1914-09-02akaa (Part Two)

One of Hamilton’s most prominent citizens and a leader in the Hamilton Red Cross society was Sir John M Gibson.

          During the course of an interview with the Spectator, Gibson spoke highly of the organization :

          “ ‘We are glad to see that a vigorous branch of the Red Cross society has been organized in Hamilton and proposes to do some work.

          “ ‘No one can say that the amelioration of the experience of those who are wounded or, because of the gas, disabled at the front in the service of their country, is less important than any of the other helpful enterprises now going on. Indeed, it is questionable whether it is not the most urgent. When we read accounts of the slaughter of human life and the hardships and trials the British soldier has been exposed to, and likely soon to be the experience of our Canadian soldier, our sympathies are most forcibly appealed to.

          “ ‘It is gratifying to know that the women members of the Red Cross society, or the branch of the Women’s League working for the Red Cross society, have already accomplished much in the way of preparing most useful articles to supplement the soldier’s ordinary outfit and which are almost necessities in case of sickness or disability.

          “ ‘ Last week, the ladies forwarded through the Red Cross several large bales of goods, some of which are urgently needed at Val Cartier and a considerable quantity of which will go over with other large shipments when this contingent sails , to be handled either by a Canadian commissioner, or in conjunction with the British Red Cross society.

          “ ‘It should be understood that the Army Medical Service cannot in the nature of things provide the comforts and aids which are so important in the treatment of serious wounds or illness. The field hospitals of the armies in all the countries depend for these auxiliary aids on the Red Cross. It is well-understood that all counties recognize the Red Cross officers and nurses on the field as sacred from attack or interference, and their helpful ministrations are not confined alone to the wounded and afflicted of the forces to which the Red Cross organizations are attached, but also to the enemies who are prisoners after being disabled. The Red Cross is also extremely helpful in assisting to trace up the missing who frequently are prisoners in the hands of the enemy.

          “ ‘A list of things which the Central society, advised by the director of the Army Medical Services at Ottawa, recommended to be made or contributed is in the hands of the Red Cross officers. But there a great many supplies, which can be bought in England to better advantage than here and money is asked for The Canadian society has already forwarded $50,000 to the British Red Cross society alone with large quantities of articles of various articles of various kinds, but it is urged that there is much need of money.

          “ ‘Everyone should do something for the Red Cross. A subscription of $25 makes a life member, $2 an ordinary member with voting privileges and $1 an associate member entitling that member to wear the Red Cross badge.

          “ ‘The Canadian Red Cross society was incorporated by the Dominion Act of Parliament in 1909, tough it has been in existence in this country nearly twenty years and did valuable work throughout the South African war. The Hamilton branch is in good hands and the work done in this city and vicinity for the sick and wounded at the front will, we have no doubt, be as creditable to our people as the other helpful movements which have been so successful.’ ”¹

               ¹ “Should Support Red Cross Work : Sir John Gibson Outlines Its Claims on Humanity”

          Hamilton Spectator     September 24, 1914

As the Hamilton Red Cross society’s fund-raising campaign was well underway, the Spectator dispatched a reporter to investigate how things were progressing :

“A busy spot in Hamilton is the Red Cross headquarters at 67 King street east – now that the campaign for the raising of funds is at its height.

“One of the callers this morning was a young woman – scarcely more than a girl, who spoke with a pronounced German accent. ‘Here is a dollar for the Canadian soldiers,’ she said, ‘and I will give another dollar every month.’

“ She said that Germany was her birth place and that she had been in Canada only a short time.”¹

¹ “Red Cross Work Is Noble Cause : Headquarters Here Busy Spot Each Day : German Woman Contributes Dollar For the Cause”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 26, 1914.

The Spectator reporter was convinced that the Red Cross campaign was going well :

“The cry of the Red Cross – ‘For humanity’s sake, help’ has taken hold. People are contributing without the pressure of canvassing. There is an almost continual flow of dollar subscriptions entitling the giver to an associate membership in the local branch of the Red Cross. A $2 subscription carried with it an active membership and a $25 subscription a life membership. Amounts smaller than $1 and larger than 25 cents are thankfully received.” ¹

With the help of all three Hamilton daily newspapers in promoting the Red Cross appeal, the confidence of the society’s leadership in the generosity of Hamiltonians was not shown to be misplaced. The target set for Hamilton by the national Red Cross organization was readily exceeded.

1914-09-02 (Part One)

A meeting was held at the board of trade rooms yesterday afternoon for the purpose of reorganizing the Hamilton Red Cross society, at which a large number of ladies and men were present and much enthusiasm displayed.”

