1900 - Boer War Returning Soldier Reception

“Hamilton will turn itself loose on another popular demonstration tonight, when it extends a royal welcome to the returning heroes of the South African war. By noon today, the main streets were gaily decorated with miles of bunting and thousands of flags. Many of the business establishments have installed electrical illumination in the national colors.”

Hamilton Times.    November 06, 1900.

Hamilton had three daily newspapers in November 1900, the Herald, the Spectator and the Times.

Each paper would vie with its competitors for the best coverage of major local events. The November 6, 1900 events, welcoming home Boer War soldiers returning to their home city was an opportunity to show the public how well such events could be recorded in words and presented to the public.

The following is an overview of how the Times gave its readers an detailed account of the sights, sounds and general mayhem of that memorable night.

During the afternoon, hours before the returning heroes were to arrive, the Times in its afternoon addition, provided the following for its readers :

“At noon today, the children of the Public and Separate Schools were liberated for a half holiday, and tonight, the vast army of the city’s workers will join in a magnificent ovation to the gallant boys who went from Hamilton to fight in the battles of the Empire in the Transvaal.

“The returning soldiers will arrive at the Hunter street depot from Toronto at 8 o’clock and will be met on the platform by the Civic Reception Committee and officers of the city corps. As soon as after the arrival as possible, the procession will leave the depot, taking the following routes :

“Along James to King, thence to John street to Cannon, to James street, to King street to Victoria Park, where a large platform, well-lit, has been erected, and addresses will be delivered by the Chairman of the Finance and Acting Mayor Ald. TenEyck, Lieut.-Col. McLaren and Captain Forneret.

“The gallant soldiers will then be presented with the magnificent laurel wreath, the gift of the Daughters of the Empire. At the conclusion of the ceremonies in the park, the procession will reform and march along King street, and the military will then take possession of the Hamilton heroes.”¹

¹ “Honor For Our Heroes : Tonight’s Demonstration  for Returning Soldiers : Another Record Breaker”

Hamilton Times.    November 06, 1900.

The morning after the huge street procession and gathering at Victoria Park, the November 7, 1900 morning edition of the Hamilton Times was full of vivid details of the excitement of the previous evening. Its coverage started, under a very long headline, as follows :

Hamilton Times.    November 07, 1900

“Enthusiastic gladness in the faces of cheering thousands, from the housetops, from a thousand windows, from the street corners, from the sidewalks where the hosts of rejoicing men, women and children marched; gladness in the myriads of blazing electric lights, in the great torches of colored fire, at a hundred convenient spots; gladness in the reports of mortars and giant torpedoes; gladness in the chimes of church bells and in the din of thousands of fish horns and whistles; thus to Hamilton’s returning heroes of the South African campaign did this city of Hamilton rise to show welcome.

“To say the city went wild with enthusiasm last night does not express the situation. Words are empty things as far as the description of the reception given to the returning soldiers of the First Canadian contingent are concerned. Never before in the history of any city in Canada was a greater sense of rejoicing than that which all Hamilton presented last night. And the names of the men in whose honor the demonstration took place will live in the minds of the people of Hamilton and the reception given them will long be remembered as one of the brightest of red letter nights in the city’s history.

“Owing to the haste which accompanied their enlistment, the Hamilton lads of the first contingent saw no public demonstration of the good will of the people when they departed, and they were promised a royal welcome when they returned from the war. Did they get it? Ask the footsore and hoarse thousands when they marched on roadway or pavement; ask of the men who sell fireworks and bunting; ask of the horses that hauled their heavy loads of cheering humanity; the answer comes in a thunderous affirmative from all humanity who could ride, walk, limp or be carried up town last night”²

² “Magnificent Reception to Returned Soldiers : How This Busy City Disported Itself On a Night of Nights : Received a Great Welcome : Citizens Turned Out en masse to do Honor to the Lads Who Had risked  Their Lives for the Empire – Paardeberg Remembered in a Flood of Gladness – A Grand Procession That Had Its Pathway Brilliantly Illuminated By Fireworks and Electrical Decorations – Addresses of Welcome Presented to the Khaki Clad Heroes at Victoria Park – County Battalion Joins the Local Militia in the Festivities of the Night – The Celebration Unequalled in the Annals of the City ”

Hamilton Times.    November 07, 1900

With the scheduled time of arrival at the T.H. & B. railway’s Hunter street station, of the C.P.R. train carrying the soldiers, Hamilton’s downtown streets became packed with people, eager to be part of the reception:

