1914-07-24rr

The weather had become very hot in late July, 1914, hot enough for a middle of the night swim in Lake Ontario.

The Hamilton Spectator in 1914 often carried a short column about happening on the Beach strip, what was then a summer vacation spot for many citizens from Hamilton or from beyond.

Folksy, newsy items often appeared describing events in that part of the city lying between Lake Ontario and the bay.

The following appeared on July 24, 1914 :

“A good story is being told by a resident of station 26, Beach.

“A neighbor of his who makes it a practice to take a dip in the lake every night about twelve o’clock, just before retiring, went out last night as usual.

“A raincoat and a smile were all he wore, and he shook the coat as he approached the water.

“He had been in only a few seconds when a couple, who had evidently missed the last car, strolled up the shore and noticing the raincoat and not seeing the owner, sat down upon it.

“The bather watched them for some time, but made no effort to announce himself. He stood in the water until shortly after two o’clock, when he swam father down the lake and beat a retreat to his home.

“Arising at six o’clock in the morning, he went to the lake shore and was startled to see the couple still there. He walked over to them to notice that his waterproof was still being used as the comforter.

“He awakened the man and asked for his coat, and was met with a shower of abuse, the stranger demanding an apology and claiming that the coat was his property.

“After several minutes, the resident earned his point, and, getting his coat, went into his home.”¹

¹ “Escaped in Altogether : Couple Who Missed Car Made Bed of His Coat.”

Hamilton Spectator. July 24, 1914.

1914-07-24aa

Traffic on Hamilton city streets in the summer of 1914 was made up with all manner of transportation apparatus. Horse and carriages mingled with automobiles, trucks vied for space with electric street cars.

There were very few actual legal regulations governing street traffic. There were no stop lights, no stop signs, no requirement to drive forward on one side of the street and not on the other.

For pedestrians, particularly in the city’s central core, it was dangerous to simply try and make it across some of the major intersections.

As pointed out in the Hamilton Spectator of July 24, 1914, an innovation had been instituted to govern what was probably the city’s major hectic intersection of all, King and James streets :

“The automobile drivers of this city quickly adapted themselves to the new traffic regulations, until at the present time, almost no difficulty is met with.

“P.C. Yaxley, who governs the traffic at the corner of King and James streets, during the busiest hours of the day, states that he has now no trouble with motorists with the possible exception of a few strangers, who do not know the traffic laws.”¹

¹ “Great Benefit : New Traffic Regulations Are Working Well”

Hamilton Spectator. July 24, 1914.

There were a number of varied regulations but the most obvious one was the power given to the policeman stationed right in the middle of King and James. He could stop vehicles at his will in order to help the flow, whether of people on foot or in vehicles:

“The new rule makes Hamilton’s busiest corner much safer for pedestrians, and is proving a benefit all round.”¹

Well, there was at least one Hamiltonian who found out that the new state of being of King and James did not do him any benefit.

As reported, also in the Hamilton Spectator of July 24, 1914, the story read as follows :

“What are trivial changes often make a great change in the trend of human lives and what would ordinarily be classed as a matter of no importance has made considerable difference in the family life of a prominent Hamiltonian.

“He was recently out taking out for a drive in his auto a young lady who had previously given cause for jealousy on the part of his wife. He was crossing the corner of King and James streets and his car was held up by the traffic officer.

“The motorist’s wife was crossing the street on foot at the identical moment when the car stopped and she espied the couple. Approaching the motor in no friendly manner, she demanded that the lady leave the car at once and her request was immediately complied with.

“The angry wife then entered that car and was driven to her home and she now contemplates laying her marital troubles before the divorce courts.”¹

¹ “Trouble Ahead : For Man Who Took Lady Friend Out in Auto.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 24, 1914.

While the new traffic regulations seemed to be working well by the middle of July, 1914, and there was widespread satisfaction with them, there was at least one driver who rued the fact that he had to bring his car to a full stop at the corner of King and James streets.

 

1914-07-22a

“Verily the scribe hath an exciting life – sometimes”

Hamilton Times July 22, 1914.

