1914-07-04aff

The corner of Main and James streets in 1914 was definitely one of the most dangerous of any intersection in the city of Hamilton.

Traffic of many different types converged on that particular cross road. Automobiles, bicycles, horses and wagons, Hamilton Street Railway street cars, radial electric cars going to Brantford and or Dundas and finally pedestrian traffic.

Shortly after five p.m. on Saturday July 4, 1914, it seemed as if virtually everything arrived to cross Main and James streets at the same time:

“At that precise moment, a Dundas car was rounding the turn, a James street car was going south, another car was going north, and a Brantford car was waiting to cross over. On each of the corners were crowds of people.

“Suddenly, a frenzied horse dashed down the street, the driver sitting petrified with fright. Pedestrians scurried for safety, with the exception of a lady with her daughter on the northeast corner, who were unaware of the danger.

“People called to them, yet they did not heed and it was only when James King rushed across and whisked the little one out of the way that the mother realized what was taking place. She had just time to step out of the way.

“The rig turned sideways, threw the driver and as the wagon smashed the horse was brought to a stop.”¹

¹ “A Thriller : Little Girl Snatched From Path of Runaway”

Hamilton Times.   July 6, 1914.

Thanks to the alert action of Mr. King the little golden-haired girl was saved from what could well have been a fatal accident.

The intersection of Main and James street remained the scene of intense excitement – for a while. Then the heavy traffic of autos, horse and wagon, street cars, radial electric cars, bicycles and pedestrian resumed at its usual pace.