1915-03-11uu

“Acting on the suggestion of a number of prominent citizens, who have been assured of the support and co-operation of the local press, Mayor Walters announced today that he would call a meeting on Wednesday night in the city council chamber.”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 6, 1915.

It was a meeting to which invitations would be sent to representative men and women interested in patriotic matters, and the object of the meeting would be to launch an appeal for funds.

The funds would go to provide comforts for the Hamilton men fighting on the front, comforts not part of the usual things provided to soldiers:

“From the moment that men begin to move on active service, their needs multiply and the responsibilities of the officers increase accordingly. Many emergencies arise which make demands upon the private purses of the officers who are all concerned in being able to keep the men in the best of condition mentally and physically.”¹

¹ Citizens Will Honor Colonel and His Men : Public Meeting to Raise Fund for Comfort of Boys of 19^th Battalion”

Hamilton Spectator.    March 6, 1915.

While the idea was initially for the soldiers of Hamilton’s Highland Regiment, the idea might not stop there:

“If the appeal meets with a response that justifies it, the fund will be amplified to take in any contingents that have already gone from here, and which may go in the future.”²

² “Comfort Fund For Our Men”                 

Hamilton Times.   March 6, 1915

The meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon, March 10, 1915 with over 100 people in attendance:

“If the enthusiasm manifested by a large number of representative citizens at a public meeting held in the council chamber of the city hall for the purpose of launching a campaign for the raising of a fund to be used for the purchase of additional comforts for Hamilton soldiers who have gone or may go to the front during the present war, may be taken as an indication of the general opinion of the citizens, there is little doubt that the movement will rapidly become a popular one, and that a large amount of money will be subscribed in a short time.”³

³ “Campaign for All Hamilton Men : Money Will Be used to Further Efficiency and Comfort of Soldiers”

Hamilton Spectator. March 11, 1915.

The mayor assumed the role as chair of the meeting, and he began it by explaining the purpose of the gathering. He also announced that the Hamilton Parks Board had kicked off the fund will a donation of $100 and that offers have been received from the 13^th Battalion Band, the Hamel Sisters and the Hamilton Orchestral Society to hold fund-raising concerts.

The mayor said the following in rousing the spirit of those in attendance :

“ ‘This is a year of self-sacrifice, but the personal financial sacrifice we who remain at home are called on to make is as nothing compared to the sacrifices our Hamilton boys are making at the front. Only this afternoon, I was informed by our splendid citizen, Sir John Gibson, that his son had been wounded in battle. It is up to every Hamilton citizen to give liberally to this fund.’ ” ³

The mayor had heard statements that the fund should be organized and run by the military, but he disagreed:

“ ‘  This should be a campaign for the citizens and a citizen committee should handle it. Now I am willing to act on a committee if you see fit to appoint me,’ said his Worship, and a provisional committee was established.”⁴

⁴ “Comfort Fund to Include All Hamilton Men : Who Have Given Their Services For the Defense of the Principles of Liberty”

Hamilton Times.   March 11, 1915.

After a number of speeches, the following resolution was presented by H. C. Beckett, seconded by J. R. Close :

“That a subscription list be opened for the purpose of raising a fund to provide the means of furthering the efficiency, health and comfort of the soldiers who have gone or may go from Hamilton, and that it be known as the Hamilton Active Service Emergency Fund.”³

(To be Continued)

 

1915-03-14sh

The craze had been going too long, and the minister preaching at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on March 14, 1915 wanted to see it ended.

The craze was the dancing craze, and the visiting minister, Rev. Dr. Eakin, of Toronto, felt that the craze was indicative of a larger issue:

“He referred to the indifference in serious matters of the rising generation, and urged all in his audience to think more of the future. He stated that Jesus referred to the condition of indifferent men and women as folly, and as a stumbling block in the way of progress.”¹

¹ “Dancing Craze : Dr. Eakin Alluded to It in St. Paul’s Pulpit Yesterday”

Hamilton Times.   March 15, 1915.

A reporter for the Hamilton Times was in attendance at the large church on James street south and was able to capture a key portion of the sermon for the paper’s readers :

“ ‘The care of your soul,’ said the speaker. ‘ should be your first consideration. If you do not care whether you are damned or not, it is not only yourself that you are sending down, but others. It is awesome when we think of man’s dependency on one another. Your every action bears fruit and may have a big influence on the lives of others.

