1914-07-18iu

The reporter for the Hamilton Times given the assignment of writing a few newsy items about  the east end on July 18, 1914 choose to focus on  the heat wave and a very frightening incident.

As regards the effects of the heat, he wrote:

“The excessive heat of the past two days has been making the east-enders quite as uncomfortable as any in the city. Most of the householders sit outside on their verandahs until the temperature drops in the early hours of the morning.

“Yesterday afternoon, a horse, which was one of a team drawing a wagon of gravel, fell at the corner of Barton and Glendale avenue, through the excessive heat, and it was sometime before it recovered sufficiently to be taken back to the stables.

“Alfred Piggott, who lives on Robins avenue, was another victim of the heat. He was working on construction work at the corner of Sherman avenue and Barton street, and fell exhausted. He soon revived, however, and proceeded to his home.”¹

The item which took up most of the column concerned an incident which happened on Schwenger street, a street just over a block long running east off Gage avenue, north of Barton street:

“Miss Katherine Walsh, who lives at 13 Schwenger street, was very badly frightened last night, and was, for several hours in a semi-conscious state.

“She had occasion to go down to the cellar of the house, where, on account of the heat, she had placed some cooked meat.

“As she was about to reach for the dish, which was upon a hanging shelf, she espied a monster rat, and since rats and Miss Walsh are not on friendly terms, she quickly drew back and stamped her foot to frighten away the brazen rodent.

“Unlike most of his kind, Mr. Rat required more forcible removal ere he would quit the scene of so promising a feast.

“Accordingly the lady of the house stooped to pick up an old broon handle which lay on the floor, and as she bent down, the murderous rat flew at Miss Walsh’s face.

“Fortunately no harm was done other than the fright mentioned, and the lady flew upstairs. But the east end rat-trap dealers will sell a number of these useful articles in the household of 13 Schwenger street in the near future.”¹

¹  “A Young Lady Attacked by Vicious Rat : G Flew at Her Face When She tried to Chase It From a Dish of Meat “

Hamilton Times.  July 18, 1914