Fisher's Glen - 1898

 

 This is too well-written to not share using the writer’s own vivid descriptive powers.  Only the portion of the article pertaining to Fisher’s Glen follows :

“Over the H.&D. and Through Fisher’s Glen by Cal Davis.”

Hamilton Times.   December 17, 1898

        FISHER’S GLEN

“No more romantic or grandly picturesque spot is there in this beautiful country than that branching mountain gorge known as Fisher’s Glen, situated between two lofty crags of the Dundas Mountain, at the foot of whose beautifully wooded slopes runs the waters which leap over Hopkin’s and Webster’s cliffs – those two waterfalls which have inspired the brush of some of Canada’s best landscape artists and have furnished the theme for many a writer’s pen. Somewhere about half a century ago the late Mr. John Fishers chose a site near the mouth of the glen for the erection of the paper mill which has ever since borne his name, and which is today run by his son, Mr. Chas E. Fisher, with power furnished by the waters from the same two falls, and which go on forever, heedless of the fact that men may come and men may go. Fisher’s Mill is as picturesque situated as could be imagined, and its owner takes pride in the beauty of its surroundings. In the foreground is a well-kept lawn with rockeries and vases and beautiful plants and flowers in profusion throughout the summer, and the merry rippling of waters from the two fountains, mingling with the dash of the stream as it leaps over the precipice above. The mill itself is a large and substantial structure, fitted out with modern machinery, and always busy. It has a steam plant besides the water power. The water is conducted to the mill through a long stone channel, which runs under the Grand Trunk Railway near the Dundas station. The masonry is magnificent.

“From the mill, the mouth of the glen above presents of a recess in the mountain ridge, with the Dundas Peak standing guard, and a giant mound of earth beneath it, the remains of the great land slide of twelve or fourteen years ago. It is not until the long flight of stone steps above the mill has been ascended, the railway crossed, and the other end of the long stone archway reached, that the beauty of Fisher’s Glen is seen. The whole glen is the private property of Mr. Fisher, who has added to its natural loveliness by laying out a long, winding pathway – lovers’ walk – which leads past ‘Devil’s Elbow,’ a companion rock to ‘Dundas Peak,’ and right up to the ‘Meeting of the Waters.’ Where the stream from Webster’s Falls on the left and Hopkins’ Fall on the right unite their forces. A June rumble through the glen is full of interest, and when the October days begin to tint the foliage the beauty of the spot is indescribable. Even in the dead of winter, with the terraces of snow-laden pines pierced by the bare limbs of the other trees, the scenery is grand. Dundas Peak at the entrance to the glen to the meeting of the waters is a walk of about half a mile, and from where the streams meet to Webster’s Falls on one side and Hopkin’s on the other about three-quarters of a mile. The beds of both streams are rocky, and the waterfalls in endless cascades and merry chatters from rock to rock. There are several fine bathing spots and Mr. Fisher has in contemplation a bathing house. The slopes of the ravine arise probably over a hundred feet above the stream, and are most beautiful. The falls that mark the boundaries of the two branches of the glen have few equals in point of beauty. Webster’s mills, until their destruction a few months ago by fire, were run by the water which leaps over the precipice, and a little father back A.J. Clark’s woolen mills use the same power. The streams also furnish considerable power in Dundas. On the high land overlooking the glen one side, and Dundas on the other is Spring Hill, the residence of Mrs. John Fisher and her daughters, and from Spring Hill the twon draws much of its water supply.”

 

1900 Christmas

 

 

“Well, if this doesn’t beat all. Canada. Misnamed by Kipling as The Lady of Snows, with weather as balmy as Southern California, and the sun shing almost warm enough to tempt the ladies to raise their parasols to protect their faces from the blistering heat.

Times have changed my old Hamiltonian, since you and the Spectator were in the heyday of youth. Then we had winter begin in November, and kept on doing business on the cold storage plan right straight through till the natal anniversary of the Old Lady of Windsor.

