1915-02-10yy

The Spectator had shared the story first, but the Times was not going to let the demise of “Old Jim” happen without a story in that paper as well.

On February 9, 1915, Jim, one of the most familiar horses with the Hamilton Fire Department, received his last big treat before receiving a hypodermic needle in his jugular vein, a needle which would end his life.

The food was supplied by the family of the man who used Jim to get him to fires more rapidly than any other horse, Fire Chief Alex. Aitchison:

“It was an annual treat for Jim to have the daughters of the late A. W. Aitchison call upon him about Christmas with a bag of his favorite loaf sugar and some of the best apples that could be found which they knew would please the favorite horse which served their father in the many speedy journeys around street corners.

“Yesterday, when they heard that the old horse was to end his days, they decided that the only real, right thing to do was to see that he had some favorite delicacies. The youngest fellow went to the station yesterday morning and bid the old fellow good-bye, and the youngest daughter went down with delicacies for her old friend.”¹

¹ “Last Treat to Good Old Jim, Chief’s Horse”

Hamilton Times.     February 10, 1915.

The Times reporter was on hand when the beloved horse received his last visitors:

“Jim was glad to see them although a little short-sighted, and though he stood a little lame on one leg, but the minute the bag of loaf sugar was opened and some pieces laid on their palms, he knew who had come to see him, and it did not take him long to make up with his old friends.”¹

Jim had been with the Hamilton Fire Department for 22 years, and Jim and Chief Aitchison were a solid team, responding to alarms with perfect co-ordination:

“Whether nibbling hay or whatever he was doing when the alarm rang and he would hear ‘Come on, Jim, old boy,’ he was at the chief’s rig in an instant, and if it was in the night, before the chief could get to the bottom of the brass pole, he was gnawing at the door to get it open.

“It was not an uncommon occurrence for Jim to go around the corner of King and James streets with the buggy on two wheels, and he had been known to take the late chief around the City Hall corner at an angle of 30 degrees.”¹

Jim was the horse pulling Chief Aitchison in April 1905 when the chief’s buggy collided with another fire department wagon at the corner of King and John streets, throwing the big chief into the Sir John Macdonald statute.

Chief Aitchison died of head injuries as a result of the accident. There was a big public funeral for the chief, and it was poignant to witness Jim’s participation:

“Many people will remember the faithful beast on that day. When the late chief was buried, it will be remembered that it was Jim who gnawed at the door of the hearse, and who carried his head lower than any other, bearing the chief’s trumpet and hat.”¹

After answering his last call, Jim was given the following tribute in the Times:

“Although fire horses may come, and fire horses may go, old Jim will remain long in the memory of those who thought so much of him”¹

 

1915-02-05oo

On February 5, 1915, the Hamilton Spectator carried two poems inspired by the ongoing war situation:

 

          The Summons

(Dedicated to the Canadian Club of Hamilton)

 

Britons along the mighty world’s highway,

   Waken, and throng, from mart and field and glen;

Now looms that day of wrath, the world’s dread day,

   Prophesied of old by ancient men;

          Arise! Arise!

 

From every corner of the teeming earth,

   Answer and gather; to her banners come;

Throw down the duty or the dice of mirth,

   Responsive to the ominous battle drum;

          Prepare! Prepare!

 

This is no hour for hesitating doubt,

   Self-interests, greed, or base ambition’s dream;

The grim, red wolves of earth’s worst war are out,

   The iron menace and the halefire’s gleam;

          Enlist! Enlist!

 

The arrogant Hun against our ancient coasts

   Would hurl his serried panoply of steel;

Across the world are heard the despot’s boasts,

   O’er Europe’s lands his awful cohorts reel;

          Arise! Arise!

 

Waken, if e’er you woke to any cause;

   Now strikes your hour, to conquer or go down;

To win for freedom, justice and God’s laws,

   Or sink before the cruel despot’s crown;

          Arise! Arise!