“As early as 7 o’clock King and James streets began to receive their thousands of pedestrians. Onward towards the section of James street, between King and Hunter streets surged the people, and soon the roadways were occupied by the carriages, drays, wagons, pony carts and everything that could carry people more expeditiously  towards the starting point of the demonstration. Like the crowd that thronged the streets on Ladysmith Day, it was a good-natured crowd, and it laughed defiance at the scattering raindrops which fell during the evening, and launched good-natured raillery at those who tried strength or ingenuity in the battle for position. From the City Hall to the depot and in the space around the Gore, there came a ceaseless noise of fish horns, almost drowned at times with the louder blare of brass, or punctured by the shrill music of pipes, as various bands.”²

The procession began, only a few minutes later than scheduled. Forming up at the area around James Street South and Hunter streets, the route headed north to King street:

“Along King street to John street and down John street to Cannon went the marching host, and as if the spectacular effects arranged for were not sufficient, rockets set fire to an immense Union Jack suspended across John street at Dodson’s paint establishment, and, as it blazed turned into a banner of flame, the elaborate decorations in front of the Gurney-Tilden building were ignited by fireworks, and added excitement to the scene. And the crowds cheered; cheered for Britain, cheered for the returning soldiers, for the flames and sometimes because they were alive and in the thick of the demonstration.  Turning west along Cannon street to James and up that thoroughfare to King street, the procession aroused of the throng to fever pitch. At the Royal Hotel, the van containing the contingent collapsed through the breaking of an axle, and the heroes in khaki had to take to carriages. As the procession reached the City Hall, the big bell in the tower commenced sounding a welcome that was kept up for nearly half an hour. Here, the decorations in front of Oak Hall caught fire, and as willing hands kept the blazing flags and bunting from doing serious damage, enthusiasts from the windows on both side of the street added their quota to then display of fireworks. As the procession moved along King street west to Victoria Park, several fires occurred amongst the decoration of store and dwellings.”²

Reaching King West and Locke streets, the excitement seen along the procession route grew even higher :

“On the west side of Victoria Park, a platform had been erected on which to welcome the boys to their old home. Before the procession arrived, thousands of persons surrounded it, and when the lads in khaki came, they had great difficulty reaching it. For once the police force of Hamilton proved itself adequate to handle the crowd. In less than five minutes, a sea of faces was formed, a mass of humanity which surged to and fro like the waves  of the ocean. When the soldiers finally reached the platform, they were given front row seats. In the place of prominence were the Marshall family, Mrs. McLaren; Messrs. A.T. Wood and J.V. Teetzel, Rev. T. Albert Moore, Lieut.-Col. Gibson, members of the Hamilton Rugby Football Club; Ald. Frank E. Walker, Acting Mayor Ten Eyck, and officers of the XIII Regiment.”²

Order was extremely difficult to maintain but, nevertheless, the speeches and presentations to the soldiers went on :

“Lieut.-Col McLaren stepped to the front of the platform, and called for order in vain. After waiting some minutes, he called again but still the cheering continued. He said : ‘It has been thought wise to limit the speeches tonight to words of welcome from the commanding officer of the regiment, and an address from the City Council. Had not an election campaign been in progress, there are other gentlemen who would have addressed you, but in view of the circumstances, this is not desirable. On an occasion like this, it is surely our first duty as Christian people to offer up thanks to our Heavenly Father for his mercy in bringing our comrades back to their homes in safety, and I therefor ask our chaplain to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving.’

“Chaplain Forneret offered a prayer, which was only audible to those within a few feet of him owing to the awful noise of the crowd, which did not appear to realize the solemnity of the occasion.

“Then the band played, ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee.’

“Cheer after cheer went up as Chaplain stepped forward on behalf of Fessenden Chapter, Daughters of the Empire, and presented the boys with a magnificent laurel wreath. He said in ancient times it was the custom, when a Roman general returned from victory, to present him with a wreath of laurels, and it was quite in keeping with the occasion for him to make this presentation in recognition of the splendid work done for the Queen and Empire. Lieut. Marshall responded on behalf of the boys. His speech was very brief and soldier-like. He said – ‘On behalf of the returning soldiers and the men of the regiment, I have to thank you most heartily for this expression of your appreciation, and specially for this magnificent reception tendered us tonight, and for all kindnesses. War is not a pleasant thing, but I think it is worth roughing it a bit for a reception of this kind. You only want to travel a bit to find out that there is no country like Canada and no city like Hamilton. A soldier knows that the burden of the work does not fall on the officer, but on the soldier. The one shoulders the responsibility and the other performs the labor. An officer has many comforts the soldier does not share. To Sergt. Rutherford and the boys is due the credit for their work throughout the campaign.’