Hamilton Spectator.  September 2, 1914

There already had been a chapter of the Red Cross society in Hamilton. However, early in September 1914, in light of the outbreak of war, it was felt necessary to reorganize and revitalize that organization:

“Mr. John Gibson gave the reasons for calling the meeting, and read an account of the work done by the local society during the Boer war, and of the statements presented by the officers of their work.

“In connection with the balance of money in hand, he mentioned that this had been handed by resolution to the Red Cross society of Great Britain at their suggestion”¹

¹“Prepared for Work of Mercy : Hamilton Red Cross Society Has Been Organized:

Hamilton Spectator.   September 2, 1914.

The meeting on September 1, 1914 was mainly focused on the nuts and bolts necessary to reorganize the Hamilton Red Cross society. To that officers were elected to the posts of president, First Vice-President etc. An executive committee and finance committee were also assembled.

The men and women at the meeting also enthusiastically endorsed the following resolutions:

“ 1. That the Hamilton branch of the Red Cross society be reorganized, with the object of helping the sick and wounded during the present war, through the Canadian Red Cross society, and in affiliation with the British society.

“ 2. That the membership should consist of all those willing to pay a fee of not less than $2, with a separate class of associates with a fee of $1.” ¹

It took just a few weeks for the Hamilton Red Cross to be fully mobilized with a substantial number of paid up members and a headquarters, 67 King street west.

On September 22, 1914, the Hamilton Spectator carried the following as an introduction to the first major initiative of the revitalized Hamilton Red Cross society:

“On the blood-drenched fields of Europe, the Red Cross goes patiently on with its duty of ministering to the stricken. Their work is tremendous.

“The mind of the men at home can scarcely the awful vastness of it. One report states that, in officers alone, the British loss has been nearly eight hundred so far, to say nothing of the losses in the ranks.

“In a letter to London, Ont., comes the story that a Red Cross nurse on duty in Belgium had both hands cut off by the enemy while attending to the wounded.

“Thousands of sturdy men have dropped in their ranks, felled by bullet, shrapnel and sabre. Only then does one appreciate the greatness of the task required of the Red Cross.

“It needs money to carry on its work, It has made its appeal. The Spectator carries the official request on another page of its tonight’s issue. Everybody is asked to subscribe – if nothing more than a mite.

“ ‘Give all you can’ is the Red Cross prayer, ‘and help us in our work.’ ”¹

The Canadian Red Cross society was requested to raise sufficient funds to equip five field hospitals, consisting of two general hospitals of 520 beds each, one clearing hospital of 200 beds and two stationary hospitals of 180 beds each.

The executive members of the Hamilton Red Cross society felt that the need for financial contributions was so compelling and although an intense effort to elicit donations would be made, it would not be necessary to hold any mass events :

“Although there would be little direct canvassing, there is every hope among the local members that the subscriptions will be large and numerous – they believe that the noble purpose of the campaign will in itself be sufficient to arouse to the utmost the generosity of the citizens.

“Everybody is asked to help. Everybody can give a little. All cash subscriptions may be sent either to the society’s headquarters on King street or direct to any of the officers.”¹

 

1914-09-04aka

Although the war in Europe was just weeks old early in September, 1914, stories started to appear in the Hamilton press about local people who were already “at the front.”

Such was the case on September 4, 1914, when the Hamilton Herald carried an item about a young lady well-known to many Hamiltonians, Ethel Tobias.

Miss Tobias, accompanying her newly-married sister and brother-in-law, happened to be in Paris, France when war was declared. Ethel had graduated as a nurse at the Hamilton City Hospital on Barton street.

Without hesitation, Ethel Tobias volunteered for service with the Red Cross:

“Miss Tobias, with other Red Cross nurses, was detailed for field work in Alsace, and although no recent word had been received from her, she is thought to now be with the French army of the Meuse.”¹

¹ “At the Front : Miss Ethel Tobias, Local Nurse, Joined French Army”

Hamilton Herald.   September 4, 1914.

As for Ethel’s sister and her brother-in-law, they chose to leave France and return to Canada as soon as they knew that war had been declared:

“Mrs. Flynn was in Paris during all the excitement of warfare, and only after some difficulty were she and her husband able to leave the country. They arrived at Montreal on September 1.

“The usual precautions taken by passenger boats were carried out.

“Mrs. Flynn tried to prevail on her sister to return to Canada, but she refused and left for the front.”¹

1914-09-16kak

“With the largest entry in its history, Hamilton fair will open at the Jockey club grounds today”

Hamilton Spectator.  September 16, 914

In fall of 1860, the Prince of Wales, as part of his official duties during his visit to Hamilton visited the fall fair taking place on the large property in west end to be known as the Crystal palace grounds.