While the names of individual reporters were not attached to the stories published in Hamilton daily newspapers in the 1914, it would be a safe guess that the same Hamilton Times ‘scribe’ was responsible for two stories which appeared in the July 22, 1914 edition of that paper.

Working alone in the Hamilton Times office at the corner of King William and Hughson streets, the reporter was writing up the details of incident which had occurred just a few blocks away.

His report follows in full:

“Shortly after eight last night, citizens passing along James street, near York, were treated to a novel sight.

“A white horse, driven by a young lady, had been brought to a stop, while passengers got on and off a King street west car. The animal was rather restive, and when two men dashed in front, it reared up on its hind legs.

“A woman in the crowd in the crowd screamed and this frightened the horse still more. Its feet slipped and it turned a complete backward somersault. The lady driver and a gentleman who was with her, jumped, and with the assistance of Mr. Jack Gray, got the beast back on its feet.

“The strangest part of it all was that not a thing was broken, the woman being able to step back in the rig and drive away as though nothing had happened.”¹

¹ “An Acrobat : White Horse Driven by Lady Did Some Stunts”

Hamilton Times. July 22, 1914.

Back in the Times office, the reporter was finishing off his account of the white horse incident when something happened which caused another story to be written:

“Last night, one of the reporters on the Times staff was busily engaged in the office writing for today’s paper.

“Happily, the typewriter sent forth its staccato notes, till the City Hall clock boomed eleven, when the young man, an ardent lover of my lady nicotine, chased to the corner for a package of ‘dopes.’

“He returned and made the typewriter hum, but not for long.

“Suddenly, his hair began to stand on end, and a shivery feeling stole up his spine. Overhead was heard the crunch, crunch of a heavy foot on the gravel on the flat roof.

“A cry from the street verified his suspicion.

“In precisely two minutes, Constables Kay, W. Smith, Burgoine, Farmer and Sergeants Lowery and Campbell were on the scene.

“A systematic search was made, but no intruders found. Two men, in their shirt sleeves, however, had been seen on the roof, from the street. The police think they came from the window of an adjoining building.

“For some time, the Times has had to complain of trespassers around their building. The police have been instructed to prosecute any who are caught.”²

² “Must Be Stopped : Trespassers at Times Building Cause Annoyance.”

Hamilton Times.   July 22, 1914.

For the Hamilton Times reporter, working alone on a hot summer night, he did not have to look very far for two incidents to write up for the edition of the paper to hit the streets the following morning.

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The corner of Main and James streets in 1914 was definitely one of the most dangerous of any intersection in the city of Hamilton.

Traffic of many different types converged on that particular cross road. Automobiles, bicycles, horses and wagons, Hamilton Street Railway street cars, radial electric cars going to Brantford and or Dundas and finally pedestrian traffic.

Shortly after five p.m. on Saturday July 4, 1914, it seemed as if virtually everything arrived to cross Main and James streets at the same time:

“At that precise moment, a Dundas car was rounding the turn, a James street car was going south, another car was going north, and a Brantford car was waiting to cross over. On each of the corners were crowds of people.

“Suddenly, a frenzied horse dashed down the street, the driver sitting petrified with fright. Pedestrians scurried for safety, with the exception of a lady with her daughter on the northeast corner, who were unaware of the danger.

“People called to them, yet they did not heed and it was only when James King rushed across and whisked the little one out of the way that the mother realized what was taking place. She had just time to step out of the way.

“The rig turned sideways, threw the driver and as the wagon smashed the horse was brought to a stop.”¹

¹ “A Thriller : Little Girl Snatched From Path of Runaway”

Hamilton Times.   July 6, 1914.

Thanks to the alert action of Mr. King the little golden-haired girl was saved from what could well have been a fatal accident.

The intersection of Main and James street remained the scene of intense excitement – for a while. Then the heavy traffic of autos, horse and wagon, street cars, radial electric cars, bicycles and pedestrian resumed at its usual pace.

1914-06-19

It was a gift to the city of Hamilton, a gift that was unusual to say the least.