                             From the Regiment

“Lieut.-Col. McLaren addressed the men as follows : ‘Brave Boys. A new landmark was made a little over a year ago, when a sister colony was threatened with extermination, and when, spontaneously, the colonies of the Empire came forward and volunteered their services in assisting the mother country in maintaining the integrity of the Empire.  Canada was not behind in this matter, and her sons offered themselves from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

“ ‘War is a cruel game at the best, and we have to mourn the loss of many brave men who went forth in all the vigor of manhood and who never return. But who will dare say they have died in vain? Their blood will surely cement the bonds of the Empire more closely than ever before. And you, gallant comrades, who have been spared to return, we welcome you with all the fervor possible. You have upheld the good name of the militia of Canada, and through your intelligence and soldierly qualities the name of Canada is highly honored throughout the Empire today. You have proved yourselves good and faithful servants of the Queen. May you long be spared to prove yourselves good and faithful citizens of Canada.’

“In conclusion, he asked those present to give three cheers for the soldiers from South Africa. He said – ‘You will remember that the City Council, very generously and with the approval of the ratepayers presented each man on leaving with a liberal purse; this was done through Alderman TenEyck, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and it is therefore fitting that he should present you with an address of welcome now.’

                             From the City

          “Hearty cheers were again given as Alderman TenEyck, acting mayor, steeped forward and read the following address, which was only audible to a few –

“ ‘After the hardships, the vicissitudes, and the victories of war, your fellow citizens joyfully and heartily welcome you home. Since your departure to the distant battlefields of South Africa, your every movement has been closely and anxiously followed by the people, not only of this city, but of the whole Dominion; map after the map of the scenes of conflict has been worn out in tracing your many marches across the veldts and kopjes of that distant land, and the greatest possible interest has been taken in all that pertained to your welfare. We, your fellow citizens, knew, if the world did not, what to expect of you, should the opportunity be given to show your courage, and your fidelity and loyalty – to our peerless Empress Queen, and we are glad to say that the high expectations we had formed of you have been more than realized. Your gallant conduct and your courageous advance under the order of the ‘touch hands’ on that dark night at Paardeberg will ever remain in the history of the empire as an example of Canadian courage and valor. How you and your Canadian comrades is chiefly due the honor of one of the greatest victories won by the soldiers of the Queen in South Africa. As Canadians we are justly proud of the splendid record of our Contingents, and as citizens we are doubly proud of the part taken by you in framing such a record.

“ ‘The noble work of the soldiers of the colonies , sealed with the blood of many a brave boy, stands to the world a testimony of their love and devotion to the British Empire, and as a menace to all who would trample upon her principles of truth and justice. While in gladness we welcome you home, we would not forget the heroes who have lost their lives in the conflict, and who have filled the honored graves of British soldiers; to the relatives and friends who mourn their death and particularly to our esteemed and respected fellow citizen, Major O’Reilly, we extend our sincere sympathy in their irreparable loss.

“ ‘Again, we welcome you, well knowing that, should the Empire require your services, or should foes invade our own loved Canada, you, as well as thousands of your comrades, will be found semper paratus to respond to the call of your country or the great Empire of which we form a part.’

“Lieut. Marshall again responded on behalf of the boys, and the 77^TH Band then played ‘The Red, White and Blue.’”²

It soon became obvious that speech-making should come to an end, especially as the noise from the assembled was so high, few could actually hear what was said: “By this time the crowd at the park had reached tremendous proportions, and speech-making was entirely out of the question. The crush around the stand was so great that to save their instruments from destruction the bandsmen had to hold them over their heads, and it was thought advisable to bring the meeting to a close.

“A number of the bandsmen were called to the platform and ‘God Save the Queen’ was played, but it was fully an hour before the immense crowd was dispersed.

“The militia was dismissed at the park, and no attempt was made to reform the procession. Most of the members of the XIII. Regiment marched to the Drill Hall from the park, to take in an informal welcome to the boys.”²

While that ended the coverage of the procession and the Victoria Park speeches, the Times then published the following anecdotes of things that happened during the evening :

                   Held Live Wire

          “There are many acts of daring performed by individuals for the benefit of the public which never come to light. But last night there was one who deserves special mention and praise, Superintendent Fisher, of the T.H. & B. had very prudently arranged for the decoration of the station building, but to his sorrow, the fuse had burned out which was attached to the handsome electric sign, ‘Welcome Home,’ ten minutes before the arrival of the train. He at once had Mr. W.H. Taylor, of the Cataract Power Company on the spot, who with much difficulty and risk clung to the building with one hand while holding the live wire with the other. Mr. Taylor was in this position until the impenetrable mass below had moved away, and all saw the heroes. Mr. Taylor said he was touched by the imposing spectacle, and realized its importance, as he was so time ago one of the men that was similarly honored by his own countrymen in New York on his return from Manilla.”

