December 1918 in Hamilton

December 1, 1918 – what a day of mixed feelings after an overwhelmingly exhausting October and November in the city of Hamilton!

The Great War had been less than great for the world, including for Hamilton. The world-wide epidemic of Spanish Influenza had definitely not spared Hamilton.

With the arrival of December, 1918, the Great War was technically still on, although a combat ceasing armistice had been signed on November 11. A party of returning soldiers was already expected, their exact time of arrival still unknown on December 1.

The Hamilton Board of Health’s restrictions on the hours stores were allowed to stay open were still in effect. The merchants were very anxious that the 1918 Christmas trade not be badly impacted:

 “While the heads of local department stores express a unanimous desire to co-operate with the health department in every possible way, they urge that the public, in order to overcome the difficulty incident to the 4 o’clock closing order, make special efforts to shop early in the day and thus assist in carrying out the existing regulations.

“Health department officials again urge that clerks who are released from store and office service at 4 o’clock walk to their homes as much as possible in order to assist the street railway company the better to comply with the order which forbids the overcrowding of cars. Summed up the popular order of the day is ‘shop early and walk.’ ”¹

¹ “Shop Early and Avoid Street Cars : This Will Best Way to Aid in Fighting Influenza : Merchants Are Readily Co-operating With Authorities”

Hamilton Herald.    December 02, 1918

The Herald also carried an editorial which urged all Hamiltonians to do their best to comply with the Board of Health’s orders while still making their Christmas purchases :

“In the meantime, citizens generally, but especially women, can do much to relieve congestion in the stores and thus help to serve the purpose of the health authorities, by doing their shopping, to the extent possible, in the morning.

“This should be borne in mind : The more loyal the community co-operation, the more general the observance of the regulations framed by the board of health, the sooner shall Hamilton be feed from the restrictions which are distasteful and harassing to everyone.”

                ² “The Closing Order”

Hamilton Herald.    December 02, 1918.

All three Hamilton daily newspapers, the Spectator, the Herald and the Times kept their readers up-to-date with all the news regarding the store hour issue, and the closing of churches and schools.

 A Spectator account from December 2, 1918 follows :

                    “THE TICKLED

                   _________

                   Toronto storekeepers.

                        ________________

                        School Kids

                        _________________

                        School Marms

                        ________________

                        Mail Order Houses

                        __________________

                        Jitney bus owners.

                        ____________________

                        Those who did their Xmas S.E.

                        _________________________

                        Cities that get our business

                        _________________________

                        Those who don’t use street cars

                        ___________________________

                        Those who eat at home

                        ____________________________

                        Those who’ve had it

                        ____________________________

                        Those who haven’t

                        _____________________________

                        Old Man Gloom

                        ____________________________

                        Those who’d rather sleep than

                        pray on Sundays

                        __________________________

                        Drummers who don’t stop off here.

                        PROGRESS OF THE FLU

                   Number new cases reported

  since Saturday …………526

Deaths reported yesterday :

   Influenza …………….2

                                Pneumonia …………. 3

                             Total number of cases reported

                                to date ……. 5450

                             Total number of deaths

                                to date  …….338.



          “There is no abatement in the severity of the influenza epidemic. Over one thousand new cases occurred in Hamilton last, and the number of new cases on Saturday and Sunday as reported to the board of health totaled 526. The publicity committee reported five more deaths for the same days, but the more up-to-date reports from the undertakers show twelve deaths in the city during the weekend.

          “From this summary, it can be seen that the influenza is as rampant in the city at present as at any stage of the epidemic’s course. Consequently, the health officials who are combatting the plague deem it unwise to slacken any of the restrictions which have been imposed.”³

³“ ‘Flu’ Epidemic Still Serious in Hamilton : Over 500 Cases Reported at the City Hall Since Noon on Saturday : Request of Merchants for Modification of Orders Refused by Health Board”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 02, 1918.

Finally, a group of soldiers arrived in Hamilton on December 2, 1918 – many of whom for medical or other reasons were already on their way home when the armistice had been signed:

 “Through the bungling of the military department at Ottawa, hundreds of homes in this city have been in a state of suspense since Saturday, expecting some of their soldier relatives to arrive at any hour, and the office of the secretary of the local soldiers’ aid commission and the newspaper offices have been persistently queried as to the names of the returned heroes, who were landed at Halifax by the steamship Acquitania. Word came through early Saturday that over 500 men from Toronto and west were on the way home, and later a message was received by Secretary Kaye that 126 of this number were destined for Hamilton, but the names did not come. During yesterday, Mr. Kaye had over 150 telephone calls in regard to the boys, but not until 8 o’clock this morning did definite word arrive. It was to the effect that the Hamilton boys would arrive at 9:33 a.m., via the C.P.R. When the train pulled in, there was a big crowd of citizens, who were hoping that their boy would be in the party, and when only 55 soldiers detrained, there was much disappointment. Geo. H. Lees, chairman, A.W. Kaye, secretary, and many members of the reception committee of the soldiers’ aid, as well as Col. Chandler, of the Salvation army, gave the boys a warm welcome and sent them to their homes in autos, of which there was a good supply. As it was anticipated that more soldiers would arrive on the G.T.R., the officers of the commission hurried in machines to the Stuart street depot, but no khaki clad passengers arrived on the route on the morning train. The rest of the Hamilton party are expected to arrive in the city by evening.

“Among the boys who came in this morning with the party was a member of the Canadian originals, Sergeant Morningstar of the 15^th battalion, whose relatives reside on Sherman avenue. He reported that the boys had had a rough trip across the Atlantic, passing through several snow storms, but had been well-treated and fed on board. Their trip from Halifax, too, had been pleasant, splendid accommodation having been provided by the railway company.