          In 1914, the zoo at Dundurn Park was a popular destination for both Hamiltonians and visitors to the city.

The gift was the subject of intense curiosity when it reached the city:

“Leo, the big African male lion, presented to the city by the Washburn Shows company, arrived in this city yesterday afternoon, and was immediately transferred to Dundurn park, where he was placed in the special quarters recently prepared for him in a remote section of the bears’ cage.”¹

¹ “Leo at Dundurn : Big African Lion Presented to City Arrived Yesterday.”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 19, 1914.

A local firm, the Canadian Express company provided one of its large trucks to take Leo from the Stuart street railway station to Dundurn park. A large strong iron cage on the back of the truck ensured that the big cat did not escape into one of the city neighbourhoods while en route.

At the Dundurn zoo, trouble was experienced transferring the lion from the truck into its new permanent quarters:

“Once in his new home, Leo started out on a tour of inspection. He made a careful examination of every detail of the cage, occasionally testing the strength of its strong iron bars by throwing his weight against, or thrusting his huge paws between them.

“He cast rather jealous eyes in the direction of the bears, glanced at several strange faces in his immediate vicinity, then lay down quite contently in one corner and went to sleep.”¹

A Spectator reporter managed to interview the keeper who had accompanied Leo to Hamilton from Woodstock.

The keeper said that Leo was quite harmless when in a cage by himself, but when he was in company with other lions, he became quite difficult to manage:

“Leo was originally trained for the leading part in an arena act with a number of other lions,” said the trainer. “For some time, he played his part well, and never failed to answer his call when his turn for action came. One day it was decided to make a change in the act which necessitated the placing of Leo in a minor part, and from that moment he was a different lion. It was a case of being the leading man in the part or nothing, and even when he was again raised to his former prestige by being changed to his original part, he refused to be the same quiet, well-behaved Leo of former days. Mr. Washburn then decided to present him to the city of Hamilton.”¹

The article on Leo’s arrival in Hamilton ended with the statement of Mr. Washburn that Leo was valued at $1,000.

1914-07-06aaffa

“The Hamilton Industrial Exposition, being conducted under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A., was given a most auspicious send off this morning when it was formally opened by Sir John Gibson, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario.”

Hamilton Times.   July 6, 1914

It was not completely finished on Monday morning, July 6, 1914, as last-minute preparations were going on throughout the two big halls which comprised the armories on James Street North.

However, the important function of officially opening the Hamilton Industrial Exposition was scheduled and the distinguished guests had arrived, so the event went ahead :

“George H. Lees, chairman of the general committee in charge of the affair was the first to speak.

“When the strains of ‘God Save the King’ from the Ninety-First Highlanders had died down, he introduced Mayor Allan, welcoming the visitors and requesting that Mayor Allan welcome the gusts on behalf of the City.

“In a few well-chosen words, Mayor Allan emphasized the importance an exposition such as this was to Hamilton. He referred to the industrial expansion of the city, adding that it was second in Canada. He was of the opinion that an exposition was one way of advertising the product of local factories, and he believed that it encouraged other concerns to locate here.”¹

¹ “Industrial Exposition Was Formally Opened : Sir John Gibson, Lieutenant-Governor, Officiated at the Important Function.”

Hamilton Times.   July 6, 1914.

The main speaker of the gathering was Hamilton’s own Sir John Gibson, back in his native city. As the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Gibson was given the honor of officially opening the exposition which he was to do after his remarks:

“He thanked the committee for honoring him with the duties of official opener. The success of Hamilton, he said, as an industrial center, was because every citizen took an interest in the work. He was glad to say that he was a resident of this city. Hamilton had always set an example to other cities, and he hoped that would always prove to be the case. Hamilton’s greatest asset was probably her location at the head of Lake Ontario, and the manufacturers were not slow to realize the and locate here.”¹

Handed a pair of shiny scissors, the Lieutenant-Governor cutting the cord that had been strung across the center aisle of the main hall, and declared the exposition open.