                             Notes

“Sunnyside!

“Paardeberg!

“Mafeking!

“Ladysmith!

“Bloemfontein!

“Pretoria!

“Our boys!!!

Oh! Billy, Billy Marshall

“and Rutherford –

“and Warren –

“and Warwick –

“and Tice –

“and Hendrie –

“and Sutton –

“and Dunham –

“and Holland –

“and all the Hamilton volunteers,

“well done, everybody!

“H-A-M-I-L-T-O-N, Hamilton, Rah! Rah! Rah!

“What would have happened to a Boer?

“Ladysmith Day was beaten forty ways.

“Even the skies wept after the show ended.

“No carpet knights about our khaki clad fighters.

“It was a welcome fitting the return of heroes.

“Even Hog Town could take a leaf out of our book.

“It was a great night for the small boy and the fish horn.

“The Victoria Yacht Club turned out strong and with no lack of fireworks.

“On the laurel wreath presented to the boys was Kipling’s motto, ‘Lest We Forget.’

“Every girl who owned a ‘scarlet fever’ shirt must have it on last night.

“With all the thousands of spectators, not a scrap of any kind marred the festivities.

“The address presented by Acting Mayor Ten Eyck bore the seal of the city corporation.

“The distribution of fireworks took place from drays stationed at three points along the line of march.

“Grey-haired men and small boys could frequently be seen struggling to light fireworks at one torch.
          “Two women fainted in the crowd on James street south and were with difficulty extricated from the crowd.

“A little girl whose hand was severely burned by fireworks had her injuries dressed in John A. Clark’s drug store.

“A ’66 veteran’s medal was snatched from the breast of Mr. Samuel Howard, on James street after the parade.

“The postchaise in its mimic warriors contained Messrs. A.H. Dodsworth, M. Applegarth, E. Mundell, T.W. Hand and J. Warnke.

“Miss G. Hannaford was struck with a rocket near the Royal Hotel. She fainted and Mr. Mackelcan was called to attend her.

“A number of gaily-adorned clown and burnt cork artists scattered through the procession to add to the merriment.

“Rev. Thomas Geoghegan, A. Goodenough, R.T. Wolson, and W.H. Wilson were the assistant marshals and did their work well.

“A bunch of merry maidens wearing scarlet shell jackets and Strathcona hats attracted much attention at the corner of King and James streets.

“Scores of people took chances on broken arms in order to shake hands with the returned soldiers, even when their big van was moving rapidly.

“A rocket struck Mrs. (Dr.) White on the shoulder, while she was standing at the corner of James and Cannon streets. A child in her arms had a close call.

“When the bandsmen were not playing ‘Soldiers of the Queen,’ ‘Rule Britannia,’ ‘Home Sweet home,’ or the National Anthem, they joined in the cheering and let off fireworks.

“As the parade moved down James street, a small boy fell, and would have been trampled underfoot had not a gentleman rescued him. His rescuer lost his hat as a result of his kindness.

“Ald. Walker, Chairman of the Reception Committee, was complimented on all sides on the excellent arrangements made. He and Ald. Ten Eyck were present at the reception in the officers’ mess.”

Finally, the Times editor could not resist making a statement about what it all meant:

 “The popular reception to the returned heroes from South Africa, in which all classes of Hamilton’s citizens took part, either as actors or spectators, was all that could be desired, and the enthusiasm must have gratified the young men in whose honor the demonstration was gotten up. Of course they never doubted that their valor was appreciated by their friends at home, but it nevertheless must have made them feel better to see the whole city turn out on the very eve of election day, to declare that joy over their safe return was universal. There is a lot of handshaking to be done yet before our boys can settle down into their old situations. There are stories to be told and incidents of the war to be explained, marches and battles to be described, generals to be criticized and comrades to be eulogized. The year in South Africa must have taught our boys a great many things, which they will gradually impart to the rest of us, after the excitement of the homecoming is over. They know what real soldiering means; they comprehend the horror as well as the glory of war. They have been through the fire, and we all love them for the dangers they have passed.”³

³ “The Welcome Home”

Hamilton Times.    November 07, 1900

A gallery of illustraions by Times artict, J. Thompson, depicting the soldiers:

1907 - Vaudeville at Bennett's Theater

As Thanksgiving day, 1907, approached, the Spectator carried the following promotion for the bill to be presented at Hamilton’s Bennett’s theater:

“The bill at Bennett’s this week will be one which will make the theater-goers of this city sit up and take notice.