“ ‘I want all young people to bear this in mind. You may think you are merely individuals, and that what you do does not concern anyone but yourself. You are not mere atoms, separated from everybody else. Others depend on you and your actions, especially if they are bad, go out from you until at last they are seen at the great white throne and in outer darkness.

“ ‘In a book I have just read, a man is giving his attention to children, and he states that he wants to show them that they are not mere individuals, but have their places in the great procession of progress, and that should they go wrong, they block and choke up this procession more than they know. Men are the dynamos in God’s history, and they either make it or mar it.

“ ‘A minister in Toronto, referring to the dance craze, compares the devotees of it as a silly and giddy race. I am not here to condemn dancing, although I believe that he is right. I do not wish to condemn laughter or anything that is joyful for that is good, but I will say that pleasure with some people is a drug or bad habit. In the city where I live, which I believe is no worse than any other city of its size, and I do not wish to condemn it, I have seen young men and women going into places of amusement at 2 o’clock in the morning.

“ ‘They are intoxicated with it. If we see a man drunk with intoxicating liquors in the morning, we say that man is near the end of his rope, and yet, is he any worse than these others? Life is not a round of pleasure, and the young people should think more of Him, who suffered so much for this world. Until the time when people become more serious-minded, the world will be no better, but when the time comes that they pay more attention to their actions, then will the Kingdom of Christ of this earth be close at hand.

“ ‘We should remember that we are immortal, not mortals. Our life does not end when we shuffle off this mortal coil. Yet this should not be our only reason for following the teachings of the great Master. If we are unselfish, we should be good if only for the example we show to others, to help the weaker brother in the stern battle of life. And it is a stern battle, and when the people begin to realize the serious side of this, the world will be brighter and better than ever.’ ”

 

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“In an address ringing with patriotism, John R. Robinson, editor of the Evening Telegram, of Toronto, addressed the Canadian Club last evening.”

Hamilton Times.  March 4, 1915.

In his stirring speech, John Robinson whipped up the patriotism of a large crowd who came out to hear him speak in the tea room of G. W. Robinson and company’s store on James street south.

Of the many speakers who had addressed the Hamilton Canadian Club, John Robinson’s forceful and eloquent speech titled England, Defender of Freedom was exceptionally memorable.

Robinson’s memories of being in England during the fateful night when Britain declared war, and his analysis of why Britain went to war were listened to with rapt attention:

“Mr. Robinson is a man of unique personality and has the courage of his convictions, one who has been aptly described as ‘a man who exhibits industry, clear-cut views, unflinching courage and the wisdom of a born journalist.’

“His auditors were enthralled as the beautiful word pictures of the speaker fell upon their ears and a most hearty vote of thanks was rendered him.”¹

¹ “Editor Spoke to Canadian Club : Stirring Patriotic Address by John R. Robinson”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 4, 1915.

Mr. Robinson’s speech used as his basis the experiences he had while in England at the outbreak of the war, the mobilization which took place in that country and how the British people felt with regard to the war.

In part, he said :

“ I was born to a heritage of Britain and Canada, and I will die with the same heritage unchanged. Our hearts are with the men on the field , on the ships, in the trenches in France and Belgium, and with the allies on the plains of Poland. Our hearts are with the men fighting for freedom founded on British liberty.

“ ‘ Canada has soldiers, many of whom will return heroes, while many will die on the fields of Belgium and France, and many in the hospitals on sick beds.

“ ‘Humanity above all flags! Freedom above all nations! We are friends to Britain because we are friends to mankind. WE have been taunted with the fact that Canada is no nation. Nationality does not evolve around money-changers, or those who buy and sell to get gain, or around those who ride around in autos with double chins.

“We realize the privileges of nationality, and England showed what people comprised the nation when she selected between honor and dishonor, between shame and glory.

“ ‘I missed a great deal, not being on Trafalgar Square on the night of the declaration of war against Germany, when England entered into the worst war in history, and most religious war that has ever been fought.

“ ‘ I was away in a little village in Sussex where the cows come home from pasture – just as the cows do in Beverly Township – a little place within sight of Battle Abbey, where William the Conqueror fought, and he will be the last William and the last man by any name that will ever invade England.