The Times reporter then took the opportunity to inspect the preparations that had already been made to transform the armories into the Industrial Exposition :

“All the exhibits have not been arranged fully as yet, but the committee expect to have everything in shape by this evening, when the exposition will be running full swing.

“The armory is beautifully decorated, a large sum having been set aside for this purpose, and it reflects great credit upon the committee in charge. A large platform has been erected in the center of the hall, and here the public will have an opportunity of hearing Guiseppe Creatore’s famous band.

“One of the features of the affair is the electric kitchen, which is being conducted by the Pastor’s Aid Society of First Methodist Church. Everything cooked is done by electricity, and meals may be secured at reasonable prices. This departure is quite a novelty in this city, and is attracting the attention of all those attending the exposition.”¹

1914-07-06add

Magistrate Jelfs was ready to start the week off well.

As noted by the Times reporter assigned to cover the Police Court session of Monday, July 6, 1914 :

“Magistrate Jelfs, becoming aware of the beauty of the morning, arose somewhat earlier than usual today, and court was commenced at 9:25 instead of 9:30.”¹

“Serious Thing Even to Talk at the Police : Their Duty is Hard Enough With Interference From People Looking On”

Hamilton Times.   July 6, 1914.

It was a short list of cases on the docket. Two of those which caused some interest were those involving the frequently applied Drunk and Disorderly charge.

The first involved a woman :

“With hanging head, Mary Dinning stood up in the dock when her name was called to answer to the charge of being drunk and disorderly. It was her first appearance in court, and she evidently felt her position keenly.

“The Magistrate lectured her severely and told her of her duty to her husband and her children. Her husband told the Magistrate that he would take her back if she promised to reform. As she is from Scotland, the Magistrate informed her that she would be deported if she came up again and she was led weeping from the court.”¹

The other drunk and disorderly case was more complex and it centered around a fracas on John street :

“William Leishman and Mark Meins were accused by James Leishman with being drunk and disorderly. In a broad Highland accent, James told the court of his brother coming to his boarding house on John street, and molesting him. Constables Nunn, Kinnard and Gravelle, who made the arrest, stated that Meins and Leishman were both drunk and that Meins had resisted arrest. The Magistrate fined Meins $5, and Leishman $2.

“A sequel to this case came up later when Roy Feidman was accused by the same officers of interfering with the police in the pursuit f their duty. The evidence showed that Freidman had talked to the crowd who watched the arrest about the way the police ill-treated a prisoner.

“P. C. Nunn stated on the stand that Freidman had ordered him to let the prisoners go, although he did not lay hands on him. The constable immediately locked him up.

“ ‘This is a very serious case,’ stated the Magistrate. It seems that the citizens of Hamilton are prone to go against the police on every occasion, and an officer very often has his hands full in arresting a man under the influence of liquor. It is well for you, Freidman, that you did not touch the officers; I will fine you ten dollars.’ ”¹

1914-07-06aa

Two incidents on Hamilton Street Railway cars as reported in the Hamilton Times of July, 6, 1914 – quoted in full as they appeared in the afternoon edition.

“Sometimes the stork is an unthinking rascal. Time and place of visit is of no object to him. Saturday afternoon, he unceremoniously entered a Barton street car, and this morning a happy mother is cuddling a fine, bouncing baby girl.

“After his entrance, a pandemonium broke loose. Three cars were lined up, the crew gave the mother what aid they could until a doctor and the ambulance appeared, when she was quickly removed to the city hospital.

“Rascally Stork : Paid Visit On a Street Car On Saturday”

Hamilton Times.   July 06, 1914

 

“The Safety First Committee will have to get some of their posters printed in Chinese, else Hamilton will be minus several followers of Confucius. On Sunday morning shortly after 11, street car No. 417 was travelling down Barton street at a clip estimated to be about nine or ten miles an hour. There were only a few passengers, one of them a Celestial. The car had passed Chesnut avenue when the Celestial went to the back of the car, and, before the conductor had an opportunity of ringing to stop, made an effort to jump, landing on his head with a sickening slam. For a few minutes it looked as though he might have been killed, but with a grin he scrambled to his feet, and dived into a Chinese laundry. The car continued on its way, but the conductor announced his intention of stopping on the way back and see if the chink was injured. The car was in charge of Conductor Doyle and Motorman Neil, who, of course, were quite blameless.”