“The headliners will be Motoring, one of the best laughing sketches in vaudeville, and Della Fox, the celebrated comic opera star. Motoring will be presented by George Tate’s company of English comedians, who are said to be exceptionally clever. The act is brimful of humorous situations, and, as the name suggest, it is a story of automobile life. Della Fox needs no introduction to local theater-goers, as she is one of the daintiest soubrettes whoever stepped on the stage. Her name and fame have gone broadcast and her appearance at Bennett’s should prove a great drawing card.  George H. Wood, a monologist, who makes everyone laugh, is another attraction, and great things are expected of him. Wesson, Walters and Wesson, will have a clever and funny act in The Hotel Repose. Zeno, Jordon and Zeno will present their sensational tumbling act, in which they use a lot of apparatus. Donat Bedina, the famous European acrobat, and his wonderfully trained dogs will give an exhibition which will not only add variety to the bill, but which will prove one of the most entertaining acts seen here in many a day. Brune and Russell, typical vaudeville artists, will present their entirely remodeled singing and dancing act, while the Clarence Sisters, reputed to be among the best in the business, will appear with a number of the latest songs and dances. The Bennettograph will provide a pleasing finish to the bill.”¹

¹ “At Bennett’s .”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 26, 1907.

Once the vaudeville troupe arrived in the city and performed the first of their appearances, the Spectator reviewer urged Hamilton and area residents to go to Bennett’s because of the high quality of the talent : “Standing room only was the condition at Bennett’s last night, so large was the audience which crowded into the popular playhouse to witness one of the best bills of the season. Tomorrow, large crowds are expected at both performances. There is a sensational trapeze act this week that is a leader for all others, and a clever dog and acrobatic act, which, along with several delightful singing and dancing acts, completes a bill second to none. The most laughable and cleverly produced feature on the program is Motoring. It is presented by Harry Tate’s company of English comedians. The merriment is based on the breaking down of an automobile. None of the occupants of the car know how to repair it, and during the efforts to make the best of a bad job, they almost completely wreck the machineDella Fox, the great comic opera star, makes a pretty appearance, but the audience has to be satisfied with three songs, which she renders in a delightful manner.

“It is the act of Zeno, Jordon and Zeno that the audience receives its thrills. The trio of acrobats perform on a trapeze, and one of them does a number of clown stunts which keeps the audience in roars of laughter. The act is far in advance of anything of the kind ever seen here, and some of the tricks are truly remarkable. George Wood, the Somewhat Different Monologist, is a show in himself. He has a fine line of talk. There are few acts which combine such perfection in acrobatic skill and dog intelligence as that of Bedini and his dogs. Wesson, Walters and Wesson have a clever sketch in The Hotel Repose, while Bruno and Russell, in the Insurance Agent, and the Clarence Sisters contribute largely to the variety of the bill.

“For tomorrow (Thanksgiving day,) Manager Driscoll has arranged to have the results of the football matches given from the stage during the matinee.”²

² Music and Drama : At Bennett’s.”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 30, 1907.

1906 - Hamilton Street Railway Strike

In August of 1906, the Hamilton Street Railway Company and the union representing its motormen and conductors were locked in a bitter dispute over wages and working conditions. Finally, negotiations broke down completely and the matter went to arbitration.

The arbitration award was mainly in favour of higher wages and shorter shifts.

At first, the company seemed to accept the ruling, but as time wore on, the new schedules reflecting the ruling did not appear. The HSR claimed that there were not enough men on staff to institute shorter hours. However, they would not hire any more men.

Matters went from bad to worse until finally on November 4, 1906, the Street Railwaymen’s Union, 180 strong, walked off the job and the strike was on.

Generally, public sympathy was with the workers. The service provided by the Hamilton Street Railway Company had gradually deteriorated while at the same time the company was maneuvering for even higher profits through renegotiation of its agreement with the municipal government.

The Spectator noted in an editorial that the company “has antagonized the people of Hamilton by long neglect of its duty as carrier of passengers. I has allowed its rolling stock and track to run down : its service has been abominable : its anxiety to please the public invisible.”

The company’s reaction to the strike was to be as tough as possible. The men were each notified that their services were no longer required and that when they turned in their badges and their hats, their wages would be available. Plans to import strike breakers to operate the cars were put into effect.

