1906 Tornado

 1906 Hurricane Tornado 

“If there is anything closer to cyclone or tornado without being the real thing, then the vicious storm of wind, rain and electrics that visited Hamilton yesterday, the people of this city do not want it to come this way. The example of yesterday was a little more than enough for them. There was never anything like it before in the memory of the oldest inhabitant, and that the like may never be seen again is the earnest prayer of both old and young.”

Hamilton Spectator June 9 1906

It was approaching midnight on Thursday June 7, 1906 when the residents of the City of Hamilton experienced competing air currents. Cold winds battled hot winds for mastery of the air.

Overnight the hot temperatures came to solely dominate, and Hamiltonians beginning their day anticipated that it would be a scorcher.

That was a correct assumption as by mid-afternoon, the readings at the big on street thermometer at Parke and Parke’s drug store were well over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

To the west, particularly over the table lands of Ancaster Township, dark threatening storm clouds began to gather:

“For a long time it appeared to be nothing more serious than the ordinary summer afternoon exhibition common to a sultry day 

“Then there came a change. It gathered into a dirty-coloured mass which quickly changed into an inky black, and out of the black background often and ever more rapidly flashed the lightning.”

Spectator

As described in the Times, the deteriorating weather conditions were only too obvious to most citizens:

“The storm came from almost due west, and gave plenty of warning of its coming in the forms of black clouds, rumblings of thunder and gusts of wind that showed in ominous looking swirls in the sky. These symptoms probably were the salvation of some, for they warned people away from small boats.

When the storm was getting close to the city about 3 p.m., many noted that it was moving very quickly, a wild, mad rush:

“ To plagiarize and alter slightly a well-known poem. Down came the storm and smote amain the city in its strength. Wind, rain and lightning all came together, and in much less time than it takes to tell of it. A few fitful gusts, a few mighty drops and the tempest swooped down. Almost in an instant, the air was thick with rain, and the tempest breath was like a devouring blast, wrecking all things which no mighty strength could move.” (Spec)

The Times reporter was also challenged to describe the impact of the storm’s arrival :

“For terrific violence and downright wickedness of its every aspect, the storm of June 8 1906 will be long remembered. It drove timid women into the fancied security of darkened rooms, and made strong men wonder what was coming next. 

“It spread destruction in its path and left mothers and children without a roof over their heads. Lightning played with incessant leap and flash for minutes at a time – minutes that seemed five times as long – thunder rolled near and far; rain fell not in showers, but in sheets going through the air almost like a river from west to east, and the wind hissed, and moaned, and roared and shrieked.”

The noise caused by the storm was terrifying:

“There was a perfect bedlam of noise from the streets. The wind made a music all its own. The roar of the tempest was continuous and deafening and was broken only by the nearby crashings which told of chimneys, plate glass windows, trees, roofs and other things going down in the general destruction.

“There was no withstanding the blast. Where it struck with a full, fair blow, something had to give. Mighty trees in the parks and avenues, that had stood the storms, winter and summer, of many years, bowed their heads to the destroying element. If they stood too firmly in their strength, they were uprooted; if they yielded a little, their great branches were torn and twisted and flung from them out onto the roadways, over against nearby dwellings and across electric wires, bringing poles down with them in the general destruction.” ( Spec )

The storm hit Hamilton at an in opportune time for each of the city’s three daily newspapers: 

“With its up-to-date the Times suffered no inconvenience through the storm, but both the Spectator and the Herald were hit. The storm came on just about press time, when these papers had only part of their issue printed, and the lightning put the power out of business.

“The Spectator was probably the worse off , but the Times press ran merrily, and the people of Hamilton had all the news from a reliable source. The newsboys made a harvest by advancing the price of the paper.

“Later in the afternoon, the Herald completed its edition, and the Spectator was delivered to customers late at night.” (Times) 

Ladies were given attention in the Times report : 

“There was trouble in several of the large uptown stores, caused by the excessive heat and excitement attendant upon breaking glass and other effects of the storm. In some of the stores, women fainted and had to be taken care of until the storm was over, and then sent home in hacks.