“Now Winter has no beginning to speak of, for we gather second crops of strawberries when the boys and girls should be, according to the old seasons, tramping over hill and dale on snow shoes, and flying down steep hills on toboggans.

“This kind of weather settles the question of Hamilton as a famous winter resort. Indeed, it is a glorious town to live in at any season of the year.”

“Big Offerings on the Market : Such a Busy Scene Was Never Witnessed By Even the Oldest Inhabitant”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 22, 1900.

Saturday, December 22, 1900 was the last full market day before Christmas Day. The meat and vegetable stands, at the downtown Market Square, were heavily patronized by shoppers making their final purchases in order to make their upcoming Christmas dinners, the best meal of the year:

“Of course, every man, woman and child went through the market this morning; they would not be loyal to Hamilton traditions if they missed the greatest display of the year. While exhibit of beef is not as large as usual for Christmas, yet it keeps up the record for quality. Just think of sticking the carving knife into such fat, juicy roasts, with the rich gravy following the course of the knife. It makes one’s mouth water even to think of it.

“There is richness enough in the meat line in the market to give the whole town dyspepsia for the next month to come, and we would advise the apothecaries to renew their stock of tablets, for there will be a great run on them.”¹

¹ “Hamilton Spectator. December 22, 1900.

Outside of the meat market hall, vendors were doing a brisk trade in turkeys for the Christmas table. Wagons full of turkeys were soon emptied as scores of men and women made their purchases and rushed off, bumping into each other while holding large birds by one leg:

“But what a happy, good-natured crowd it was, everybody laughing and speaking words of cheer to friends they met as they hurried along. The old goose of Christmas was not much in evidence. Hamiltonians eat turkey nowadays at Christmas. Nothing is too good for them.”¹

Indeed all stalls at Hamilton Market that were year were busy. Besides the meat and vegetable stalls, the fruit vegetable and flower vendors did a brisk trade:

“Those who have watched the markets say today was positively the biggest known. The wagons spread out for blocks in all directions from the market square, and they all carried something good to eat, so there was no danger of a famine for their citizens.”¹

 The reporter sent by the Spectator to describe the scene on the market on December 22 1900, was sure that anything that could possibly be needed for the Christmas table could be purchased on the Hamilton market at “prices within the reach of even the poorest:”

“What feasting there will be next Tuesday, and while the dinners are being cooked, the fragrant odors from thousands of Hamilton kitchens will ascend as sweet incense and waft with them the prayers of a thankful people that Christmas comes once a year.”¹

A Times reporter was also sent to the Hamilton Market:

“A magnificent Christmas display of produce attracted thousands of people to the Central Market today. The Weather was ideal for both buyers and sellers, and the big square presented a decidedly gala appearance.

“So great was the attendance of farmers that all the side streets off the big square were lined for blocks with country rigs.

“While there was no combined effort to decorate the Central market hall, there was a magnificent display of meats of all kinds most attractively arranged, and there were also several magnificent carcasses of Christmas beef, weighing from 1200 to 1600 pounds and bearing the prize tickets won by the cattle at this year’s fair. The Lawry stalls in the big hall looked very handsome as the result of artistic decoration.”³

³ “For Thousands of Xmas Dinners : Magnificent Display of Produce on Central Market.”

Hamilton Times. December 22, 1900

The Lawry display on the Hamilton Market received further attention in the Times published two days later:

“Lawry & Son, Limited stalls in the market hall building look exceptionally fine. Their display of meats is very choice, and they show two carcasses weighing 2,265 and 1,625 respectively. They have their place all lighted with gas, having put in three chandeliers and a row of lights with colored globes on the outside of their stalls.

“The display, to say the least, is magnificent, and goes to show how this progressive firm is advancing.”^3.3

^3.3 “A Fine Market Display.”

Hamilton Times. December 24, 1900.