Manager    Green was interviewed by a Spectator reporter and was quoted as saying :

“We are going to fight and we are going to fight that union to the finish, even if it takes two or twenty years. The men discharged themselves, and their money is here when they call for it. They are no longer employees of ours, and we are finished with them forever. Our cars will be operated by non-union men, and we will never again be operated by these union men.”

As the strike entered its third week, people all over the city wore “WE Walk” buttons and attended parades and benefits organized to support the workers’ cause.

The cars, operated by strike-breakers, began to run during the day but were seldom used. Most cars had private detectives aboard to help the scab motormen if any trouble arose. Nothing serious happened although the public’s attitude towards the strike-breakers was evident in the stones and bricks which were occasionally thrown at the passing cars.

The expression of hostility toward the Hamilton Street Railway Company and its strike-breakers gradually escalated until, after a few outbreaks of violence, the police declared their inability to control the situation.

Citing lack of manpower, Police Chief Alexander Smith warned Hamilton Mayor   Biggar that outside reinforcements might be necessary if the situation deteriorated any further.

By Friday, November 28, 1906, the situation had indeed deteriorated further, much further. The Street Railway officials decided to not only run its street cars during the daylight hours, but would also reinstate the evening schedules. This action was seen both by the union and the public generally as a direct provocation, worthy of an equally direct response.

The union men were ordered to continue to act peaceably and to cause no trouble, which they proceeded to do. The public, through the newspapers especially, was urged to stay calm and keep the peace.

However, tensions were high, and when the first evening street car was sent out, the scene was set for unrest.

Many claimed that the strike-breakers set off the trouble themselves by kicking out the windows of their cars in order to incite the hostile crowd which had gathered to watch the confrontation. Although it was debatable as to who started the trouble, the problem soon got out of hand, leading to events which would later be called “Hamilton’s disgrace.”

The derisive jeering of the crowd and the occasional hurled brick soon descended into complete lawlessness among the crowd.  

A Spectator reporter on the scene described it as follows :

 “ It was a mob gone wild or mad – the ascendancy, complete and unshackled, of the primeval spirit of depredation and ferocity over the more temperate spirit of good citizenship caused by law and order. That it was the rough element that caused all the trouble there can be no doubt, but that hundreds of peaceably inclined citizens became infected with the general spirit of lawlessness reigning and took a hand in the game, there also can be no doubt. The restrictions of law and order were set at naught, and a scene of turmoil, lawlessness, riot and disorder reigned, such as was never seen before in this city.”

The crowds were particularly large on James Street North between Gore Park and the Hamilton Street Railway Company’s offices at James and Gore streets.

As a car tried to go through the crowd, “glass fell on the street, the sounds of broken glass could be heard for blocks away, while the dull biff of stones on the car sides made many shutter.”

The police, under the direction of Sergeant-Major Prentice, would form in a double line to guide each car through the crowd, while ducking the dozens of stones and bricks thrown their way.

By 8:30, the situation was getting out of hand. The last car on the night schedule was spotted coming from the north on James street :

          “The crowd gave vent to one shriek, and then waited in deathly stillness for the car to come.”

Expecting a warm reception, strike-breaker R. G. McVeary, opened the throttle and dashed the car forward at top speed through a shower of stones and other missiles. Holding his arm over his face, McVeary managed to escape injury and was awarded $25 by his fellow strike breakers for his bravery.

While there was a lot of action downtown, another storm centre was brewing on Hunter street where the strike breakers were boarding. A large, angry crowd formed outside the boarding house, and since most of the police force were downtown, those left were unable to cope with the disturbance.

After a prolonged series of derisive shouts and epithets, a hail of stones and bricks hit the house, breaking most of the windows :

          “The vicious temper of the mob was apparent and those who merely looked on saw a repetition of the great mobs of the French revolution. The strike-breakers’ door was broken down by a pine log wielded by strong hands, but the police gathered in sufficient numbers to stem the tide.”

Some young boys were being particularly troublesome and when Constable Yaxley tried to arrest one of them, the crowd turned on him. The policeman was pelted with stones, roughly pushed about and his revolver was taken away. As the police retreated, shots were fired in the air punctuating the mob’s ascendancy at this point.

After the company stopped sending out its cars, the downtown crowd turned its fury on businesses which were felt to be sympathetic to the company’s management. The Stanley Mills department store was a notable target, suffering the loss of most of its large plate glass display windows.

