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“The growing alarm that the present crisis in Europe involve more than Servia and Austria has aroused much interest among foreigners.”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 27, 1914

 For many Hamilton residents the relentlessly escalating  war preparations in Europe were more worrisome than for others.

Recent immigrants from the countries immediately involved in the imminent war faced the real possibility that they might be required to return to their native countries to serve in the army.

The Russian community in Hamilton watched the events with fear:

“Russia’s step in making preparations for war was taken anything but kindly by her native sons in this city, the majority of whom remember the hardships in the struggle with Japan, and vow to remain here.

“Russia’s population in this city is made up largely of Russian poles, and as they are hostile subjects, they can be depended upon to stay here and watch the proceedings from a distance.”¹

¹ “Local Russians : Will Not Return to Help Their Country Fight” .

Hamilton Spectator.  July 27, 1914 .

The Spectator in preparing his story for July 27, 1914 investigated whether there was any efforts being made by any of the other Hamilton immigrant population groups to return home to participate in any hostilities which might arise:

“Local steamship offices say that they had had only the usual number of inquiries re rates to Europe, which means that the present trouble has not tended to give many the inclination to return home and fight for their respective countries.”¹

The Hamilton Times edition, published also on July 27, 1914, contained an article focusing on another potential combatant country in the looming war, Austria, and what that country was doing as regards Austrians living in Hamilton:

“The Austro-Hungarian Consul-General, H. Hann Von Hannenheim, whose headquarters are in Montreal has, through his subordinate officers notified all Austrians in this city to leave immediately for their native land to take up arms in defense of their country.”²

² “Must Return to Home Land : Call Has Come to Local Austrians to Fight”

Hamilton Times. July 27, 1914.

AS opposed to Hamilton’s Russian population, the Austrians in this city did not intend to resist any call to return to their native countries:

“There are many of these men employed in the east end factories, and they have given notice to quit their work here.

“When spoken to about the training they would require to get them into a condition for the hardships of war, one of the race who acted as spokesman for the others, said that they would only have about ten days’ preparation in their country before they were sent to the front.

“They all have been thoroughly drilled in the accomplishments of war in their younger days, and will not take many days before they are in condition to fight with the best of them.”²

The very day, the Hamilton Times renounced the spirit of the story that had appeared about the Austrians of Hamilton and their collective willingness to return home to help the military of the native country:

“It was denied by Louis Lefkovitz, and other prominent citizens who hail from the countries of Southern Europe that the Austrians and Servians who reside here were hurrying in droves to return to take up arms in defense of their respective countries.

“It is true that there are some who are anxious to return for this purpose, but, as far as can be ascertained, not more than ten have applied to the steamship offices for rates to their native land.”³

³ “Not Anxious to Fight in European War : Less Than 750 of Both Nations Here : And They Would Prefer to Stay Here.”

Hamilton Times.  July 28, 1914.

The Times reporter speculated that there were not more than 100 Servians living in Hamilton in July 1914, although there were no definite statistics available since Servians were not classed as a separate nationality by the Canadian government.

As for Austrians, in 1911, official figures put  543 Austro-Hungarians living in Hamilton, 370 in East Hamilton and 173 in the west end of the city. In the intervening years, it was estimated that there had been an increase of 20 per cent in those numbers.

The Austrians living in Hamilton were mainly men who had families and small farms in their homeland. They had emigrated to Hamilton to get work and enough quick money to pay off mortgages and debts encumbering their families in their homeland.

 Austrians, no matter where they might currently reside, were required by law to take up arms in defense of their country if required by the government to do so. If they did not accede to the demands of the government, Austrians abroad risked not being allowed back into the country.

Hence, Austrians in Hamilton in July 1914 faced a heavy dilemma :

They have learned the benefits of living a peaceful life here, and appreciate the fact that they can earn money twenty times as quickly, as in their own land.”³

While full scale war between Austria and Serbia seemed increasing inevitable as July 1914 neared an end, all Hamiltonians of Austria or Serbian heritage could do was anxiously follow the details of the hostilities.

There was the possibility that other nations might be drawn into the conflict, so Hamiltonians of Russian, French and British backgrounds equally kept apprised of the worsening situation fearing that they might have to leave Hamilton for home.

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“There was a very large crowd at the Armories last night to hear the famous 1,000-voice choir, under the able leadership of Bruce Carey.”

Hamilton Times.  July 14, 1914.

As the Hamilton Industrial Exposition was nearing the end of its two week run at the James Street North armories, two musical presentations, both made up of 1,000-voice choirs, were presented.