“To a friend, Sergeant Morningstar told of an amusing incident on train. A lady, who showed much interest in the boys, inquired as to the red and blue stripes on his arm, the red chevron being a mark of the first contingent, and the blue ones representing the number of years at the front. She was told that the red stripe denoted that the man is married and the blue stripes indicated the number of children the soldier had. She expressed much satisfaction that the government had shown such a deep interest in its soldiers and gave fathers such distinguishing marks. Later, however, she expressed much more surprise and asked for further explanation when she saw several soldiers with blue chevrons on their arm, but with no red one. The joke then broke,”⁴

⁴ “Relatives of Returned Men Disappointed : No Advance List Supplied of the Expected : Ottawa Blamed This Time for Latest Bungle : Another Party reached Hamilton This Morning”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 02, 1918

The Herald account of the confusion regarding the time and place of the soldier’s arrival was critical of the authorities :

 “Today Hamilton welcomed the largest party of returned soldiers since the war started. No fewer than 126 arrived at the T.H.& B. and G.T. railway stations. Once again, owing to bad management on the part of the Toronto authorities, the reception tendered the homecoming heroes wasn’t what it should and would have been.

“Practically all of the soldiers’ relatives were kept on the quivive from Saturday until today. In coming trains from Toronto were met at both depots by many tired and indignant watchers. Relatives went all day from the Hunter and Stuart street stations in their desire to meet their long departed loved ones. Quite a crowd continued the vigil at the G.T.R. depot until 1:30 this morning, but not a returned soldier came. Some of the heroes arrived by the early G.T.R. train.

“Yesterday Secretary A.W. Kaye, soldiers’ aid commission, had a merry time answering the ‘phone. No fewer than 76 telephone calls were received at his North Sherman avenue home from relatives. Toronto had ‘phoned Mr. Kaye that 126 Hamilton men were en route here, but he couldn’t learn their names. Last night he was told over toe wire that the Hamiltonians would have to leave Toronto last for they couldn’t be accommodated there. In vain he waited for further news, for he desired to arrange for special street cars to meet the midnight train. At 1:30 a.m. he gave up and went to rest. This morning no word came through as to when the soldiers would arrive. Luckily for the homecoming men, the solders’ aid commission and the Kiwanis club took a chance and had 25 autos waiting to meet the 9:40 train. Over 50 heroes arrived. The platform was crowded with the men’s relatives. The remainder of the heroes reached the city later in the day.

“George H. Lees, A.W. Kaye, J. Coates, Col. Chandler, Salvation army; Controller Robson, W.A. Campbell, J.R. Wells, Controller Wright and others were the boys on behalf of the city. W.A. Smith and P. Dunnigan, representing the Kiwanis club, which had arranged for the automobiles, were also on hand, and distributed packages of cigarets and smokes to the returned ones.”⁵

⁵  “Large Party of Soldiers Home Again : Hundred and Twenty-Six Arrived This Morning : Their Relatives Again On Anxious Watch for Hours”

Hamilton Herald.    December 02, 1918.

Worried about how the early store closing regulations would affect their Christmas business, the merchants of Hamilton again made an announcement in the city press, urging shoppers to accommodate themselves to the rules :

 “In spite of the war’s ending and the early return of our boys, the high tension under which business has been conducted cannot be eased up in time for the holiday rush. The order of the board of health closing all stores until further notice at 4 o’clock, has further accentuated this condition, and the only proper solution is for everyone to shop in the early hours of the day.

“The last two weeks before Christmas will be filled with disappointments – stocks will be depleted, deliveries will be delayed – satisfactory service will be impossible – unless much of your shopping is done this week!

“The retail merchants of Hamilton, appreciating the difficulties which confront them, ask your co-operation, so that they may serve you to your satisfaction.”⁶

⁶ “The Merchants of Hamilton Urge You to Shop Early”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 04, 1918.

The Spectator again commented on the shopping issue in light of the Board of Health regulations in a series of short observations :

 “Ask Us – We Don’t Know”

If it is dangerous for clerks to wait on customers after 4 o’clock in the afternoon, how is the overworked Proprietor immune?

                                                                                      ANXIOUS

Our Hoyle is silent on this point. Ask the doctors. – Ed.

_____________________________________________

Is it worse for one man to serve fifty customers in his store after 4 o’clock than to have the assistance of his clerks and disperse the crowd more quickly.

                                                                                      BEWILDERED

Common sense seems to approve of retaining the clerks, but the doctors have decreed otherwise. – Ed.

__________________________________________

Is the ‘flu’ germ more active after 4 p.m. than previous to that hour?

                                                                                        I WONDER

Once again, we are stumped. Will some doctor please explain? – Ed.

_________________________________________________

Why, in the name of all that is sane and proper, if the ‘flu’ is more deadly than small pox, haven’t the cases been isolated and placed under quarantine?

                                                                                      IVA KAUFF

If uva cough, Iva, your doctor should be able to answer that question. – Ed.

_______________________________________________

Please tell me why members of the board of trade and other business men can spare time to go to the city hall and beg the ‘people’s representatives’ to do things, but cannot do their duty by serving as city representatives? 

                                                                                          TAXPAYER

Will business men please answer? –Ed.

____________________________________________________

 Is it safer to stand on a street corner for an hour, waiting for a car, than to ride on a crowded one?

A.  HOOFER

The doctors say it is. So there⁷

⁷ “ Knutty Points

Hamilton Spectator. December 5, 1918

All Hamilton newspapers became increasing filled with advertisements, presenting ideas for gifts available. On December 12, 1918, one newspaper ad carried extensive text urging husbands to buy a certain product which may or may not have been welcomed when opened by their wives on Christmas morning :

 (Copy re O Cedar Polish Mop)

“He shows it in a hundred different ways. But most of all, he shows it in the things he selects for me at Christmastide.

“True, he gives a few pretty trifles – but every Christmas he gives me some one thing that is of practical use to me in my housekeeping.

“This year it is an O-Cedar Polish Mop – that is because he has heard me say my old one – which saved me many a back ache – is pretty well used up.