“Off Head First : But the Celestial Did Not Seem to Mind It”

Hamilton Times.   July 6, 1914

1914-07-11aaj

“Last night’s crowd at the Industrial Exposition was the largest which has yet turned out to see the splendid exhibition, and to hear the excellent band of Creatore in their interpretation of some of Wagner’s masterpieces.”

Hamilton Times.    July 11, 1914.

The Industrial Exposition held in Hamilton’s armories in July, 1914 was a major event, well-attended. While good crowds ventured to the big facility of James Street North to see displays of the latest industrial products being produced in Hamilton and vicinity, the largest attendance was to hear Professor Giuseppe Creatore’s Italian Band, one of the most famous musical outfits of the era.

Creatore was internationally famous and to have him and his band in Hamilton was a major coupe. To pay tribute to Creatore on the last day of his series of concerts at the Industrial Exhibition, a special banquet, organized by the Hamilton Canadian Club, was held in his honor in the north armory hall.

About 200 invited guests were invited to the luncheon, which was served by the ladies of the First Methodist Church.

After the edibles were consumed, a series of speakers made appropriate remarks for the occasion.

First was C. E. Main of the Hamilton Canadian Club who after speaking “of the pleasure the club felt at being able to entertain so renowned a musician as Signor Creatore,” proceeded to make some remarks about the Canadian Club, noting as usual that the club was first started in Hamilton before it spread across the country.

Mr. Martin then introduced former Hamilton Mayor George Lees who had been given the task of introducing Creatore to the banquet guests :

“Mr. Lees said he was at a loss to know why this honor should nhave fallen upon him, except that he was instrumental in securing the engagement of this conductor. However, though it has been said that this gentleman was from sunny Italy, he had exercised very wise discrimination when he had chosen as his wife an Irish girl from Philadelphia.”¹

¹ “8,000 to 10,000 at Exhibition in Drill Hall : Canadian Club Tendered Luncheon to Signor Creatore and Wife and Local Bandmasters”

Hamilton Times.   July 11, 1914

In reply, Signor Creatore managed only a few remarks as his command of the English language was limited:

“He expressed thanks to the people of this city for the way in which they had received and appreciated the music furnished by his band, and said he hoped he would have the opportunity to return again to this city.”¹

Next on the speakers’ list was C. E. McCullough whose task was to introduce Signora Creatore. Although asked to confine himself to a “few remarks,” the characteristically loquacious McCullough managed to cover several subjects in addition to presenting Creatore’s wife:

“McCulloch made some very valuable suggestions for the music-loving citizens of the Ambitious City. He said that Ireland was very prominent at that gathering, and from the Emerald Isle had come many men who were famous ex-soldiers, musicians and politicians, and he hoped that the people of that country would be spared ructions in the near future, which were threatening on the horizon. He had heard that the wife of the famous band conductor possessed a very fine voice, which had given pleasure in many cities in the States, and hoped that some of the people of Hamilton would have a chance to hear her sing. As for the band, he considered it should be termed an orchestra rather than a band, so splendid were its renderings of classical and everyday music. He then referred to the fact that Hamilton had 400 manufacturing plants in its midst, and these gave employment to as many people as populated many small towns and villages.” ¹

McCulloch then continued to laud Hamilton’s musical culture, referring specifically to three of the city’s main musical leaders who were at the banquet:

“The city should be one of music lovers, and Dr. Vogt, who was in the city yesterday, and is leader of the Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto, had expressed the opinion that it should be the center of an annual or biennial musical festival, and he had the authority of this well-known leader for the statement that Hamilton would be the very best place for such a festival. He referred to the excellent work accomplished by Bruce Carey with his Elgar Choir and the regimental bands under the leadership of Messrs. Stares and Robinson, and remarked that had it not been for these musical organizations, along with Signor Creatore’s incomparable band, the exposition would not have been anything  like the success it now had.”¹

When Signora Creator, who had no difficulty speaking English finally was given the opportunity to speak, she kept her remarks short, saying that she was pleased to be at the banquet and that she was thankful to the citizens of Hamilton for their cordial welcome.