“ ‘The people have faith in the British navy, which was on the North Sea that night, as it is on the North Sea tonight – the greatest body of ships that has ever floated since Noah’s Ark grounded on Mount Ararat

“ ‘ Everywhere you could see the naval reservists and the men going to join Kitchener’s army; going away to the tune of mouth organs in their plain clothes.  This will always hold a place in my recollection of the war. These men were marching to war with the music from the mouth organ. They were marching to the holiest war that has ever been found in their plain clothes – the grandeur of the common people.

“ ‘I saw the country turned from a haven of peace to the hell of war. England is as much today the land of tortured hearts as Belgium is the land of tortured bodies. Woman are mourning for the dead and are anxious for the living.

“ ‘In this war, the women are proving themselves help mates of the men. England has shown herself once more a great people. They inherit the tradition of sacrifice and service. England has taught her people to be her servants, not, as with too many in Canada where we say how much can I get out of Canada; but how much can I serve England.

“ ‘The British hate war and love peace, but they went to war because they hated Germany, who hated them because they loved freedom. This is a fight for freedom.’ ” ²

² “Why Britain Went to War : John R. Robinson, of Toronto, to the Canadian Club.”

Hamilton Times.   March 4, 1915

 

 

1915-03-06yd

“Though the Ninth Division Court sat only a week ago, there was another long list for hearing yesterday, Judge Monck presiding.”

Hamilton Times.    March 6, 1915.

March 5, 1915 was an exceptionally busy day at the Wentworth County Court House in downtown Hamilton.

So busy was it that a change had to be made inside the building:

“(The court session) was held in the County Council  Chambers, the big court room being in use by the County Court. The seating capacity was taxed to its limit and it was necessary to place some of the witnesses in His Honor’s chambers until called.”¹

¹ “Unique Case in the Division Court Yesterday”

Hamilton Times. March 6, 1915.

Although Judge Monck was in charge of court proceedings that day, another judge, Judge Snider was also present to give assistance.

The addition of another judge was not enough for every case on the docket to be dealt with:

“This occasioned considerable comment, and now the lawyers are not only hoping for more room, but also for another judge. They say there was too much work for the two judges”¹

Of all the cases heard that day, there was one that was of particular interest:

“Walter Waterbury sued the estate of  the late William Hossack for $45.60, money due, it was alleged for the death of a cow from tuberculosis”¹

Waterbury had bought the cow thirteen months previously at an auction sale. After killing the animal and selling the carcass to a butcher, it was discovered that the cow had tuberculosis. Waterbury refunded the purchase price to the butcher, but then placed a suit against the individual from whom he originally had bought the cow.

Mr. W. H. McClemont, appearing for the defendant, argued that it was impossible to tell when a cow had tuberculosis until it was cut up by a butcher. It was also possible, the lawyer argued, that the cow did not have the disease when sold but had contracted it while in the plaintiff’s possession.

Judge Monck had never had such a case before him so he reserved judgement, partially in the hope that the participants in the matter could settle their differences out of court.   

 

1913-03-06yy

Relations between Hamilton City Hall and those individuals who lease space on the Market Square have generally been less than positive.

In March 6, 1915, relations were strained by a somewhat different matter than usual:

“Much indignation was expressed by the farmers on the Central Market this morning, especially those who deal in dairy produce, because of the clouds of smoke which poured forth from the chimneys on City Hall.”¹

¹ “Is a Nuisance”

Hamilton Times.    March 6, 1915.

In particular, dealers selling butter were affected :

“Several retailers, who were exhibiting butter for sale, were forced to take the top layer off after they had them on the counters for a short time, owing to the soot from the furnaces in the City Hall falling on the butter, and changing its bright hue to a more somber color.”¹

Butter was not the only item affected by the falling soot, also impacted were displays of meat and cheese:

“”In many cases, the farmers were forced to cover up all their merchandise, and display it only when asked to, as the soot accumulated in layers, giving one an impression that some new varieties of spotted farm produce was being offered for sale on the Hamilton market.”¹

 

1915-03-13ee

The war that was supposed to be over by Christmas was still raging in March, 1915. In fact, it was escalating.

Hamiltonians were finally in the trenches and the dreaded telegrams were starting to arrive, informing families of the deaths of loved ones in battle.

The war was dominating nearly every phase of Hamilton life. One impact of the war was positive, however. Its impact on the local economy.