“I really would have to give myself an O-Cedar Mop if he had not been so thoughtful. I could never go back to the old, low-stooping, high-reaching way of dusting floors and ceilings. I would not for anything be without an O-Cedar Polish Mop.”

          ___________________________

“The spirit of Christmas giving finds practical expression in an O-Cedar Polish Mop. A gift she will use – at least three hundred days in the year. A gift she will appreciate because it banishes the backbreaking bending of old-time housekeeping methods.

“Let others give her the trivial, petty things. From the man of the house, she expects at least one present that is thoroughly practical. And he should delight in giving her that which will lighten her labour.”⁸

8  “O Cedar  Polish Mop: He Thinks Well of Me”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 12, 1918

A Hamilton native who had achieved prominence in the United States, but who exploits were little known locally, had returned to the Ambitious City for a pre-Christmas visit to friends and family. A Herald reporter filed the following about that man, Freddie Hill :

 “Freddie Hill, the Hamilton boy who has developed into one of the foremost heel and toe experts in New York, will leave for the big town shortly to take part in several big races. Hill, who is commonly referred to as ‘Goulding’s protégé,’ has been back in this, his native city, for some time, but with the indoor season coming on, he wants to be where the walking is fast and the competition keenest.

“The local lad’s walking stunts have all been performed in New York. He has done little or nothing in Hamilton, and very few know him as Freddie Hill, the walker. However, the New York critics agree that he is a comer, and that barring George Goulding, the world’s champion, he is a topnotcher.

“Hill has been in the last three races in New York, known as the Coney Island event. He walked 25 miles in the 22^nd armory in New York in the good time of 4.06.56 and also traveled the 50 mile route from Van Cortlandt park to West Point in eight hours and six minutes. The lad has shown both speed and endurance, and he has an easy style that is more similar to that of champion Goulding than that of any other walker in the game.

“His first race on his return to Uncle Sam’s land will be the Washington Birthday walk from the city hall, New York, to Coney Island. He is feeling O.K. and expects to have a big season.

“Hill was born at the corner of King William and Hughson streets. He has spent the last five years in New York and was in the candy-making business. During his present stay here he is residing at 201 North John street.”⁹

⁹ “Freddie Hill, Local Heel and Toe Expert, Expects Big Season ”

Hamilton Herald.   December 13 1918.

Roy Tobey was the owner of a clothing store on James Street North. Once a week very week, and sometimes more often, Tobey would pay for a large advertisement in the daily newspapers. Not only did the ads provide information about the sales and other things related to Tobey’s retail business, but Tobey also filled up the ads with lengthy verbiage from him. AS Christmas 1918 approached, Roy Tobey championed the cause of providing a good holiday for returning soldiers and their families :

“Now for the Christmas tree for the kiddies of the war veterans!  It doesn’t look to me as if the money is coming in as it should. Let me tell you an instance. A soldier who went with the 173^rd and bought my lad’s kilts , Arthur Fisher, when he went to France to die that we might live, came home last Monday or Tuesday, expecting to meet his wife and two children. He didn’t even know that she had been sick, and he found her dead. She had died suddenly with the ‘flu, I think. Do these men suffer? Have they suffered !!! Are they not entitled to the best that we can give them? I think so.

“He came in to see me, and he had with him two of the sweetest children – about 4 and 6 years. The man is not asking for charity, because he can look after his children, I know, but don’t you think that this city should make a merry, merry Christmas for those two children, as well as hundreds of others? Instead of $1,000, raise $3,000 and do it up right.

_________________________________________

“Dear Santa : I am a poor boy, my mother is dead. And there are three more besides myself; we would like some toys for Christmas. And my father tries his best to keep us together since he came back from France. And I am sick in bed with a sore leg for a year and a half. Goodbye. Don’t forget us, Santa                       EDDIE ----

“This little fellow and hundreds of others place their hopes in the War Veterans’ Santa. What’s the answer?”¹⁰

¹⁰ “Tobey’s Views : His Observation About Returned Men and the ‘Flu’ Epidemic”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 14, 1918.

One of the key organizations involved in on-going efforts to request charitable donations was the Great War Veterans’ association.

On December 14, 1918, the Hamilton Herald published the following letter from the organization’s secretary-treasurer of its West Hamilton branch,  A. W. Cooke, regarding a $15 donation just received from the women workers in the cigarette department of the Tuckett Tobacco company:

“That shows a spirit that so far has not be shown by any other factories. What is the matter with the girls in the woolen mills and numerous other factories that have many departments full of girls? Surely if the census were taken in each factory and each one was to give 25 cents it would amount to a grand total of several hundred dollars.

”Come along now, girls, the ‘flu’ ban has been on for some time past. What about the quarters and half dollars you have saved from the movies etc.? Would you like to be in a position of some of the little mothers who have so nobly sacrificed and given their all, in order that he might go and defend his country and you? You know fully well a mother’s love that no one but a mother fully understands. Are there any of you who would shun and spurn a little kiddie in the hour of need, and in the day of trouble? When you see a little boy or girl crying on the street does your heart not go out to him or her? If you have the opportunity, don’t you go to him or her and say, ‘Never mind, don’t cry, you will be all right now and pat them on the back, and try to cheer them up? Of course you do. I have seen you do it myself.

“Here is your opportunity now to help. You won’t be able to go into all these homes and see the little ones looking for Santa Claus. You won’t be able to see the big eyes fill up with tears when there is little or nothing in their stocking from Santa. These are the sights the world does not see, and they are the saddest of all. The poor, little, unprotected, unthought of children of the men who sacrificed all in order that you might be spared from the ravages suffered in Belgium and France.

“You see pictures here and there portraying those conditions in Belgium and France, and you say, ‘No, it is impossible, this is all too horrible to be true.’ Let me tell you is all true and only too true, as it always was and ever will be. Truth is always stranger than fiction.

