1915-05-12rr

The use, and abuse, of alcohol, was an ongoing theme dominating the proceedings at the Hamilton Police Court, and such was certainly the case at the session of Monday, May 12, 1915:

“ ‘You are every bit as dangerous in that automobile of yours, Millen, as a German in a submarine. You get loaded up with booze and climb in your automobile and you don’t know what you are doing. The people of Hamilton have to be protected and I am going to see that they are, by imposing a fine of $100 on you.’

“So said the magistrate this morning to Reginald Millen, Mount Hamilton, convicted for the second time of being drunk while in charge of an automobile.  On Saturday afternoon Millen’s car overturned on James street south and pinned him beneath it. Policemen told the magistrate that Millen’s breath furnished proof positive that he had been drinking.

“ I had but three drinks on Saturday afternoon, one gin and two shots of whiskey, and I was perfectly sober.,’ argued Millen.

“ ‘What made you car upset? Quizzed the magistrate.

“ ‘One of the wheels got wedged in a car track,’ was the reply, but it went far over the magistrate’s head, and he rapped out the century fine.

“Alexander and Dora Choce, Indian listers, punished a quart of rye last night. Constable Waddington got a whiff of the turpentine as they passed him, and he stuck them in a cell to cool off.

“ ‘Guilty,’ cooed Dora.

“ ‘That goes for me too,’ said the husband.

“ ‘And you’ll both go down for a month if you don’t divvy up $40,’ sang the cadi.

“They went.

“James Doherty, 149 James street south, bought the whiskey for the Choces. He admitted it, and was rapped for $50.

“ ‘Anybody who buys booze for Indian listers gets no mercy from me.’ Said the magistrate.

“Alfred Larmer was another who shattered the traditions of the Loyal Order of Drys. He climbed on the outside of a quart and bumped into a policeman. Larmer was let down with $10.”¹

¹ “Drunk While in Charge of Auto”

Hamilton Spectator.  May 12, 1915.