1915-06-09uu

It was an on street incident, June 8, 1915,  that was called an accident but, actually, was caused by someone’s behavior :

“A serious accident happened yesterday morning , just a few minutes to twelve o’clock, when a horse belonging to A. G. Lord bolted, at the corner of King and Locke streets, and, in an endeavor to stop the animal, the owner was badly hurt.

“Mr. Lord, who conducts a dairy business, and whose address is Chedoke P.O., was delivering milk as usual when a boy threw a stone, which struck the horse, causing it to bolt up the street. It was finally stopped, but not before the wagon had been badly smashed.

“The horse escaped unhurt, but it is feared that thedriver has sustained a broken rib.”¹

¹ “Driver Hurt : Horse Struck by Stone Ran Away and Caused Damage”

Hamilton Spectator. June 9, 1915.

 

 

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Hamiltonians, anxious to learn about the Battle of Ypres and the condition of friends and family who participated in that battle, were starting to get the details via letters.

Many of those letters were printed in the pages of the local newspapers.

On June 18, 1915, the Hamilton Spectator published the following letters:

“J. Bell, of Walter Woods and company, has received the following letter from a friend, Bob Tugnett, who has been wounded.

It reads : ‘Just a few lines to let you know that I am back in old England once again and expect to be for another two months at least.

“ ‘As, no doubt, you are aware, I got hit in that little flare-up at Ypres on April 22. I will not worry you with details, as it is possible you have read all about it in the local papers. Another thing, it is pretty hardtop say what was going on except that bullets and shells were flying all over the place, just like a heavy hail storm, with a few hundred bolts thrown in. I can only say it is a real wonder that any of us are alive today, as we had practically no artillery to support us, and then the French were running away by the dozen. I believe that one of the Canadian officers tried to rally them in order to get them to form a second line, but you might as well have tried to stop a swarm of hers as stay them. Still, I am alive, that is the main thing.

“ ‘I wrote to you a few days before I was hit, and since I have written to France to ask them to forward any letters for me over there. But I have had none as yet. In fact, I have had no news from anyone connected with Hamilton at all lately. I have written several times, but got no reply.

“ ‘Speaking for myself, I am pleased to say that I am as well as ever, but the wound in my arm is pretty troublesome. I was hit in the left forearm, between the wrist and the elbow, the bullet going right through without hitting any bones, but badly poisoning it. So much that, after five weeks’ treatment, it is very little better. I have had one operation and should have another before it is finished. I have no use in the fingers of my left hand at all, but hope to get that back later on. But, I am in no hurry, the longer the better for me.

“ ‘I have had an invitation to visit the Masonic lodge when I get better, and am looking forward to going there.

“Mrs. H. Greathead, 237 West avenue north, has received the following letter from her cousin, dated May 24:

“ ‘Just a few lines to let you know I am back in the trenches again. We have been in for several days now, and things are lively here. Yesterday the Germans shelled our trenches nearly all day, and that put a few of our boys out of action.  The beggars can sure shoot straight. It’s rather hard on a man’s nerves sitting in a trench all day and night, and not knowing when he may be blown to atoms. This is the first time in the trenches for about half of our men, and it is rather rough on some of them, getting shelled so hard the first day. However, most of them laugh and have their little joke the same as the rest of us. But, gee ! this is a miserable place. There are dead bodies lying in heaps all over the place.  The smell is horrid sometimes, but we are getting most of them buried. We found the Germans that we drove out of this place about six days ago lying in heaps, literally torn to pieces, some of them had their arms and legs blown off. It certainly was a horrible sight to see and one that I won’t forget as long as I live.

“ ‘Here comes a treat. One officer has just come down the trench with some Players cigarets. We don’t see very many of them out here. All my mail that came when I was wounded was sent to the hospital, but I came away before most of it got there. So now I have to wait till it comes back to the battalion again. Mail is the one thing we look forward to getting most out here.

“ ‘I suppose you have heard about the battle of Ypres by this time. I am sure our battalion lost more than any other in the contingent, and believe me, the old 31th boys were right in the thick of it, and so were the 91^st lads. There are in the 18^th battalion. Two of them were in the same ward with me in the hospital.

“ ‘Tell them to hurry those shells along in Hamilton, as we need them all. I suppose you will be going down to some cool place today, as it is the 24^th of May, but I’ve got to stick in this old trench with the sun beating down on me like a coal stove, and the shrapnel flying about my ears like a hail storm. But I should worry. Such is life in war time.