Locally renowned bandmasters Stares and Robinson were asked to the podium together where they moved a hearty vote of thanks to Signor Creatore for his excellent, masterly musical offerings to the Hamilton public..

Later that evening, Creatore’s concert was attended by a huge crowd estimated at minimally 8,000 people, perhaps closer to 10,000 in the audience.

The Times reporter at the concert was mightily impressed:

“The music supplied by the band was of the usual excellence and, judging by the large attendance and their earnest attention, there must be many admirers of the distinctive music of Wagner, whose compositions have aroused more criticism than those of any other composer.

“Though his works are entirely different to those of other composers, Signor Creatore showed his remarkable ability in his leading of the band, and the renderings were exquisite.”¹

The Spectator also sent a reporter to be part of the record crowd at the Creatore Band’s final concert of July 1914 in Hamilton:

“Needless to say, their playing met with the entire approval of everyone present, and general regret was to be heard of all sides that they were not able to remain for another week.

“Their effort’s throughout the week were highly appreciated, and they made a considerable hit in this city, so much so that before many moons shine they will likely be found back here again. They were forced to accede to the request of the multitude time after time and play encores, with which they were quite liberal.”²

² “Paid Tribute to Creatore and his Band :

Great Crowds Grew Enthusiastic at the Industrial Exposition Saturday Night.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 12, 1914.

1914-07-14aas

“A dispatch from Cincinnati to the Spectator today announces that Proctor & Gamble, multi-millionaire soap and perfume manufacturers, have selected Hamilton as their Canadian headquarters.”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 14, 1914.

It was an announcement that would be welcome at any time, but with the unemployment numbers so high in Hamilton during 1914, the news was even more welcome than usual.

Proctor & Gamble was a major industry, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with five big plants across the United States. In 1914, the huge firm was looking for a location to build their first plant in Canada:

“For several months, it has been investigating the Canadian field with a view of erecting a big plant to supply trade on this side of the border. Toronto at one time had the call, and it looked as if things were settled for the big concern there.”¹

¹ “Big Industry Will Locate in Hamilton : Plans Provide for Plant to cost $250,000”

Hamilton Spectator.    July 14, 1914.

The industrial commissioner for the City of Hamilton, H. M. Marsh, was not one to give up easily. He contacted the management of Proctor & Gamble and managed to get an appointment with them:

“Mr. Marsh went over to Cincinnati in the early stages of negotiations and furnished the company with all the information it desired about Hamilton. The advantages of the city appealed so strongly to the firm that it decided to locate here.”¹

Mr. Marsh was surprised on July 14, 1914 when the public announcement was made by the leaders of the Proctor & Gamble firm that Hamilton was the choice for the company’s Canadian location. He was not surprised that Hamilton was the choice, as he had been informed about that previously. However, he had been told to keep the decision secret until Proctor & Gamble closed the real estate deal for the property in the city’s east end industrial district.

Marsh told a Spectator reporter who informed him about the announcement, that he had been told that Proctor & Gamble’s investment in Hamilton would be more than a quarter of a million dollars, and that, just to be begin with, 500 people would be hired.

It was news that certainly lifted the spirits of many in Hamilton who had been suffering because of the prolonged economic slow-down which had been negatively impacting the city.

1914-07-14gg

“Harry Pearson, the 26-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pearson, 128 Napier street, lost his life while swimming in the bay yesterday afternoon, making the second drowning fatality in this city in two days.”

Hamilton Times.  July 14, 1914.

When temperatures rise to sultry levels, the temptation to swim in the waters of Hamilton bay was hard to resist.