The open area would be the site of fall fairs for over thirty years until it was put up for sale. After a by-law approved by Hamilton electors, it was decided that the city would buy the property rather than see it subdivided into residential lots. The area would be renamed Victoria park, and the Crystal palace itself would be torn down.

As there was still a desire to have a fall fair in Hamilton, the location where it was subsequently held were the grounds of the Hamilton Jockey club.

In mid-September, 1914, the fall fair took place even though, barely a month before, Canada had entered the war in Europe.

As described in the Spectator of September 16, 1914, it took a lot of work to put on the Hamilton fair, making its cancellation not an option:

“A large force of men has been engaged during the last few days getting things in shape, and the exhibits will all be in position for the judges to begin their duties.”¹

¹ “Hamilton Fair : Ring Attraction Promise to Be Exceptionally Interesting.”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 16, 1914.

The fair was scheduled to be run over the course of three days, September 18, 19 and 20, 1914.

The first day of the Hamilton fair in 1914 was called ‘Farmers’ day’ the highlights of which were described as follows :

“In addition to the judging of stallions, ladies’ saddle and harness horses, and best single turnouts owned by farmers’ sons, the following track events will be pulled off :

“Trotters, hitched to roundabouts, open only to members of the Hamilton Driving club; farmers’ trot or pace, 1 ½ miles, open to farmers or farmers’ sons actually engaged upon farm; best performance over six jumps; mounted sunbonnet race; running race, 1 ½ miles, and heavyweight hunters, four years old and under, over six jumps.”¹

The next day, Friday September 19, 1914, had the following events scheduled:

“The judging of heavy draught agricultural and general purpose horses will take place, also judging of single pony outfits, pony 11 ½ hands and over; single delivery outfits, two classes; pony outfits under 11 ½ hands; Boy Scouts’ exhibition of drilling, signaling etc., the best all-around troop to receive a challenge cup donated by Mrs. W. E. Sanford, also cash prizes for best Scout band, best exhibition of ambulance and first aid work, and best signaling patrol.

“The track events Friday afternoon will 9include 3.22 class trot or pace, 1 ½ miles; ladies’ saddle horses to be ridden by ladies; pacers hitched to runabout, open only to members of the Hamilton Driving club; trot or pace, 2.20 class; lightweight hunters, over six jumps; running race, 1 ½ miles and mounted potato race.”¹

The final day of the Hamilton fair, Saturday September 20, 1914 was titled “Citizens’ day” and the following horse events were scheduled:

“The judging of carriage roadsters and saddle horses and saddle horses will take place embracing the following events : Champion saddle horse; best single turnout; best lady driver; open running race, 1 ½ miles; night dress race; high stepping horses, 15 hands or over; best three-year old , suitable to make saddle horse or hunter; free-for-all, 1 ½ miles, in three heats; mounted obstacle race; hunters, carrying 175 pounds over six jumps; running race, halfbreds; gentlemen’s best saddle and harness horse; best pair saddle horses, ridden by lady and gentleman.

“The program on Saturday will close with a parade of all the running horses, ponies and cattle.”¹

Each of the three days of the Hamilton Fair in 1914 featured the following during the morning hours:

“The judging of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, geese, ducks, turkeys, field roots, garden vegetables, fruit, plants and flowers, dairy produce, domestic manufactures and women’s work, fine arts and china decorating will take place.”¹

The Spectator sent a reporter to the fair and the report filed for the September 18, 1914 edition of the newspaper read as follows, in part:

“The annual fall fair of the Hamilton and Wentworth Fair association got underway at the Hamilton Jockey club yesterday, when the judges completed the task of placing the awards on the various exhibits, while good program of horse racing, including trotting, running and jumping was run off in front of the grandstand.

“A large crowd took in the fair and showed keen interest in the program of sports, some keen racing and good jumping completing a most interesting program.

“The betting ring and the large quarters under the grandstand are the buildings utilized for the various exhibits and these have been nicely arranged.

“The poultry, possibly the best of all the exhibits from the standpoint of numbers and of general interest, is to be found under the grandstand, along with the vegetable exhibition, which has been well-looked after with a good number of entries.

“In the large building, to the east of the grandstand which is used as a betting ring when the H. J. C. meetings are held, is to be found the exhibits of dairy products, plants and flowers, fruits, domestic manufacturers’ and ladies’ work, fine arts, etc. The display of ladies’ work is large and of exceedingly fine nature, while the various lines of fruits are well-represented.

