1914-08-15

“Hamilton was out en masse last night to see the Thirteenth Royal regiment parade. Not because parades are of unusual character in this city, but because of the loyalty of its citizens at a time when military displays have to do with the preparations being made in defense of the motherland.”

          Hamilton Spectator.   August 15, 1914

          Friday evening August 14, 1914 was a time when the intense patriotic fervor of Hamiltonians in the early days of World War One was manifested.

          When it was learned that the city’s beloved Thirteenth militia was to parade the city streets, citizens came out to cheer them on :

          “For at least an hour previous to the parade, James street, from the armories to King, was packed six to eight feet deep on both sides, with men, women and children, all waiting to cheer the boys in uniform.”¹

               ¹ “Crowds Watched Soldiers March : 13^th Parade Provoked Big Patriotic Display : Streets Thronged and Armories Packed”

          Hamilton Spectator.  August 15, 1914

          The parade route that evening was from the armories, south on James street to King, east on King to John street, south on John to Main street, then West on Main to James, and the parade then turned right to head north on James to return to the armories:

          “The parade was heralded by the Thirteenth Bugle band, 34 strong, with 559 men in the line, inclusive of 68 overseas recruits.”¹

               At the armories, a standing room only awaited the return of the soldiers:

          “So great were the crowds which sought admission to the armories after the parade that many were turned away. The galleries surrounding the big hall were packed with enthusiastic citizens, who remained until the last drum beat.

          “Many of the new recruits were also put through their facings and showed up well, notwithstanding the short time they have been in service.”¹

               For some Hamiltonians, notably those who were both recent immigrants to the city and who had Austrian or German backgrounds, the beginning f World War One brought with it suspicions.

          One man, Domenti Oliksuik, was a man who lived in the east end of Hamilton with his wife and children and who ran a grocery.

          As Hamiltonians were cheering the parade of the Thirteenth, Oliksiuk was languished in jail. Although he faced no formal charges for anything, nor did he know when he would be released from custody, Domenti Oliksuik was labelled in the press as being a “war prisoner,” a “spy and a conspirator” :

          “The local officials have decided to bring in a government to translate the messages sent to Oliksuik by the Austrian counsul at Montreal. The police do not doubt the integrity of Interpreter Yarish, or the other court interpreters, but they believe it is a case for a government interpreter. Authorities at Ottawa will be asked to have the messages translated.”²

               ² “War Prisoner Is Still Held By the Police : Government Interpreter Will Look Over Messages.”

          Hamilton Spectator. August 17, 1914.

          When Monday August 17 arrived, Oliksuik was still in jail, uncharged, and not really understanding what was going on:

          “Oliksuik’s wife and oldest son paced the corridors at the police station this morning, conferring with Interpreter Yarish, in the hope that something could be done to get the husband and father out of jail.”²