1915-03-06yy

On March 6, 1915, the Hamilton Times published a letter written Mrs. Monks, one of the supervisors of the Hamilton Playgrounds association.

Mrs. Monks had just written home after arrival in England, completing an eventful crossing of the Atlantic :

“                              26 Park Row, Eagley Bank, Bolton, Lancashire, Eng.

                                                                                     February 8, 1915.

“At last I am able to write and tell you of our safe arrival in old England.

“Today is Monday and we landed in Liverpool last Friday after a perilous journey. The first four days were and scarcely anyone seasick. A gale then sprung up, and for three days we were terribly tossed. The sea was certainly angry, rising mountains high and we often thought, especially in the night, that every moment was our last. Everybody complained of sleepless night, so that we soon lost our high spirits, and you can easily imagine that the waiters in the dining room were not overworked.

“I must tell you that after leaving New York we were guarded by a line of battleships, each having a patrol of 200 miles. These ships were just over the horizon, so that we rarely saw one, although we were always within two hours’ call of one or the other.

“Perhaps you would not know that the cargo of the ‘Baltic’ was the heaviest and most valuable for years, and was certainly a prize. The weight was 22,000 tons, and the ship lay 33 feet in the water. That, of course, reduced our tossing in the gale, and we all agreed that she was a marvelously steady boat.

“The cargo consisted of motor trucks, armored motor cars, sealed cases of, supposedly, firearms, gun powder, cotton and food stuffs.

“We understand that our captain revealed orders from the British consul in New York, and also receieved orders from every battleship on the way as to the route he should take. Altogether we went 143 miles out of the usual course to avoid danger.

“On approaching the Irish Channel, we were met with an escort of 14 ships of all classes – cruisers, torpedos, torpedo-destroyers, submarines, etc.

“Every passenger heaved a sigh of thankfulness on beholding the British ships, and it was very thrilling and interesting to see the vessels of each side taking such care of us. We had all raised a cheer on seeing the great battleship outside the three mile limit at New York, but now felt choked with emotion when we saw by the escort that Britain was determined to see us safely landed.

“At Birkenhead, near Liverpool, we saw the ‘Lion’ and the ‘Tiger’, probably being repaired after the North Sea fight.

“I did not tell you of the excitement on board caused by a fire amongst the cotton. The hold had to be flooded, and it was rumored that it was not due to accident, but design. That would be settled at Liverpool.

“However, here we are all safe and sound and very thankful too.

“The weather so far has been very wet, but not very cold – we often wonder if snow is still with you yet. We saw no snow after leaving Hamilton.”¹

¹ “Voyage an Eventful One : How the Vessel Was Protected By British Warships”

Hamilton Times.    March 6, 1915.

 

1915-03-05tt

“Alderman T. B. McQuesten, of the law firm of Chisholm, Logie and McQuesten, handed a rather interesting set of documents to the press this morning, relating to the early history of the city.”

Hamilton Times.    March 5, 1915.

When Alderman Tom McQuesten happened upon some interesting papers, dating back to 1870, in the vault of his firm, he found them of great interest. So, he decided to share them with the Hamilton public by showing them to members of the local press:

“Some interesting figures were gathered from the reports. For instance, the mayor in that year received the sum of $800 per year, as contrasted with $2,5000 received by Mayor Walters today.

“The salary of a detective in those days was $500 per year, while a policeman received $400.

“One item was interesting, and it read: ‘To cash stolen, $13.22.

“The city council in those days considered $20 a large sum for the hiring of a band, for the reading in the minutes was : “To hiring of an expensive band, $20.

“The total amount raised for taxes in those days was $139,196.28.

“Another record shows 43 cabs and 16 carts being all the heavier types of vehicles in the city in those days.”¹

¹ “Old Papers Tell of Early Days”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 5, 1915.

As regards the sums raised for the city treasury for licenses, the following was shown in the 1870 documents:

“There were ten saloons paying a license of $95 each per year, while 89 taverns paid $60 per year each, and 64 shop licenses paid $50 per year. There were five billiard tables in operation in 1870, and their owners paid a license fee of $100 per year each.”¹

Finally, there was a batch of papers relating to legal maneuvering as regards ownership of property on the south side (bay side) of the Beach strip:

“Mr. McQuesten discovered in the vault of the firm a lease dated may 4, 1874, between Thomas Livingston and the city, which was an attempt on the part of the owner to secure all the land now known as the south side of the beach.