“ ‘We have just received the news that Italy has declared war. So that is another bee in the kaiser’s bonnet. When those blamed shells come over our way, we have to drop flat on the bottom of the trench. If we don’t, we are liable to get a free ticket to the happy hunting grounds. So you can bet when I hear them coming, I drop to the ground like greased lightning. When the weather is calm, we can hear them coming two or three seconds before they reach us. So I keep my ears open and when I hear one coming, I just make a noise like “a duck and dive.’

“In a letter to friends in the city with whom he made his home prior to his enlistment, Pte. E. Vincent, who went to the front with the 13^th regiment quota, recounts some of his experiences in the recent fighting in France.

“ His letter was as follows: ‘Dear Friends : Just a few lines to let you know I am safe, but none too well at present, as I am suffering from shock occasioned by the bursting of some of Bill’s coat boxes too closely by, but I am in hope that I may feel better again in a few days. You will no doubt have seen it reported that I was wounded, although I was sent a few feet by a shell. That was on April 22, and I went to the hospital and got back with the boys on May 9. Out of the Hamilton boys, I found about thirty, the rest of them having been either killed or wounded. So now we have a lot of the 23^rd battalion with us. On May 22, we went into the trenches again for a few days. We were not there long before we had five killed and wounded. On the third night, at La Basace, we had to go from the reserve trench to the firing trench. All went well until we got half way, when the Huns commenced their game by shelling us, but we managed to get there without injury to anyone. I never expected to get out of it alive, for it just rained shrapnel for about fifteen minutes. On the fourth night, I got the shock, and, believe me, was glad to get away, for there was nothing but dead Huns all over the place and no chance to bury them on account of shell fire. Talk about the odor around the chemical works! Everything around the lines is a mass of ruins. The fields in front of us are a succession of holes caused by the shell fire. Some of the holes are nearly as big as your back garden.

“ ‘I am having a rest in number 8 general hospital, Versailles, and, believe me, it is a nice place. Now I must close and send the best of wishes, I am your friend,

                             E. VINCENT”¹

¹ “Greater the Danger, Higher the Spirits : Hamilton Men Tell of Life at the Front”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 18, 1915 

1915-06-29ka

When the Great War began in August, 1914, it was widely assumed that Italy would side with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian empire, but it did not.

Until the end of April, 1915, Italy took no part in the war. After some secret negotiations regarding the what Italy would receive if it joined with England, France and Russia, the decision was made that Italy would enter the war on their behalf.

In the city of Hamilton there was a very large population of citizens with Italian heritage. Many, if not most of that portion of the city’s population was made up of men, especially young men, who had only come to the city seeking employment. A large percentage of those young men had experience with the Italian armed forces, notably the militia. Those men in particular were liable to be called home by the Italian government to take up arms.

Many Italians in Hamilton rejoiced that their home country was in the war, and the desire to return to enter the army was widespread.

That there were Italians in Hamilton who felt very differently was shown in a case brought before the city’s police magistrate on June 29, 1915:

“Oramando Demora, who has been boarded at 194 Lottridge  street for the past week, but whose former home was in Detroit and other United States cities, is now under arrest on a nominal charge of vagrancy. He appeared in police court this morning and was remanded for one week.”¹

¹ “To Investigate Italian’s Conduct”

Hamilton Herald.   June 29, 1915.

Demora and three of his companions had been observed acting suspiciously:

“ (They) have been helping him (Demora) to distribute anti-war literature and assisting him in a house to house campaign among the Italians of this city in an effort to dissuade them from taking an active part in the war.

“Complaints reached the police last Sunday to the effect that four men went from house to house on North Sherman avenue, and, after talking against war to the Italians, left pamphlets.

“The pamphlets have been translated for the police and contain arguments why local Italians should not go to war and should do all in their power to ‘fight the government,’  adding that no part should be taken by Italians in ‘killing their fellow-beings, the Germans and the Austrians.’ It also, say the police, contains a message urging the masses to rise up against the ‘rich and wealthy’ of all countries.”¹

Upon learning the content of the pamphlets being distributed, the Hamilton Police quickly arrested Demora, and started combing the city’s northeast “foreign colony” searching for his three companions.

Besides the traitorous propaganda being promulgated against a country which had just become an ally in the war effort, the aspect of socialism and revolutionary threats to the established order were enough to have Demora detained and his case referred to the Dominion police.

 

1915-06-28ii

The word slacker was in frequent use during the early summer of 1915 in Hamilton.

Usually it referred to men of military age who had managed to avoid volunteering to join the army and wage war in Western Europe.