Most of the crowd gradually dispersed by 10:30, but a hard core group chose to continue the lawlessness. At 12:30 a.m., some strike-breakers tried to leave from the Sanford avenue barns for home. The crowd smashed every street light in the area and the scabs had to literally fight their way through the mob. Some shots were fired, but there were no serious injuries. The night’s rioting was capped off by the explosion of a stick of dynamite on the roof of the Sanford avenue barns.

The rioting over the evening had prompted Mayor Biggar to call for the militia to help control the disturbances. The call was placed at 9 p.m., the troops arrived at the Stuart street station on a special train at 1:30 a.m. By that time, the streets from the station to the armories were virtually disserted. At the armories, the troops were met by many local political and military leaders to discuss strategy.

An editorial calling for “peace and order,” appeared in the following morning’s Spectator and it read in part :

“Violence, bloodshed, the destruction of property must be prevented at any cost. That is the first duty of a civilized community. Nothing must be permitted to go before peace and order. The city of Hamilton must be made safe for life, limb and property, no matter what cause – what organization suffers.”

By 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the soldiers made their first appearance on the streets. The soldiers were seen as being present to protect the strike-breakers. Many citizens shouted at them, calling them ‘scabs’ and, in one case, ‘wizened-up wieners.”

The soldiers were stationed at every switch-point on the system, to protect with fixed bayonets, the switches from being tampered with. At 7 p.m., the dusk was falling and large crowds gathered downtown to await the action they were sure was to unfold.

At 7:15, Mayor Biggar, fully aware of the crowd’s hostility and the Company’s determination to run its cars, made his decision.. He would order Sheriff Middleton read the Riot Act.

Accompanied by some aldermen and other city officials, Mayor Biggar and Sheriff Middleton appeared on the steps of City Hall, surrounded by a phalanx of policemen.

As the Riot Act was being read, the sheriff ‘s voice could not be heard above the din. As the sheriff concluded his reading of the act with the phrase, “God Save the King,” the police immediately dove into the crowd, batons flailing.

Within seconds, over 100 people, men and women alike, were lying in front of the city hall, either assaulted by the police or knocked over as the crowd retreated. The city hall was turned into a temporary hospital as over 50 people had suffered severe head wounds.

The police assault continued as people were chased up Merrick, Rebecca, King William and York streets, as well as up any alleys between those streets.

As the police rushed up the sidewalks, the militia, on horseback, would follow with swords drawn, driving away any not cleared by the first police line. After the cavalry charge, the infantry would follow. With fixed bayonets, the soldiers would poke the rear ends of those citizens still reluctant to move.

The actions of the soldiers were generally more restrained and disciplined than those of the Hamilton police. The Herald denounced the local police force as follows :

“The conduct of the uniformed constables stirred up more feelings of anarchy and lawlessness than ever the actions of the Cataract Power Company. Though technically they were right, and had the law on their side, the conduct was viewed by some citizens as being brutal. Staid citizens, who hold law and order dear, and who have always given the police every support, denounced them in unsparing terms.”

In their efforts to clear the streets, the police followed the retreating crowds into stores. At McDonald Cigar store, a squad of police went in and threw everybody out of the store, while another squad waited outside and clubbed those thrown out.

A large crowd took shelter in the Arcade building. When police tried to evict one man, he pleaded that he was the caretaker and lived there. “Don’t give a damn,” the policeman replied,  “get out of here,”

An employee of the Herald tried to cross the street to get a late supper at a nearby restaurant. A brawny cop approached him, ordering him to “Get on, get on.” When the newspaperman explained that he was just going out for a meal, the policeman shouted “This is all the supper you’ll get” and viciously swung his club. The newspaperman managed to duck his head, but the club did land heavily and painfully on his shoulder.

The rioting continued sporadically all evening. As the crowd was chased from one area, it would regroup and occupy another area. About 9:30 p.m., a gang of rioters placed several planks and barrels full of stones in the middle of the track at King and Walnut streets. When the car came along, it had to stop. The strike-breakers then had to get out of the car to remove the obstruction. When they did, they were set upon by a gang of rioters. Under a shower of bricks, stones and fists, the men dove back into the car, which the crowd proceeded to nearly demolish. All ten strikebreakers in the car were severely roughed up. One of them, Arthur Bertrand, was so badly injured that he had to be removed to the hospital in a very serious condition.

About ten o’clock, the rioting finally subsided when the cars ceased to run. The action then turned to the No. 3 Police Station on King William street. Thirty-two arrests had been made and the cells were overflowing.

The crowd at the station was huge, and described in the Herald as follows :

“Scenes about No. 3 police station were pitiful. Wives begged for the liberty of their husbands, mothers for their sons and children for their fathers. There was but one reply for them all, and all were removed to the jail.”