 

Go forth and fight; nor will you strive alone;

   Earth’s valiant ones will battle by your side,

And strength of all that strength your cause shall own,

   The Lord of Hosts will in your vanguard ride;

          Toward earth’s high doom.

                             -WILFRID CAMPBELL

 

 

Young Man Sit-By-the-Fire

  Or, Let the Other Fellow Do It.

 

Let the other fellow do it;

   He’s the fellow to enlist,

And to fight for King and country,

   With a sabre in his fist,

Or with bayonet and rifle

   In the grip of wiry fist.

 

Let the other fellow do it;

   I’m a husky, healthy guy,

I know it, and quite old enough

   To leave the nest and fly

But – the nest is safe and comfy,

   And, by jinks, I hate to try.

 

Let the other fellow do it,

   I’ve no wife to leave behind,

Neither wife nor helpless kiddies

   To invade my peace of mind,

But the nest is – oh! so cosy,

And the girls are – oh! so kind.

 

Let the other fellow do it,

   I’ve some stirrings of the blood,

At danger to the motherland

   From Goth and Vandal flood,

But – my snug nest, hung high and dry

   Holds safe its fluttering brood.

 

Let the other fellow do it,

   I’ve got bus’ness sport and games

That leave me little time enough

   And (now please don’t call me names)

When a fellow’s in Society

   He’s just got to squire the dames.

 

Let the other fellow do it;

   I’ve the hens and hogs to feed;

Chores that suit me hang right better

   Than astride a charging steed,

Or atop a jouncing caisson

   With the big guns in the lead.

 

Let the other fellow do it;

   I’ve got no call to roam;

I like to sing God Save the King,

   But when I use my dome,

It tells me little Willie is

   Much better at home.

 

                                                G. I.

 

1915-02-01ii

It seems that Hamilton City Council always has at least one problematic local politician, someone who grandstands, interferes with proper procedures and generally acts as though he was performing on stage rather than working for the welfare of the electors.

In 1915, one such Hamilton municipal politician was the loquacious and erratic member of the Board of Control, Thomas S. Morris.

          During the morning of February 1, 1915, Controller Morris provided an example of his typical behavior :

          “Municipal vaudeville – of the continuous sort, staged daily, by Controller Morris – prevented consideration by the board of control today of such important matters as the appointment of an assistant engineer, grants, salary increase and the appointment of a permanent auditor.”¹

                ¹ “Civic Vaudeville in Place of Business : Morris Stages Show Almost Daily Now”

          Hamilton Spectator.     February 1, 1915.

          The agenda was set, the mayor  and the controllers (save one) were present and ready to get to work as the morning session began. However, a certain controller immediately leapt into action:

          “Controller Morris – ‘How are you this morning, Mr. Mayor?’ (Opening overture, ‘How is Everything by You’.)

          “Mayor Walters – ‘All right!’

          “Controller Morris let it be known that by him it was all right too.”¹

                After reading and passing the minutes of the previous meeting, a discussion began with the architect of the proposed hospital on the mountain, when Controller Morris abruptly left the controllers’ room :

“Mr. Morris spies someone he knows in the corridor, dashes out and returns, leading in Chief Engineer Stanley of the Hydro Radial union.

“In order that something may be accomplished during the morning, Mayor Walters suggests that the board meet Mr. Stanley at the Commercial club at noon and that they have luncheon together

“Controller Morris objects. He has probably heard it stated that the Commercial club is not conducted on strictly temperance principles.”¹

Controller Morris insists that the board hear from Mr. Stanley, in camera immediately:

“ ‘We can hear what Mr. Stanley has to say in ten or fifteen minutes,’ he interposes.”¹

Reluctantly agreeing, the board of control banishes reporters from the room, and the conference lasts not ten or fifteen, but twenty-five minutes.