However, the Hamilton Herald reported, on June 28, 1915, that there was another segment of the community being targeted with the word slacker:

“That the young men who refused to enlist for service, of the workmen who refuse to do their bit in the shops, are not the only, nor the worst shirkers, was a statement made to a Herald man by a prominent Hamilton manufacturer and member of the Canadian Manufacturers’ association today.

“He contends that a number of manufacturers in Hamilton and in other parts of Canada are worse than these men, because these manufacturers are refusing to do their bit through greed of gain.”¹

¹ “Says Manufacturers Are Among Slackers”

Hamilton Herald. June 28, 1915

The manufacturer, although not identified, was quoted at length about his view that some manufacturers were slackers:

“ ‘I know there are manufacturers in Hamilton, and throughout Canada, who will not undertake to manufacture shells or shell parts because they cannot get a fat profit out of the work,’ he stated. ‘The manufacturers who have looked into the matter are satisfied they can get their overhead charges out of the work, and that while they might not make even a fair profit, they can get through with a whole skin, and perhaps make a little. But even if they cannot make a profit, what right have they, at a time like this, to stand back and look for profits when they know that in doing this work, they are aiding the empire in a great crisis? The situation is shameful and alarming, and should be remedied.’

‘ ‘It is a patriotic duty to do this work, but if they cannot see it this way, there is another viewpoint that they should have. If Britain fails to crush Germany, it will be because she cannot get enough shells. In that event, what will become of Canadian and all other British manufacturers? We need not go far for the answer. They will be in a bad way. So there is a selfish reason behind it that might appeal to some of them – the protection of their own interests.If they cannot see this as a duty, they should at least be wise enough to see it as a protection for themselves, and undertake the work. Many of them can easily install machinery who are rejecting offers of orders to make shells or shell parts by the statement that they are not equipped to do the work. It is time something was done to stir these chaps up,’ he concluded.”¹

¹ “Says Manufacturers Are Slackers”

Hamilton Herald     June 28, 1915  

 

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All three Hamilton daily newspapers were more than willing to publish letters sent from soldiers to friends and family back home.

When the recipient who approached the Hamilton Herald with his letter, there was little doubt that it would appear in the paper. The recipient was Hamilton’s Mayor Chester Walters, a friend of the soldier. As an added bonus, the soldier made reference to the Herald as well:

“Dear Friend :

  Just a short letter to let you know that I am still alive and kicking. I received your card, for which many thanks. I trust you and your wife and family are keeping well.

 Thanks to the Hamilton Herald , which I get in bunches of sixes and twelves, I am able to follow your career as mayor of the city of Hamilton. I don’t want to try to flatter you when I tell you that I think Hamilton has the best mayor she ever had. I can read between the lines and see you have a certain amount of bitter enemies to contend with, but don’t take any notice of them. Keep right on and finish the good work you have so well begun. You have the backing of all the honest men in Hamilton, and you know the old saying that when rogues fall out, honest men get their due.

 I was sorry we left Ottawa when you tried to find me there. We are in Dilgate camp at Thorncliffe, under canvas, about four miles from Folkestone. Sometimes it is kind of cold here yet, as we get a lot of sea breezes. We are hard at work here every day and sometimes at night. We are getting a good hard training that will be useful to us and others when our time comes to go to the front.

 I only trust that we will do as well as the other boys who are already there. We feel proud of them today and it won’t be our fault if we don’t make good, as our boys are taking to our work like veterans.

 I see that the people are getting wise to the school trustees and I expect you will have to straighten things out there too, before the people will be satisfied. I expect you are a pretty busy man at present. Give my respects to my old friend Allan Studholme.

 This is a pretty large camp, as all Canadian troops are massed round about here, and every man you meet is wearing the king’s uniform. Flying machines and airships are pretty common around here. This is a terrible old war, for sure. I have just received word that my brother-in-law, who belongs to an English regiment, is reported as missing. There is hardly a home In England that is not in mourning for someone who has gone under, but the time will come when we will get our own back.

 Goodbye and good luck to you, as it wants five minutes to lights out. Trusting you will some day sit in the Dominion house.

                   I remain,

                             WILLIAM HERRON,

          Sapper, No. 1 Section, Fourth Field company, Canadian Engineers”¹

¹ “Gets All the News From Hamilton in the Herald”

Hamilton Herald.  January 29, 1916.

(William Herron was a well-known resident of East Hamilton, and a man very interested in municipal politics and civic affairs. He was a member of the Ward 8 Improvement society, and had worked to support Chester Walters in his campaign to be elected mayor of Hamilton.)

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There were all sorts of ways that the citizens of Hamilton could do something to support the soldiers at the front in June, 1915. Monetary donations were always welcomed, as were gifts of knitted socks and other items of clothing.

