1914-03-24aaa

“Not one man’s name other than those of the principals’ was mentioned throughout the Gow-Mackay preliminary hearing in the police court last Thursday”

          Hamilton Herald.  March 24, 1914

          The legal proceedings against James Gow and Alex. Mackay were blocked from the press and public, presumably to protect the identity of the girls summoned to testify.

          However, that same effort by the court had the effect of causing rumors to circulate broadly as to exactly who were those young ladies. Also, gossip about the identities men who frequented the parties at the Hughson Street South was similarly bandied about.

          As for the men, they were part of the girls’ testimony at the preliminary hearing :

          “ ‘Some men were referred to, but not by name,’ was the statement of one of the authorities behind the case to the Herald this morning. The witnesses described several men, but they were warned not to mention any names.”¹

               ¹ “Number of Men Are on Anxious Seat : Their Names Were Not mentioned During the Mackay-Gow Case, But Police Know Them and They Wonder What Will Happen”

          Hamilton Herald.  March 24, 1914.

          The Hamilton police were fully aware as to the identities of the men related to the case :

          “While their names were not mentioned in the police court, they are known to the authorities. There is considerable speculation as to what use the police will put this knowledge. Several well-known men would like to know. Others, who had not the slightest connection with the case, are also being blamed by the gossips.

          “It is said the authorities obtained a rather formidable list of names. Deputy Chief Whatley has intimated unless some of these men mend their ways, more charges will be laid.”¹

               Many young ladies in Hamilton also found themselves to be the subject of gossip and innuendo because the identities all the girls involved were not made public.

          One case in particular was brought to the attention of the Herald:

          “A lady, who is employed in an uptown office, stated that much gossip was being indulged in concerning her daughter because her name is the same as that of one of the witnesses whose name has appeared in the papers recently.

          “” ‘I think it is a shame that girls should have to suffer such a humiliation,’ she said. “Of course, any who know my daughter will know that she is not concerned in the case. But there are some who merely know her by name, who appear to think she was concerned in the case. The authorities should have published the names and addresses of those girl witnesses so that girls, whose names are similar, should be saved the humiliation of being connected with the case by gossip, for a number of names have been heard and several who have no connection with the case, but whose names are the same, have been subject to the whispering behind the hand and the knowing nod of the head as they have passed along the streets.”²

               ² “Gow Furnishings to Go Under Hammer : Secret Methods Employed By Authorities Have Been Humiliating and Embarrassing to Number of Young Ladies.”

          Hamilton Herald. March 25 (?) 1914

          In the next day’s Herald, another reference was made to individuals being the subject of suspicions because the names of witnesses being withheld in the Gow-Mackay case:

          “Since the Gow-Mackay trial, gossip has worked havoc with the peace of mind of several young girls in the city in no wise connected with the case.

          “Notice has been brought to the Herald of one girl especially, who disclaims all knowledge, either of the case or of the two men implicated, who, nevertheless, has been practically ostracized from her immediate circle of friends. This young lady lives in the southwest portion of the city. Her family is very indignant.

          “Reports have also been received of several other girls who, if their calumniators persist in circulating reports about them in connection with this case, will not hesitate to commence libel actions. This is one of the results, state the police, which it was thought would be avoided when the proceedings were conducted in secret.”³

               ³ “The Gow Furniture Will Not Be Sold : Innocent Girls Injured By Gossip As a Result of Secrecy.”

          Hamilton Herald. March 25, 1914


        The gossip matter persisted weeks later, to such a point that there was talk of a petition to be circulated which, after signed by all those concerned, would be presented to the proper authorities.

The petition would request that the names of all parties involved in the Gow-Mackay case be divulged:

“Because of the secrecy surrounding the case much harm is being done to innocent girls and blameless men, it is claimed by those behind the move. The Herald has received several complaints from respectable young girls who claim that they have been associated with this case for no reason whatsoever. A word, possibly spoken in jest, passed from one to another, and several girls’ reputations have been blemished.”⁴

⁴ “Much Feeling Over Withholding Names : Persons Who Have No Connection With Gow-Mackay Case Have Been Subjects of Hurtful Idle Gossip: It Is Said That Authorities Will Be Petitioned To Publish Witnesses’ Names In Justice to Them”

Hamilton Herald. April 14, 1914

When approached about the gossiping and its damage, Police Magistrate Jelfs said that it was “not his concern.”

The day before the article highlighting the potential petition, the Herald was approached by a young girl who claimed that one of her former “friends” had been circulating slanderous stories about her involvement in the Gow-Mackay matter:

“Those who are acquainted with the facts know that this young girl was in no wise connected with the case, yet nothing can be done unless the police should decide that the only fair course to the rest of the citizens is publicity.

“As it is, the police have given their sanction to the publication of one of the girl’s names. She appeared in police court yesterday, and was sent to a Toronto reformatory.”⁴

Magistrate Jelfs was asked if he thought justice was served by withholding names and if the police should be more forthcoming as to the identities of all whom they were investigating in the case:

“ ‘No, I should never advise the police to publish the names,’ was his rely. ‘If any girl or man feels that he has been slandered by idle or malicious gossipers, he or she may take the case to the civil courts,’ he added.”⁴

Men may not have been participants at the Gow house were also the objects of gossip :

“The finger of suspicion is pointed at them, damning them in the business and social world, yet they cannot even deny the insinuations for fear of increasing the suspicion. It is to clear the innocent parties who are being smirched by slanderous gossip that the people behind the proposed circulation are moving.”⁴