“In this building are also to be found a number of exhibits by local business concerns, the most interesting booth being that containing the Dominion government exhibit. The officials representing the agricultural department in the local district are in charge, and they were quite busy during the day.”²

²  “Crowds Flock to Fair Grounds : Keen Racing and Good Jumping Featured Program : Big Poultry Display Is Attracting Much Interest : Dominion Government and Local Firms Have Exhibits”

Hamilton Spectator.     September 18, 1914

After the third and final day of the Hamilton fair, Saturday September 20, 1914, the directors totaled up attendance and receipts and were quite satisfied with both results.

However, the 1914 Hamilton Fair would be put in abeyance because of the war conditions which dominated during the following three years. After the war, fall fairs would again become popular autumn affairs but not inside the city boundaries. Each township of Wentworth county would have their own fall fairs, but the times of city and farm interests gathering inside Hamilton would be a thing of the past.

1914-09-05aa

War fever was running high in Hamilton in the first few weeks after war had been declared.

One way some Hamilton used to express their patriotism and hostility to the enemy was via the medium of poetry.

In September 1914, the following two poems appeared in the Hamilton Spectator.

 

          RETRIBUTION

The mills of the gods grind slowly along

   While the horrors of war proceed,

And the ruthless troops of a tyrant, strong,

   Cause the innocent ones to bleed.

 

Slowly but surely the wheels move around

   A terrible justice to bring;

Though scant be the news from the battle-ground

   Retribution is on the wing.

 

Shall the ‘mailed fist’ with its wanton lust

   The rights of all others defile;

And our freedom be trampled in the dust

   By a murderous dynasty?

 

The British and French and the Belgian dead

   With their blood, have the issue sealed;

The flag of freedom must float overhead

   And the reign of oppression must yield.

 

From the crimsoned ground and desolate homes

   Of fair Belgium’s wasted domain,

The appeal for a righteous vengeance comes;

   In justice, remember Louvain!

 

The allies are bravely holding their ground

   And forcing the enemy back,

While the Russians are marching Berlin-bound

   The capital city to sack.

 

Let the Germans dread the slow, steady tread

   Of the Russians as on they move;

For the cruel bite of the Muscovite

   Will a just retribution prove.

 

With the Russian hosts and allies combined

   The foe will soon have to contend;

And swiftly flee if retreat they can find

   Their own fatherland to defend.

 

Should the war tide turn, the Cossacks may burn

   And pillage and plunder and loot;

They’ll grasp at the chance to handle the lance,

   Retribution is surely afoot.

 

The war will go on till freedom is won!

   Regardless of what it may cost;

Till Wilhelm is hushed and his armies crushed

   And the throne with its crown is lost.

 

                    Fritz Hermans,

                       Hamilton, Ont.

 

 

 

WHAT OF THE RECKONING

 

          ---------------------------

 

Dispatch : “The kaiser, standing alone, gazed for several hours through a pair of powerful binoculars at the opposing masses.”

 

Look well, O kaiser, see the blood spurt

   As the steel rams through and through;

Mayhap it is well that the thick, soft thud

   Of the gun-butt is not heard by you.

 

Look well and see o’er thense faces creep

   The ashen grey, as with laboring breath,

Men rush to the front rank, wild-eyed, eager

   To swelter in glorious death.

 

Ah, surely a madness is on them !

   The blood lust holding them fast.

Kaiser, by whose hand was it kindled?

   On whom shall revenge fall at last?

 

Shall the brain that willed it that such things should be

   Crumble with fires of remorse,

Or conceit of his bodily impotence

   Uphold with its deadly force

The thought that by God’s assistance

   The brute shall predominate still,

And all nations, relieved f their honor,

   Bow down to the kaiser’s will ?

 

O’er a path strewn with carrion, e’en to destruction,

   Your Goddess, Ambition, is beckoning;

But think, kaiser, think what your plea will be

   When your head bows down at the Reckoning.

 

Hamilton, Ont. September 21, 1914

1914-09-16as

“With but very little opposition, the city council last endorsed proposed expenditures to the extent of nearly $100,000.”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 16, 1914

$100,000 was a tidy sum in September 1914 to approve at one fell swoop.

Among the sums approved at the Hamilton City Council meeting of September 15, 1914 was $13,000 for the purchase of Beckett Drive,

Built as a private toll road connecting the head of Queen Street South in the lower city with what would become Garth street on the mountain, Beckett drive had never been profitable for the owner. By 1914, it was still a private road but used by many, even though it was not maintained in good condition.

The City of Hamilton had long desired to purchase the road but price and title to the property the road occupied proved to be obstacles.

When those issues had been settled, mostly, the council of the City of Hamilton was ready to approve sufficient moneys to complete the deal.