The local manager of the Bank of Montreal, joining other Bank of Montreal branches across Canada, established an additional opportunity for Hamiltonians to contribute to the soldiers, the Overseas Tobacco Fund :

“The motto is Smokes for the Soldiers. If there is one little luxury that the majority of men at the front really enjoy, it is a smoke. Nearly every letter that comes from the firing line tells of the satisfaction that has been received out of a package of cigarettes, a couple of cigars or a jimmy pipe filled with a favorite brand.”¹

¹ “Smokes for Soldiers : Local People Get Chance to Give to the Tobacco Fund”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 8, 1915.

In support of the Overseas Tobacco Fund, a Spectator reporter composed the following promotion:

“If you smoke, or even if you don’t, remember the fellow over there, after a hard day’s work, can be made happy by your subscription to the tobacco fund. Thousands of dollars have been raised all over Canada for this purpose. It is up to Hamilton to do its share.

“Leave your subscription at the Bank of Montreal office.”¹

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From the June 24, 1915 edition of the Hamilton Herald, three short items.

“The local manufacturers of shells were unanimous in their statement this morning that there was no delay in the delivery of shells from this city. They were interviewed, following the statement of Lord Curzon to the effect that there had been a delay in shipment of shells from Canada. The local men stated that, instead of any delay, the Hamilton concerns were ahead of what they had promised. The shell parts made here are placed on cars and consigned to a firm that reshipped them overseas. This was the last heard of the shells here, and any delay occurred further along the line.”¹

¹“No Delay Here : Local Shell Makers Are Ahead of Their Schedule.”

Hamilton Herald.                    June 24, 1915

 

“On Monday some residents on Oak avenue between Barton and Birge streets claim that they notified the board of health office that a dead dog was lying on the street. They expected that the carcass would be removed shortly after, but it is still on the street. The attention of Magistrate Jelfs was drawn to the matter by a resident, and he stated that it was not the province of the police to remove the bodies of dead animals.

“A gentleman who complained to the Herald about the matter today said : ‘I thought that, with the efforts that are being made this week by the Babies’ Welfare committee in the interest of the kiddies, some action would have been taken to remove this disgusting spectacle and menace to the health of a large number of children in that neighborhood. I saw a number of children playing about the body, and some of them poking at it with their fingers. Here is a rteal danger, and it is allowed to remain on the street from Monday till Thursday.’

“Officials of the board of health stated that they had not received notice of this even up to noon today.”²

² “A Dead Dog : It Has Been Lying on Oak Avenue Since Monday”

Hamilton Herald.    June 24, 1915.

 

“A sturdy slap in the face was the medicine administered to a would-be masher when he accosted a young lady on South Caroline street at a late hour last evening. The young lady was returning to her home when the man accosted her, and, after proposing a walk, endeavored to catch hold of her arm. The lady turned on him and delivered a good sound smack on his face. The disappointed man ran away holding his face with one hand in a manner which spoke eloquently of the fact that it hurt. The matter has been reported to the police, and a description of the man has been circulated among the plainclothes men of the force.”³

³ “Slapped His Face : Young Lady Put Would-Be Masher in Flight”

Hamilton Herald.   June 24, 1915

 

 

1915-06-09al

The streets in the downtown core of 1915 Hamilton were congested at most hours of the day or night. A mix of automobiles, electric street cars and horse-drawn vehicles led to collisions of some sort on a frequent basis.

A collision which occurred on Monday evening, June 8, 1915 at the corner of James street North and Robert street was a serious one, complicated by the subsequent actions of the auto driver

Byron Taelle was a jitney chauffeur  who ran down Samuel Smith, breaking his leg. As bad as that was, Taelle made the matter worse by neglecting to stop at the scene of the accident, choosing to flee.

Taelle was identified by witnesses and was soon located by the police.

On Monday morning, the jitney driver made an appearance at Hamilton Police Court:

“The indictment against him was that he, by willful negligence, occasioned serious bodily harm to Smith. On the other charge of neglecting to stop the auto and furnish the injured man with his name and address, Tealle was fined $50, with an option of thirty days in jail.

There was no lack of witnesses to the accident, but the one summoned to testify was an Hamilton Street Railway man:

“A street car motorman said that his car was stalled at the corner of Robert and James streets to take on passengers and that Taelle, in his auto, passed the car at high speed. When the street car reached Barton street, the auto was standing there, and one of the jitney passengers boarded the street car.”¹

¹ “Auto Driver Was Heavily Fined : Bryon Tealle Failed to Stop After Hitting Man “

Hamilton Spectator.  June 9, 1915.