It would be 12 noon when the reporters were back in the room, and discussion began on tenders for oil, but that discussion does not get far:

“Controller Morris is in a hurry to get away and says so to the mayor. He leaves at 12:15, conscious of having done a good day’s work.”¹

Without a full assemblage of every controller, the meeting was then adjourned, leaving the list of important items on the agenda unaddressed, “pushed off into the deep end  by some of Controller Morris’ important items.”¹

Reporters approached Mr. Stanley who revealed that he had been invited by Controller Morris  to discuss the proposed expansion of radial railway service from Niagara Falls, north to Beamsville. Also a survey had been made for a radial railway line from Guelph southwards. It was hoped that the Hamilton municipality would get involved in these projects but Mr. Stanley was reluctant to discuss details:

“He is an extremely modest man and shrinks from newspaper notoriety – he said so himself. Mr. Stanley was one vast area of silence.

“Following the in camera conference with the board of control, Mayor Walters announced that Controller Morris would give out what he saw fit to the reporters present.

“Controller Morris was very communicative indeed. He talked for quite a while, but he didn’t say anything.”¹

 

 

1915-02-08sk

“Old ‘Jim’ has answered his last alarm. A fire horse for almost a century, Jim’s days of usefulness are over and now he is to be killed.”

Hamilton Spectator.     February 8, 1915.

The time had come for the Hamilton’s Fire Department’s oldest horse to be put down, after twenty-years of service, Jim’s health was deteriorating and a decision was made:

“Rather than have him end his days in ignoble servitude upon a farm or hauling a junk wagon, Jim is to be sent, via the poison route, to wherever it is all good fire horses go when they die.

“Sometime this week, Dr. W. E. Baker, a veterinary surgeon of the fire department, will inject strychnine into Jim’s jugular vein, thus paralyzing heart action and causing instant and painless death.”¹

¹  “Hamilton Spectator.         February 8, 1915.

Certainly, the Hamilton Fire Department had owned many fine horses over the years, and in 1915, still had some on duty, but Jim was a very special case:

“No ordinary fire horse, Jim. In his day, he was a thoroughbred, and his record is writ large in the annals of the fire department. He has been a member of the department for 22 years, and was the favorite horse of the late Fire Chief Aitchison.

“Chief Aitchison, it will be remembered, was killed at King and John streets by crashing into the monument of Sir John Macdonald. The monument was then in the middle of the street. It has since been removed to that part of the Gore which fronts the post office.

“On that particular occasion, the department had been called out to fight a grass fire, but nobody knew that. It would have made no difference if they did.

“There are many people in Hamilton who remember Jim and the days when Chief Aitchison drove him. Say Jim was quietly nibbling hay in the fire house when an alarm came in. As keen to answer an alarm as any fireman, he was in the right place at once, the harness was dropped on him, and a few seconds later, he was tearing down the street shattering all speed records.

“Holding the reins in one hand, Chief Aitchison would shout to Jim as they went dashing down the street : ‘Come on, boy, come on Jim.’ Not that Jim needed any urging. His heart was bent on getting to that fire and he pounded along with every nerve and muscle straining.”¹

After the fatal accident which occurred on April 5, 1905, another, younger, horse, was chosen by Chief Ten Eyck, Chief Aitchison’s successor. Jim was transferred to pulling an engine:

“Later – bitter moment! – Jim was assigned to the coal wagon.

“For the last month or so, he has hardly answered an alarm. He is at the Sanford  avenue fire station today, waiting patiently for his last call.

“In these days of automobile fire apparatus, Jim probably feels more or less out of place, and probably death would not be unwelcome to him.”¹

Although very old, in horse years, Jim’s health was not too bad, and the usual fire department policy would have meant that he would be sold to the highest bidder, who might get a few ears work out of him.

However, Jim would not suffer the ignominy of some menial job, perhaps suffering from some abusive owner :

“’ We will not sell him,’ said Chief Ten Eyck today, ‘you can bet on that. I’d buy him myself before it came to that that.’ ”¹

Soon, Dr. Baker and his strychnine would arrive at the Sanford Avenue station and Jim would pass away, quietly and with dignity.