A selection of brief items from a particularly lengthy “Tea Table Gossip” which appeared on December 24, 1900”

“No paper tomorrow.

 “Fralick & Co. presented each of their employees with a Christmas turkey.

 “J. Wallace & Son presented to each one of their employees a Christmas present in cash.

 “Mrs. Stiff, Aberdeen avenue, reports that seven chickens were stolen from her hen house on Saturday night.

 “The Hamilton Electric Light & Power Co. is giving each of its employees one day’s wages as a Christmas present.

 “The J. McPherson & Co.’s employees were each presented with a five dollar bill this morning. There are about 300 employees.

 “A glass showcase in front of Eastwood’s book store was broken open last night, and ten books and some periodicals were stolen.

 “It is reported that a great quantity of goods were stolen in the big stores when the electric lights were out.

 “P.C. English broke up a gang of forty crap shooters at the corner of MacNab and Picton streets yesterday. The shooters ran away when he was about 100 yards away.

 “The Mallard Gun Club will hold a shoot at the west end grounds on Christmas day at one o’clock. There will be a team shoot for a supper. Shooters are cordially invited.

 “The south and west conductors and motormen of the City Street Railway wish to thank Mr. Reginald Kennedy for his kindness in presenting each man with a turkey.

 “Wesley Hendershot thinks he mafde a record on Saturday. He sold 509 turkeys, besides a large number of geese, ducks and chickens. He would like to hear from anyone who did better.

 “One of the daintiest Christmas dinner bills-of-fare ever published will be seen at the Royal tomorrow. It is in book form, on fine royal purple card, tied with ribbon of the same color and printed in gold on the title page and the menu in silver. The title page is in album style, a view of the dining room, in green being shown. The Royal will serve wine with every course at Christmas dinner.

 “Tuesday being Christmas day, the Hamilton post office will be open for delivery of correspondence from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. All mails will be closed and dispatched and the street letter boxes will be cleared as on ordinary days. The letter carriers will make their early morning delivery only.

 Saturday evening, December 22, 1900, the users of electricity in the city of Hamilton were greatly inconvenienced by a power failure which occurred between 6 and 7 o’clock:

“The light of the new century was, at that time, the light that failed, and, with their stores crowded with Christmas buyers, the merchants who did not have gas to fall back upon were compelled to take chances while they hunted for coal oil lamps and fallow candles to furnish light enough to see to make change by and prevent the operations of those Christmas trade hangers-on who love darkness better than light for the reason that their deeds are evil.”²

² “Its Usual Luck : Electric People Have Trouble With Power at Critical Time.”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 24, 1900

The cause of the power failure was the breakdown of a main switch at the Cataract Power Company’s Victoria Avenue distributing station. Caused by the overloading of the circuit, the power breakdown was suspiciously regarded by many citizens who were fully aware of the protracted dispute between City of Hamilton officials and the Cataract Power Company over disputed accounts.

About half-past six o’clock, during the height of the power failure, a farmer was driving down John Street South, near Hunter Street. Owing to the fact that the street lights were out, the farmer did not see that the barriers of the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo railway were down, and he proceeded to drive right through them. A freight train was approaching the crossing at the time and he only means of escaping a collision was for the farmer to drive his horses and wagon right through the second set of gates across the tracks. The wagon had just cleared the tracks when the train whizzed past.

The next morning, Sunday December 23, 1900, church services across the city were less fully attended because of inclement weather. The heavy rains and cold temperatures discouraged all but the heartiest from attending.

On Monday, December 24, 1900, the various national societies operating in Hamilton held their annual distributions of Christmas cheer to the city’s poor.

Around 1:30 p.m., there was a hive of activity around 128 King Street West, where members of the St. George’s Society provided over 200 needy families with the makings of fine Christmas dinners. Altogether 2,500 pounds of beef, 1000 pounds of flour, 500 pounds of sugar, 500 pounds of raisins, 125 pounds of tea and 150 loaves of bread had been assembled for distribution. As there were fewer applicants for assistance than expected, the St. George’s Society was able to fill all requests, leaving enough left over to make large donations to various other charitable institutions of the city.