The first choir, made of men and women, was a great attraction. Its performance was the subject of close by a reporter with the Hamilton Times:

“This, the largest choir which has ever sung in the Dominion scrutiny should add greatly to the musical status of Canada, and should prove a great drawing card for the remaining nights of the Industrial Exposition.”¹

¹ “Huge Choir at Exposition a Grand Success : Choristers Under the Direction of Bruce Carey Showed Result of Fine Training”

Hamilton Times.  July 14, 1914.

The reporter described carefully how so many singers were positioned in the huge buildings and the slight drawbacks involved because of the environment:

“The choir made a very pretty sight as they stood on the south stand in the main hall of the Armories, the ladies in the lower rows and the gentlemen somewhere near the roof.

“This was the only possible arrangement of the chorus but it tended somewhat to unbalance the voices. Excepting for this almost unavoidable feature, the choir was magnificent and in their splendid rendering of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ they made for themselves and the city of Hamilton a reputation which will take many years to fade away.”¹

Choirmaster Bruce Carey came in for some well-deserved praise from the Times reporter:

“As usual, Bruce Carey had paid much attention to the rising and sitting of his choir at the motion of his baton, and to see the thousand people rise as one was a most impressive sight, which was fully recognized by the audience.”¹

Indeed the audience seemed entranced by the spectacle and sound of the 1,000-voice choir, accompanied by the members of the 13^th Battalion Band.

Hearty encores were accorded to the singers and musicians.

The following evening, another 1,000-voice choir sang at the Armories, a 1,000-voice, made up of children singers.

The Spectator reporter noted that the children appeared to be as disciplined as their elders were the previous evening:

“The children’s chorus of 1000 voices made its much-anticipated debut at the armories last night, and sang to an attentive audience in a style which suggested they were well accustomed to performances of the kind.

“Under the direction of Professor James Johnson, they responded to the conductor’s baton in a manner which was in no wise inferior to the performance of the seniors on the previous evening.”²

² “Children’s Chorus Sings With Splendid Effect : 1000 Voices Sing as One at the Exposition Under Prof. Johnson’s Baton.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 15, 1914.

Professor Johnson, music teacher at the Central School, was lauded for the patience he must have displayed to bring the children together to perform at such a coordinated, high quality level :

“The only thing to be feared – as is always the case in a chorus of juvenile voices – was that the little ones might evince too great a desire to make themselves individually heard, but the professor had effectively eliminated any disposition that might have existed in that direction.

“Not that the children were afraid to let themselves go. They sang heartily and with a uniformity of tone which in volume sounded as one huge harmonious voice – an immense, melodious chord which began and ended with a precision which was remarkable,

“It was, perhaps, in the crescendo passages that they were heard at their best, and it was evident that these were the parts which the children themselves enjoyed most, for they entered into them with an enthusiasm which was exhilarating.”²

The following morning, an editorial appeared in the Times under the headline, “Musical Hamilton”

In the editorial, the success of Bruce Carey and Professor Johnson in pulling together their respective 1,000-voice choirs:

“During the last two nights at the Industrial Exposition at the armories, Hamilton people have had an opportunity to see and hear what Hamilton can do in the way of large choruses.

“Viewing them purely from an artistic standpoint, it must be said that the undertaking has proven a great success, and has done much to further distinguish Hamilton as a musical centre”^3.

³  “Musical Hamilton”

Hamilton Times. July 15, 1914

 

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An incident involving Hamilton Mountain young people visiting Dundurn Park and the Hamilton Cemetery, as reported in the Hamilton Times of July 27, 1914:

“Just over the mountain reside two young men, brothers. Down the road live two young girls, sisters.

“Raspberry socials, picnics and parties are not complete with out their presence, and, naturally, living so near each other, the boys have assumed ownership over the girls

“Last Hallowe’en, they and a number of other young people spent the evening in a good, old-fashioned way, the unseen spirits were evoked, but not even one tiny hob-goblin appeared and all finally departed merrily for home, softly laughing at the idea of their being such things as spooks.

“Now, the four young mountaineers have a different story to tell, each is firm in the belief that ghosts do exist and can be found if hunted for in the right place.

“On Sunday evening, the quartette piled into a Surrey and a spanking pair of bays brought them to the city. The Dundurn was chosen as a place of rest, where the animals were safely tethered. Tired of the mosquito bites, a suggestion to amble through the cemetery was accepted with much temerity on the part of the young ladies.

“The inscriptions on the monuments were read till twilight quietly faded into night. Their journey had unconsciously brought them to the farthest corner of the city of the dead, and in a quiet little nook all sat down.