“Girls not only in factories, but in offices, department stores and those who are fortunate enough in being able to stay out of business, get together, give what little you can. Maybe the day will come when the iron hand of fate will descend on you and yours. Wouldn’t you like to think that someone thinks of You”¹¹

¹¹ “Help Kiddies : Give to the Christmas Tree Fund.”

Hamilton Herald.    December 14, 1918.

“The Soldiers’ Aid commission is without word as to the time of the arrival of the veterans who disembarked from the Olympic last Saturday.”

Hamilton Spectator.     December 17, 1918.

Three days after the RMS Olympic docked at Halifax with a full load of soldiers returning from Western Europe, Hamiltonians whose loved ones were supposed to be on that ship, and Hamiltonians hoping to give them a warm welcome, had little idea when that arrival would happen:

“Word comes from Toronto, however, that the local party may not arrive until Thursday. Mr. Kaye yesterday afternoon sent a telegraph to Lieut-Col. John Gunn, D.O.C., asking for assistance in making arrangements for his homecoming of the Hamilton boys. So Far, however, he has received no reply.”¹²

¹² “On Their Way : But Returned Men May Not Arrive Before Thursday ”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 17, 1918.

Mr. Kaye of the Hamilton office of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission repeatedly tried to get an exact idea as to when, or even which railway line, the returning soldiers would finally arrive in Hamilton. Not receiving a definitive answer, he nevertheless put into motion the steps he could take in the meantime. A major task was to assemble enough automobiles and their drivers to meet the men after they disembarked from the train so that they could be driven to their homes.

Finally, on December 18, 1918, Mr. Kaye received a telegraph that the Hamilton soldiers had reached Toronto by rail. They would soon be transferred to a train heading for Hamilton but no expected time of arrival was given. Nor was anyone told whether the boys would get off a Grand Trunk railway at that railway’s station on Stuart Street or, whether they would come on a C.P.R. train to be let off at that line’s station uptown on Hunter street west.

A Spectator reporter had been assigned to cover the arrival, but he was in the dark as to where and when the men would arrive. Nevertheless, that reporter like everyone else rushed from one station to the other. His report on the whole matter was a vivid, superbly-written article, an article  which follows :

“ ‘Good old Hamilton!’ they roared as the big C.P.R. train crashed into the depot  the grinding of the brakes as they bit into the wheels, and mingled with the thunderous cheers of the multitude and - the excited shrieks of girls and little children.

“Then they emerged – these boys of ours – and little drops of khaki were lost in a sea of excited humanity. Now and then would be heard – ‘Here’s Bill!’ – ‘My Joe!’ as the dense crowd surged to and fro from coach to coach and anxious eyes peered through the gloom of the dimly-lit station to catch a glimpse of some loved one.

“Finally the first warriors managed to break through the massed formation and began to straggle down the platform, with eager kiddies clustered round and willing hands bearing the bulky kit-bags to the rear of the depot, where a veritable battalion of automobiles awaited the veterans.

“Bronzed and hale were these men of Flanders and the terrible cloud that had hung over humanity and which they labored and fought and bled to remove appeared to have touched them but lightly. Some of them added a finishing touch to the realism of the scene by carrying their rusty trench-helmets with the packs on their backs.

“Old Bill was there, and Alf and Bert – all of them enjoying the excitement and the glamor. Old Bill’s missus had been jubilating and fretting alternately since the telegraph boy brought her the message last Friday that hubby had reached Halifax. She had learned first that Bill was coming on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, and finally on Thursday. She was in a state of excitement as she dressed up the kiddies yesterday afternoon yesterday and hustled them down to the G.T.R. depot to meet the train on which the boys were ‘sure’ to arrive; and when the news spread through the Stuart street station, that the boys weren’t coming she joined the weary pilgrimage of the hundreds of soldiers’ folk, tired and supperless up to the Hunter street depot, while five-year-old Jimmie ‘wished the kayser would get the flu and die,’ as he tottled alongside. But all was forgotten as she clasped Old Bill’s strong arm, and followed him as he threaded his way through the crowds. To the reporters Bill stated that he ‘didn’t want nuffin’ in the papers,’ but he accepted the hospitality of the automobile which was waiting to transport him and his to ‘the better ‘ole’ down in East Hamilton.

“Fifty-three veterans arrived – soldiers of all ranks and grade, from the grey-haired South African vet to the smooth-faced lad who was met with an army of small brothers and sisters. There was no lack of accommodation, thanks to the Kiwanis club, while the civic reception committee, the Salvation Army, and the soldiers’ aid commission did the honors for the returned boys on behalf of the city.”¹³

¹³ “Crowds Greeted Returned Heroes on Their Arrival : Fifty-Three Hamilton Men Back From the Front : Many of Them Saw Four Years’ Fighting : Kiwanis Club and Others Tendered Reception ”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 18 1918.

On December18, 1918, the Spectator was able to report that the find-raising initiative of the Great War Veterans Association was doing well. Donations were being received not only from Hamiltonians, but from people living in faraway places :

 “Up to date the G.W.V.A. has received a total of $1,304.22 in donations to the Christmas tree, which will be held in the I.O.O.F. Temple on the evening of December 23, for the kiddies of those who have been killed in action or died in service.

“Just how far and wide this idea has spread is shown by a letter sent by Mrs. Elsie H. Moore, of Chicago, formerly of this city, who read about the G.W.V.A. Christmas tree in this paper, and sent the largest single contribution yet received from any individual - $100.^”14

¹⁴“Generous Gift : G.W.V.A. Has $100 from Chicago Lady for Tree. ”

        Hamilton Spectator.   December 18 1918.