Besides the St. George’s Society, food was distributed to those in need by the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society, the St. Andrew’s Society and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Altogether the poor of Hamilton were well-provided for and no family in need would have to do without a proper meal on Christmas day.

The Post Office at King and John streets had been very busy for weeks and the pace accelerated even more as Christmas day was imminent:

“This has been the busiest Christmas season in the history of the Hamilton post office. All day Saturday there was a rush of people who were sending away letters, and packages of all shapes and sizes, and hundreds of dollars were expended in stamps. The distributing clerks worked hard from early morning until late at night. All last week, the mail was constantly increasing in volume, but the Hamilton staff, which has the reputation of being among the most expert in Canada, kept up with the rush of work. Saturday night the British mail arrived, and, in order to get the thousands of packages and letters it contained in readiness for distribution today, the entire staff of letter carriers assisted the regular office staff, working all yesterday afternoon.

“This morning there appeared to be no let up to the volume of post office business, but at noon today, the staff was well up with the work of distributing and dispatching>’^3.2

^3.2 “Heavy Mail Business : Unprecedented Rush at the Hamilton Post Office.”

Hamilton Times. December 24, 1900.

The Times, on the day before Christmas, carried the following editorial:

“Tomorrow, the last Christmas Day of the nineteenth century, will not be lacking the joy and gladness with which the idea of Christmas is connected. The Canadian people have had a period of industrial and commercial prosperity, which implies financial ability to indulge in the comforts and luxuries which are needed to make Christmas pass off pleasantly. The hopes of the little ones who hang up their stockings are not liable to be disappointed when times are good and employment is plentiful; and the grown-up folks will exchange tokens of love and friendship without feeling that they are doing more than they can afford.

“Locally, we have to celebrate our Christmas without any jingle of sleigh bells, for the old-fashioned winter, with hard frost and deep snow, has failed to put in an appearance in Hamilton. Most of us had hoped that the war in South Africa would be entirely ended before Christmas Day, for thoughts of ‘peace on earth, good will toward men’ do not chime will with reports of Beyer’s and Delaney’s defeat by French and Clements; but we can at least rejoice that the war is, to all appearance, near its end, and it can only end in the right way. Canada has done her duty toward the Empire in her time of trouble, and we can rejoice with our kin beyond the sea when the sword goes back in the scabbard to stay there.

“Meanwhile, with a sense of duty accomplished and with little fear of foreign or domestic complications to disturb our peace, let us, one and all, dismiss our cares and unite to enjoy a Happy Christmas.”³

³ “Christmas” Hamilton Times. December 24, 1900^.

The Times, also on Christmas Eve, carried a reminder to Hamilton sports fans, that relatively little would be happening in the city for them on Christmas day:

“There will not be much in the way of Christmas sport tomorrow, except running and shooting. The devotees of curling, skating and hockey will have to be content with the engagement of their roast turkey and plum pudding, and the hope that Jack Frost will make it up to them by New Year day.

“The curlers are also bowlers, most of them, and up to Saturday it looked as if they might have a game of the lawn on Christmas day. That would not exactly be a new thing, for it has ben seen before in Hamilton, but the change in the weather on Sunday has put it out of the question.”^3.1

^3.1 “Sports” Hamilton Times. December 24, 1900.

 

“The last Christmas of the closing century has come and gone, and today the youngsters are recounting the surprises of the Christmas morning, while the elders are discussing the advisability of taking something of sugar-coated nature to aid an impaired digestive apparatus. It was a pretty sort of Christmas for most people, and most people seemed to take a heap of enjoyment out of it. The city was the home for the time being of thousands of wandering ones – sons and daughters who, during the balance of the year dwell in other places, but make it a point to be home at Christmastime. The youngsters had their good time, Santa Claus coming to brighten the day in most homes where the little folks live. Mother and father had a good time, the former because she had the family all around her and could once again cook a meal for the whole flock, and the latter because he could give himself up to the unalloyed enjoyment of a day off with the kids.

