1906 - Billy Sherring

 Bobby Kerr Reception

 

Ever since the news of his Olympic victory had been received in Hamilton, Billy Sherring’s friends and supporters had been preparing to give him a warm welcome home.

On May 1 1906, at the Olympic Games in Athens Greece, the leader in the marathon entered the stadium wearing a fedora and a shirt from his hometown Hamilton St. Patrick’s Athletic Club. The excitement was so high that Crown Prince George ran out to track, applauding as he accompanied Sherring on the last lap.

Will Sherring returned by sea, arriving in New York on May 19. Two days later, the city of Montreal honoured with a massive reception followed by a similar celebration in Toronto.

Of course, the City of Hamilton would outdo them both in celebrating a native son who brought so much renown to his home community.

 

 

On May 23 1906, as recounted in the Times, Sherring’s return trip from Athens was completed as the steamer Modjeska entered Hamilton harbour :

“With Will Sherring, the hero of Athens, on the hurricane deck, surrounded by admiring friends and a number of members of Hamilton City Council, the majestic Modjeska, steamed into the James street slip last night at 8 o’clock.

“Thousands of citizens were on the dock and the surrounding hill tops to greet the world’s champion runner, and notwithstanding the cordial reception received at stopping points of his triumphal tour from New York to this city, the Marathon winner must have felt there is no place like home.”₁

“

¹ “Champion Sherring Welcomed Home to His Native City.”

Hamilton Times May 23 1906

 

Preparations for Sherring’s return had been made and announced in the press. Hamiltonians knew when and where to go to welcome their fellow citizen home.

 

The Times prepared a Times Sherring Special to be issued at 4:30. It contained the latest news about Sherring and the details about the evening’s demonstration in his honor:

“A supplement, Sherring’s picture in red and green, the St. Patrick’s colours will be given away with paper.”

Citizens were Roger to “get a copy from the newsboys, or at the Times office, to send away to friends.”

The special edition carried an editorial under the headline ‘The Marathon Victory’ :

“After winning the Marathon race, receiving the victor’s olive wreath and historic kid, the kisses of amorous feminine admirers and the gifts of Athenian athletics, Sherring has skillfully dodged the many offers of marriage with which temptresses sought to beguile him, and has returned to his native country.

“Athens was all very picturesque, the Greek lassies were bewitching, and the flattery of royalty and the mob could not be but tempting, but, after all, Athens is not Home; it has no Gore Park, no such striking architecture as is displayed in our better bourse and the latest palatial market structure, no bold escarpment along its south, no land locked bay to trot around for morning exercise, no such brainy mayor or aldermen as ours, and no girls fit to class with Hamilton girls.”

 

As the time of Sherring’s arrival neared, a Times reporter noted that: he 

“Nearly everyone wore red and green ribbons, or carried a Sherring cane. At seven o’clock, an hour before the steamer was due, crowds flocked north on James street, and half an hour later, an immense crowd was assembled from the bridge to the bay, along. Guise street and on the property of the Hamilton Steamship Company. ¹

 On time as usual the big steamer progressed through the canal from Lake Ontario into the bay:

“When the Modjeska’s hoarse whistle sounded its approach, thousands of eyes were fixed on the steamer, and when it reached the wharf, thousands of voices welcomed the hero. Part of the Thirteenth bugle band was aboard, and did its share in the welcome. Sherring stood on the hurricane deck, his face wreathed in smiles.”¹

 

As soon as the man of the hour and his supporters got off the big boat, a procession began 

: “ A squad of police led the way, and then followed the Thirteenth bugle band, the champion’s carriage, the aldermen, athletic clubs, the three 

bands of the Ninety-First, the 44^th band, the Veteran Firemen and other organizations. As the procession moved off, the Thirteenth struck Home Sweet Home.”

 

“The city was in gala attire to welcome its hero, and Sherring’s trip to Victoria Park truly a triumphal march. Houses and stores were lighted and gaily decorated. Flags and bunting were abundantly used.

“When Sherring finally stepped on the platform, Victoria Park was a sea of humanity. Hundreds of Roman candles were lighted and a big searchlight operated from the corner of Margaret and King street swept the park.”

 

Although no one got seriously injured, there were several occasions when people were dangerously crushed in the mayhem. So great was the tumult that none of speakers could be widely heard. In the interests of safety, the police requested that the ceremony be cut short and the park be cleared.