1914-07-15ss

Crime was an every present reality for Hamiltonians in 1914. Crimes, big and small often filled the pages of the local press.

July 15, 1914 was no exception to the everyday litany of crime reporting but two stories reported that day were particularly worrisome.

Both incidents occurred during the previous night.

The first happened at what was then one of the very busiest intersections in Hamilton :

“One of the most daring assault cases ever known in this city occurred last night about 11:45 at the corner of King and James streets.

“George Wade, 30 Wilson street, was the victim of a cowardly assault by no less than nine hoodlums”¹

¹ “Murderous Gang on Hamilton Streets : Nine of Them Assaulted a Pedestrian.”

Hamilton Times.  July 15, 1914

It was unclear at press time exactly how the incident began, but it seems that the victim had been arguing with some people on James street north, then had walked away from the situation.

Arriving at the southwest corner of King and James streets, the victim was standing alone, although numerous citizens were in the immediate vicinity:

“Suddenly pedestrians were startled to see two men rush at Wade, and hit him without warning. He staggered against the Hydro pole on the corner, and then three more ruffians rushed from the other side and hit him, four more following them.

“The last man to strike him knocked him down, and he laid unconscious on the pavement.”¹

Hamilton police constable McNair was on foot  patrol in the area, heard the assault and saw the perpetrators running away and gave chase:

“He cornered Peter Scott, the Indian boxer, and accused him of the assault. Scott was taken to the station and appeared in court this morning.

“The prosecution was not ready to go on, and the case was remanded.

“Wade was taken to the hospital where his injuries were dressed.”¹

The beating caused a sensation at the time it happened in the area:

“Although it was midnight, a large crowd gathered in a short time, and their feelings were considerably aroused over the daring assault that had been perpetrated right on Hamilton’s main thoroughfare.”¹

The second case to be reported in the Hamilton Times on July 15, 1914 involved a potential abduction of two girls, for the purpose of making them prostitutes.:

“Hamilton appears to be again invaded by traffickers in the body and souls of innocent girls.

“Two men made an attempt last night to inveigle two young women into a machine, administering first what is thought to have been an injection of morphine.”¹

² “Was it a Case of White Slavers ? : Two Young Girls Accosted By Strangers : And Appear to Have Been Doped”

Hamilton Times.   July 15, 1914.

The victims were 18 years old. The girls had just taken seats in a downtown movie house when two men came up and sat beside them and attempted to initiate a conversation:

“Though repulsed, they persisted, talking on despite the scorn of their intended victims who later got up and went out.

“The men followed and asked them if they would not care to take a ride, pointing to a big, closed-in touring car at the roadside.”¹

Frightened the girls hurried home, where as they recounted their experience, both began to feel as though they might pass out:

“Both had little lumps on their arms which were causing irritation. The lumps, when examined, showed a perforation in the skin, evidently caused by a needle.”²

The girls, described in the Times as being “eminently respectable,” did not report the matter to the police:

“No description could be obtained of the men as the theatre was dark, and when outside the girls were too frightened to pay particular attention to the men. One of the girls remembered distinctly seeing the grinning face of a Chinese, his body hidden in the darkened machine.”²