 

Jim and Chief Aitchison en route to a fire

1915-01-11sg (Part 2)

When it was time for newly-inaugurated Mayor Walters to speak, he responded ably, dealing with the numerous civic problems he and the Council would face in 1915:

“Gentlemen of the Council:

“In entering upon your important duties today, I am sure that you appreciate the great honor conferred upon you by your fellow citizens in electing you to manage the affairs of one of the largest and most important cities in the Province of Ontario, and I desire to express the hope that the year 1915 may be to each of you a happy one  because of the success which, I trust, will attend your efforts as Controllers and Aldermen.

“I am deeply sensible of the high honor done me by fellow citizens in electing me to undertake the duties of the office of Mayor, and in accepting the position to which I have been assigned, I wish to declare most sincerely that the task would be above my powers were it not for the fact that my fellow citizens have elected to support and advise me as C0ontrollers and Aldermen, a body of men who will, I believe, prove to be men of merit and integrity.

“It is appropriate that some mention should be made of the task that confronts you during the coming year, and for this purpose I wish to bring to your attention some of the problems to be dealt with.

“Considerable improvement has been made in the accounting system now in use, but the system should be extended and perfected as far as possible.

“The question of the appointment of a permanent auditor will probably come before you, and in making the selection of a proper official it should not be forgotten that the duties of this official will be not only to check accounts and verify the correctness of books and statements, but it will also be his duty to consult with and advise the members of the Board of Control and the City Treasurer as to the general financial policy to be adopted. The auditor should be invested with authority which will enable him to not permit appropriations being overdrawn without the special consent of the Council, and he should be in a position to oppose and forbid the charging of expenditures to debenture accounts that properly belong to current appropriation accounts.

“The Board of Control will, it is hoped, realize as never before the great responsibility resting on each and every member, and it is expected that they will take it upon themselves to personally inspect at all times, when necessary, the various departments of the civic organization. To accomplish the desired results, the members of the Board of Control should consult with each other as to the many questions affecting each department, and by co-operation, assist and support one another in order that the interests of the people may be best served.

“Special attention to the department under the Commissioner of Industries should result in attracting additional manufacturing industries to our city and thus assist materially in correcting the unsettled business conditions and minimizing the problem of unemployment.

“Every individual citizen of Hamilton, by purchasing from the merchants of this city, insofar as possible, made-in-Hamilton merchandise, can do a great deal to bring about improved conditions, and by so doing will give encouragement and assistance to the manufacturers and employees located in the Ambitious City.

“In taking up the duties of office, let me say that I rely upon your wisdom and experience to assist me in carrying out successfully the duties which we have to day undertaken, and I hope that when this year comes to a close, we will have the satisfaction of having served our city honorably and acceptably.”¹

¹ “Elaborate Ceremony at City Hall Today : Mayor Walters and the 1915 Council Inaugurated”

Hamilton Times.   January 11, 1915.

Controller Thomas S. Morris made a few remarks in which he congratulated Mayor Walters and urged his fellow Controllers to work hard, perhaps by holding meetings every day. His remarks were fairly standard and were well-received and uncontroversial, except for his final words.

 Controller Morris was one of Hamilton’s loudest and most persistent temperance advocates:

“ ‘I think the caliber of our Mayors is improving,’ he finally added. “The last two mayors have been abstainers, and our new one is, I believe, a teetotaler. I can remember the day when fter council meetings the members were invited into the Mayor’s office to have a little whiskey and water (Laughter). That should not be.’ ”

An interesting character at the ceremony was Charles Smith, the long time veteran city employee. Charley Smith had been the city messenger for many years, the 1915 inauguration of Hamilton City Council was the fifty-seventh he had attended.

