1887 - Boating Accident

 1887 – Boating Accident – 6 Drowned

 

“ ‘A Body found on the Beach! Four Persons Drowned! A whole family gone!’ Such were the words which were passed from mouth to mouth yesterday morning.”

    “Six Persons Drowned : Terrible End of a Queen’s Birthday Boating Party.”

     Hamilton Weekly Times May 25 1887

    It was an alarming telephone message received by both the Hamilton Police and the news room of the Hamilton Times during the morning after the Queen’s Birthday celebrations of 1887:

     “The information was that the body of a woman, apparently 35 or 40 years old, well-dressed and wearing costly jewellery, had been found upon the Beach by Mr. J. Corey. The report was not long unconfirmed, for in a few minutes, a message was received that a whole family was lost, father, mother and three children being drowned. “

   The TIMES reporter on duty learned that the body found was that of Mrs. Thompson, boat builder, 368 Hughson street north, and he immediately started off for that address:

   “There was no one in the house, but after considerable knocking an old gentleman came out from the next house south and with apparent alarm asked, ‘Do you want Mr. Thompson? Do you know anything of him?’ 

    The reporter tried to ascertain as much information as possible:

    “In reply to a question the old gentleman stated that Mr. Thompson had his wife and children out for a row on the Queen’s Birthday and had not returned. 

   “An old lady then came from the same house and said, ‘No, he didn’t come back and I’m afraid they are all drowned. Oh, my poor John, my only son John.’ 

   The old gentleman stated that he was the father of John H. Thompson and that the old lady was John’s mother.

   Old Mrs. Thompson stated that there were six in the group - her son, with his wife, his wife’s sister, Miss Vincent, his daughter Edith, aged 5, his daughter Jessie, aged between 3 and 4, and his baby boy, under 2 years of age. All had gone out in Mr. Thompson’s boat with the intention of spending the day at the Beach. 

    The man from the Times then started off for the Beach to further investigate :

    “At John Dynes’ the statement was made that boating party arrived there early in the afternoon and stayed there until it was growing dark. There were in the party, Mr. & Mrs. Dynes thought, only five people – two children, one of them in arms – but Sammy Dynes said he had played with two little girls and had got a lunch for them. They started away from there between 7 and 8 o’clock, and Mr. Dynes thought, rowed towards the Beach.”

    As the Dynes family was being interviewed the Chief of Police and Detective Campbell drove up. They were told to go over to the residence of well-known Beach fisherman Mr. Corey:

   “In a skiff, drawn up on land in the shade of an elevated water tank lay the body of Mrs. Thompson. In the corpse could seen the traces of a fine-looking woman. She was dressed in maroon and black coloured dress and wore a gold ring, gold watch and chain and gold ornaments. 

    “Mr. J, Corey had started out from his house at about 4 o’clock in the morning, and is his custom after a gale, to look for driftwood. He was rowing slowly along, close to the shore in front of his own premises, when, in a clump of willows, he saw the body. It was floating upon the surface of the water and looked almost too life-like to be that of a dead woman. He took it in his boat and hauled it to the place where it would be sheltered from the sun.”

   Corey then notified Mr. Hughes, who sent word to the police. At first no one could recognize who the dead woman was. 

  Upon the arrival of members of the Dynes family, that mystery was soon solved:

  “Sammy Dynes thought it looked like Mrs. Thompson. ‘If it is her,’ he said, ‘ she will have a peach stone ornament upon her watch chain.’ The watch was taken from her pocket, and the peach ornament was there. Upon the left hand of the unfortunate woman was a cut as if done by being thrown against a branch of a tree or some sharp thing upon the shore. From her nose there oozed a drop of blood and at her mouth was froth like that which generally follows drowning. The body was carefully covered up to await the undertaker. 