“Mr. Livingston held certain priorities on the land, but the crown lands department refused to grant the patent.

“Later, Mr. Livingston released his priorities against the land, and the crown lands department leased the land to the city, to be paid for at the rate of $1 per year.”1

1915-05-07

“Dundurn park museum, completely redecorated and generally improved throughout was declared officially opened for the season yesterday afternoon.”

Hamilton Spectator.       May 8, 1915

In the presence of a prominent gathering of local dignitaries, Dundurn castle museum was not only opened for the 1915, but it was a different place than had been seen before:

“For some weeks, decorators, cleaners, painters and mechanics of various kinds have been busily engaged in completing extensive alterations and improvements to the historic old castle.”¹

¹ “Dundurn Opened for the Season : Park Has Been Decorated and Much Improved”

Hamilton Spectator.   May 8, 1915.

At 4 p.m., May 7, 1915, the current members of the Hamilton Parks board hosted a ceremony of Dundurn castle, the guest list including past members of the Parks Board and their wives, Hamilton Mayor Chester Walters, former mayor and current M.P. , T. J. Stewart.

The proceedings began with a recognition of  a long-time supporter of the Dundurn museum:

“The feature of the afternoon was the presentation by Albert A. Lees and Albert Pain, on behalf of the parks board, of a beautifully-worded illuminated address to Mrs. Sarah G. Carry, who in 1902, donated to the museum one of the most complete collections of relics and curios in Canada, the collection being so large that it completely fills what is known as the old castle drawing room.

“Since that time, Mrs. Carry has continually added to the collection, and in numerous other ways has done much to maintain the historic interest of the museum. As a mark of appreciation for her noble efforts, the presentation was made, and to make it more fitting, it was done in the room where Mrs. Carry’s collection is on exhibit.”¹

Both before and after the presentation was made, brief addresses were given, complimenting both Mrs. Carry and the committee in charge of the redecoration project. Harry Marshall, superintendent of Dundurn park, also received recognition to the excellent manner in which he conducted the affairs of the park, and for the splendid condition it was in.

It was announced that plans for the future included the addition of a “monster conservatory, in which all kinds of tropical and native plants will be maintained.”¹

After the ceremony, the guests were given a tour of Dundurn castle, beginning in a place that had been inaccessible to visitors for many years:

“A novel and interesting part of the afternoon was a visit to the underground passageways of the castle, in which the ladies of the party took even a greater interest than did their escorts. On this weird trip, the party was in charge of Harry Marshall, park superintendent, who, with a lighted lantern carried above his head, led the party from cavern to cavern, through winding tunnels, in and out of auxiliary stone vaults at great distance from the point of entrance, finally arriving at a remote and dark dungeon, the iron door of which had to be pried open with crowbars and axes before it swung back on its rusty hinges with a creaking, weird sound.

“Into this black and unventilated underground dungeon, Superintendent Marshall led the way with his lantern, closely followed by the men and ladies. In connection with this trip, it was suggested by some of the members of the party that it would be a novel scheme to install electric lights through these underground passageways and open them to the public for inspection.”¹

After the tunnels, the group visited other areas of Dundurn park:

“”Leaving the underground passageways, the party returned to the upper rooms, and were conducted to the newly-arranged refreshment parlors adjoining the museum building. Here, also, was another surprise. In the past, the refreshment parlors were anything but inviting in their general appearance, but under the master hand of decorators, painters and cleaners, the place has been changed into a veritable little Eden.

“A large table at one end of the parlors, laden with editables of the most tempting kind, was soon occupied by the guests, and under the direction of the Dundurn refreshment department, a number of neatly gowned young ladies were kept busy for the next half hour supplying the wants of the hungry but well-pleased guests.”¹

After the pause for some treats, several of the party ventured to the adjacent part of the Dundurn zoo:

‘”Leo, the big lion, was the center of attraction, and he looks fine and fit after a winter’s solitary confinement. The big king of beasts looked at his visitors with anxious eyes, and when Archie Kappele, secretary of the works department of the city hall, attempted to court an intimate acquaintance my reaching through the steel bars and tickling him under the chin, Leo brought his monster jaws together with a such a sharp snap  that his would-be friend turned pale with fright.”¹

The Spectator reporter who was present for the ceremony, and who accompanied the party on its tour, concluded his article, by noting that many additional Hydro lights had been added to the park, which along with other improvements recently made, all tended “to make Dundurn park one of the most delightful spots in the city.”¹

 

 

1915-03-12ss

“Word has been received of the death of Pte. Alfred Pearson, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Pearson, who reside at 375 Ferguson Ave. North.”