Roy Tobey kept up a relentless pitch for donations to the G.W.V.A, Christmas Tree Fund in his advertisements:
 “Shall these kiddies fight the good fight alone? You watched their dads as they went joyously, those sunny-hearted lads in khaki. You walked with many of them that day. You made their way your way; you grasped their hand again and again. You murmured ‘Courage, man;’ you can’t forget how it gripped you, how your heart contracted when you saw them bid their children good-bye to go away for you and you kind of wished that you might go with them into the unknown they faced so fearlessly. Men that you had known from childhood. Was it not yesterday? No, for yesterday they were at Vimy. There are other yesterdays, Passchendaele, Cambrai, and Mons, when you were not with them, when their kiddies were not with them. No friendly voice murmured, ‘Courage!’ No hand clasped theirs. Only the chill, gray dawn, only the flash of murderous fire, only fumes of poison gases, only death-dealing instruments everywhere. Many of them are never coming back; some may take years to die, some are crippled; but their children are here, their wives are here, and it is Christmastime and the war veterans ask you to do a little part that will not hurt. What is $700 or $800 to  buy Christmas presents for (I imagine) 1,7000 children? Why $3,000 would be too little. Say, men, just swamp that old war veterans’ headquarters with money! Give the kiddies the best Christmas they ever had. If you want to send me the money I will see that they get it and you will make many a lad happy. Now, this is a part of my advertising. I am making this appeal instead of telling you that I have got the best suits in town; you know that anyway. You make those kiddies happy and you make me happy. Make that $3,000, $4,000 or $5,000, and do it quick.

                                                                             L.R. Tobey¹⁵

¹⁵“The Kiddies’ Christmas : Are You With Them, the Soldier’s Boy or Girl”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 19, 1918.

Just six days after from Christmas Day, the Royal Connaught Hotel announced its plans for the upcoming holidays, excellent happenings every day except Christmas Eve :

 “With the war over, with suspense and, dread lifted from countless hearts and thankfulness in all, there is going to be a Christmas spirit abroad next week which has not been seen in all these four  weary years, when sorrow and gloom, even if it did not attend, at least dogged the footsteps of all. If there has been any gayety displayed in the Christmastide of these years it has been at best a mirthless gayety, and people frolicked ‘because they must, and not because they would.’

“Now, however, the cloud of depression has been lifted, and in the refulgence cast over the whole world, thoughts turn naturally to all those social gayeties which are inseparable from this season of the year.

“The Royal Connaught, that center of the larger activities, intends to give the Hamilton public just as much entertainment as it is possible for it to enjoy during Christmas week, and such a program of festivity, breathing in cold print of the wonderful spirit of Yuletide, has been drawn up by the management, as will be the means of exciting all the hearts of the younger generation of Hamilton society, while it is doubted whether the older and more staid members of society will not, on perusal, also feel a pleasure sensation of anticipation.

“Christmas eve is in most homes a time of happiness, when social functions have to give place to the tasks of decorating, last minute shopping, and the twelve o’clock filling of the ‘stocking.’

“For this reason, the management of the hotel has decided that Christmas eve shall be a home day. No special attractions will be held out as inducements for mothers and fathers, and big brothers and sisters to leave home, and the real festivity of the week will commence Christmas day itself.

“On this day, the hotel, beautifully and gaily decorated in real fashioned style, will hold its well-known Christmas dinners – only this year they are going to exceed any ever offered at the hotel before!

“From 12 to 2 and from 6 to 9 o’clock, these will be in progress , and so great  a rush is anticipated that on the inviting card, bearing the announcement, the sentence is inserted that no reservation will be held for longer than 15 minutes. From nine until twelve o’clock, dancing in the winter garden will be indulged in.

“Saturday will be kept quietly, in order that all may recover energy for the New Year’s festivities, but on Monday the feature of the week will be held, when the children’s dansant and Christmas tree will be given. This novel method of allowing the youngest generation to taste of the social pleasure of Christmas in a large way, was instituted in Hamilton for the first time by the Royal Connaught last year.

“New Year’s eve, that great day when dancers waltz gaily into the new year, is the occasion premiere of the week. A supper dance will be given in both restaurants, commencing at 1:30 p.m., while the dancing will begin at nine o’clock, and last until the first hour of the year, 1919. There will be three orchestras in attendance – the regular orchestra of the ball room and two additional ones for the dancers downstairs. There will be a special dinner New Year’s day and many other attractions, including the tea dansant from 4 to 6 o’clock. Dancing will be from 9 to 12 o’clock.”¹⁶

¹⁶  “Royal Connaught : Program of Festivity for Xmas and New Year”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 19, 1918.

Finally, just six days before Christmas, the Hamilton Board of Health decided to acknowledge the the Spanish Influenza epidemic had receded enough to allow store to take full advantage of the holiday trade as well as allowing the city churches to resume public worship services :

 “The lid is off. The board of health at a special meeting yesterday afternoon, with one exception, decided to lift the ban which was imposed on November 29 on churches and theaters. The one exception was Ald. Langs, who, while not offering any strenuous objection, said he had doubts as to the advisability of such action in view of the fact that in Buffalo, he had been informed, the influenza epidemic was gaining ground again as a result of the lifting of the ban there.

“The order of the board was effective at once. Theaters may reopen tonight and church services may be held as usual Sunday next. While it was decided to lift the ban completely, it was with the understanding that the schools would not reopen till after the Christmas and New Year holidays. A deputation of clergymen, representing the Ministerial association, attended the meeting and urged that the ban not only be lifted, but that it not again be put on churches in the event of a fresh outbreak of influenza.”¹⁷

¹⁷ “Ban Completely Lifted By Health Board : Church Services Next Sunday – Theaters May Open at Once : Schools Not to Open Until After Holidays – Some Criticism”

Hamilton Herald.    December 19, 1918.

From the Hamilton Spectator, December 21, 1918 :

                   Christmas

Sound over all waters, reach out from all lands,

The chorus of voices, the clasping of hands;

Sing hymns that were sung by the stars of the morn.

Sing songs of the angels when Jesus was born:

   With glad jubilations

   Bring hope to all nations;

The dark night is ending, and dawn has begun;

Rise, Hope of the ages, arise like the sun !

All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one.