“After the Santa Claus excitement of the early morning, the day was passed quietly enough by the stay-at-homes, and those who went out found enough to keep them interested in the road racing at Victoria Park and elsewhere, in the churches and at the theaters.

 

“How the Day Was Passed : Something of the Doings of Hamilton Folks Over the Christmas Time.”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 26, 1900.

 

“In no place does Christmas mean more than to the citizens on the hill overlooking the city. For many weeks before the event, busy minds have been devising ways and means, and cunning hands have been executing, by a variety of methods, how best to make it the brightest and most cheerful day of the year.

“To the ordinary observer, it bears none of the traditional hallmarks of an asylum for the insane. On the contrary, it has all the appearance of a great co-operative organization conducted on socialistic principles. Absolute equality is the keynote of its management. Rich and poor fare alike, and all fare sumptuously on Christmas day. Imagine, if you can, the numbers of turkeys and geese required to feed about 1,200 people, not to speak of the plum pudding, fruit and confectionery which also contributed to the meal.

“Many loads of evergreen have been hauled from a distance and woven into ropes by many willing hands to festoon the halls and corridors in endless forms. Intermingling with this are the hanging baskets and flowers in great profusion, giving the whole the appearance of a bower of beauty. Added to all this are the works of art which arrest your attention everywhere, in draperies, needlework, crochet work, and embroidery, all bearing evidence of design, taste and skill of the highest order. Nooks and angles are utilized everywhere for cosy corners, and enriched with beautiful easy cushions in most elaborate designs.”

 

“Christmas at the Asylum : Festivities This Year the Most Satisfactory.”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 26, 1900.

1907 - Limelight Talk About Hamilton

 

“As a layman missionary about to travel long distances to various parts of the world. Mr. R.J. Buchanan prepared a limelight presentation about Canada. He was sure to include material specifically about his home city, Hamilton Ontario Canada.

From the Hamilton Times, June 11, 1907:

    "In preparing material for an illustrated lecture which Mr. R.J. Buchanan proposes giving while abroad with the laymen’s missionary body, he has, as might be expected, not overlooked his native city, and has incorporated in it some matter, which, with the views to be shown, will do much to bring this city’s advantages before great crowds of people. Mr. Buchanan, in his remarks, will say:

“On our way westward, we cross the Welland Canal, the connecting waterway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario; for the ordinary tourist there is nothing of special interest to distinguish this canal from any other; its importance to the commerce of Canada, however, is very great, and an immense annual tonnage passes through its locks.

“Crossing a flat, and rather uninteresting farming country, we pass over the edge of the mountain, and down into the smiling, happy valley, where we get our first glimpse of the beautiful city of Hamilton, Ontario.

“The Hamilton valley is noted for its fertile fruit farms. Vineyards and fruit trees abound everywhere. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries and the smaller fruits grow in great profusion, making this the garden spot of Canada.

“For a brief season, in early spring, this district is beautiful with pink blossoms, later, the bridal robes of spotless white, in the blossoms of the pear, plum and cherry trees; thereafter the gorgeous combined effects of pink and white apple blossoms; with an added touch of royal purple, in the lilac bloom. No one in Canada need cross an ocean to the Orient to find the great loveliness of blossom beauty. This luxuriance of bloom foretells the ripened fruitage of a plentiful harvest later on.

 

“The vernal tints of spring foliage alnoe are noteworthy – all shades of warm green, toned up into pronounced reds, with a variety, and boldness of execution, that would eclipse the palette of the most impressionist of artists. Nature is no niggard, when she dashes her colors upon the landscapes of early spring, and the rich red-brown earth beneath makes a fine setting for this grand display. The brilliant dandelions, looking like discs of gold, shine forth from the green sward at our feet. All of nature is rejoicing in this, her annual renaissance of joyous life.