Hamilton Times. March 13, 1915

It was a scene that would be repeated far too many times more, Hamilton parents receiving notification of the death of a son:

“Pte. Pearson was killed in action, on February 27, and is thought to be the first Hamiltonian who went with the First Contingent to have been killed in action.”¹

1     “First Killed : Alfred Pearson Met His Death on Feb. 27^th”                  Hamilton Times March 13, 1913.

Alf Pearson had not enlisted in Hamilton, although he was very well known  in the city. He was living in Cornwall when the war began and had enlisted with the 59^th Infantry, 1^st Brigade, 2^nd Battalion.

There had been a delay in informing the Pearsons of their son’s death:

“It was first announced that his next of kin resided at 474 James street north, however, since the son went to the front, the parents have moved to their present address on Ferguson Ave.

“The father stated this morning the reason that his address had been given as 474 James street north was because that address was sewn in his coat when he left.”¹

The parents told a Times reporter that they had received several letters from Alf., and in all he had said that he was in the best of condition.

On March 17, 1915, Private Alfred Pearson's parents received the following letter from the chaplain of his regiment :
" Dear Sir: I expect that long before you receive this letter you will have heard of the death in action of your splendid son, Alfred. As chaplain of this brigade, and the one who attended his burial, I want to extend to you the sincere sympathy of his brothers in arms. It was surely an ill fate that he should have been picked off in the very first battle in which Canadians were engaged. He was a fine, soldierly fellow and one whose sacrifice will help to restore peace and liberty in this Hun-cursed land. On the steamer across the ocean, he gave me your address and requested me to write should he get wounded or killed.This shows how the poor boy was thinking of those he loved far away.
"I have written for permission to send you the name of the place and a description of the place in the cemetery where his body was buried. He was killed on Sunday, February 23, and was buried the next afternoon, his chums having brought the body out. Four were buried together. He has a separate grave, which will be marked by a wooden cross with his name and corps marked thereon. He lies among fallen soldiers, a worthy and honourable end, though extremely sad for all his loved ones. It is the chance we all take here to free this land of the blight of the German.
"May God bless and keep you in your sorrow.
"Yours sincerely, MAJOR WILLIAM BEATTIE, C. F., First Brigade , Canadian Infantry, France.
"P.S. Your son did not suffer. His death was sudden."

 

1915-02-08gs

"Once again Hamilton’s annual Orphan’s Festival has been held, and once again, it has been pronounced a success in every way.”

Hamilton Times.    February 8, 1915.

Ever since 1854, there had been an Orphan’s Festival in Hamilton. Organized by the local Roman Catholic diocese, the festival was aimed at raising funds to assist in the care for orphans cared for at the institution in connection with St. Mary’s Cathedral.

For many years, the festival had been held at the Grand Opera House, but in 1915, for the first time, another location was chosen :“

“The Temple Theatre was the scene of the event yesterday afternoon and last evening, and its“ splendid seating capacity was taxed to the utmost to hold the large number that turned out.”¹

¹ “Festival of the Orphans at the Temple”

Hamilton Times.   February 8, 1915.

The festival attracted most of Hamilton’s major political leaders, including Mayor Walters, Controllers Morris, Robson and Jutten, plus former mayor, but current M.P.P. for West Hamilton, John Allan.

Everyone present was given a treat by the performers at the festival :

“The afternoon and evening programmes could scarcely have been better.

“The duets of Mr. Stenhouse and Miss Brown were especially delightful and their rendering of the Miserere scene from Verdi’s tragic opera, ‘Il Provatore’ drew forth round after round of applause from the delighted audience.

“By way of a change, the humorous work of  Mr. Leroy Kennedy convulsed the audience with laughter, especially in his rendition of ‘An Englishman’s Impression of a Baseball Game’ which, through its clean cut humor and absurdity made the the audience forget dull care and the anxieties of life.