          Once the inaugural meeting was over, one of the invited guests on the podium became very vocal in his reaction to the speech by Controller Morris. M.P. T. J. Stewart was a former Hamilton mayor and he objected strenuously to the criticism of former mayors who were not temperance men:

“The statement made by the controller was that the caliber of chief magistrates of the city was improving, inasmuch as the last two mayors, George Lees and John Allan had been abstainers, and the new one, Chester Walters was a teetotaler.

“Ex-Mayor Stewart, who was seated on the dais with Mayor Walters and ex-Mayor Allan, immediately took objection to the controller’s statement, and declared that, in his opinion, such criticism was unfair to all mayors other than the present that the two before him.

“Out of justice to some ex-mayors, it was stated that Controller Morris referred to magistrates some twenty years ago, although some of more recent date had been known to carry a stock of liquor at the City Hall”²

² “Regarding Ex-Mayors and Whiskey Habit”

Hamilton Times.   January 12, 1915.

1915-01-11ww

“Amid scenes so well known to the old members of the Council, and so entrancing to the new, the civic administration of 1915, as elected by the people on January 1, was duly and solemnly inaugurated at 11 o’clock this morning.”

Hamilton Spectator.        January 11, 1915.

Hamilton’s City Hall on James street north was  the site of elaborate proceedings, staged to formally put the City Council of 1915 into place:

“Lomas’ orchestra was in attendance, the Council Chambers were profusely decorated on all sides with tall and stately palms, natural flowers of multifarious hues, plants green and numerous, all charmingly intermingling, while every portion of the seating and standing room was taxed to the utmost.

“The gathering of citizens was not only representative, but twice as great as during recent years, and all apparently enjoyed the rites incidental to the advent of Mayor Chester S. Walters and the departure of John Allan, now of Hamilton’s thirty-seven ex-Mayors.

“The new and old magistrates were seated on the Council dias along with Mgr. J. M. Mahony, Sheriff Middleton, and T. J. Stewart, M.P., ex-Mayor.”¹

¹ “Elaborate Ceremony at City Hall Today : Mayor Walters and the 1915 Council Inaugurated.”

Hamilton Spectator.    January 11, 1915.

After an opening prayer by Rev. J.J. Ross of the James Street Baptist Church, exiting mayor Allan was asked to address the gathering:

“”Ladies and gentlemen: It is my privilege and duty to introduce to you, Mr. Chester S. Walters, who has been duly elected Mayor for the year 1915.

“Mr. Walters is a young, energetic, and I think promises to make a very good Mayor. Therefore, sir, I have very great pleasure in turning over to you the keys of our fair city, and I think you will find them untarnished for the two years’ use which I have had of them.

“I want to say to you, sir, that although our city has not progressed the last two years to the same extent, as we did the two years prior to that, I still think we have made a very good showing.

“During that time, we succeeded in landing nine new industries, representing an authorized capital of nearly four million dollars, and an invested capital of over two millions. We have at the present time ten concerns considering locating in Hamilton.

“We have had an increase in population in the past two years of nearly twelve thousand. I believe that when this cruel war is over, and Britain and her allies have shown Germany and her allies that militarism cannot prevail, Canada will come into her own, and new industries will spring up everywhere. Hamilton will secure a goodly share of them, owing to the advantages we have over most other places.

“Hamilton, the Ambitious City, has great possibilities before her, but she needs careful administration for the next two or three years, and I trust, sir, that you and the able council you have behind you will bear this in mind.

“Two years ago, in my inaugural address, I referred to several things which were needed, among which were a sewage disposal plant in the West End, a high level road and a street railway across the marsh. A bridge has been completed there, and the street railway provided for, and the sewage disposal plant is in operation. Another thing I referred to was the paving of Locke street, from Main to Herkimer streets. This is also completed.

“Another improvement referred to was the street railway extension on Burlington street, , Kenilworth avenue, Main street east, and Barton street, from Ottawa to Kenilworth avenue. Part of this road is running, and the rest will soon be finished. The underground conduits have all been laid in the center of the city, and we are ready to remove the poles from our streets in that section, and I have no doubt that the present year will see all the poles removed.  