An article which appeared in the March 13 1915 issue of the Hamilton Times began as follows :

“That Hamilton has benefitted largely by the governments of France, Russia and Great Britain placing war orders in this country is shown in the fact that up to the present time orders amounting to $12,000,000 have been given to local manufacturers.”¹

¹ “Orders for Shells Reach $12,000,000”

Hamilton Times.   March 13, 1915.

The $12,000,000 order referenced was just for shells and their component parts. Orders had been also placed from Hamilton firms for shoes, uniforms, hats, wire fence, kitchen stoves and more, totally nearly $18,000,000 totally for local companies up to mid-March 1915.

As regards the shell orders, largest of all the orders by far, many Hamilton firms had to react quickly to be able to fill them :

“Many of the large east end plants have constructed new buildings, while others have taken out machinery that they had in their plants to make room for that which would be necessary to make the shells. Other plants have been working night and day on the orders.

“The largest shell orders were received by the Chadwick Brass Company. In all, the orders amounted to 400,000 shells, the Steel Company of Canada received the largest order for cartridge clips, amounting to 420,000 in all.

“The Canadian Westinghouse Company have the largest order for plugs and sockets, in all amount to 150,000.

“In nearly every case, the plants receiving these orders have been urged by the War Office to get busy at once, and as soon as one order is completed, there will be another forthcoming.

“The shells being made in this city, it has been stated, are unequalled in quality and workmanship by any other city’s work, taking the whole output of the city into consideration.”¹

1916-03-16tt

“The scourge of the Kaiser’s war fell on another Hamilton home today”

Hamilton Spectator.   March 16, 1915.

The dreaded telegrams were starting to arrive at the homes of soldiers’ families with more frequency as the month of March, 1915 rolled on.

On March 16, 1915, Mrs. Albert Wiley, 44 Gore street, was saddened by the news that her husband, a private with No. 2 company, Princess Pats, had been killed in action.

A Spectator reporter visited Mrs. Willey. She said to him, with a gleam of pride in her eyes, “I am glad that he died on the battlefield. He always said that he would die like a soldier and he has done so.”

The Willey family had only lived in Hamilton four years, coming from Bradford, England.

Just the day previously, Mrs. Willey had received the following letters, in which Private Willey addressed the children who would never see their father again:

“My dearest loving daughter: I have received your splendid letter and I see that you are enjoying yourself with mama’s beautiful baby, Alfred Victor and your dolls. I suppose, dear Gladys, that Norman would rather play at soldiers with the other boys.

“You are getting along fine with your schooling and I think you can write lovely letters.

“Well, dear daughter, I hope that you area very good girl to your mother and help her as much as possible. Just spank Norman if he does not do as his mama wants. Of course, you must not do that to baby.

“I suppose you would like to see me home again. Well, the Germans will stop soon, as we are beating them, and I expect to be home this summer.

“Well, my dear, you are lucky that you are in Canada. The little girls here in Belgium don’t have big dolls like you got. They are very poor and their houses have been shot down with the German guns, so we are here to punish them for it.

“Well, I think this is all just now, my dear. Just be good and kind to mother until I return. So, good-bye,dear daughter. God bless you. Kiss your mother for me.

“From your loving and affectionate Daddy. Good night.

 

“To his little son, he wrote :

“My dear little Norman:

Just a line or two to say that I am all right at present, and I hope you are enjoying yourself with the other boys. I suppose you play at soldier most of the time.

“You must not forget to be good and kind to your momma, and be careful of our baby, you know.

“I see that you try very hard to write a letter to me. Well, that is very good of you. Soon you will be able to write all by your little self, so keep learning at school.

“Just get a money bank and put a few cents in it at times to buy me a nice pipe when I come home, then you can wear my medal. How do you like that, Norman boy?

“I have put a card in your letter and Gladys’ letter. We got them in a Christmas box from Princess May, so keep them, boy.

“Well, this is all at present, so be a good boy at home, and I shall soon see you all.

“Good-bye dear. Kiss your mother for me. God bless you

“From your loving and affectionate daddy. Good night all.”¹

¹ “How Private’s Wife Received News of Death”

Hamilton Spectator. March 16, 1915.

Besides Gladys, Norman, and the baby, there was another toddler son in the Wiley. Mrs. Willey, now a widow, was left with four children, the youngest being just four months old.