“Scarecely has Van Goen’s ‘Romance’ been so well rendered by Miss Lois Winlow on the cello. Miss Winlow’s interpretation of this favorite may be termed beautiful, and through it she quite captivated the hearts of the audience.”¹

However, the performing ranks for the festival was not limited to adults. The orphans themselves actually filled most the programme with their talents:

“A humorous sketch was given by the orphan boys entitled ‘A Painless Operation’ and dealt with a dentist’s office and a patient with an aching molar. The boys entered into this piece with zest.

“Military drills and choruses were also given, and to watch them one would not think they had a care in the world.

“Master Joseph Coulden showed himself to be an orator when he gave the orphans’ valedictory. Without a break, the manly little chap thanked the patrons of the concert, and likened kindness to a flower whose sweetness of perfume becomes more pronounced the more it is used. The little chap went bravely through a long speech and was applauded to the echo when he finished.”¹

In his speech to the large audience, Monsignor Mahony, Vicar-General of the local Catholic church, said, “I have to thank all races and creeds for assistance in running the orphanage. We have many friends in the city of Hamilton, and it is through their generosity that the orphanage is as successful as it has been. I am going to ask Mayor Walters, whom I am pleased to welcome here, to read the statement of the orphanage.”

Mayor Walters was greeted with prolonged applause as he stood to speak. After thanking the Monsignor, the mayor read out the statement. There were 72 boys at the orphanage in 1915 full-time, and 58 girls. The orphanage had also provided brief shelter for 239 children during the year as well.

The mayor then went on to say:

“We need only to look at the happy faces on the stage to see what kind of treatment the children get. It makes me proud as Mayor of Hamilton to know that such a large number of citizens would turn out to support a home of this kind.

“We may also feel thankful that we are living under British domain and that the seas are open for commerce, owing to our splendid navy. Yet we must not forget  the children of other lands, whose natural protectors are being killed in this dreadful war, and we must not forget that many of these children have no places to go.”

M.P.P. John Allan was also asked to speak and he directed his remarks at the orphans urging them to set a goal in life. Perhaps it had been a long programme or maybe the speaker was less than riveting:

“During the speaking one little mite sitting on the edge of the stage fell asleep and awoke with a start that caused a roar of laughter.”¹

The programme ended with Joseph Couldon reading The Orphans’ Address:

“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen – the picture can give off its richness for a century and still the canvas is not stripped. Fragrance goes out from the flower, and is blown down the winds like wisps and shreds from the cloud, but the flower is not despoiled by yielding its perfume. It continues perfect in form and color, still glowing in its heart of red, though the garden is filled with its scent. And the heart of man can reveal his love, beat out of his yearning, and remain undiminished. It knows no loss. It is replenished by its giving.

“This admirable truth is nobly exemplified in the good citizens of Hamilton, whose charity towards us glows as brightly as it did sixty-one years ago., when the orphans of St. Mary’s held their first festival. Year after year ourgratitude has been voiced by youthful orators. Could we but assemble them here, what a galaxy would appear!

“Before I relinquish my role of orator of this eventful year of 1915, it is my duty to thank you, good ladies and gentlemen, in behalf of the little ones of St. Mary’s for your ever-increasing generosity, which enables the Sisters to provide so many comforts and advantages for us.

“May you, dear friends and benefactors, be amply rewarded by Him, who has said, ‘As long as you did it to one of these, my least brethren, you did it to Me.’

“Would that we could share our abundance and blessings with the children over the seas, who have been made orphans by the deadly war which dominates everything. In all hearts, the prayer is constant and fervent that it soon may end, and the tearful query rises day by day to the throne of the Most High, ‘How long, oh Lord, how long?’

“May the day be not far distant when we shall hail with joy the return of our gallant soldiers and celebrate in their honor another festival truly grand and triumphant.

“Again, dear friends, we thank you for all your kindness to the children of St. Mary’s Orphanage, and pray our Heavenly Father to bestow upon you countless blessings for many years to come.”

 

1915-01-28hh

“To the Editor of the Times:

          “Sir – A petition is being circulated among the electors for the annexation to the City of Hamilton of all that part of the Township of Barton lying east of the city limits and north of the southerly limit of concession four and the brow of the mountain.”

