1914-03-23aaab

Even before the inquest into James Gow’s suicide had been wrapped up, there were many aspects to the Mackay-Gow case that were making news in the Hamilton newspapers.

          The terminal Hotel on King street east was often visited by reporters looking for information. It was noted in the Herald that within minutes of Gow’s body being discovered, the proprietor of the Terminal Hotel closed his business, and the bar, restaurant and room rentals were not available for the rest of the day.

          A.B. Mackay was still staying at the Terminal Hotel, in fact he occupied the room next to that in which his friend had taken his own life. When approached by the Herald reporter at the hotel, Mackay said that it was his intention to do everything in his power to assist those who were looking after the affairs of the deceased.

          In legal circles, some had argued that the death of Gow would have no bearing on the case against Alex. Mackay, while others felt that, as Mackay had been charged as an accessory to Gow’s actions, that if Mackay were cleared of the accessory charges, he could not be charged with anything else related to the affair.

          Deputy Police Chief Whatley was hard at work the day after Gow’s suicide:

          “ ‘I am going to make this city morally clean,’ Deputy Chief Whatley is reported as saying. On Saturday evening, the deputy chief and several plain clothes men visited several public places and ordered scores of young girls ‘under the curfew law’ to go to their homes.

          “No child under the age of sixteen is supposed to be on the streets after 9 o’clock in the evening, or ‘in any public place of amusement.’ Rinks, moving picture shows and vaudeville houses were visited, and in all, some forty girls were visited, and in all, some forty girls quietly told that they must leave and go to their homes.

          By eliminating the practice of street walking by young girls, the deputy chief hopes to largely eliminate public immorality.”¹

               ¹ “Sent Them Home : Deputy Chief Clearing Streets of Young Girls”

          Hamilton Herald.  March 23, 1914.

When in the city of Windsor, after he and Gow had been served with the summonses and before his friend had taken his own life, A. B. Mackay had been heard speaking to some friends, and had been dismissive about the whole matter, saying:

“I consider the whole matter, from a legal point of view, a huge joke, and I am quite sure that no judge could find myself and Mr. Gow guilty of the crimes we are charged with. My opinion of the whole matter is that some of my enemies, and one of them in particular, who has had a grudge against me for some few years, has started this thing with the object of injuring my character, and in that way soothe his imaginary wrongs.”

¹ “A. B. Mackay Says It’s All Due to Grudge : He Is Reported To Have Made Statement at Windsor When Speaking About Police Charges : Rumor Has It That J. N. Gow Was Heavily Insured, But That His Suicide May Void Insurance Policy”

Hamilton Herald. March 23, 1914.

When Mackay was confronted by a Herald reporter about his Windsor statement, he declined to discuss anything to do with the charges he was facing and referred his questioner to his solicitor, J. W. Nesbitt. When the reporter spoke to Nesbitt, the lawyer stated that he had not been retained by Mr. Mackay.

It was also learned that Gow had given his friend, Alex Mackay, a box the night before the suicide. When the box was opened the day after his death, witnessed by a maid, it was found to contain a hand-written will, leaving all his estate to Mrs. Gow and his daughter. Unfortunately, although the will had not been witnessed, it would be considered invalid.

Also, it was learned that Gow’s Hughson street south had been heavily mortgaged. Gow had recently taken out a large insurance policy, but it was believed that the policy would be considered void given the manner of his death.

The day after his suicide, James Gow’s funeral was held at 2:30 p.m. at the home of his brother, George Gow, 80 Stanley Avenue. :

“Every effort to make the funeral strictly private was attempted, but despite this, a small crowd of morbidly curious persons congregated about the residence, and there waited until the casket bearing his remains was borne to the funeral car.

“At the cemetery, a score of others, some friends and some strangers, awaited about the grave until the casket had been lowered and the earth was placed over it.”¹