  It was decided to take the body to the Ocean House:

“Mrs. Hughes was met on the road. She had in her hand a lady’s straw hat of a peculiar tint, and a satchel. Both were soaked with water. She said that her nephew had found the boat upon the beach in rear of Mr. R. M. Wanzer’s house. Thither the party went and found a row boat about 18 or 20 feet long, tied up to a breakwater. It was half full of sand and was stamped ‘J. H. Thompson, boat builder, 368 Hughson street north, Hamilton, Canada; in several places.”

    Two men said had seen the Thompson group out on the bay as they left the Dynes’ place shortly after seven o’clock :

  “The party then appeared to be making for home. The supposition is that they got a couple of miles out when the wind came up and a gale from the northwest began to blow. Mr. Thompson was an expert boatman, but with a heavy wind, two women and three little children in the boat, it is likely he could do nothing. The wind blew so fiercely that it broke a door in Mr. Dynes’ house, and in the face of such a wind few men could row a load of frightened women and children. He may have tried to turn his boat so as to return home, or the wind may have turned it broadside to the waves, but the probabilities are that it filled and went down, and thus six souls passed away.”

   A search was made along the shore for other bodies, but none could be found :

    “Those who have lived along the Beach for years and have seen many drownings say there is nothing strange in the fact that Mrs. Thompson’s body floated while the oysters sank. Preparations for the work of dragging for the bodies was commenced as soon as the body of Mrs. Thompson was brought by the undertaker to this city.”

   Thomson was a man of about 40 years of age. Miss Vincent, his sister-in-law, had been visiting her family in Hamilton only a short time. She came from near Bracebridge, in Muskoka, her post office address being Uffington, Muskoka, she was quite a young woman.

    Soon an oar, a seat and a child’s hat were washed ashore. However the search for the rest of the remains of the drowning victims proved to be much harder.

 

 1887 – Boating Accident – 6 Drowned

 

“ ‘A Body found on the Beach! Four Persons Drowned! A whole family gone!’ Such were the words which were passed from mouth to mouth yesterday morning.”

    “Six Persons Drowned : Terrible End of a Queen’s Birthday Boating Party.”

     Hamilton Weekly Times May 25 1887

    It was an alarming telephone message received by both the Hamilton Police and the news room of the Hamilton Times during the morning after the Queen’s Birthday celebrations of 1887:

     “The information was that the body of a woman, apparently 35 or 40 years old, well-dressed and wearing costly jewellery, had been found upon the Beach by Mr. J. Corey. The report was not long unconfirmed, for in a few minutes, a message was received that a whole family was lost, father, mother and three children being drowned. “

   The TIMES reporter on duty learned that the body found was that of Mrs. Thompson, boat builder, 368 Hughson street north, and he immediately started off for that address:

   “There was no one in the house, but after considerable knocking an old gentleman came out from the next house south and with apparent alarm asked, ‘Do you want Mr. Thompson? Do you know anything of him?’ 

    The reporter tried to ascertain as much information as possible:

    “In reply to a question the old gentleman stated that Mr. Thompson had his wife and children out for a row on the Queen’s Birthday and had not returned. 

   “An old lady then came from the same house and said, ‘No, he didn’t come back and I’m afraid they are all drowned. Oh, my poor John, my only son John.’ 

   The old gentleman stated that he was the father of John H. Thompson and that the old lady was John’s mother.

   Old Mrs. Thompson stated that there were six in the group - her son, with his wife, his wife’s sister, Miss Vincent, his daughter Edith, aged 5, his daughter Jessie, aged between 3 and 4, and his baby boy, under 2 years of age. All had gone out in Mr. Thompson’s boat with the intention of spending the day at the Beach. 

    The man from the Times then started off for the Beach to further investigate :

    “At John Dynes’ the statement was made that boating party arrived there early in the afternoon and stayed there until it was growing dark. There were in the party, Mr. & Mrs. Dynes thought, only five people – two children, one of them in arms – but Sammy Dynes said he had played with two little girls and had got a lunch for them. They started away from there between 7 and 8 o’clock, and Mr. Dynes thought, rowed towards the Beach.”