Sing the bridal of nations; with chorals of love,

Sing out the war vulture, and sing in the dove,

Till the hearts of the people keep time in accord,

And the voice of the world in the voice of the Lord.

   Clasp hands of the nations

   In strong congratulations;

The dark night is ending, and dawn has begun;

Rise, Hope of the ages, arise like the sun !

All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one.

Blow, bugles of battle, the marches of peace;

East, west, north and south, let the long quarrel cease:

Sing the song of great joy that the angels began.

Sing the “glory of God,” and “the good will to man !”

    Hark, joining in chorus

    The heavens bend o’er us:

The dark night is ending, and dawn has begun;

Rise, Hope of the ages, arise like the sun !

All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one.

                  

                                                ---- J. G. Whittier.

The efforts of the Hamilton branch of the Great War Veterans Association in raising a lot of money succeeded enough to help make Christmas merry for the children of soldiers still overseas and the children whose fathers had died as a result of the war:

 “More than 1,500 little ones, many of them children whose daddies gave their lives on the battlefields of the old world, were made happy last evening through the good offices of the G.W.V.A., the members of which had prepared in the I.O.O.F. temple a wonderful time for the youngsters. It is no exaggeration to say that every foot of space in which could be packed a small atom of eager, palpitating humanity was occupied, auditorium, gallery and basement being filled to suffocation. Children of ages were agape with anticipation at the treat before them; and even the sad-faced widows, with their babies in their arms and toddlers clinging to their skirts, seemed to find in the efforts put forth by the comrades of their dead that spirit of helpfulness and brotherhood which had birth in the trenches.

“Two brightly lit Christmas trees on the platform blossomed with gifts of all sorts, and many more were piled at the front of the platform. Sleighs, skates, Teddy bears, dolls, rocking horses and all the other treasures for which the juvenile heart yearns, were among the presents plucked from the magic tree by a jolly Santa Claus, and clasped tightly in the arms of the delighted youngsters, as they formed a line, and passed out after receiving their gifts. Pandemonium reigned for a while, as members of the G.W.V.A. valiantly breasted the tide of sturdy youth that surged about the tree; but nobody minded the fact that the conditions that prevailed for a time were such that even a hard-pressed sardine would have protested, and that they were reminiscent, somewhat of an enemy raid.

“ ‘Twas a great night for the kiddies and exemplified the good old slogan of the vets, ‘Carry on.’

“Supper was served in the basement at four long tables laden with goodies, and each child and mother present received a well-filled lunch box, containing fruit, sandwiches and other toothsome ‘eats.’

“Sergt.-Major Jordan made a splendid Santa Claus, and during the program went through the audience distributing candies and other treats.

“The short program, which, needless to say, was necessary to the great business of the evening, was in charge of C.W. Heming, who made a brief address, in which he thanked the local newspapers, the citizens, the various women’s auxiliaries and L.R. Tobey.

“H.A. Burbidge and L.R. Tobey spoke to the children, and Pipe-Major Dunbar entertained them with the pipes. The Duke children, as usual, made a huge hit with their clever recitations and imitations.

“The committee in charge of the affair, and which deserves much credit for the pleasure given the little ones, was composed of the following : George Sharpe, B. Kendrick, W. Hamilton, Sergt.-Major Jordan, Sergt.-Major Lander, Sergt. W. Stout, F.W. Scott, W. Crompton, F. Brown, Wm. Smith, W. Crompton, F. Brown, Wm. Smith and Pipe-Major Dunbar.

“One of the hardest worked during the evening were ex-Gunner A.H. Peart, who had charge of the distribution of the chocolates for the mothers of the kiddies. Mr. Peart saw that no one was overlooked. He distributed nearly 1,500 boxes of candy.”¹⁸

¹⁸ “Xmas Gifts  For Fatherless Ones : Santa Claus Greeted Folks of Fallen Heroes : Merry Kiddies, Sad-Faced Widows Pathetic Contrast : G.W.V.A, Made Many Juvenile Hearts Happy” ”

Hamilton Spectator December 20, 1918.

Despite the massive efforts, it became clear that still more was needed to be done as there were still offspring of soldiers from the Hamilton area who needed to be remembered during the holiday season :

 “In view of the big success of the Christmas tree entertainment given to soldiers’ children under the auspices of the G.W.V.A. in the I.O.O.F. temple last night, and the possibility that there may be some who would otherwise miss Santa Claus, it was announced this morning that arrangements are being made to hold another entertainment of a similar nature. The date has not yet been fixed, but it will likely be New Year eve.” ¹⁹  

“¹⁹ “Another Tree : G.W.V.A Will Not Overlook Any Kiddies.””

Hamilton Herald.    December 23, 1918.

One of Canada’s leading military figures as the Great War came to an end was Major-General, Honourable Sidney Chilton Mewburn.

Well-known to his fellow Hamiltonians because of his military, business and political prominence in the Ambitious City, not to mention because of his beautiful residence on Markland Street at the head of Park street, Mewburn was the Minister  of Militia and Defense with the federal government in December, 1918.

On December 23, 1918, Mewburn sent the following Christmas message to the Canadian troops overseas awaiting demobilization and a return home:

“On behalf of your comrades in Canada, I have the proud privilege od sending Christmas greetings this year to a victorious Canadian army, occupying the territory of a conquered foe. Last year, you looked back upon a year of desparate, if glorious fighting, and forward to a doubtful issue, for the enemy was known to have gained new strength and to be meditating a tremendous blow against us. Today you can look back upon a year in which the British bore adversity with fortitude, refused to despond when things were at their darkest, returned to the offensive at the critical moment, and in three months of fighting such as the world have never seen before, won a victory unexampled alike for the glory won and for the service rendered by it for humanity.