“The scene at the race track is almost beyond description. Being ladies’ day, there was a large crowd of the fair sex present, many being accompanied by children and without escorts.

“Just as the storm broke out, the horses were parading for the second race. The next instant there was great excitement. As the storm grew in violence, the excitement in the grandstand became intense. 

“Children and women cried aloud, and many, fearing the stand would collapse, ran out into the open. Others crowded into the barroom, where everything possible was done to calm them. 

“The rain blew through the stand in sheets. When the storm was at its height, it was impossible to see inside the fence of the running track.”

There was some concern about how the passenger steamships connecting Hamilton and Toronto were impacted by the storm:

“ ‘It was a very picturesque storm,’ said the Modjeska’s good-natured captain, ‘but it did not bother us at all. The lake was rough, the wind very strong and the lightning vivid, but the Modjeska kept right along as if all were sunshine. The same may be said of the Macassa.’

“The Turbinia made her trips just as fast as ever, and just as if there had been no storm.”

On Hamilton’s, waterfront, the storm caused serious damage to the boathouses. Both Weir’s and Bastien’s boathouses were badly impacted structurally by the storm with both Mr. Weir and  Mr. H. L. Bastien himself receiving serious injuries. At one point, it was estimated that there were 30 boats adrift in the bay having been blown from their moorings. 

It was along the Heights from the cemetery past the Desjardins Cut that the storm was seen and felt dramatically:

“The people who were on the heights yesterday afternoon had a genuine taste at what a Texas cyclone is. The heights, particularly near the high level bridge, was the scene of the wildest disorder, and the fury of the storm seemed to concentrate there. The heights have always been feared for the violence of wind storms, because to the west of it is the whole survey of the Dundas Marsh. The storm broke on the heights with terrific force. People living in the city, where the wind was broken by the trees and buildings thought that the violence of the storm had reached the limit, but on the heights it was far worse. The wind held waves of rain that it carried along, drenching everything in its path. Telegraph and telephone poles were snapped off like matches.” (Spec) 

 

“The storm of yesterday afternoon was one of unusual violence and it swept over a vast extent of country, causing damage which, in the aggregate, will amount to a considerable sum.

“From various parts of the province came reports of buildings more or less wrecked, roofs blown off, chimneys destroyed and trees and fences demolished.

“In this city, much damage was inflicted but happily, in most instances, the individual losses were not serious.in a few cases, however, extensive damage was inflicted. All over the city, the shade trees suffered and the streets were littered with branches and fallen trees. Much glass was broken, some of the stores being heavy losers by the accidents and by the deluge of drifting rain that accompanied the storm. In many homes, great terror was caused by the violence of the wind and the sudden darkness that fell upon the city. Fortunately, however, there are no fatalities to report, and even the money loss caused is trivial compared to what most people counted on during the outburst.

“We escaped well; let us be thankful.”

(Times editorial)

 

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.

 

 

 

1909 - Where Farmers Stay Overnight Before Market Day

 

From the Hamilton Times.    September 18, 1909.

“A citizen who for some weeks has been taking a great interest in Hamilton market and the life of the farmer and fruit man started out yesterday to find out a few things for himself. He spent the night among them, and this is what he writes of what he saw:

“For some weeks a perplexing question has been ‘where do all the farmers stay for the night who come to the market in the early afternoon, prior to market day?’

“I knew they did not return home, because their wagons were on the market all night and the horses in a stable. The question aroused my curiosity, for hundreds of farmers come to the city in the afternoon preceding the regular market days, and at bedtime, I had seen few farmers around the hotels.

“’Where do they stay?’

“I have found out.

“Last night, I donned the oldest clothes I could find, substituted for my linen collar a muffler of many colors, and for my Christy hat an ‘ear warmer’ and in short made myself look a farmer in his dishabille.

“It was nearing 11 o’clock last night when I went to the market square, and I loitered around in conversation with some of the famers, and while standing in front of the wagons dozens of people asked me the price of everything from onions to watermelons, and reluctantly I had to confess ignorance, and the look on their faces seemed to say ‘What kind of farmer are you anyway?’