“We have nearly completed the improvements to the waterworks system, including an adequate supply of water for the people on the Mountain. I also suggested a larger reservoir, which is now being considered by the engineers.

“Several buildings have been constructed during that time, including the Children’s Hospital, Central and East End fire stations, the high level pumping station at Ferguson avenue, the pumping station at the Beach, and the new extension to the present hospital, which will improve it greatly. In addition to this, $200,000 has been provided for a start on the new hospital on the Mountain. The plans for same are nearly completed, and the work will be started soon.

“We have made a great many improvements in roads, sidewalks, waterworks, street lights, sewers etc. We have installed a new system in the Board of Works, whereby a better accounting of the work, material, costs etc. can be kept in that department.

“We have finally succeeded in purchasing the Beckett Drive, provided we can get title to it, along with several other properties on the face of the Mountain. Taking a general survey of the two year’s work, I believe, Mr. Mayor and ladies and gentlemen, that I am able to hand the city into your care, at this time, in better condition morally, industrially and financially than I found it two years ago.

“I trust, sir, you will be able, with the assistance of your able Council, to keep up the improvements, and that Hamilton will advance until her every ambition is satisfied. I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the Board of Control, Council, heads of departments, in fact, all of the city officials, for the loyal way in which they backed me up in my administration.

“In conclusion, sir, I wish you and the Council for 1915, every success, and the citizens of Hamilton a happy and prosperous year.”¹

(To be continued)

 

 

1915-01-27dd

“ A social evening was held last  night by the Twentieth Century Club. The speaker was Rev. Dr. Rension, who addressed the club on ‘A Retrospect of 1914.’ ”

Hamilton Spectator.    January 27, 1915.

For ten years the Twentieth Club met in a building that the club itself owned on Locke Street South. The three storey structure, completed in 1905, had space for commercial rental on the ground floor plus space for rental accommodations and the club activities on the upper floors.

On January 26, the club hosted an event which included a short musical programme in addition to an address by the rector of the Church of the Ascension, Rev. Dr. Renison.:

“He stated that the year 1914 would go down as a very momentous one in the history of the British Empire.

“Starting with the assassination of the Crown Prince of Austria, the speaker told the history of the war up to the present day.

“In passing, he drew attention of those present to what would have happened had Britain not stepped in. Had Britain forgot her honor and remained neutral, she would have had the hatred of France, Belgium and Russia, and would have been looked upon as a traitor.

“ ‘The war might not have lasted long,’ said Dr. Renison, ‘and France and Germany would no doubt have made some treaty, and in after years would have attacked England from the French coast.

“ ‘But that was not what England went into the war to stop. Her national honor was at stake, and rather than surrender this, she took up arms against the tyrant, and had proved her mettle both on sea and on land.’ ”¹

¹ “Events of 1914: Dr. Rension on the War at Twentieth Century Club.”

Hamilton Spectator.   January 27, 1915.

Following the speech, two musical accompanists, A. C. McMillan and W. Jackson, provided support to the following musical performers: R.T. Collins, W. McIlroy and Alderman W. Dore, songs; Charles Wilson, mandolin selection; Bandsman Yardsley, cornet solo; J. Tupper, violin solo.

1915-01-29gg

Before the jury was charged with coming to a decision as to the guilt or innocence of the accused, the judge made some comments, designed to assist them in their deliberations:

“The duties of a judge were defined by His Lordship in the preamble of his address, and he said it was his duty to define the difference between murder and manslaughter. Homicide, he said, was either culpable or inculpable; murder or manslaughter.

“ ‘Murder is homicide when the person means to cause death or bodily harm to either one person or to that person and accidentally kills another. Under the common law, murder is the killing of a person with malice aforethought. All homicide is culpable unless proven by the facts as being otherwise. It may be reduced to manslaughter if the deed is done in the heat of passion, under provocation.’