“In this warfare of giants you have borne a part which fills us with a pride and gratitude which we cannot express. Amiens, Arras, the Queant-Drocourt line, the Canal du Nord, Cambrai, Valenciennes and the Mons are words which will inspire Canadians for centuries, and you are the men who have these these resounding deeds. Our homage of love and pride is tendered to the men who fell in these triumphs.

“We hope soon to welcome you home, and you may rest assured that every effort is being made to ease the path of your return to peaceful industry.”²⁰

²⁰ “Mewburn’s Message to the Canadians”

Hamilton Spectator.     December 24, 1918.

Christmas eve morning scenes in Hamilton were described in the afternoon edition of the Spectator:

 “Although there have been no special Christmas rates on the steam railways this year, the holiday travel have been the largest since 1914, railway officials declared this morning. Through trains on the trunk lines were from one to two hours behind time this morning, and the storm from the east, which began in earnest shortly before noon, was anything but welcome to the station officials and train crews. The first storm of the season is always a heartbreaker for transportation men, and this season’s, first coming when travel is at the maximum, will no doubt spoil the Christmas enjoyment to a considerable extent for the knights of the rail.

“The post office officials also report record business this year, the package department being loaded down to the gun’ales. The veteran postmaster, Adam Brown, was on hand for a few hours this morning, just to see that there were no wrenches in the machinery.”²¹

²¹ “Traffic Heavy : And Trains Running Late Owing to first Storm of Season”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 24, 1918. 

Hamilton’s beloved columnist, Richard Butler, aka the Old Muser, put forward the following piece on December 24, 1918:

 “ ‘Marley was dead, to begin with.’ It was thus that the gifted Dickens began his Christmas Carol. ‘Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail … Scrooge knew he was dead ? Of course he did. Scrooge and he were partners for many years.’ Dickens’ stories are not read nowadays like they were by the ancient Hamiltonians of the past century, and the more pity it is, for their reading would make a better world. The Christmas Carols tell us that old Scrooge was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, ‘a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!’ Hamilton may have a few of the Scrooge tribe, but they are mighty few. As the history of the past four years can cheerfully give testimony. Very few have suffered from the high cost of living, for there has been work for everybody that wanted it, wages were good and liberal.

“God bless the generous-hearted people of dear old Hamilton! They have always responded to every call from the time it was but a village and called the Head of the Lake. There has never been any need of suffering if the wants of the unfortunate were known, for the women of Hamilton responded to every call for help, especially for women and children. Every church and every society of women have their relief corps. When the influenza became epidemic, how quick the S.O.S. was organized, and the pastor and official board of the First Methodist church promptly tendered to the ladies the use of their kitchen and outfit, and hundreds of baskets  of delicate food were sent out every day to the homes of the afflicted. Those grand women of the S.O.S. left their homes by units, happy in the thought that there was work for them to do, not only giving their time by also carrying to the church their baskets of delicacies from their own larders. And the people who owned motor cars placed them under direction of the S.O.S. to distribute their bounty in the homes of the afflicted. Let us change Tiny Tim’s prayer just a little, God bless them, every one.

“”This is not an unkind world after all, and dear old Hamilton stands in the front rank in every good work. Count up the tag days for the Red Cross and for other benevolences since the dark days of 1914 over-shadowed every home and country, and Hamilton has more than met every call made upon it, not only in brave men to answer the bugle call, but for money to provide for the dependent wives and children and parents of those who left home and home to create a new world of liberty. Let us be thankful that the worst is past, and that

‘When Johnny comes marching home again,

 We’ll give him a royal welcome then,

 The girls will cheer, the boys will shout,

 The people will all turn out,

  And we’ll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home again.’

Hamilton sent more than its quota – nearly 12,000. Many of the bravest and best will never return again!

‘In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow

 Between the crosses, row on row,

 That mark our place; and in the sky

 The larks still bravely singing, fly,

 Scarce heard amidst the guns below.

 We are the dead. Short days ago

 We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

 Loved and were loved; and now we lie

                   In Flanders’ fields.

 Take up our quarrel with the foe

 To you from failing hands we throw

 The torch. Be yours to hold it high!

 If ye break faith with us who die

 We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

                             In Flanders’ fields.’

“In Flanders’ Fields is the tribute of the brave Lieut.-Col. John H. McCrae to his Canadian comrades who have been ‘mustered out’ on the firing line. Col. McRae was born in Canada in 1872, passed from the glory of the battlefield in 1918. What a brave answer came back from an American comrade-in-arms, R.W. Gillard herewith given! The Red Cross society in Hamilton have done a service that will live forever in publishing the booklet, containing the original poem and the answer, with a handsome sketch of the growing poppy in Flanders’ Fields, drawn by a Hamilton lady artist, and a photo of the gifted Canadian author. Here is the answer:

‘Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead.

 The fight that ye so bravely led.

 We’ve taken up. And we will keep

 True faith with you who lie asleep

 With each a cross to mark his bed,

 And poppies glowing overhead.

 Where once his own life-blood ran red.

 So let your rest be sweet and deep

                             In Flanders’ fields

 Fear not that ye have died for aught

 The torch ye threw to us we caught.

 Ten million hands will hold it high,

 And Freedom’s light shall never die!

 We’ve learned the lesson that ye taught

                             In Flanders’ fields.’

“The glory won by our Canadian boys  will be told by future historians when recounting the story of the great war of 1914-1918. It cost the blood and the lives of  the bravest and best of all in the allied ranks. In thousands of Canadian homes, there will be at least one vacant chair at the coming Christmas feast

‘At the fireside, sad and lonely,

   Often will the bosom swell

 At remembrance of the story,

    How their noble Willy fell;

 How he strove to bear our banner

    Thro’ the thicket of the fight,

 And upheld our country’s honor,

    In the strength of manhood’s right.’

“The boys who responded to the bugle call, and will return home, in future years will proudly tell their children of the humble part they took in the great world

“Cheers for the returning soldier! Tears for the dead!”²²

²² “God Bless Us, Every One : By the Muser”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 24, 1918.