“After chatting with several farmers and getting my suction pipe of curiosity down in their well of information< I succeeded in finding out what I wanted to know; that was where the farmers slept during the night.

“By 11 o’clock, I had become very friendly with a young fruit farmer from Bartonville, with whom I intimated a desire to stay through the night. Whether or not he thought I was a young farmer, a stranger, I cannot positively say, but he invited me to ‘come and dig in’ with him in the barn of a nearby livery stable, where he said about 200 farmers slept.

‘ ‘Where do the other farmers stay,’ I questioned.

“ ‘Some in other barns, some in hotels and some on their wagons.’

“ ‘Where do the women stay all night?’

“ ‘Oh, most of them sleep on their wagons where it is a fine night.’

“However, he signified his intention of going to the barn, so I went with him.

“ ‘Will you let me share your robe?’

“ ‘Why, certainly.’

“So off we started ; in a few minutes we were at the stable, and he went and gave a final look at his horse before going to the barn. ‘Now, follow me,’ he said. We climbed a ladder to the barn, over a stable.

“It was as black as the office cat when we got into the loft, and the first thing I knew I was falling over men almost every step I took, and I had grave apprehensions of planting my foot accidentally on some sleeper’s face, which would probably arouse his ire sufficiently to impel to put his fist in mine.

“There was a plentiful supply of hay in the barn, loose and in bundles, or I think they call them ‘trusses.’ When my eyes became used to the light, I could get men curled up in robes everywhere. My farmer friend evidently knew the way and made for a corner and I followed closely on his heels.

“He found the desired spot, and down we both planted ourselves in the sweet-smelling hay, to the accompaniment of loud snoring from many of the other occupations. I was given good half of my companion’s robe, and very soon he was helping in the nocturnal orchestra, while I lay for a time thinking and listening to the horses munching their supper below and to a number of cackling geese in the yard., which seemed to be conscious of a stranger near, and were holding a discussion on the subject in the language of their tribe. I thanked Providence that I was not a farmer. The night before I was at the manufacturers’ banquet, and as I looked then at  the lovely dishes of fruit there, the peaches with their pink and red cheeks, apples which seemed to be in a fever, so red were they, and at all the other luscious fruit, I wondered how many there  had any idea what it cost to get them there.

“However, I was tired and soon fell asleep, but was repeatedly awakened by men coming in for the night. Heads would be poked up and warnings shouted as to where men were sleeping and I had serious misgivings that someone would plant his foot across my physiognomy. There was no talking in that bedroom; nor discussion on whether Cook’s or Peary’s story was authentic about the discovery of the North Pole or whether any beneficial results had been accomplished by the manufacturers’ convention either for themselves or for the masses.

“Finally, I fell into a long sleep. The next thing I was conscious of was a man telling me it was half past four, accompanied by a tap on the ribs and the owner of the robe saying he must get up to breakfast and wanting to know if I was ready. I replied in the affirmative, so up we got and, as I passed through the barn to the ladder of descent, I saw scores of tired-looking men curled up in rugs in the hay. One sight particularly caught my eye. It was a young lad about 15 years of age, half resting on a bundle of hay and leaning against another, his head hanging backwards towards his left shoulder, asleep from sheer exhaustion. I had many queer thoughts on my way to the restaurant, but a large tract of ham prevented from feeling lonely by two eggs, was served up to me and after it had been washed down by several gills of steaming tea< I felt more optimistic and I had as my guest, the young man who had been so kind to me during the night.

“After breakfast, I took a walk through the market. It was then 5 o’clock. Many were stirring, but I saw many curled up in their buffalo robes on their wagons, numbers of whom were women.

“I went home, changed my clothes and returned to the market in time to see the women stirring, but how pinched they looked, for it was a cold night.

“Many of those women I saw on the market this morning are mothers of nation builders, and in two short week their sons and daughters will be returning to the universities.

“ ‘But why do farmers and their wives come to market the day before?’ you ask. The answer is simply to secure a stand.

“Then you ask, ‘Why don’t they stay at hotels. They can afford it?’

