1914-07-20agag

Horses were very much a presence in Hamilton, particularly downtown Hamilton, in the summer of 1914.

On July 20, 1914, two horse-related new items appeared in the afternoon edition of the Hamilton Times. One story concerned a horse very familiar to the general public, the other horse was less well-known.

The first story was actually a City of Hamilton employee:

“Among the city’s live stock is a much-petted horse – in fact it has a pedigree and a record.

“Charles Lowe generally gee haws when the beast is placed in harness and made to draw the surveyors and their instruments to places of interest.

“This morning, the animal was christened ‘Piecatus,’ on account of its liking of table pie.

“Eight bells had just chimed. A weight held Piecatus in a secluded nook behind the City Hall.

“Suddenly to his nostrils was wafted the sweet perfume of lemon pie. With head on high, the trail was followed, across sidewalks, behind the butter market, until a table behind a restaurant was reached.

“There he was rewarded, and eight beautiful specimens of the pastry cook’s art met with approval, much to the dismay of the owner and his customers, who loudly clamored in front for their favorite desert.”¹

¹  “A Pie Eater : So City’s Horse Has Been Christened Piecatus”

Hamilton Times.  July 20, 1914 .

The send horse story to appear in the Hamilton Times concerned an incident which took place an hour later, a few blocks to the east of the City Hall:

“About ten minutes after nine o’clock this morning, one of the horses belonging to the Canadian Transfer Co., and employed by the post office for carrying parcel post, ran away down John street.

“The horse, which was standing on John street while the wagon was being loaded with parcels, without any apparent reason, broke away and in its wild run narrowly missing several pedestrians who were crossing the street.

“When it got nearly down to King William street, a man darted out from the sidewalk, and after being dragged a few yards, was able to bring the animal to a standstill.

“As soon as the driver of the rig appeared, the other man disappeared, and the horse was safely taken back to the post office.”²

² “A Good Stop : Of Runaway Horse Attached to Parcel Post Wagon”

Hamilton Times.    July 20, 1914