Hamilton Times.    January 28, 1915.

In early 1915, the City of Hamilton was in need of property for suburban development, and city politicians were under intense lobbying efforts by the local real estate businesses to expand the city boundaries into the farming areas to the east and to the south.

However, residents, whether farmers or those who had purchased smaller parcels of land and built their own homes objected. The objections to annexation were clearly articulated in the following letter, published in the Hamilton Times on January 28, 1915:

“ (A) That the taxes, assessments, water, rents, school and other rates to be levied in respect of the said territory shall for the year 1915 be the same and payable in the same manner as taxes, assessments, rents, water, school and other rates levied and raised from time to time on the property within the boundaries of the city as they existed on the 1^st day of January, 1891, and the assessments of the said territory shall for the year 1915 and thereafter be on the same basis and made at the same time and in the same manner as in the said old boundaries of the city.

“(B) That in the said portions to be added to the city, the opening, widening, extending, grading, altering the grade of, diverting, macadamizing, and improving the streets alleys; the construction of curbing or sidewalks, in, upon or along any street or alley shall be done on the local improvement plan, and the whole cost of any such work shall be paid by the property owners and specially assessed upon the lots benefitted thereby in the manner provided by the Local Improvement Act.”¹

¹ Burdens of Annexation : Pointed Out to Residents of Barton Township”

Hamilton Times.   January 28, 1915.

The letter writer pointed out that the tax rate in Barton township was about 14 mills on the dollar, while the tax rate within the city boundaries was about 21 mills on the dollar.

The writer was of the opinion that the annexation movement  was being advocated by real estate dealers who had acquired large amounts of property in Barton township. As for owner of property in Barton township, the letter writer said, “it is hard to understand why they should wish to become part of the City of Hamilton and be subject to the increased assessments and increased taxation.”¹

As there was a petition being circulated testing the popular support, or lack thereof, for annexation, the letter writer urged all property owners to consider carefully the impact that annexation would have.

The next day, the Times carried an article on the Barton township annexation matter noting that “a number of real estate men have launched a movement to get the City of Hamilton to annex the mountain brow from the present line back half a mile to Fennel avenue, or between Concessions 4 and 5, from the Asylum to Albion ravine. Also a strenuous effort is being made to have the eastern section under te mountain taken into the city.”²

² “Annex the Mountain and Wipe Out Barton”

Hamilton Times.           January 29, 1915

The article repeated the matter re city tax and assessment rates being placed on what would be former township properties, while the local improvement act would have a devastating effect on agricultural properties:

“Farm after farm will be taken in and the owners will be called upon to pay for streets, pavements, water, sewers.”²

The Times after noting the bones of contention predicted that “Barton township will fight the proposition to the finish”²

 

1915-02-15tt

To put it as gently as possible, it might be said that Thomas Morris, vice-chairman of Hamilton’s Board of Control, was less than popular with his fellow controllers.

There were many reasons for the unpopularity of Thomas Morris not least of which was his determined advocacy of temperance, a stance anathema to his alcohol-loving members of the political community at Hamilton City Hall.

On February 15, 1915, Morris’ fellow controllers paid him back for a recent occasion when Morris had missed a board of control meeting:

“When Controller Morris started off on his recent brief vacation in Toronto – where he grappled desperately with the demon rum – he forgot that important civic business was underway here.

“For a vice-chairman it was a great oversight, and in his absence the board of control slipped several things over on him.”¹

¹ “Played Little Joke on Morris”

Hamilton Times.  February 15, 1915.

A Times reporter, fully aware of how Morris was viewed by his peers, noted that “many persons are unable to see how it would seriously hamper the advance of the Russian troops if the controller were away all the time.”

However, Morris did have a return ticket so he made his way back to Hamilton, “leaving the temperance cause flat on its back, (he) returned to work this morning like a giant refreshed.”¹

Cheerily entering Hamilton City Hall, Morris entered the Board of Control room, rather proud that he was the first to arrive.