The following Sunday morning, the prisoners were granted bail and released. The streets were calm and the street cleaners were busily removing the bricks and stones, while the shopkeepers attended to their broken windows. The strikers themselves, who repeatedly claimed no involvement in the rioting, attended a church service all together.

1907 - Bank of Hamilton

“Bank buildings in Hamilton, as a rule, are models of architectural skill, and the new Bank of Hamilton, now nearly finished, is one of the handsomest in exterior and interior in the Dominion,”

          “A Handsome Structure : The New Bank of Hamilton Now Nearly Ready for Occupancy”

          Hamilton Spectator June 12, 1892.¹

          Situated on the southwest corner of James and King streets, facing Gore Park, the head office of the Bank of Hamilton was a major addition to Hamilton’s stock of financial buildings in the city’s downtown core.

          Constructed of Connecticut brownstone, with a sand-polished surface, the building, designed by architect Richard A. Waite of Buffalo, New York,  was of the Italian renaissance style.

          Highlighting the exterior of the building was a wealth of carvings in stone, executed in low relief and treated in the modern Italian style of the day.

          A major feature of the Bank of Hamilton’s design was its strikingly imposing main entrance:

          “The doors and woodwork of the vestibule are of San Domingo mahogany, the walls of Low’s art tile, with a heavy dado of brownstone. The ceiling is of Numadian marble of reddish cast, blending handsomely with the rich, red mahogany, and is divided into panels.”¹

                The real eyecatcher of the large banking room was its ceiling. Over 35 feet above the tellers’ counters, the ceiling was painted a golden color with sea green ornamentation. The panel moldings and ornamental stucco work were painted ivory white, picked out with lines of orange-red, and gold.

          The Spectator reporter, obviously most impressed, concluded that “there is nothing like this ceiling in Canada and its effect is superb.”¹

                Above the principal banking room were the president’s office, the chief cashier’s office and apartment and “a handsome for the exclusive use of women, fitted up with a check counter and other conveniences.”¹

                After a series of financially successful years just after the turn of the century, the directors of the Bank of Hamilton decided to enlarge their head office.

          The original 1892 building’s rooms were retained for the exclusive use of the Bank of Hamilton’s employees. However, to make a much more profitable use of the prime location and King and James streets, it was decided to construct a large office building above what was already there.

          Local architect Charles Mills was given the task of designing the alterations to the Bank of Hamilton’s presence, turning the three story structure of Richard Waite’s design into a modern skyscraper.

          In an article appearing in the Hamilton Spectator on January 19, 1907, the new Bank of Hamilton was lauded as surpassing “anything of the kind, not only in Hamilton, but anywhere else in Canada. The Owners of the building – the shareholders of the bank – can boast of having the most up-to-date office building as an asset that possibly could be imagined.”

          The tenants of the offices above the banking rooms were provided with all the most modern conveniences available for office buildings of the day. For example, there was a vacuum air cleaning device to clean out every office at night. Each office had a wash basin, supplied with hot and cold water, plus a movable quarter-cut cabinet for hanging coats and hats. Each office also was provided with a mirror on the back of the door to the hallway, and a combination vault to store valuables.

          An attraction to potential tenants was the means of access to all floors of the building. Two 30 horsepower Otis-Fensom elevators, run by electricity, were installed.

In case of the electricity from the Cataract Power Company being temporarily interrupted, a storage battery of large capacity was available to run the elevators :

“This provision has not been provided for anywhere else in the city. Tenants will appreciate this every much, as great inconvenience has happened in other buildings through elevators stopping.”

Another innovative feature of the building was the manner by which the offices and main entrance of the building were locked. One key could unlock the main entrance door any of the toilet rooms in the building. The same key would unlock the tenant’s office door, but no other office door in the building.

Fire escapes were constructed on the west side of the building :

“So that should a panic arise from smoke, the occupants are not dependent for their safety by getting down the main staircase.”

As for ventilation in general, the Bank of Hamilton office building had a large Sturtevant fan on the roof which brought fresh air down through pipes to every office and hallway in the building.

Another feature of the building, new to Hamilton but already commonplace in the United States, was the method of numbering the offices in the hundreds For instance, the offices on the fourth floor would start with the number 400 :

“It, at once, appeals to the tenant that room 409 sounds infinitely better than room 49, thus the reason for using this style of numbers.”

On the top floor of the building, a lunch room was provided for the use of tenants, while on third floor a bath room was provided “so that tenants can get a refreshing bath at any time if they so desire.”