“His Lordship then went on to explain just what provocation meant. In the present case, the prisoner was pleading self-defense. In reference to this, the judge explained that any person was justified in using sufficient force to prevent an act that, if committed, might cause the person to be arrested without warrant.

“ ‘The prisoner admits firing a shot, and it is for you to satisfy yourself as to whether it was the shot that killed Melano. We are not concerned about the quarrels earlier in the day. There was evidently considerable drinking and scrapping that was childish, and you know the mere fact that you have had a quarrel with a man does not justify you in later on killing him. Now, to get down to the critical point. In the first place, the prisoner came into the room in a state of dishabille, and then returned to dress. Up till then he had no right to kill George Gheri. Later he went out and returned and said good night to all. Up to then there was a great deal of contradictory evidence, and you have to decide between the prisoner’s version and that of the others.’

“His Lordship went into the story told by the prisoner, referring to George Gheri following him to his room; the getting of the revolver, and the shot – not to kill – but to scare.

“ ‘Now, did the prisoner go to the room? Did George follow him? If the prisoner’s story is correct, Gheri was out of sight of the other witnesses. He was in his room, and you don’t know whether he was threatened or not. But, if Gheri did not follow him and the prisoner walked into the dining-room and shot at Gheri without any provocation and killed Melano, then you must decide. You must weigh carefully all the evidence submitted by the witnesses on this point. We must not shrink from doing our duty from any morbid or false sense of pity. If you think the evidence not sufficient against, then you should acquit him. If, on the contrary, you think he is guilty without justification, you should find him guilty of murder. If you think the deed was done without malice, or if there was provocation, then you might reduce the charge to manslaughter.

“In concluding, he reminded the jurors that they were the judges, and it was for them to decide on the evidence. If necessary, they were to ask for evidence from the official reporter.

“His concluding words were : ‘If George Gheri did not give the prisoner justification for his deed, then what mitigation was there? It is for you to decide.’ ” ¹

¹ “Three Day Murder Trial Ended”

Hamilton Times.   January 25, 1915.

The jury took only 25 minutes to come to a decision. When they came back into the main court room, it was Daniel Skelly, who had been chosen as chairman of the jury, who announced that the jury had agreed upon a verdict of manslaughter.

It was then said that the prisoner would return to court in a few days for sentencing.

The Monday after the verdict was announced, the Hamilton Times published an extensive article detailing what it termed the ‘career of the crime” of Russini:

“He is only 25 years of age now, yet romance and tragedy have played an important part in the history of his life.

“Hamilton was the first place he took up residence in boarding with a foreign family in the east end. He was twelve years old then, and was one of the noisiest newsboys on the corner of King and James streets. What little education he had was gained while in sunny Italy and on Hamilton streets. He never went to school here.

“Toronto next saw him and the police maintain that from his nineteenth birthday, he has not done a single tap of work. In Toronto the good, he was convicted of being in a house of ill-repute. The charge read that he was the keeper, and had been making a living that way.

“Then Hamilton saw him again. Many will remember the story of Rose Bartlett, which was featured in the papers three years ago, how she came out here from England, and had taken a position as a domestic. Later, she was met by Russini, who, it was claimed, took her to an empty house in the foreign section, and kept her there a prisoner. Through a barred window, she managed to slip a note to a man who helped her esacpe. Rose, however, went back again to Russini. Tired of her, Russini took another foreigner’s wife to a sequestered nook. The husband discovered where she had been taken, then went gunning for Russini. He was walking along the street when he saw Russini and eight other Italians in a room playing cards. Rushing home, he procured a shot gun and fired into the crowded room, loading the gun up and discharging it again before he was stopped.

