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

Fisher's Glen - 1898

 

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

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

Hamilton Times.   December 17, 1898

        FISHER’S GLEN

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

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

 

1900 Christmas

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

Hamilton Spectator.   December 22, 1900.

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

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

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

¹ “Hamilton Spectator. December 22, 1900.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Times reporter was also sent to the Hamilton Market:

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

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

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

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

Hamilton Times. December 22, 1900

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

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

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

^3.3 “A Fine Market Display.”

Hamilton Times. December 24, 1900.

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

“No paper tomorrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hamilton Spectator.  December 24, 1900

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hamilton Times. December 24, 1900.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

Hamilton Spectator.   December 26, 1900.

 

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

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

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

 

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

Hamilton Spectator.   December 26, 1900.

1907 - Limelight Talk About Hamilton

 

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

From the Hamilton Times, June 11, 1907:

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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