1914-07-24rr

The weather had become very hot in late July, 1914, hot enough for a middle of the night swim in Lake Ontario.

The Hamilton Spectator in 1914 often carried a short column about happening on the Beach strip, what was then a summer vacation spot for many citizens from Hamilton or from beyond.

Folksy, newsy items often appeared describing events in that part of the city lying between Lake Ontario and the bay.

The following appeared on July 24, 1914 :

“A good story is being told by a resident of station 26, Beach.

“A neighbor of his who makes it a practice to take a dip in the lake every night about twelve o’clock, just before retiring, went out last night as usual.

“A raincoat and a smile were all he wore, and he shook the coat as he approached the water.

“He had been in only a few seconds when a couple, who had evidently missed the last car, strolled up the shore and noticing the raincoat and not seeing the owner, sat down upon it.

“The bather watched them for some time, but made no effort to announce himself. He stood in the water until shortly after two o’clock, when he swam father down the lake and beat a retreat to his home.

“Arising at six o’clock in the morning, he went to the lake shore and was startled to see the couple still there. He walked over to them to notice that his waterproof was still being used as the comforter.

“He awakened the man and asked for his coat, and was met with a shower of abuse, the stranger demanding an apology and claiming that the coat was his property.

“After several minutes, the resident earned his point, and, getting his coat, went into his home.”¹

¹ “Escaped in Altogether : Couple Who Missed Car Made Bed of His Coat.”

Hamilton Spectator. July 24, 1914.