“Probably they can, but where is the hotel to accommodate scores of men who cannot get until midnight and up at four, or half past? The need for a large market is evident, and a suitable place should be provided for the farmers to sleep, which could be made self-supporting.

“And yet in face of all these conditions, I saw women buyers on the market quibbling over five cents on a basket of carrots or peaches, as they case may be – and men too.

“What of the effect on the constitutions of the farmers and their wives?

“ ‘It is hard on a man’s health all right,’ said a farmer to me.

“ ‘It’s a darned hard thing when a fellow has to come in so early to get a stand,’ said another. ‘And everybody unloads abuse on the farmer, he is a hayseed, a rube, and a hundred other abusive names and yet that big banquet the other night would have looked like a punctured bicycle tire without his energy.’

Right House Spring Opening - 1909

 

On March 16, 1909, the Times gave extensive coverage of the Spring Opening Exhibition at The Right House:

“The Right House brings the world to you right here in Hamilton. This spring opening exhibition, which started today and will continue throughout the week, excels in many ways all similar special events at this popular shopping place. It marks an epoch in the history of this old and reliable store which has been serving the Hamilton public for over sixty years.

“Thousands of people thronged the store today, viewing the brilliantly spring opening displays of new goods. This superb fashion show was certainly in keeping with the country-wide reputation of the Right House as Hamilton’s fashion authorities. The whole store is in gala attire, forming the first complete and only authoritative exhibition of the new styles for spring and summer.

GHG          MAGNIFICENT ARRAY OF FASHIONS

‘Each year and each season the Thomas C. Watkins store emphasizes more and more its unchallenged style supremacy in its magnificent displays of the new modes, presenting the latest accepted vogues of Paris, London and New York. This season’s splendid exhibit presents still further evidence of this fact. The whole store is in new dress, the decoration scheme being pleasing and artistically carried out and forming a perfect background for the interesting displays. The windows attracted much attention and showed to the greatest advantage the exquisite and exclusive 

styles for which the Right House is famous.

“As you enter the store, the rich and beautiful displays of new goods brings to you the realization that at this store the practical blends so perfectly with the beautiful that it is a genuine pleasure to study the new styles and adapt them to your own needs.

“The whole exhibit radiates style, quality and exclusiveness. But the good values that made The Right House famous all over are strong features.

“Because of the immense quantities sold and of the long connection of The Right Hose abroad, many leading manufacturers confine their best products to the Thomas C. Watkins store for Hamilton, thus ensuring Right House patrons not only exclusiveness, best qualities and largest assortments, but by far the best values possible to obtain.

“Those people who have not already visited The Right House spring opening should do so. Those who have already visited it will find new points of interest.

“The opening will continue tomorrow and throughout the week, and presents a most interesting and helpful style study that no lover of the beautiful in dress should miss.

“The Right House management extends a cordial welcome to everyone to come and enjoy the display.”

Cake Walk, and More, at the Arcade - 1901

 

The excellent, and funny, coverage, by a Times reporter,  of the Cake Walk, Concert and Ball held at the Arcade Hall is reproduced in full.

Hamilton Times.   June 11, 1896.

“You missed half of your life if you were not at the Campbell-Gant cake walk and concert in the Arcade Hall last night. The affair was what the boys termed a ‘hot rag.’ It was a great social and financial success. Some of the best people in the city were there; so were some of the worst, but they all paid to get in. The concert was first on the programme and the cake walk followed. Prof. Gant acted as chairman at the former and manager at the latter, and he discharged his duties in a most satisfactory manner and took the cake. Prof. Fred Campbell fluctuated between the box office and the stage as he imagined his presence was required.

