1914 Jan 13 - East East and West Hit by C-C-Cold

   On January 13, 1914, the Hamilton Times carried a few short pieces covering everyday concerns in the Hamilton of that month:

“The cold weather has done much to inconvenience the families of the unemployed, who are already in bad circumstances.

“The Times reporter, when on his trip through the east end yesterday afternoon, was informed that some families were living on bread and water alone. It is a well-known fact that the majority of the unemployed reside in the east end and that men with big families were unable to lay anything aside for the ‘rainy’ day, when all was sunshine and now they are forced to subside on the generosity of their neighbors.”¹

¹ “East Societies Hold Annuals : Improvement and Progressive This Week : Feeling Cold Snap : A Good Deal of Suffering In Far East”

Hamilton Times. January 13, 1914.

In another part of the same Times article, reference was made to conditions on the bay in the east end vicinity:

“Skating on Stipe’s Inlet is the rage now. Last evening, regardless of the intense cold, a large crowd flocked to this sheltered spot.

“No accidents have been reported, but this may be readily when the ice is known to be almost twelve inches thick.

“The bay is  waved his magic snot frozen any distance from shore, the high winds, which have prevailed, keeping it well broken up. The north shore of the bay presents a pretty scene, packed with large banks of ice.”¹

An article about conditions in the west end prompted a Times reporter to put out all stops of his effusive description :

“Last night, the King of Joy waved his magic scepter over the west end, at the same time, issuing a mandate that all gather to the royal standards ere the chime of bells had rung forth eight. Swiftly, the command was wafted on its way, to be heard and heeded far and wide, and soon a happy, carefree crowd of young people were ready to enjoy the sport.

“Health, the good king’s chief adviser, and invigorating exercise his chief counselor, took care of three hundred, gleefully leading them to Victoria Park, there, by the light of the shining moon and glistening stars, to enjoy the pleasure of skating, made for their amusement on the recent visit of Prince Cold Snap.

“Pausing only long enough to see that no gloom dwarfs were hovering near, there two able assistances of the king returned with the speed of hopefulness and gathering a like number together, conducted the happy subject by divers routes to the bay and marsh, enjoining them to be careful of the air holes, laid as traps by the giants, pneumonia and la grippe.

“Exhilarating pleasure, a noble courtier, showed that he had been pleasure hunting, when he leads his followers to the top of Garth street, and standing on the top of the grade, sent all merrily tobogganing, sending his page, Carefulness, to the Dundas car tracks to give due warning.

“The little god, Eros, clad in furs instead of the usual pink smile, softly whispered of the joys of a moonlight sleigh ride, and the vest of happiness he opened up was quickly seized upon, and the jingle of bells and stamping of steeds was soon heard, combined with voices merrily singing, ‘Oh, what fun it is to ride in a great, big open sleigh.’ ”²

² “All Out for Winter Sport : Rinks and Slides In the West Were Merry” Hamilton Times. January 13, 1914

The times reporter was less descriptive, but equally interesting in sharing the following regarding the Hamilton Street Railway :

“Yesterday evening, as street car No. 404, in charge of conductor No. 218, familiarly known as ‘Happy,’ was proceeding down Locke street, a cat ran out – and ceased to be, its nine lives being crushed out in one single blow.

“The car was stopped, the crew got out and carefully carried the defunct pussy to the side of the road and laid it gently in a grave dug in the snow.

“Both the motorman and conductor expressed concern, both unanimously saying that it hurt like the mischief to kill even a cat.

“Speaking of hearts and courtesy amongst the street car men, a story was told some time ago, of Conductor Ray getting off his car and assisting a very old lady to cross the street, and also direct her to the house she wanted on Chatham street. Yesterday morning, when Mr. Ray reported at the street railway office, a letter was handed him, on opening which a brand new dollar bill fluttered to the floor, and a little slip of paper containing the words : ‘From an old lady who appreciated your kindness on a day last September.’

“Mr. Ray was quite pleased and wishes he could find the giver and thank her personally.”²