The passenger who vacated the jitney and got on the street car was identified and the motorman told the court what said after the accident :

“ That man, named Argent, told the conductor that he’d never ride in another jitney as long as he lived.

“ ‘We just knocked a man down at Robert street, breaking his leg, and the driver kept on going, leaving the man lying there like a dog.’ ”¹

Tealle, evidently was not fully aware of the trouble he was in as he elected to be tried by the police magistrate without benefit of a lawyer to help him. When it was time for Tealle to give evidence on his own behalf, the police magistrate advised him not to do so, as he (the magistrate) was about to send the case to a higher court. The magistrate had convicted and fined Tealle on charges that the jitney driver faced at the moment. However, there were more serious charges pending.

Police Detectives Cameron and Goodman told the magistrate that after they had arrested Tealle, he admitted that he did not have a chauffeur’s license, but was just driving the jitney to help the owner out:

“ ‘He can be prosecuted for driving without a license and also for passing a stationary street car. It’s up to the city to launch the charges.’ ”¹

The magistrate allowed Tealle to leave, without having him post bail, but he was told that in the not-too-distant future he would have to appear at the Wentworth County Court House to face more charges, charges which might well lead to some time in jail.

 

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“The forty-eighth anniversary of the confederation of the provinces into a dominion known as Canada was celebrated by the people of Hamilton in a quiet manner yesterday.”

Hamilton Spectator.    July 2, 1915.

Photo courtesy PREVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.

Thursday July 1, 1915 began as a good weather day in Hamilton, but things changed as the morning progressed :

“The day broke bright and fair, although the weather man promised showers for the morning, they failed to put in an appearance on scheduled time, but came later in the day, much to the annoyance of hundreds of ladies who had gone from home in anticipation of spending a pleasant day.”¹

¹ “How Hamilton Spent Holiday”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 2, 1915.

As it was a day off from work, many Hamiltonians became excursionists, taking a train to Niagara Falls and Buffalo. On the other hand, many trains brought thousands of visitors from distance places to Hamilton for the day.

The principal attraction in Hamilton for the day was the Hamilton Jockey Club, where a series of horse races were scheduled. The attendance at the track that day was a record one:

“The Grand Trunk railway company ran three special trains from Toronto to the track, and in addition to those who came by regular train, the number who came by these was estimated at between two and three thousand. Two special trains were also run from Buffalo and brought nearly another thousand from the Bison city.”¹

For those wishing to leave Hamilton for the day, one of the city’s major fraternal organizations did the organizing:

“The annual excursion of the local lodges of the Ancient Order of Foresters to Niagara Falls and Buffalo was held, and in the early morning special trains over the T.H.&B. carried about twelve hundred excursionists all of whom had a very pleasant time.”¹

For those Hamiltonians choosing to remain in the city, many of them chose to go, by electric railway or boat, to some location with access to the Hamilton bay or Lake Ontario:

“Traffic of the day was undoubtedly the heaviest of the year for the radial lines and thousands of passengers were carried to the Beach and other points along the waterfront, but these too got a touch of the storm of the afternoon.”¹

The big steamships were also in heavy use on July 1, 1915:

“The steamboat lines running between here and Toronto did a big day’s business, and it was estimated that the boats from Toronto carried about four thousand passengers to Hamilton and about three thousand from here to Toronto.

“About six hundred of those coming in got off at the beach and spent the day there, while a goodly number of those who came on to the city spent the day at the racetrack.”¹

Many Hamiltonians chose to spend the day close to home, but outdoors nonetheless:

“While no special preparation had been made for a general celebration of the day, there was no lack of amusement, for those who were able to leave home made their own program, and in most cases these were carried out as planned.

“The parks were filled and picnics were held, and for those who enjoyed out-of-door sport, the morning and afternoon were given over to the enjoyment of the ball games, which drew very large crowds.

“The theaters also had a large patronage during the afternoon and evening, and the boxing match at Britannia park in the evening also drew a large number of admirers of this sport.”¹

A new attraction for Hamiltonians in 1915 was a beautiful piece of bay side property purchased by the Hamilton Parks Board. Although the property was not actually within the Hamilton City bounds, but in the Wentworth County township of East Flamboro, it was anticipated that eventually Hamilton would expand completely around the bay.

The new park, later known as La Salle Park had a different name when it first opened for public use in 1915:

“Hundreds of citizens visited Wabassa park for the first time yesterday. From early in the morning till about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the big thunder storm came up and sent pleasure-seekers scampering in all directions, the ferry boats plying between the city and the park were kept busy carrying great crowds of men, women and children who sought the cool of this delightful spot.