 

“Passing the ethereal loveliness of these fruit farms, we enter the busy city of Hamilton, a thriving manufacturing city of about seventy thousand inhabitants.

“By common consent, the point of vantage in Hamilton is its beautiful ‘Mountain,” which a joker has called ‘a kind of a bluff,” but to the Hamilton people it will always remain “the Mountain,” just the same. The glorious panorama, as seen from its brow, is most charming with its combined variety of hills and valleys. To our left, we see the Desjardins Canal and the marsh, while beyond that, Flamboro Heights arise. Near the marsh one might visit the old earthworks on Burlington Heights, now in Hamilton Cemetery, and the old block house, near the quaint archway at Dundurn Park; in Hamilton, we are on historic ground. The charming Hamilton Bay lies north of the city, and in pleasant days its grey-blue waters are dotted with the white sails of pleasure boats, and its surface ruffled by the busy steamers which ply upon its bosom. The picturesque Hamilton Beach, about five miles distant to the east, separates Hamilton Bay from Lake Ontario, through which we can see a canal has been cut to unite these bodies of water, and two lofty iron towers of the Toronto & Niagara Power Co. have been erected, one on each side, to convey the wires across, without interference with the navigation. Beyond this scene of beauty, we see the azure blue waters of Lake Ontario, about five miles distant, and, across them, in the dim distance, we can see on a clear day the heights of Scarborough, beyond Toronto, about forty-five miles away. At our feet, in the foreground, as we stand upon the mountain brow, lies the beautiful and thriving city of Hamilton, spread out with its innumerable attractions, all resplendent in a great semicircular amphitheater of a majestic but verdant escarpment, making a scene of peaceful loveliness difficult to realize, and impossible to overestimate.

“Hamilton is one of the greatest manufacturing centres in Canada. Here are located the International Harvester Works, which occupy a large area, and employ several thousand people. Here are manufactured all kinds of agricultural implements, which find a ready market throughout the British Empire; The Canadian Westinghouse Company also has works here, and manufactures all kinds of electrical appliances for the Empire; it has fewer employees than the Harvester Works, but these are a high class of workmen, and this company has the largest payroll in the city. There are also the Bridge Works, Iron and Steel Smelter, and many other manufactories, which pour forth their smoke- a black incense to Mammon.

“Hamilton has marvelous natural advantages as a manufacturing city, due to the cheap electric power, transmitted from the neighboring DeCew Falls.

“In addition to all the foregoing advantages natural gas is found in great quantities, about twenty-five miles to the south of Hamilton, and while just at the threshold of its introduction into the city, the consumption has reached the incredible amount of about two million cubic feet per day.

“Hamilton has one of the finest, if not the best, farmer’s markets in Canada, and this, of itself, is of incalculable advantage to the citizens and to the farmers.

“Hamilton has recently acquired world-wide renown as the birthplace of William J. Sherring, who, in May, 1906, won the great Marathon foot race at Athens in Greece.

 

“One great trouble in Hamilton is the muck rake of materialism; too many of her citizens fall to see the golden crown of her manifest destiny, and just as long as this is true, she will be shut out from the just rewards of such a location.”

 

 

 

1902 - Report on Dundurn

As the one anniversary of Dundurn having been opened as a public park, the Times sent a reporter out to describe Dundurn as it was in May 1902 :

 “The old historical spot known as Dundurn Park is more beautiful and attractive than ever this year. Since the Parks Board became guardians of the grounds quite a number of changes have been made; but on account of the Activity of the Wentworth Historical Society, the historical features of the place, for the most part, have been retained.¹

¹  “What Can Be Seen at Dundurn : The Animals in the Zoo and the Curios in the Museum There”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 10 1902.

