baseball and other sports were called off.”¹

 Hastily a meeting was held at the CityHall The Mayor indicated that the death was not unexpected, and some plans were already in place to honor the Queen.  The Hamilton City Hall officials prepared to buy 2000 yards of bunting to drape the big building. As Black bunting was usually not kept in stock, it was decided to buy cloth which could be dyed black. The goal was to drape all of the James Street front of the Hall, most of the Hall’s southerly elevation and the Council Chambers. Thomas Watkins was hired to do work at 40 cents an hour for an expert draper’s time, and 20 cents an hour for his assistants. It was estimated that the time to drape the City Hall was two days.

The following plans of other public library were detailed in the Times:

Board of Education

 “Yesterday afternoon, before closing, many of the teachers briefly addressed their scholars, pointing out the queenly qualities of the dead sovereign and referring to her successor on the throne

Daughters of the Empire

“Fessenden Chapter, Daughters of the Empire, had an informal meeting yesterday afternoon, and resolved that its members should wear a knot of black and purple ribbon as a token of their mourning over the death and respect for our dead sovereign.

Public Library Board

“Rev. Dr. Lyle, Chairman of the Public Library Board, has called a special meeting for five o’clock tomorrow afternoon to decide upon what shall be done. It is likely the building will be draped and the library closed at the time of the funeral.

Draping Public Buildings

“Postmaster Adam Brown yesterday had Carpenter Barnard, of the public buildings, write to Ottawa for instructions by wire as to what he should do about draping the post office and custom house, and will have those instructions followed out.

“The Hamilton Club was draped today.

“The Victoria Yacht Club began to drape its winter club rooms yesterday afternoon.

“As soon as the news of the Queen’s death was received, a large portrait of Her Majesty was draped and hung in the main corridor of the City Hospital.

“The portrait and bust of Her Majesty in the Mayor’s office, City Hall, have been draped.

Draping the Court House

“At a special meeting of the Joint Court House Committee held this morning, Warden Robertson and Ald. Evans were empowered to purchase the necessary mourning materials for the elaborate draping of the court room, the Judge’s chambers, the corridors and the main entrance to the Court House. In the sheriff’s office, a large portrait of the late Queen , draped with crepe is on view.

Hamilton’s unofficial, but much-beloved poet, William Murray, had the following poem ready for publication:

“The Queen is Dead!

  Long Live the King!’

Hamilton Times.  January 23, 1901

The Queen, indeed, is dead, but leaves behind her

What ne‘er can die, the memory in all hearts

Of one who, both as Sovereign and as woman,

Exhibited throughout her whole long life,

To both her own proud Empire and the world

The valor and virtues that adorn,

“O’er either gold or glory, thrones and homes.

 

Long live the King! The Seventh Edward hail!

Pursue the safe and simple steps of her

Who leaves you with her crown, what you, we trust,

Will promptly treasure at its priceless worth,

The example of a monarch and a mother,

Whose memory will be cherished and revered

By Great and Greater Britain round the world,

Till earth and all its empires are dissolved.

Pursue this path, and Canada, with all

Who hail you King today, will bless your name

And love you even as was loved your mother.

                                                                          William Murray.

          Finally Reverend Forneret of the Church of the Ascension provided a photograph of the Queen, her son and his wife to the Times to be drawn and added to the first edition of the Times to be published after her passing. 

 

 

 

1900 - The 'Yellow Kid' Case

 

 

His name was Clarence and he was only five years old. Despite his tender age, Clarence was well-known in downtown Hamilton. He had even acquired a nickname, the ‘Yellow Kid.’

From the Hamilton Times of January 29, 1900:

 “On Saturday evening, Officer Hunter, of the Children’s Aid Society, took charge of Clarence Kidd, a five-year-old newsboy, who has become a nuisance on the streets and in the barrooms. Kidd solicits alms at night and often lies on the sidewalk and cries, to make a bit with some kind-hearted persons. The police often have to take him to his mother’s house on Macnab street north.”

“Kidd was placed in the Orphan’s Home, and at the police Court tomorrow, Magistrate Jelfs will take evidence with a view to making an order transferring the lad to the care of the Children’s Aid Society.

“Mrs. Kidd called at the police headquarters this morning and made a scene. She gave Mr. Hunter a terrific tongue lashing.”¹

¹ “ ‘Yellow’ Kid Held : A Newsboy Taken Charge of by Children’s Aid Society”

Hamilton Times.   January 29, 1900.

The fate of little Clarence was the main decision facing Police Magistrate Jelfs when the Police Court session of January 30 1900 began.

The full account from the Hamilton Times reporter present follows:

“Clarence Kidd, the five-year-old newsboy, known as the ‘Yellow Kiid,’ will not be seen on the streets for some time to come; neither will he annoy bartenders and guests in the uptown hotels. Magistrate Jelfs heard evidence in the case this morning at the Police Court and then made an order giving the boy in charge of the Children’s Aid Society. Mr. W.S. McBrayne conducted the case on behalf of the society, which charged Mrs. Kidd, McNab street, the boy’s mother, with being a woman unfit to have the raising of the little fellow.

“Testimony regarding the boy’s behavior was given by employees of the New Royal and St. Nicholas Hotels; Geo. Nicholson, Wm. Langhorn, Walter Noble, Dan Collins, Officer Hunter and several policemen. The hotelmen said the lad annoyed them and their customers. He frequently dropped on the floor and cried for money. The police testified that they frequently saw him on the streets at night as late as 11:30 o’clock. P.C. Zeats said he took the lad home one cold night and told Mrs. Kidd she should not send the lad out at nights, and she abused him.

“Daniel Collins’ testimony was to the effect that Mrs. Kidd used to whip the boy when he refused to go out and sell papers and beg at night. When asked how long he had known Mrs. Kidd, he replied ‘Off and on for two years.’ (Laughter)

“Mrs. Kidd denied sending the lad out to beg but said she sent him out to sell papers and get the fresh air, as she kept him in the house in the day time.

“The Magistrate said she was not a fit person to have the bringing up of the boy. He took occasion to refer to the Curfew Bell agitation, and said he had come to the conclusion such a bylaw would be a good thing for many small boys, and the citizens at large. He would then be able to punish parents. ‘I would rather send this woman to jail for a month,’ he said, ‘then to make an order giving the lad to the society. Continuing, he said it is the duty of the State to step in and protect children if the parents neglect their duty.

        “Mr. Noble, of the Palace Hotel, received permission to address the court regarding the small boy nuisance. He said boys have run in and out of the barrooms, slam doors and use bad language. He suggested that newsboys be supplied with numbered badges free by the police. If persons had complaints to make, they could take their numbers, and if the lads misbehaved continually, the badges would be taken from them.

“The Magistrate advised him to petition the Police Commissioners to that effect.

“After the case was disposed of, Mrs. Kidd made a scene. She seized Officer Hunter’s whiskers and threatened to pull his head off for ‘making slurs’ against her. Detective Campbell and P.C. Canary ejected her.”²

² “ ‘Yellow’ Kidd’s Case : His Mother Made a Scene at Police Court : Boy Was Taken From Her.”

Hamilton Times.   January 30, 1900.