“When the storm broke shortly after 3 p.m., the ferry dock on the city side was packed with hundreds of people still waiting to get across the bay. In an effort to meet the emergency, the street railway hurriedly dispatched a number of cars to the foot of John street and managed to thus accommodate many of the people, but there were scores who, unable to get a car, were left at the mercy of the storm, and these were all drenched before they could find cover.

“At the park, which was crowded with people protection from the storm was sought by many in the park buildings, but they were many who missed this opportunity, and bedraggled skirts and ruined millinery were much in evidence.

“It is estimated that over 5.,000 people visited Wabassa yesterday, and the majority of these remained at the park until after the storm had passed, after which they returned as rapidly as the two ferry boats could transport them back to the city.”¹

Photo courtesy PREVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.

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“Fifteen hundred men, at least, will find employment at the International Harvester company’s plant, this city, within the course of two or three weeks.”

Hamilton Herald.  July 7, 1915.

In the months just before the outbreak of the Great War, the City of Hamilton, along with most of the rest of the world, was in the throes of a deep commercial depression. Most of the large factories in the city, if not closed down completely, had drastically reduced their work force.

Eleven months later, the local economic situation was quite. At a time, in July, 1915, when recruitment was experiencing a downturn, even as the need for more and more soldiers was all too pressing. Recruitment enthusiasm had certainly been impacted by the huge casualty numbers resulting from the war, and another major factor is that work was becoming plentiful once more, reducing the number of men volunteered just to have any kind of job at all.

A public announcement of the firm’s intentions was made by the management of the International Harvester company in the morning of July 7, 1915:

“On July 13, the great malleable casting department will resume operations, and it will only be a few days later before the entire concern is in full swing.

“AS many as two thousand men are often employed here, but for a short time, the concern will run with a pay-roll of about fifteen hundred emplyees.”¹

¹ “Fifteen Hundred Men Will Get Jobs: International Harvester Company Will Reopen Its Big Plant to Fill Orders for Western Canada.”

Hamilton Herald.   July 7, 1915

The International Harvester company’s expansion had nothing directly to do with orders for war materials but was more a reflection of increased orders from farmers for agricultural equipment. The reopening of the closed plant was seen as a very hopeful sign for other Hamilton factories:

“F. H. Whitten, of the Steel company of Canada, stated to the Herald this morning that any activity on the part of the implement manufacturing concerns would naturally be of great benefit to his company.  The steel company supplies much of the raw material required by the implement manufacturers.

“ ‘Will this mean that you will have to take on more men?’ he was asked.

“ ‘Not necessarily; but it will mean that the men we are employing will have steadier work,’ he replied.”¹

The other major agricultural implement manufactory in Hamilton at the time, the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, was on limited operations with a drastically reduced work force of about 250 men:

“It will be on full swing within a month, say the officials. It is expected that several hundreds of men will have to be taken on the pay-roll when the fall rush starts about August 1.”¹

 

 

 

1915-07-05ss

“A storm, remarkable for its vivid lightning and crashing thunder, came up in the southwest last night and broke with violence about 11 p.m.”

          Hamilton Herald.   July 5, 1915.

          Thunder storms were not unusual in the Hamilton of 1915, particularly during the summer months. The storm which hit the city on July 4, 1915 was unusual, however, in its intensity:

          “Apart from some minor trouble and interruptions in the service of the Bell Telephone company, the Hydro-Electric and the Dominion Power and Transmission company, the only local damage of note was the shattering of the flagpole on the court house.”

          Hamilton Herald.    July 5, 1915.

          The Wentworth County Court House, facing on Main street, between Hughson and John streets, was indeed a large building but there were other buildings in the immediate vicinity, in the summer of 1915, which were larger, at least in terms of height Those buildings would have seemed to have been more likely targets for a lightning strike.

          However, the flagpole was indeed struck at 11 p.m., a time when the court house was unoccupied, except for the couple who actually lived in the immense building:

          “ (The Court House) was struck by a bolt and three persons had a narrow escape. George and Mrs. Andrews, who occupy apartments in the basement of the court house, were sitting in their living room when the flagpole was struck.