“Thoughts inadvertently turned to the afterlife , one young man morbidly retold Marie Corelli’s “Wormwood,” which lost none of its dramatic intensity for the scenic effect was quite in accord. The salient points were discussed and criticized.

Thus, by an unspoken consent, words were dropped. Everything was perfectly still, not a blade of grass swayed; even the breeze was hushed.

“Dark clouds hustled across the sky, sometimes obscuring the new moon.

“The young people were becoming restless, but in spirit of bravery the boys calmly lit cigarettes and placed protecting arms around girlies’ shoulders.

“But, hush! What was that ?

“Faces blanched, lips trembled. To the right was heard a slight, low, but hair-raising sound. Eyes tried to pierce the gloom.

“Then a soft, scarping noise was heard, and with awful suddenness, a white object was seen to rise seemingly out of a new-made grave and move with tantalizing slowness not to but away from the watchers.

“For a minute they remained spellbound, when with one accord they jumped to their feet.The girls were too frightened to scream.

“How they reached the gate they never knew, and it was only when they were safe under the Hydro lights that they dared to cast apprehensive glances over their shoulders.

“The apparition had disappeared.

“When getting back into their rig, they told a friend of their experience, and were much peeved when he laughed; also they refused to accept his explanation that their ghost was nothing more than a grey collie dog, owned by a resident on Dundurn street.”¹

¹ “Mountain Folks Saw the Ghost : Came to City for a Sunday Evening in the Parks.”

Hamilton Times.  July 27, 1914

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Crime was an every present reality for Hamiltonians in 1914. Crimes, big and small often filled the pages of the local press.

July 15, 1914 was no exception to the everyday litany of crime reporting but two stories reported that day were particularly worrisome.

Both incidents occurred during the previous night.

The first happened at what was then one of the very busiest intersections in Hamilton :

“One of the most daring assault cases ever known in this city occurred last night about 11:45 at the corner of King and James streets.

“George Wade, 30 Wilson street, was the victim of a cowardly assault by no less than nine hoodlums”¹

¹ “Murderous Gang on Hamilton Streets : Nine of Them Assaulted a Pedestrian.”

Hamilton Times.  July 15, 1914

It was unclear at press time exactly how the incident began, but it seems that the victim had been arguing with some people on James street north, then had walked away from the situation.

Arriving at the southwest corner of King and James streets, the victim was standing alone, although numerous citizens were in the immediate vicinity:

“Suddenly pedestrians were startled to see two men rush at Wade, and hit him without warning. He staggered against the Hydro pole on the corner, and then three more ruffians rushed from the other side and hit him, four more following them.

“The last man to strike him knocked him down, and he laid unconscious on the pavement.”¹

Hamilton police constable McNair was on foot  patrol in the area, heard the assault and saw the perpetrators running away and gave chase:

“He cornered Peter Scott, the Indian boxer, and accused him of the assault. Scott was taken to the station and appeared in court this morning.

“The prosecution was not ready to go on, and the case was remanded.

“Wade was taken to the hospital where his injuries were dressed.”¹

The beating caused a sensation at the time it happened in the area:

“Although it was midnight, a large crowd gathered in a short time, and their feelings were considerably aroused over the daring assault that had been perpetrated right on Hamilton’s main thoroughfare.”¹

The second case to be reported in the Hamilton Times on July 15, 1914 involved a potential abduction of two girls, for the purpose of making them prostitutes.:

“Hamilton appears to be again invaded by traffickers in the body and souls of innocent girls.

“Two men made an attempt last night to inveigle two young women into a machine, administering first what is thought to have been an injection of morphine.”¹

² “Was it a Case of White Slavers ? : Two Young Girls Accosted By Strangers : And Appear to Have Been Doped”

Hamilton Times.   July 15, 1914.

The victims were 18 years old. The girls had just taken seats in a downtown movie house when two men came up and sat beside them and attempted to initiate a conversation:

“Though repulsed, they persisted, talking on despite the scorn of their intended victims who later got up and went out.

“The men followed and asked them if they would not care to take a ride, pointing to a big, closed-in touring car at the roadside.”¹

Frightened the girls hurried home, where as they recounted their experience, both began to feel as though they might pass out:

“Both had little lumps on their arms which were causing irritation. The lumps, when examined, showed a perforation in the skin, evidently caused by a needle.”²

The girls, described in the Times as being “eminently respectable,” did not report the matter to the police:

“No description could be obtained of the men as the theatre was dark, and when outside the girls were too frightened to pay particular attention to the men. One of the girls remembered distinctly seeing the grinning face of a Chinese, his body hidden in the darkened machine.”²