One thing had changed in the room which pleased him greatly:

“During his absence, a telephone had been installed in the room, and while waiting for his colleagues to show up, the controller got busy on that. This is his own idea – the telephone – and its number will not be found in the book now or later. The idea is to have it ring out but not in.”¹

After making a few calls, Controller Morris sat at the meeting table patiently waiting for the other controllers to arrive:

“Time seemed to pass kind of slowly. The controller took a whirl at some formidable-looking documents, and then, with hands crossed behind him, he gazed in solemn contemplation out of the window. In that attitude, he looked just like Napoleon at St. Helena – just like him.

“After that the controller had another whirl at the formidable-looking documents, but time was commencing to drag.”¹

After more than twenty minutes, Controller Morris came to the conclusion that he had been”sold.” Indeed he had, the meeting, in his absence, had been cancelled.

1915-02-01st

Even when there were reasonable good times in Hamilton, there were unemployed men anxious for the annual ice harvest to get underway.. In 1915, the long-term hard economic times meant that there were even more men looking for work hauling ice from the bay to be packed locally for use in household ice boxes or to be placed on railroad cars for shipment throughout Ontario and American destinations.

On February 1, 1915, it was reported that while the annual ice harvest had yet to be begin, License Inspector Sturdy was confident that there still would be a large harvest:

“He pointed out that he could remember when no work at all was started until the last day of February, and that on the 21^st of March, they were cutting ice 25 inches thick.”¹

¹ “Ice Crop : Inspector Sturdy, an Expert, is Not Alarmed”

Hamilton Times.   February 1, 1915.

The problem in early 1915 were prolonged mild winter temperatures, plus some snow on the surface of the bay:

“At present he said the men would be unable to go out, that small patches of snow might be shoveled away, but that those who cut larger fields would have to wait.”¹

Despite the inspector’s optimism, it was reported in the Times four days later that others were getting worried:

“Local ice dealers are beginning to fear that ice will be somewhat scarce next summer.

“For the past two weeks, the ice companies have been waiting for suitable weather to start operations but the storm of three days put all their calculations out. The only thing for them to do now is to wait for a thaw to melt the snow off, and leave the ice clear.”²

 “Too Much Snow: Ice Dealers Cannot Begin to Cut Yet”

Hamilton Times.   February 5, 1915.

The two major ice dealers in Hamilton, the Cummer Ice and Coal Company and Inksetter & Myers, felt that it would be too costly to clean the snow off the top of the ice that had already formed.

A thaw would be welcome and would pose not problems as both companies were equipped with planers to remove the slush.

The men in need of employment with the ice dealers would have to be patient and wait.

 

1915-02-01ss

“The possibilities of any German in Hamilton getting arrested seems to be very remote”

Hamilton Spectator.     February 1, 1915

Arrests might have seemed remote in early 1915 but that did not mean that Hamiltonians of German heritage were not free from suspicion.

As intense warfare was being watched in Western Europe and other parts of the world, it was generally felt that German spies were at work in Canada and the United States.

In February, 1915, Hamilton had a police inspector whose task was to keep an eye on German-speaking citizens, and it was reported in the press that he had one specific target of his surveillance:

“”This object of suspicion came to this city towards the end of last year and at present is head of an importing business.”¹

¹  “Is He a Spy? : Police Watching Head of an Importing Business”

Hamilton Spectator.   February 1, 1915.

This suspect had been reported to the police, due he injudicious remarks  he had been making about England and the British Empire:

“Since the outbreak of the war there has been little or no trouble of this kind, in Hamilton, but the police say that a word to the wise is sufficient, and the indiscreet gentleman will be cautioned to modify his language when referring to the Greatest Empire in the world – and the one that gives him a living.”¹

 

1915-01-29ss

“Splendid progress is being made in the arrangements for the big concert to be staged in the Temple theater on February 10, in aid of the East End Police Relief Fund”

Hamilton Spectator.    January 26, 1915.

The policemen working out of the Sherman Avenue station in east end Hamilton were fully aware of the many cases of distress in the area which were covered on their beats.

Before Christmas, 1914, those constables, with the support of the community, had raised enough food to provide a decent Christmas meal for hundreds of families in the area. Toys for the children were included in the hampers delivered to the homes that had been identified as in need of assistance.

However, the poverty and desperate conditions did not magically go away with the coming of 1915, so a major fund-raising event, a concert, was planned :

“The police and the ladies  who have been assisting them have done magnificent work during the past two months, but additional funds are greatly need.

