1914 Jan 5 - East End News

   “While returning to his home on Barton street east shortly after midnight, Arnold Granger narrowly escaped death.”

Hamilton Spectator. January 5, 1914¹

While Arnold Granger was walking near the corner of Barton street east and Ottawa street, he heard a gun shot, whether from a rifle or a pistol, it could not be determined.

Not only did Granger hear the shot, he was convinced that the bullet’s trajectory passed near his face :

“Fortunately, however, it missed him. Mr. Granger, although considerably startled, remained quietly on the corner for several minutes hoping to locate the man with the gun. This he was unable to do, and he finally continued his way home without further trouble.”¹

¹ “Narrow Escape From a Bullet : Arnold Granger, East Ender, Had Startling Experience : Progressive Association Hold Meeting Tonight”

Hamilton Spectator January 5, 1914.

For items of interest to the readers of the Spectator in the eastern section of Hamilton, an east end reporter was assigned the task of gathering stories and interviewing residents, including the potential shooting victim, Arnold Granger.

While in east end Hamilton during the afternoon of Saturday, January 3, 1914, the Spectator reporter interviewed several residents.

One Barton street businessman had a complaint which he shared with the young man from the Spec.

The business man protested against the cutting of healthy young trees which were only used for a few days to help decorate homes during the Christmas season, and then be tossed away:

“ ‘At very large expense, the city of Hamilton purchased the mountain side property for the purpose of using it as a public park. The evergreens now on the mountain side would prove a valuable asset to the property when used as a park, and I think it a shame that citizens should be allowed to cut them of their own sweet will and pleasure,’ said he. ‘There should be a law prohibiting the cutting of trees for Christmas purposes. They can be taken up root and all and about as easily.

“I don’t see how the public can remain callous to this wanton destruction and possible extermination of the evergreen trees. I would suggest that evergreens desired for Christmas trees be taken up by the roots, and after being used at Christmas time, instead of being thrown on the garbage heap, be turned over to the parks board for replanting in the parks of the city. In this way, our parks would soon become much prettier spots than they now are, and we would also conserve this most beautiful tree which will soon become extinct unless indiscriminate cutting is stopped at once.

“There is no good reason why the trees shouldn’t be taken up, roots and all. The ground around them is frozen. The earth could be taken out in that form and boxed. Even the little trees are being cut faster than they mature, and unless there is reform soon, the trees will not reproduce rapidly enough to prevent extinction.

“I think the matter is of sufficient importance for the city council to take such steps immediately as will prevent the further cutting of evergreens on the mountain side.’ ”²

² “Would Conserve Young Trees : East Hamilton Man Protests Against Common Practice : Advocates Prohibition of Cutting of Evergreens : Midwinter Swimming Club the Latest Project.”

Hamilton Spectator. January 5, 1914.

The next interview concerned the establishment of a new club and was introduced by the Spec man as follows:

“It would be pretty hard to think of anything that has not been attempted in the way of a new and novel organization in East Hamilton, without a doubt the most progressive and aggressive part of this city.” ²

Despite his doubts, one East Hamilton man had indeed come up with a different idea for an organization to be known as the M. W. S. C. :

“The curiosity of the Spectator reporter was aroused when he received this information, and on inquiry as to the meaning of the mysterious letters, he was informed that, in plain English they meant, Mid-Winter Swimming Club.

“ ‘ Do you like to slip on a bathing suit in the middle of January, amble down to the ice-cragged beach, sit on an ice hummock all fringed with icicles, and chat with a friend similarly attired?’ asked the would-be organizer of the M. W. S. C.

“ ‘If you do, you are eligible to become a member of the club about to be organized in East Hamilton. I have discussed the matter with several friends who, like myself, are strong believers in fresh air, mid-winter baths and fewer doctor’s bills, and while it is not expected that there will be a mad rush for membership, I know of at least a dozen persons, including three women, who are ready to join the club, and it is not unlikely that before another couple of weeks we will be in working shape, and the members of the club taking their morning plunge in the icy waters of the bay at least twice each week.

“ ‘Those who have never tried mid-winter baths in open water have no idea of the amount of pleasure to be derived therefrom. In addition to the pleasure, it is a great health producer, improved the appetite, gives better complexions and saves doctor’s bills.

“ ‘Of course, one does not remain long in the water in cold weather. If the ice has formed, it is merely a matter of breaking a run way from the beach a few rods out into the bay, plunging in, taking a quick dive, swimming out and back half a dozen times, and then jumping quickly into your winter clothes.”²

In January, 1914, as on many other time, the Hamilton Street Railway was the target of numerous complaints, notably as regards irregular service :

 “ ‘ Sometimes there will be a car every two or three minutes, and then there won’t be another car for ten or twelve minutes,’ said a Barton street business man to a Spectator reporter Saturday afternoon. “ I suppose the company has a regular schedule, and that cars should be run at certain specified intervals. Nevertheless, this is not done, and it is becoming quite the common thing for Barton cars to either be run in a bunch within a minute or so of each other, or else at an interval of from ten to twelve minutes.

“ ‘ Ventilation in the cars is also very bad. Barton cars are always loaded to the limit, and it is an unusual thing to find a ventilator open. The result of this is a stifling air which is certainly not conducive to good health, and I think the board of health should see to this matter at once, as it is certainly important.”²

The main event of Saturday evening, January 3, 1914 was the “New Year’s Tree and Concert” at Farrar’s hall, held under the auspices of the East Hamilton Progressive Association for the benefit of the children of the area.

For many weeks previous, members of the association had been soliciting donations of money or gifts in anticipation of the event.

Shortly after 7 p.m., an estimated 300 children who had been given tickets beforehand, were allowed to enter the hall. A big tree was the location of the gifts, and as the Spec man reported” the hearts of the little ones were all made glad by receiving presents therefrom” :

“In addition to the distribution of presents and large quantities of New Year’s cheer to children and needy families, an excellent musical program was by the Progressive minstrel group.”²

Hamilton Mayor Allan made a brief appearance, and he thanked the members of the East Hamilton Progressive Association for their selfless efforts, and wished that each member would enjoy prosperity during the year 1914.