As it had been very hot in Hamilton for over three days, on Monday July, 13, 1914, Harry Pearson and his friend Fred Cook decided to cool off :

“Both men, finding the intense humidity almost too much for them, mounted bicycles and rode to the bay where they hoped to refresh themselves by bathing.

“At Bastien’s boathouse, they secured a rowboat and rode across the bay. Willow Point has always been a favourite spot for swimming for the two.

“Pearson was first in the water, but only a few seconds separated the other man’s plunge.”¹

¹ Drowned Near Willow Point : Harry Pearson Lost His Life Yesterday Afternoon : Companion Tried in Vain to Recover Body.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 14, 1914.

As described in the Times report of the tragedy, Pearson seemed to get in trouble without any warning:

“He waded out a short distance and returning decided to dive. The water at one spot is rather deep, and taking a spring, Pearson shot into the water here.

“Whether he struck a hard obstacle on the bottom or whether he became entangled in the weeds is not known, but he did not reappear.”²

² “Lost Life When in Swimming : Harry Pearson Plunged Into Bay and Did Not Return : May Have Hit Bottom or Become Entangled in Weeds”

Hamilton Times. July 14, 1914.

While the Times did not specify it in its account, Pearson and Cook been diving from the rowboat:

“It was suggested that the oars be placed on the shore and the boat used for diving from. The victim was a fairly good swimmer, and when the craft had been taken a considerable distance out, he dived from the bow.

“No particular notice was taken of his plunge by Cook, until he shouted and remarked on the splendid condition of the water. Getting no response, he looked about, but his companion was out of sight.”¹

Eventually becoming alarmed at the continued absence of Pearson, Cook dived repeatedly into the bay to look for him:

“The water at the point of the bay is none too clear, and because of that, he was greatly handicapped. After searching about for some time, Cook took particular notice of where the boat was located at the time of Pearson’s disappearance, and hurriedly returned to the city side of the bay, where employees of Bastien’s were notified. The police were communicated with and soon they were at the scene of the drowning.”¹

For the second time in two days, member of the Hamilton police had to employ grappling hooks.

As reported in the late edition of the Times, it was a difficult search:

“Although Constable Reynolds, O’Mahoney, Lalond and Bucket have been trying to recover the body, their efforts have been fruitless. Up to press time, they had not got a trace of the body, and it is the opinion of the men in charge of the work that the body has become fastened in the numerous weeds surrounding Willow Point.”²

A week later, the body of Harry Pearson had yet to be located. Some details which had been mistakenly reported in the rush to cover the matter on the day of the drowning were corrected.

Harry Pearson was not 26 years old when he died, but 33. He was unmarried, not married as had been reported. He had been in the employ of the Hamilton Cab and Bus company and had also worked at the Aitchison’s lumber yard. At the time of his death, he was working at the Ontario Lantern company.

For almost a week since the drowning, Fred Pearson had been searching incessantly for the remains of his brother. Once he had spotted the body, but, as he was alone, he was unable to bring it to the surface using grappling hooks.

Finally, about 8 a.m., July 17, 1914 some berry pickers working on the north shore spotted Pearson’s body floating on the surface of the bay, about a hundred yards out.

Their sighting was reported to the men working in a nearby business:

A man, named Anderson, employed by the Hamilton Bay Ferry company put out from shore in a gasoline launch and towed the body to the James street docks. The police were then notified and Pearson’s body was taken to Dodsworth’s undertaking parlors.”³

³ “Body Recovered : Bay Gave Up Remains of Fred Pearson This Morning.”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 17, 1914.

It was considered that the drowning was accidental and no coroner’s inquest was deemed necessary.

Survived only by his parents, and his brothers Percy and Fred, Harry Pearson’s funeral which took place the following Saturday was private.

 

 

1914-07-13ff

“For the first time this summer, the mercury rose above 90 degrees on Saturday. The heat was intense and wherever people congregated, a good deal of inconvenience was experienced.”

Hamilton Times. July 13, 1914.

It was the first heat wave of the summer of 1914, and it was less than welcomed in some cases.