Controller Thomas Morris and Mayor John Allan were both pleased about the resolution of the Beckett Drive matter, and expressed their feelings on the decision :

“ ‘I can go home happy now,’ remarked  Controller Morris to a group of aldermen after the meeting. ‘I have been trying for over twenty years to induce the city to purchase the Beckett drive, and it makes me happy to think it has at last done.’

“ ‘I hope Controller Morris will have no reason to feel otherwise,’ said Mayor Allan, ‘but the decision of the council to purchase was conditional on a good title. That is what caused so much delay heretofore.”¹

¹ “Will  Purchase Beckett Drive : City Council Requires Good Title to Property.”

          Hamilton Spectator.    September 16, 1914.

The day after the council decision, the Spectator published an editorial in which the Beckett Drive acquisition was referenced:

“The acquirement of the Beckett drive has been a necessary element in the conversion of our mountain face into a magnificent park

“The only question has been one of terms. Varying views have been held, and prolonged negotiation has been found requisite to bridge the gap between them. At length, however, a settlement has been reached, to the satisfaction of all concerned.

“As the drive has heretofore been private property, its use by the public has been dependent on the indulgence of the owner. It might have been closed at any time. Now that it has become public property, there need be no feeling on the part of those who use it that they are trespassing, or availing themselves of it upon sufferance.

“To the whole community, the convenience it affords will be secured for all time. And, as part of a public pleasure ground, the drive, with its environment, will doubtless be made as charming as conditions will permit.

“If a thing of utility may become a much-prized asset, ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever.’ ”²

² “Mountain Face”

Hamilton Spectator. September 16, 1914

With so many men out of work, the leaders at Hamilton City Hall felt that some work for the unemployed could be provided on the Beckett Drive as it was in very poor condition for the passage of vehicle whether horse-drawn or motorized.

However, hopes that obtaining title to the property might be complex, it was anticipating that it could be done relatively quickly.

Such was not the case :

“Work was stopped on the Beckett drive last night, thus throwing out of employment a number of needy men.

“For the past month or more, this work has been prosecuted in a relief measure, and it has been stopped only because the city has been unable to obtain a satisfactory agreement in regard to the ownership of the property.

“There are said to be fourteen different parcels of land in the drive, and the Becket estate has not yet been able to show a clear title to the property. Search is now being made for title at the registry office by T. B. McQuesten, counsel for the Beckett estate, and also by the City solicitor.

“At this morning’s meeting of the board of control, Mr. McQuesten was asked to make another effort to prove title, failing which expropriation proceedings will probably be instituted by the city.

“Expropriation proceedings being costly, however, the board desires to give Mr. McQuesten every opportunity to settle the matter directly with the city.”³

³ “City Waiting for Title to Beckett Land : Work On Drive Was Halted Last Night : Hundred Men Thrown Out of Employment : May Be Necessary to Expropriate Property”

Hamilton Spectator. December 2, 1914.

 

   

 

1914-01-28ak

As 1914 began, the city of Hamilton had a very high percentage of its population which claims Germany as their country of origin, or where their parents had emigrated from to come to Canada.

          A prominent organization for Hamilton’s German population was the Germania Club.

          On January 27, 1914, a special celebration was held at the Germania Hall.

          Coverage of that event in the Hamilton Herald follows :

          “A smoker was held last night in the Germania hall, the occasion being the birthday of the Kaiser.

          “George Scnabel presided and proposed the toasts, Der Kaiser was drunk enthusiastically, after which a speech on the kaiser was made by G. B. Dinkel. Mr. Dinkel is an old Bavarian soldier who served his country and distinguished himself during the Franco-Prussian war, and received a decoration there for distinguished service.

          “He spoke on the Kaiser as the ideal Christian, the first diplomat in Europe, and as a true family man. His speech, which was one of genuine patriotism, was applauded to the echo by his compatriots.

          “Mr Maich entertained the gathering by songs, and was followed by Max Stolpe, who was one of the chief entertainers.

          “The dinner was prepared by W. Kleman, manager of the club, and was greatly enjoyed. A vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Kleman for his excellent fare.”¹

               ¹ “Hoch Her Kaiser! : Germania Club Members Celebrated His Birthday”

          Hamilton Herald.   January 28, 1914.

          It was a convivial gathering at the Germania that evening. Those in attendance had absolutely no suspicion that in eight months’ time, the Germania Club would be forced to suspend operations, and many of those who had gathered to celebrate King Wilhelm’s birthday would opt to change their names to avoid any Germanic association.

          As for Kaiser Wilhelm, it is safe to assume that the dinner on January 27, 1914 would be the last ever held in Hamilton in his honor.