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.
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