The first thing to be mentioned by the Times man were the archway and cottage close to the York street side of the park:

 “The old archway, which was originally the entrance to the grounds while the late Sir Allan MacNab resided there, and the battery cottage situated a short distance behind the archway, have been repaired, or rather renewed this spring. The archway and the battery have a great historical significance as have other places about the property. Many, many years ago, there were four cannon at the battery – two pointing east and two south.”

The long rumored tunnel in the park was described in some detail:

“A feature of the park, not generally known, is a subterranean passage from the battery cottage to a point in the ravine about sixty yards west of the castle. On the side of the bank may be seen evidence of this fact. Some months ago, a number of school boys undertook to explore the underground tunnel, and they claimed that after going fifty or sixty yards they discovered an iron door which was closed tight, preventing the boys going further. While sewer pipes some time ago workmen struck a brick tunnel, which is undoubtedly the one running from the cottage to the bay.

“There is a strong feeling among members of the Historical Society that the underground passage, which is about a quarter of a mile long, should be explored and a full report made of it.. The entrance to it is only about twenty inches square, but those who have gone in report that the passage is five or six feet high.”

The reporter was generally very positive about the changes at Dundurn although concern was expressed as to a few things:

“Since last summer much has been done to beautify the park, although it is doubtful if many will admit that the changes made by the Parks Board will tend to popularize the park as a place of recreation for citizens. The idea of the Board seems to be to have something to look at. About 500 young trees have been put in along the line of the driveways, and any number of ‘Keep off the grass,’ and ‘No dogs allowed’ boards have been put up. In addition to those signs, wire fences have been erected to keep people off the sward.

“The old baseball diamond has been filled in and flower beds laid out. The hollow, which contained the old dancing pavilion has also been filled up. This is a spot which has a place in the hearts of many men and women, now fathers and mothers, who used to trip the light fantastic there to the music of a string band in years gone by.”

As for the grand Dundurn residence, it had been closed to the public in the first year of its ownership by the City of Hamilton. That was about to change:

“The museum in the pack has not been neglected, and one will note even more changes there than in the grounds. A great many donations have been received in the past year by Mrs. Fessenden, the curator,

“Among the many hundreds of beautiful things the writer noticed several odd rosary beads – one made from the hair of a Russian hermit. A magnificent ivory fan. Two pieces of Spanish pottery from Costa Rica, over 100 years old. A screen from the palace of Li Hung Chang in Pekin. A set of armor used 200 years ago, A Japanese plaque of porcelain, containing over 25 distinct faces, and many other articles fully as old and interesting as those mentioned.

“Mrs. Fessenden g hopes to have the museum ready for opening on May 24^th. Her efforts to make the place attractive are certainly praiseworthy. “¹

Finally the Times article contained a glowing account of the work done by the superintendent who had been hired to take care of the property, including the addition of a zoo on the Dundurn grounds:

“Mr. Samuel Weaver, who was caretaker at the park when it was owned by Senator McInnes, is superintendent, and to him great credit is due for the fine condition of the place at the present time. Mr. Weaver works from sunrise to sunset, and takes more than an ordinary interest in the park. In addition to his ordinary duties, he looks after the zoo, and it may be correctly said that he is gamekeeper and animal trainer. The birds and animals, when quartered in the old barns include : two old black bears, known as Pat and Joe. Two young black bears, bearing the cognomens Judge and Buller. Two wolves named George and Vanderclip. Two raccoons who answer to the names of hill and Crockett. Two wild geese. A golden eagle. Golden pheasants, silver pheasants, Chinese pheasants, squirrels, hawks, guinea pigs, guinea fowls, owls, crows and doves.

“All the animals and birds have wintered well and are in fine condition.”¹

 

The 24^th of May, 1902 was coming close and after reading the Times article, many Hamilton made plans to go to Dundurn and check out the changes that had been made there.