At the armories on James Street North, a series of well-attended musical performance by the internationally-famous band led by Creatore concluded just a heat the heat arrived:

“Had it not been for the cooling effect of the numerous electric fans the Hydro-Electric and Culley & Breay kept running, as well as the cooling refreshments served by the ladies of First Methodist Church there would have been many cases of prostration. As it was, three persons fainted in the crush in front of the platform where the band was stationed.”¹

¹ “90 in the Shade : Several Cases of Heat Prostration On Saturday”

Hamilton Times. July 13, 1914

The heat set in on Saturday, July 11, 1914. The next day the heat had not abated in the least:

“Yesterday the influence of Saturday’s heat was still felt, and the attendance in the churches was small in consequence. But the light rain that fell for a short time cooled the air and dispelled the oppressiveness of the atmosphere.”¹

The morning edition of the Hamilton Spectator, which hit the streets on Monday July 13 1914, contained the following chronology of the first heat wave of the summer :

“Rain was never more welcomed by the citizens of Hamilton than it was when the long-expected storm broke over the city during the early hours of this morning. Not that people like getting wet, but if there is no escape, they prefer to be drenched by a rainstorm than by perspiration, and since last Friday they have had no alternative from the latter.

“Bad as it was on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, the heat grew worse as time wore on, and Saturday afternoon the thermometer jumped up to 93 degrees and refused to budge. It dropped a bit, of course, during the still hours of the night, but people were asleep then – or ought to have been – and they did not have the opportunity of appreciating the comparative cool, for when they awoke on Sunday morning, the mercury had again started its upward flight. It again got up to 93, and there it hovered for the rest of the day.

“It was so hot yesterday morning that those people who, from a sense of duty, went to church, might have been forgiven if they thought for the moment they were heading for the wrong place and had got perceptibly nearer, but they were no worse off than those who stopped away, for nowhere was it possible to escape being sizzled.”²

² “Rain Put Crimp in Heat Wave : Last Night’s Storm Brought Temperature Down”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 13, 1914.

During the Sunday afternoon, many young Hamiltonians headed to the bay to cool themselves. While swimming was a positive response to the heat for most, there was an incident that was tragic.

Aaron Grawvan, a 17 year old recent Polish immigrant, was employed at the Steel Company of Canada, and he boarded at a home on Princess street.

 Grawvan, had a hearty Sunday lunch, and then, accompanied by four of his fellow countrymen, walked a few blocks north to Gage’s Inlet for a swim.

Within a very short time of plunging into the bay, Grawvan sank beneath the waters of the inlet and was drowned:

“From meagre particulars of the fatality which the police have been able to gather, the unfortunate victim and four companions went bathing in the inlet early yesterday afternoon. Two of the men, it is said, were dressing on the bank, and Grawvan and the other two were still swimming about, when Grawvan was stricken with cramps and cried out that he was drowning.

“Two little boys, 6 and 8 years of age, who were playing on the bank, have told the police that the other two men left the water as soon as Grawvan screamed, and that when the boy sank beneath the water, his four companions ran away across the field near the Grasselli Chemical works.³

³ “Drowned in Gage’s Inlet : A. Grawvan Deserted by Four Companions : Inquest Will Be Held Into Fatality”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 13, 1914.

The boys who witnessed the incident ran up Sherman avenue north to the police station near Barton street. The police arrived at the inlet within minutes. Constable John Smith commandeered a boat and with a set of grappling hooks set out to search for Grawvan. After many attempts, he located the body and it was brought to shore. Smith and his fellow policemen worked on the body for nearly an hour but their attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.

Grawman’s body was taken to the city morgue, and a coroner’s jury was empanelled. A coroner’s inquest would not normally be held in such a drowning. However as Grawvan’s companions were not immediately located due to their sudden departure from the scene of the drowning, there was some questions which needed to be asked.

 One of the young boys who witnessed the drowning was able to give the police the name of one of the men who ran away. Soon, the police were able to gather them all, and after investigation it was decided that no foul play was involved. It was conclude that Grawvan had suffered cramps caused by his swimming too soon after partaking his lunch.