“About 9 o’clock, Prof. Gant took the chair  on the platform and then the fun began. ‘We have been waiting for our talent to arrive,’ he said, ‘but it is getting late and some of it ‘has arove.’ I think I’ll proceed. (Laughter) He then called upon Prof. Campbell and his half-brother, Louis Washington, to play an instrumental duet. They gave an imitation of  the playing of Innes’ band, using a harmonica and an autoharp. The imitation was a good one, but almost anybody could tell that it was not the band that was playing. Miss Kate Preston gave a recitation, and was followed by Mr. Washington, who showed his versatility by singing a solo. Then the Chairman announced a cornetist – a wonder from British Columbia. “Does he not come from Kootenay, now?’  asked someone, and another person shouted out that he was from Saw Bill. Prof. Holland was his stage name, and he played two selections and showed that he had very strong lungs. He did not break the instrument. Mr. Andrew Workman gave an exhibition of trick dancing, and the Chairman brought the concert to a close by singing a song. This would have had the same effect on the audience as ‘God Save the Queen’ had not the cake walk followed.

“As prominent citizens arrived, cheers were given that could be heard a block away. Before the concert closed, fully 800 persons were in the hall. Mr. R.G. Boville and some Conservative friends dropped in, and, although the Chairman announced them, they got rather a cool reception. He soon left the hall, being disappointed probably by not being tailed upon.

“Mr. R. Kennedy and Dr. Smith, of the Hamilton Asylum, were appointed Associate Judges of the cake walk, and after a long delay, the middle of the hall was cleared and about thirty couples lined up. About 11:30. the shout went up, ‘they’re off!’ While the crowd howled itself hoarse, the contestants walked on and on. They first showed how they would walk on the street; then in a drawing room; then they did a military walk; then they saluted on the street and indicated how they would enter a parlor and take a seat. The judges awarded first prize to John Holland and Mrs. Wm. Workman; 2^nd, Mr. Ernest Rabitoy and wife; 3^rd Mr. Arthur Workman and Miss Gertie Peters. Three extra cakes were presented as follows : Miss Violet Preston, best-dressed contestant; Mrs. Eliza Workman, best-looking contestant; Mr. Philip Roy, the man with the neatest tie. Miss Roy and Miss Fannie Scott were awarded ‘the bun’ on general principles.

“After the prizes were awarded, Mr. Wm. Carroll mounted the platform, and, in an elegant and figurative speech, presented Prof. Gant with a large cake, on behalf of Mr. D. Gilles and others. The cake was a valuable one and contained a brick – not a gold one.

“The Professor, although ‘taken by surprise’ replied suitably.

“The special prizes offered by Mr. Carroll for press reporters were then awarded. Mr. Boy got a box of cigars for being the best dresser; His Boss got a silver-headed cane for having the prettiest feet and Ali Blue won the pipe and case, it being alleged that he was the best looker. The judges were Messrs. W. Hobson, Walter Noble and Geo. Robertson

“The floor was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up until about 3 o’clock this morning. Lightfoot’s orchestra supplied the music and Mr. Andrew Workman was floor manager.

“No person was killed.”

Pratt Fire - July 1902

 

 “The worst daylight fire the Fire Department has been called upon to fight for years broke out about noon today in the T.H. Pratt Co.’s department store, Nos. 16 and 18 James street north.”

Hamilton Times.                    July 10, 1902.

The July heat had already arrived in Hamilton on July 10, 1895. It was already hot in the morning, but it by the noon hour things would get even hotter on the block of facing James street north, between King and King William streets:

“Mr. Otto Ante, of Lees’ jewelry establishment, while passing the store, saw a volume of smoke coming through a window and ran to the call box at the corner of James and King William streets. In breaking the glass to reach the crank, he cut his hand badly.”¹

¹  “The worst daylight fire the Fire Department has been called upon to fight for years broke out about noon today in the T.H. Pratt Co.’s department store, Nos. 16 and 18 James street north.”

Hamilton Times.                    July 10, 1902.

Every Thursday, an employee of the Pratt dry goods store had the responsibility of getting rid of accumulated rubbish:

“It started in the basement of the store where the crockery department is situated and was caused, it is supposed, by the burning of a quantity of rubbish in the furnace. It was the custom to burn the rubbish every week, and in some unaccountable way, it got beyond control.”¹

The Central fire department was just a few blocks away and the Hamilton City Hall was almost directly across the street. The noon hour pedestrian traffic on area sidewalks, as well as the vehicular traffic on the streets in the vicinity ensured that a crowd of spectators gathered to watch the progress of the fire, some arriving even before the police and firefighters :

“The police were rather slow to grasp the situation and Assessment Commissioner Hall was the first to call for rope with a view to keeping the crowds of spectators out of danger and out of the way of the firefighters.”¹

In the same block, but at the corner of King William and Hughson streets. As the hoses were attached on King William street, there was some leakage and the street quickly became flooded.