          “A conductor pipe which runs directly from the roof of the building to the living room conveyed the lightning to where they were. Other iron pipes, including a radiator, served to intensify the danger, and both Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were terrified when they saw the lightning dart through the room and burst into flames underneath a sewing machine. A minute before, Mrs. Andrews had been stooping directly over this machine, but, fortunately, neither she nor her husband was injured.”¹

                The other individual almost seriously injured by the lightning strike was a Hamilton policeman :

          “The third person to narrowly escape injury was Constable James Reynolds, who was patrolling his beat on John street, opposite the court house. He saw the pole struck, and stated today that the shock was so fierce it almost threw him off his feet. As it was, he was dazed for a few seconds.”¹

                Officials with the Bell Telephone noted that service had been interrupted for a time by the storm, but that interruption was the result of their decision as a precaution. While officials with the Hydro-Electric department claimed that there was no damage to their equipment whatsoever, officials with the Dominion Power and Transmission company said that a number of fuses at private residences were burned out, although it was claimed that such was a common occurrence during thunder and lightning incidents.

          The storm also brought with it a very heavy rainfall. Farmers surrounding the city were contacted by a reporter with the Herald newspaper. Some minor damage was admitted, but more importantly to the famers, they were very glad to receive the rainfall.

          Within the city, the heavy rainfall was received with less pleasure:

          “ The terrific downpour last night did damage through flooding of cellars along King and James streets in the business sections. Some places are still ankle deep in water with city workmen swabbing them out.”¹

 

 

1915-07-10od

“The unquenchable thirst of Reginald Milne, broker’s agent, who resides on Mount Hamilton, has earned for him a vacation of six months at Castle Ogilvie.”

Hamilton Spectator.      July 10, 1915.

For the third time in as many months, Reg Milne was in deep trouble with the police as, on July 10, 1915,  he was yet again  in the Hamilton Police Court, facing a charge of operating his automobile after drinking very heavily :

The Hamilton Police Magistrate was very familiar with Reg Milne and was not prepared to treat him with patience once more.

The evidence presented indicated that Milne decided to deal with some problems he was having with his motor license :

“Last evening, he drove to the central station to have the trouble remedied. Detectives Shirley and Smith, getting an airing in the window of Inspector Campbell’s office, saw an auto weaving and swaying, from side to side as it whizzed down Mary street.

“Just before the station was reached, the car climbed up on the sidewalk. Knowing Milne’s past record, the detectives hiked for the street and took him into custody.

“Detective Shirley whiffed his breath, and decided that he had been drinking.”¹

¹ “Reginald Milne Severely Punished by Magistrate”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 10, 1915.

Speaking to the magistrate, Milne said, “I had just four drinks yesterday, and I was just as sober as I am now, and was perfectly capable of looking after the automobile.”¹

Milne’s lawyer, Hugh McKenna, argued to the police magistrate that as his client was able to drive to the police station, he could not have been drunk.

The magistrate would not entertain the lawyer’s argument :

“ ‘He’s a dangerous man, and the public has to be protected. After the fine and the warning he got last time, I did not think he would ever take another drink or look at another automobile. I’d much rather have it said that I was severe than that I was too easy, and I’m compelled to send him to jail for six months and confiscate the auto,’ was the magistrate’s reply.”¹

 

 

1915-07-06ee

The murder-suicide which happened on July 2, 1915 was a shock to all Hamiltonians.

The murder victim, Dr. Harry Williams, was one of the city’s most promising young physicians, and, although he had lived in the city but a short time, he had made many friends. At first, little was known about Hepworth Holmes, the suicide victim.

There was no need for any criminal charges or trial as the perpetrator of the crime was deceased. However, there was a requirement for a coroner’s inquest to officially rule of the cases of death in the case of each man.

The inquest was scheduled to be held during the evening of July 6, 1915. A Hamilton police official did release some information to a Herald reporter prior to the inquest:

“Was Holmes a dope fiend? The police claim not, although they acknowledge him to be addicted to the use of drugs to some extent. They incline to the belief that he was insanely jealous.

“The police have traced his movements during the forty-eight hours prior to the awful tragedy, and claim that he came from Toronto only a few hours before firing the fatal shots which cut off the lives of the two young men. In his pocket was found a post card received from a woman in Toronto. It throws no light on the case.

“The theory has been advanced by one of the physicians who attended Holmes during his dying hours that the young man was a victim of autosuggestion – hypnosis, and that his deed was either the result of ‘mental orders’ from some one as yet unknown, or the inspiration of a reason deranged by shock and strain.

“The police scorn this theory.”¹

The theory that drugs were the motive in the case was certainly deemed to be a major factor in the incident:

“That Holmes was addicted to the use of heroin is unquestioned. In severe cases of tuberculosis, heroin is used as treatment, the patient taking the drug when he feels a coughing spell coming on.