“The concert comes as a suggestion from several of the officers of St. Cecilia chapter, I.O.D.E., and will be staged under their auspices.”¹

¹“For Relief Fund : Many Organizations Will Help Make Concert a Success”

Hamilton Spectator.    January 26, 1915.

Widespread endorsement of the concert proposal was immediate:

“The services of various artists are being offered voluntarily, while the Temple theater has also been secured gratis.

“The members of the Tiger Football club, the Hamilton Rowing club and other well-known organizations have already subscribed for boxes, while the sale of tickets has been most encouraging.

“The tickets are being disposed of by the members of the east end division and by the ladies who have been assisting them in their work, and present indications are that a packed house will be the result.”¹

Six days before the big concert, one of the more popular performers, Mrs. Roselle Knott, had to withdraw unfortunately because of a commitment outside of the city which are just arisen. Her place was taken by Mrs. A. Elmore Richards, Hamilton’s popular, clever, dramatic reader

Other than that change, things were proceeding as planned:

“The program has been completed and will be one of the most elaborate as well as most pleasing musical offerings of the season.”²

² Hamilton Spectator.   February 4, 1915.

At first tickets could only be purchased from the policemen of the east end division:

“Splendid success is reported in the sale of tickets. The proceeds of the concert are to be devoted to work being carried on by the east end police relief committee, and the members of the east end police division have charge of the distribution of tickets.

“One thousand seats at fifty cents have been placed on sale, and the best part of these already sold. It is also the intention to offer four hundred twenty-five cent seats to the public. These will go on sale at the Temple theater box office on Monday morning at 10 o’clock, when the box office will also be opened in order that reserve seat ticket holders may reserve their seats.”²

The day after the concert, it was reported in the Hamilton Times that it was “one of the most successful of the season, The theater was filled to capacity long before the time to start, and many of Hamilton’s music lovers were present to hear the exceptionally fine programme.”³

³ “Music and Drama”

Hamilton Times. February 11, 1915.

The program was as follows:

“Overture – “Mansinello”….Auber

          XIII Royal Rgt. Band.

“Duet – “After the Fray” ….Bonheur

          Messrs. Mills and Peacock

“Song – (a) “Roses of Forgiveness”  .. Guy D’Hardelot

          Mrs. R. W. Brennen

“Reading – “Angelina Johnson” … arranged by L. Dunbar

          Mrs. Elmore-Richards.

“Chorus – “Fly, Singing Bird”

          Elgar Duet Club. Violin Obligato Misses Pennington and Findlay

“Band – (a) “Home Guard March” … Aldous

(Dedicated to Hamilton Home Guard)

     (b) “Inspection March”  …. Robinson.

(Dedicated to XIII Royal Regiment.

XIII Royal Regiment Band

          “Song – “My Dreams … Tosti

                   Mr. Royden Mills.

          “Reading – “Minuet”

                   Mrs. Elmore-Richards.

          “Song – “Recruiting Song”  ………….. Bevan

                   Mr. Walter Peacock.

          Chorus – “Spinning Song” “Flying Dutchman” …. Wagner

                   Duet Club.

          “Band – “Excerpts from Verdi’s Opera

                   XIII Royal Regiment Band.”³

         

          Six days after the concert, the Hamilton Spectator carried an article describing how the funds being raised for the East End Police Relief Committee were being used:

“Using the Sherman avenue station as a distributing point, the police and their capable assistants, have been able to look after a great many families.

“An instance of the work being done is given in the assistance rendered a family named Loverock, who were burned out of their home on Sunday morning.

“When the police arrived on the scene of the fire, they found Mrs. Loverock and her ten months’ old baby in a deplorable condition, practically without clothing of any kind. They were hustled to the police station, where one of the members of the ladies’ auxiliary of the Police Relief committee was able to clothe both the mother and baby while food and drink were secured. The police looked after the family until a house was secured and the necessary arrangements made for their keep until such time as they are able to straighten out their affairs.”⁴

⁴ “Work of Mercy “ Police Are Still Doing Much for Poor of the East End”

Hamilton Spectator.    February 16, 1915.

The article concluded with the police advising that conditions were as dire in the east end as they ever had been and urged citizens to continue to donate clothing and foodstuffs . A phone message to the Sherman avenue station would quickly result in arrangments being made to a pick up of donatiions,