Mr. T.H. Pratt himself decided that it was vitally important to him that his company’s books and papers not be lost to the fire:

““Mr. Pratt went up a ladder to the first floor, with the intention of going to the office to get the books and cash, but he only got a few feet when the smoke drove him out.”

There was concern among the staff at the Times building that the flooding in the area might impact the printing plant, but that danger was averted. The afternoon edition, a little late in arriving on the streets, did appear with some hastily-assembled news about the fire, while it was actually still in progress :

Sparks

“Some leaky hose that should be replaced is still doing duty.

“There was too much smoke for the spectators.

“City Hall tower made a good grand stand, and was well-patronized.

“Chief Aitchison has frequently said that something would happen if a fire got headway in that block.

“There was plenty of water and good pressure.

“One of the chemical engines was put out of business by the horses starting off just as the water was turned on.

“Three lines of hose were laid through Martin’s leather store and two through the Times building.

“A man named Herbert Davis went into the building and secured the books.”¹

The following day, July 11, 1895, the Times was able to give extensive coverage of the fire and incidents related to it:

"“Not since 1879, when the McInnes building was destroyed, has Hamilton had such a destructive fire as that which wiped the T.H. Pratt company’s establishment yesterday. Conservative estimates place the total loss at $100,000, but even Chief Aitchison admits that the figure may be much higher. While the Pratt company is by far the heaviest loser, there is scarcely a merchant in the block who did not suffer loss. The cellars were all flooded and much damage was done by smoke.”²

² “ Worst Fire in Many Years : The Big Establishment of the T.H. Pratt Company Damaged By Fire, Smoke and Water : A conservative Estimate Has Placed the Loss at $100,000, But It May Exceed That : The Firemen Had a Hard Time Fighting the Flames and Many Were Overcome”

Hamilton Times.    July 11, 1902.

The fire was a major one and required the work of more than just that done by the fire fighters:

“The police materially assisted the department. As soon as it became apparent that the fire was likely to be a big one, Sergt.-Major Prentice had the street roped off and traffic was blocked until seven o’clock last night. Policemen were placed at the entrance to the alleys to keep the spectators out, and the firemen were thereby given a chance to move about. The police also assisted to haul the heavy hose about when their services were required, and Detective Campbell assisted to get the company’s books and papers out of the burning building. Thousands of people crowded around the ropes all afternoon and evening, but it was by no means a spectacular fire, and they could see little.

“The alley on the north side of the Pratt building was a foot deep with water, and the sewers soon got blocked. The board of works department kept a gang at work all afternoon digging trenches to allow the water to escape and trying to prevent from getting into the cellars of stores on King William street. In this they were only partially successful, as nearly all the cellars were flooded.

 “The firemen make better clearers of the street than do the police. Half a dozen times yesterday when the crowd refused to be moved back by the police, a stream of water from the burning building made the road look like a chapter from Goldsmith’s Deserted Village.”²

As well as describing in some close detail, the strategies and operations of the firefighters, the Times on the day following the fire published a news drawing of the scene when the smoke was pouring out of the Pratt store. 

The Daily Times’ columnist, known only as the Man in Overalls, made several references to the fire :

 “Lots of hot air round the Times building yesterday afternoon.

“ ‘Twas too hot to be comfortable.

“I knew Mr. Pratt had a big stock on hand, but I did not think he had dry goods to burn.

“ $80,000 was a lot of money to go up in smoke. Let us be thankful no lives were lost.

“In describing the Pratt fire, I noticed that the reporters failed to mention the ‘lurid flames’ and ‘livid tongues of fire.’ One of them did refer to the ‘fire fiend.’

“Wait till you see Mr. Pratt’s new store, it will be a hummer. Let us hope it will also be fireproof.

“Yesterday was the chief’s busy day.” ²