“Many tubercular patients, even after a complete recovery, persist in the dope habit. In this connection, it is interesting to note that several physicians during the past few months have complained to the police that their offices have been robbed of the drug.” ^1.1

1.1              “Williams’ Inquest : Will Be Entirely Devoid of Sensationalism Say the Police”

Hamilton Spectator.    July 5, 1915.  

¹ “Police Still Seeking Motive”

Hamilton Herald.   July 5, 1915.

Held at the Central Police Station, the empaneled jurors first heard from Dorothy Clark, whose testimony mostly repeated what had been printed in the newspapers previously:

“Holmes first called at the house on Tuesday morning. She answered the ring at the door and told the man that the doctor was our.

“ ‘Can you get in touch with him?’ Holmes asked her. She telephoned Dr. Williams and told him a man had called. Dr. Williams had very often been bothered by commercial travelers, and he asked her to inquire if the caller was a traveler. To her query, Holmes replied that he was a ‘T.B.’ from Gravenhurst. She phoned this information to the doctor and he said he would home directly. He hurried home and he and the caller entered the surgery. Some time later, Holmes left.”²

² “Probe Fails to Reveal Motive”

Hamilton Spectator.    July 6, 195.

Miss Clark did not see Holmes again until the previous Friday, shortly before 12 o’clock noon:

“He called, learned that the doctor was out and stepped inside to await the doctor’s return. Miss Clark said that she did not like the man’s appearance and had little to say to him. He pulled his chair around so that he could look out the window onto King street. He held back the curtains to get a better view and appeared very nervous and restless, blowing his nose continually.

Then she went upstairs and came back down again just as Dr. Williams entered the house. As nearly as she could recollect, Dr. Williams said: ‘Hello Abbie.’ And Holmes replied : ‘Hello, Doc.’

“Then they entered the surgery, shut the door, and Miss Clark went to the kitchen.”²

Miss Clark, in response to a question, indicated that there were no other people in the house and only one other exit from the surgery, and that was through the kitchen where she was.

About twenty minutes after the men had entered the surgery and shut the door., Miss Clark heard gunshots. She testified that sheheard six shots fired:

“She heard one distinct shot, and then several more in rapid succession.

“With her sister, Frances, she rushed to the surgery, and found both men lying on the floor. Badly frightened, she telephoned for the police, saying ‘Come quickly, someone shot someone else. She then ran to Dr. Harper’s office.”

Dr. Harper immediately left his office located just a few doors away. AS he approached, he noticed that a small crowd was gathering in front of Dr. Williams’ house.  On entering he was directed to the surgery where he found Holmes lying just inside the surgery door. Miss Clark then pointed further into the surgery room, where Dr. Harper found Dr. Williams on the floor. Checking Williams’ pulse, he knew that the doctor was dead, so he went back to Holmes who was still alive, breathing laboriously. , Hee obviously had been shot in the head.

Dr. Harper ordered that Holmes be rushed to the City Hospital. Holmes never regained consciousness and died at 8:30 p.m.

Crown Attorney Washington asked Dr. Harper if he knew Dr. Williams:

“Witness – Yes. Very well. He was the finest fellow I ever met. I never liked a man better on so short an acquaintance. He never said anything to me about any trouble. He was unmarried and about thirty-six years of age. From the position in which I found Dr. Williams’’ body, I would think he either was walking up and down or else trying to get away when shot. I would say he had been shot while his back was turned.”³

³ “Inquest Was Very Brief”

Hamilton Herald.   July 6, 1915.

As part of his very short address to the jury, the coroner said, “Holmes evidently came there prepared to kill Dr. Williams. It is not for me to find a motive. Dr. Williams was one of the finest men possible to imagine.”

The coroner’ s jury after deliberation came to the following verdict:

“We, the jury, find that Dr. Harry Williams came to his death from bullet wounds inflicted by H. H. Holmes, no motive being shown.”²

The next morning, Police Chief Whatley expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the inquest. Whatley released some information about the gun which was used. It was a Savage automatic revolver that was not purchased in Hamilton, the chief noting that only one firm in the city handled Savage firearms and that their stock tallied with the number of permits issued by the police.

Whatley took umbrage with some talk he had heard :

“A citizen, prominently connected with the case, boasted that he could buy a revolver in any store, without taking the trouble to get a permit.

“Chief Whatley challenges this statement, saying it can’t be done. The manufacturers furnish the government with a list of all firearms furnished dealers. Regularly a government inspector calls on the dealers. For every gun sold, they must produce a permit from the chief of police. Any infraction of the law means that they are prohibited from selling firearms in future.”⁴

“Chief Explains : Says Purchaser of Revolver Must Have a Permit.”

Hamilton Spectator. July 6, 1915.