1914-07-18aa

All three Hamilton daily newspapers in 1914, the Spectator, the Times and the Herald made strong efforts to cover news items from throughout the city of Hamilton.

To the effort each paper would have relatively short columns about events, personalities or even such folksy anecdotes about life in the east or west ends, the Beach Strip or the Mountain.

In the Hamilton Times, on Saturday, July 18 and Monday, July 20, 1914, as the war clouds were growing darker and larger in Europe, Hamiltonians were presented with several well-written, colorful columns about events, and life generally on Hamilton Mountain.

The first to be presented is from Saturday, July 18, 1914:

“Thursday, when the citizens in the city were forced to sit in tubs of water to keep cool, the Hillmen gurgled with glee, joyfully sniffing in the cool breeze from the south.

Yesterday, conditions were somewhat reversed. From the northwest, many refreshing zephyrs played in the valley, but not a leaf-stirred on the hill and all grumbled, except the ice-cream merchants who did a rushing business.

“Along the mountain brow are many fine residences. Not only are the lawns in perfect condition, but the owners after much careful nurturing, have produced beautiful flower gardens. One man has a dozen rose bushes of which he is very proud. Each bush is, or rather was loaded down with blooms. The man is in business, and neither he nor his household arise till eight, but there are many neighbors who pass by shortly daybreak and these think there is no harm in slipping over and purloining a nosegay. The owner has purchased a shot gun, also a quantity of rock salt. Someone is going to get stung. In speaking of the matter, he informed a Times reporter that he would not have cared if one or two had come along and cut a bud off, but he certainly objects when in hurry and fright they pull the bush up by the roots.”¹

¹ “A Gay Time”

Hamilton Times. July 18, 1914.

On Sunday morning July 19, 1914 a Times reporter went for what he called a solitary “ramble” on the mountain and he shared his experiences in the following day’s newspaper:

“Sabbath in the southwestern section of Hamilton – the mountain – was observed yesterday as commanded. A walk along the brow in the early morning gave one a feeling of peace and contentment.

“Everything was quiet, or practically so. The cows browsed lazily in the field, the cocks crew sedately, and the old hen softly called her young.

“While that district is part of greater Hamilton, in many ways it is wonderfully removed, and it seemed more so on Sunday. Thoughts inadvertently turned to childhood days in the little country village. No one rose till eight, and then without any undue noise.

“Breakfast was eaten after grace had been offered. Then the white shirts  and blue suit were donned. Woe betide you if you dared to sing or whistle. Playthings could be covetedly glanced at, but not touched.

“Then came church, Sunday school and, maybe in the evening, church again. Mother would read a portion of the holy scripture, and the day of rest was over.

“Such seemed the order on Mount Hamilton yesterday. Of course, the residents smiled; all were not glum.

“In the evening, peal after peal of happy laughter floated from rose-covered verandahs, and the younger people strolled arm in arm ‘neath the spreading branches of the trees, whose shade is so sought when old King Sol floods the earth with his heat.

“But he also took a rest yesterday, and the weatherman sent delightful zephyrs, making the time and place ideal.

“There are a large number of children in that section, and these returned home after Sunday School, eager to tell their parents of the lesson taught that day.

“One of the many bands of the Salvation Army was attentively listened to and small donations to help the good work were freely given. It is rumored that the Mount Hamilton brass band intends giving sacred scared concerts on the Sabbath evenings. This is anxiously awaited for. At present, the musicians are waiting for uniforms.”²

² “Sunday on the Mountain Top : Times Man Rambles Along Early and Sees Nature in Its Glory”

Hamilton Times.   July 20, 1914.