Sherman Avenue Police Station, pictured in December 1914.
As the year 1917 began, a
reporter with the Hamilton Herald was able conduct an interview with a policeman
he chose not name, a policeman probably stationed at the east end station on
Sherman Avenue North. As noted by the reporter, few Hamiltonians, other than
those who lived there, would have known much about conditions in the far east
end of the city:
“That section of the city in the east end,
largely occupied by foreigners, is, to many residents, little known.”1
“Here
are the impressions of one of the police officials in that district about the
foreigners:
“ ‘During the year they have
paid in fines about $4,000, mostly for the illegal sale of liquor. One of the
remarkable things is the way in which all nationalities crowd together in one
house, and yet seem to agree. The Board of health has done some very good work
in getting the people to keep their places clean, and improve their way of
living. Many of them take a pride in keeping their places clean, and use every
inch of ground in the summer time for gardening. Others are too zealous and
would keep chickens in their cellars if it were not for the city bylaws. Most
of them are troubled very little with sickness.
“ ‘As the majority of the
men are earning good money, they have pretty fair bank accounts, the post
office being the favorite bank. Some few men are a little dubious about placing
money in a bank, and carry considerable of it around with them. One man of this
opinion a short time ago had his money in a belt, but was relieved of it by one
of his countrymen.
“ ‘The man thus relieved of
one burden took on another – by attempting to drown his sorrows in drink, which
prevented him from giving much of a description of the suspected thief. When
these men get away, it is very difficult to find them, but for the most part we
have little trouble with them. They never dispute the authority of the police,
and this has to be used in many ways. Most of the aliens are glad to be in
Canada, and take a pride in giving to the Patriotic and Red Cross funds. Many
have wives and families in the old country, and while most of them take a pride
in sending their money home, a few take unto themselves new ties. About the
only thing they are afraid of is a heavy fine by the police magistrate. This
has the effect of keeping peace and good
order more than most people believe, as they do not like their purse to be
touched or to be deprived of their liberty. The advent of prohibition has been
a blessing as we have not had one case of assaulting with intent to wound since
in came into effect, while previously it was a weekly occurrence.’ ”1
1 “A Policeman’s
Impressions : Prohibition Has Been Fine Thing for Foreigners : Not One Assault
With Intent Case Since”
Hamilton Herald January 01, 1917.
