1914-07-22a

“Verily the scribe hath an exciting life – sometimes”

Hamilton Times July 22, 1914.

While the names of individual reporters were not attached to the stories published in Hamilton daily newspapers in the 1914, it would be a safe guess that the same Hamilton Times ‘scribe’ was responsible for two stories which appeared in the July 22, 1914 edition of that paper.

Working alone in the Hamilton Times office at the corner of King William and Hughson streets, the reporter was writing up the details of incident which had occurred just a few blocks away.

His report follows in full:

“Shortly after eight last night, citizens passing along James street, near York, were treated to a novel sight.

“A white horse, driven by a young lady, had been brought to a stop, while passengers got on and off a King street west car. The animal was rather restive, and when two men dashed in front, it reared up on its hind legs.

“A woman in the crowd in the crowd screamed and this frightened the horse still more. Its feet slipped and it turned a complete backward somersault. The lady driver and a gentleman who was with her, jumped, and with the assistance of Mr. Jack Gray, got the beast back on its feet.

“The strangest part of it all was that not a thing was broken, the woman being able to step back in the rig and drive away as though nothing had happened.”¹

¹ “An Acrobat : White Horse Driven by Lady Did Some Stunts”

Hamilton Times. July 22, 1914.

Back in the Times office, the reporter was finishing off his account of the white horse incident when something happened which caused another story to be written:

“Last night, one of the reporters on the Times staff was busily engaged in the office writing for today’s paper.

“Happily, the typewriter sent forth its staccato notes, till the City Hall clock boomed eleven, when the young man, an ardent lover of my lady nicotine, chased to the corner for a package of ‘dopes.’

“He returned and made the typewriter hum, but not for long.

“Suddenly, his hair began to stand on end, and a shivery feeling stole up his spine. Overhead was heard the crunch, crunch of a heavy foot on the gravel on the flat roof.

“A cry from the street verified his suspicion.

“In precisely two minutes, Constables Kay, W. Smith, Burgoine, Farmer and Sergeants Lowery and Campbell were on the scene.

“A systematic search was made, but no intruders found. Two men, in their shirt sleeves, however, had been seen on the roof, from the street. The police think they came from the window of an adjoining building.

“For some time, the Times has had to complain of trespassers around their building. The police have been instructed to prosecute any who are caught.”²

² “Must Be Stopped : Trespassers at Times Building Cause Annoyance.”

Hamilton Times.   July 22, 1914.

For the Hamilton Times reporter, working alone on a hot summer night, he did not have to look very far for two incidents to write up for the edition of the paper to hit the streets the following morning.