“Then came the time when Russini left Rose altogether. The police were notified that a woman was in a boarding house freezing to death. They hurried down, and in a vacant room found Rose on a filthy bed. The temperature was below zero, and she not only was almost destitute of clothes, but there was no fire in the room. A lace curtain had been pulled about her. She was in an unconscious condition. She had apparently been locked in the room and left to die.

“Russini next answered in the police court on the charge of having stabbed a friend. The affair took place in the back yard of his boarding house, knives were used by both he and the injured man. Result, Russini was given a year in prison.

“In London, he was charged with manslaughter; he, having shot and killed one of the foreigners of that city. He served a term for this this. It was a case of another gun fight.

“Later, he had some trouble at Port McNichol – blackmail was mentioned.

“At Christmas, Sdolcini came into Russini’s life. It was told at the court house this morning that Russini sent to Italy for a girl, under a nefarious arrangement with a Toronto Italian. Russini was arrested, and the other man is now on his way from Italy with the girl.

“When arrested, Russini was a broken man. He had hardly any clothes and no money. Governor Ogilvie stated this morning that the prisoner had been given a complete outfit of clothing by Interpreter Taylor who took pity on him.”²

² “Career of Crime of Young Italian : Story of Russini’s Life”

Hamilton Times.   January 27, 1915.

Russini was back in the Hamilton Court Room on January 27, 1915, when Sir William Mulock handed down the sentence for the manslaughter conviction:

“The prisoner stood in the dock with the same stolid look that had been noticed throughout his three day trial, and when sentence had been passed, sat down without a perceptible show of emotion”²

 No Other Punishment Would Fit His life of Crime”

Hamilon Times.   January 29, 1915

The sentence was accompanied with a fifteen minute lecture:

“His Lordship lectured the prisoner in a manner that was more than severe. In part, he said: ‘The jury took a lenient view of your case when it returned a verdict of manslaughter. There is no doubt but that you fired the shot that killed Melano. When you did that you were perfectly sober and acted directly against the advice of your friend, the boarding house keeper. Instead of waiting for trouble, you went after it. You have led a life of crime from your youth up. You have been convicted before of shooting and cutting and wounding your fellow men.

“” ‘I have given your case careful consideration, and it, indeed, gives one great sorrow to have to pass sentence on you. Several days have passed since your conviction on the manslaughter charge and no one has intervened on your behalf. Since your imprisonment, your custodians have had nothing good to say of you. There is only one thing to do with you and that is to place you somewhere where you cannot murder you fellow men. Therefore, I sentence you to imprisonment for the remainder of your life.’ ” ²

The Spectator reporter in the court room was watching Russini closely when his sentence was delivered:

“Ruffino showed not the slightest emotion when sentence was pronounced upon him. He listened with curled lip to the court’s arraignment of him and maintained the same surly and scornful attitude he has borne throughout the trial. His jailers say he has been a most intractable prisoner and consider him a dangerous man.

“His trial has shown clearly the dangers which exist  in the Italian colony of this city, with its drinking bouts in unlicensed houses and murderous rows.”³

³ “Life Term For Italian Who Shot Melini”

Hamilton Spectator.   January 29, 1915

Russini (so-called in the Times, but called Ruffino in the Spectator) had nothing to say in the court room, except to demand a cigarette as he was being led away.

In a post-script, the Times reporter learned that Russini had a huge roll of cash when he arrived in Hamilton from London, but had lost all of it during several days of gambling.

It was learned also learned that Russini was part of a wider criminal organization:

Àt the Court House this morning, it was announced that Russini is a member of a strong secret organization and when the shooting affair occurred and he was taken prisoner, the news was flashed to Buffalo, the headquarters of the gang. $650 was raised for him and sent to Hamilton to two members here here. It is said that as soon as the money was received, the men departed, leaving Russini to his fate

`Several Italians were of the opinion that the organization woud send men on the trail of the thieves, and that if they were caught – well, a shrug of the shoulders was very expressive.`` ⁴

⁴ `Stole Money Intended for Russini Defence`

Hamilton Times. January 29, 1915