There was no issue of any of the three Hamilton newspapers on Christmas day, but on Boxing day, the herald carried the following description of the efforts of the Hamilton Postal employees to deal with the huge volume of Christmas mail that had to be dealt with :

 “With a Christmas day delivery the post office managed to clean up all the matter that was in the office on Christmas day and still arranged for the men to have part of the day off. Late yesterday and all today, large quantities of mail entered the city from various parts in Canada and the United States, with a small amount from abroad. The extra help employees hired by the department will continue to work for a few days, until affairs are again near normal conditions. It has been impossible for one postman to carry all of his mail for delivery at once, however, with a young man or boy, as an assistant, he has been able to arrange for a complete delivery at the familiar hours.

“The post office officials are more than pleased with the efficient manner in which the various departments acquitted themselves of the very large amount of work flung on them in the past few days. While the department expected a very large amount of work, it was unable to meet it without help. The matter of mail delivery is one that cannot well be prepared for before mail bags arrive, beyond the employing of extra help. Due to the fact that very few are experienced in the inside work of the office, apart from those regularly employed, extra help can only be placed with the postman on the street.”²³

²³ “Christmas Mail : Quantities Still Arriving at Post Office”

Hamilton Herald.    December 26, 1918.

Christmas day was not a cheery, family-oriented occasions for everyone as evidenced in the cases which appeared before the Police Court on Boxing Day morning :

 “Five foreigners faced O.T.A. charges and three were convicted and fined a total of $700 in police court today.

“Prospects that are far from cheering will face Ignace Truschkuick, Simcoe street east, if he cannot prove that the liquor found in his possession by P.C.’s Williamson and Buscombe was obtained on a physician’s order. According to Buscombe’s evidence, Ignace has been convicted before on a similar charge.

“Whisky was found in the house of Stanley Koseau, Arthur street, and Stanley was also guilty of a deplorable error of judgment when he strenuously resisted the officers who gently attempted to allure him to the police station.

“ ‘For that I’ll add another $100,’ thundered the cadi. ‘That’ll be $200.’

“His ‘medicine,’ which he threw down cellar on the entry of the officers, cost Jacob Bozeck, 9 Arthur street, $200.

                            

                             DRUNK

“Robert Davis, Catharine street north, who bore too heavy a load of Christmas cheer, received a smiling dismissal.

                             LIVELY PARTY

“From the appearance of Nick Pugack, Simcoe street west, as he stood in the dock this morning, it almost looked as if his role of defendant should have been reversed. Bloody bandages bound his head, and ripe-hued eyes were discernable through a maze of bruises.

“Nick was charged by Mrs. E. Pipenski with having come drunk to her house, causing a great disturbance, and ill-using her on Christmas morning at a very early hour.

“ ‘How did he get his wounds?’ queried the court.

“ ‘I gave them to him,’ modestly  answered the frail-looking complainant.

“It developed that the lady’s husband gave Nick a few loving taps, and his spouse followed up his treatment with several well-directed wallops of the snow shovel.

“Nick’s only comment, as the evidence was being given, was to call the lady a liar.

“As the story of the complainant and her witnesses was not very convincing, the case was dismissed.”²⁴

²⁴  “Christmas Cheer Flowed Freely : But It Netted Court Coffers Total of $700 : Worshippers of Bacchus Paraded Before Throne”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 26, 1918.

In conclusion, it was an article in the Herald summed up in vivid terms how Christmas day, 1918 was observed in Hamilton :

 “Yesterday was the best Christmas in four years. Such a feeling of ‘peace and good will toward men’ pervaded the earth that it seemed as if a Savior had been reborn. And many world-savers born to immorality in dugouts in France and Flanders made the unclouded joyousness of this Christmas day possible.

“Outwardly yesterday was like all other Christmases. The theaters were crowded to capacity at both matinee and evening performances. Many people took a constitutional to walk off the effect of too much turkey and plum pudding, and about ten per cent of the city’s population remembered the real meaning of Christmas and went to church in the morning to give praise to the Prince of Peace.

“It was in the homes that the real spirit of this 1918 Christmas was most manifest. Hundreds of families celebrated the return of their brave defenders from overseas, had the assurance that their boys would soon be back, or the knowledge that they were at least out of danger. For the first Christmas since 1918 there was no fly in the ointment of sweet content.

“Yet there were some sad hearths. Those that could see the vacant chair – made vacant by the war. But of those who occupied those chairs in Christmases gone, it is not necessary to speak, since their names will never die.

“Not even a conscientious laundress would have found fault with the ‘whiteness’ of this Christmas. Sleigh bells, the first of the season, played the joyous accompaniment to the gay carols thousands of happy hearts were singing.

“Santa must have left a coveted present in Magistrate Jelfs’ sock or else the ministerial Christmas breakfast didn’t find its way to the magisterial heart, for his worship did not follow his Christmas morning custom of calling up police headquarters and allowing all prisoners charged with minor offenses their liberty as a Christmas present. Therefore a quartet of alleged Yuletide celebrants and a foreigner alleged to have been carrying bottled Christmas cheer hung their socks in vain in the grating of a cell door. The magistrate didn’t impersonate Saint Nicholas this year.

“” ‘Serene’ is the adjective that best describes the day. That feeling was manifest not only in the homes, on the streets, but also in the weather which was as the official prophesier predicted, except that he fell down on his ‘clearing’ prediction. Holiday traffic was lighter than usual – not more than 1000 Christmas visitors came into and left the city, it is estimated.

“Of hilarity there was none. The prevailing spirit which brooded over this first of a long line of peace Christmases was one of thankfulness”²⁵

²⁵ 

“Peace Keynote of This Happy Christmastide : Many Homes Were Brighter for Return of Men ‘Over There : A Quiet Celebration : Feelings of Most People Seemed Too Deep for Noisy Display”

Hamilton Herald.    December 26, 1918.


Added - a selection of newspaper ads from December 1918