1906 - Corporal Briggs’ Sad End

 

To be horribly mangled beneath

 the wheels of a train when within a few hundred yards of his home, which he was hurrying to reach so that he might get to work on time, was the terrible fate Corporal E. W. Briggs, of Dundas met this morning when his life was crushed out by the Michigan Central special returning from Windsor.”

Hamilton Times. May 25 1908

 

“The news of the accident spread rapidly through the cars and cast a shadow of gloom where mirth and pleasure had reigned a few minutes before at the prospect of being home once more.”

 

Witnessed by Private Gordon McNair, a Times press room employee, Corporal Briggs jumped from the train which was proceeding at approximately twenty miles an hour. The soldier landed on his feet, but immediately lost his balance, and slipped forward under the wheels of the train. 

 

Private McNair quickly signalled for the train to stop. Corporal Briggs’ legs were almost severed off and he was only breathing faintly when the two doctors on board the train reached him. They determined that they could do nothing for the young man and Briggs, just 20 years old, died.

 

The young soldier had decided to leap from the train as he wanted to get to his place of employment Webber’s hardware store as soon as possible.

 

“ ‘A peculiar coincidence was that he came to me just the other day and asked me to loan him my plaid until he had a picture taken. He remarked that it might be the last chance he would ever have to be photographed in uniform.’

 

The horrible accident happened on Friday May 25, and by Sunday May 27, extensive preparations had been completed for one of the largest funerals in the history of Dundas:

“ ‘The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat, 

     The soldier’s last tattoo.’

“With full military honours and services impressive in their simplicity, yes remains of Corporal Edwin W. Briggs, Co. G., Ninety-First Highlanders, were laid at rest yesterday afternoon in Grove Cemetery, Dundas.

“It was one of the largest funerals in the Valley City’s history, over three thousand people gathering along the route of the procession, and at the grave to pay a last tribute of respect to the dead soldier and show their sympathy for the bereaved parents. The scene as the soldiers, with heavy Highland tread, followed the remains of their departed comrade to the cemetery and at the grave, when the buglers sounded Last Post, was most pathetic.”

“Last Post for Corp. E. Briggs”

Hamilton Times May 28 1906

The funeral itself was began at the Briggs family home on Hope street from which the casket was carried by hearse to St. James’ church which was packed for the service.

The procession from the church to graveyard was solemn and impressive:

“With drums muffled and to the sad dirge of the pipes, the Highlanders marched with arms reversed to Grove Cemetery. At the entrance, the casket was removed from the hearse and six of the soldiers carried it on their shoulders to the grave. 

“ The seven as the funeral procession marched slowly up the winding hill was most picturesque and impressive.

“At the close of the services, the buglers sounded the first part of the general salute, and Last Post, while three volleys were fired over the grave by the firing party surrounding it.”

Although still a young man, just twenty years old, at the time of the fatal accident, Corporal Briggs was a very popular figure in Dundas and a much-esteemed colleague of the members of the 91^st Highlanders.

 

 

 

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.