    As the Dynes family was being interviewed the Chief of Police and Detective Campbell drove up. They were told to go over to the residence of well-known Beach fisherman Mr. Corey:

   “In a skiff, drawn up on land in the shade of an elevated water tank lay the body of Mrs. Thompson. In the corpse could seen the traces of a fine-looking woman. She was dressed in maroon and black coloured dress and wore a gold ring, gold watch and chain and gold ornaments. 

    “Mr. J, Corey had started out from his house at about 4 o’clock in the morning, and is his custom after a gale, to look for driftwood. He was rowing slowly along, close to the shore in front of his own premises, when, in a clump of willows, he saw the body. It was floating upon the surface of the water and looked almost too life-like to be that of a dead woman. He took it in his boat and hauled it to the place where it would be sheltered from the sun.”

   Corey then notified Mr. Hughes, who sent word to the police. At first no one could recognize who the dead woman was. 

  Upon the arrival of members of the Dynes family, that mystery was soon solved:

  “Sammy Dynes thought it looked like Mrs. Thompson. ‘If it is her,’ he said, ‘ she will have a peach stone ornament upon her watch chain.’ The watch was taken from her pocket, and the peach ornament was there. Upon the left hand of the unfortunate woman was a cut as if done by being thrown against a branch of a tree or some sharp thing upon the shore. From her nose there oozed a drop of blood and at her mouth was froth like that which generally follows drowning. The body was carefully covered up to await the undertaker. 

  It was decided to take the body to the Ocean House:

“Mrs. Hughes was met on the road. She had in her hand a lady’s straw hat of a peculiar tint, and a satchel. Both were soaked with water. She said that her nephew had found the boat upon the beach in rear of Mr. R. M. Wanzer’s house. Thither the party went and found a row boat about 18 or 20 feet long, tied up to a breakwater. It was half full of sand and was stamped ‘J. H. Thompson, boat builder, 368 Hughson street north, Hamilton, Canada; in several places.”

    Two men said had seen the Thompson group out on the bay as they left the Dynes’ place shortly after seven o’clock :

  “The party then appeared to be making for home. The supposition is that they got a couple of miles out when the wind came up and a gale from the northwest began to blow. Mr. Thompson was an expert boatman, but with a heavy wind, two women and three little children in the boat, it is likely he could do nothing. The wind blew so fiercely that it broke a door in Mr. Dynes’ house, and in the face of such a wind few men could row a load of frightened women and children. He may have tried to turn his boat so as to return home, or the wind may have turned it broadside to the waves, but the probabilities are that it filled and went down, and thus six souls passed away.”

   A search was made along the shore for other bodies, but none could be found :

    “Those who have lived along the Beach for years and have seen many drownings say there is nothing strange in the fact that Mrs. Thompson’s body floated while the oysters sank. Preparations for the work of dragging for the bodies was commenced as soon as the body of Mrs. Thompson was brought by the undertaker to this city.”

   Thomson was a man of about 40 years of age. Miss Vincent, his sister-in-law, had been visiting her family in Hamilton only a short time. She came from near Bracebridge, in Muskoka, her post office address being Uffington, Muskoka, she was quite a young woman.

    Soon an oar, a seat and a child’s hat were washed ashore. However the search for the rest of the remains of the drowning victims proved to be much harder.

 

 

1886 - Major Storm

When a storm is brewing and extremely high winds are predicted to blow in from the notheast, that is when Hamilton residents brace for problems.

Such was the case on April 1,  1886 when a combined wind and snow storm, of significant proportions, reached Hamilton during the morning hours of the day. 

The Times coverage of the effects of the storm carried over two days. The first day's coverage was rather hastily pit together by a Times reporter who gathered in as much information as could be obtained before the afternoon edition of the paper had to be assembled.

The reporter did produce a lengthy column using reports that he had received about the effect of the storm in various parts of the city. This coverage was added to by his own gathering of information,  obtained when he walked through the wind and snow to the waterfront to assess the damage that the storm was causing.

The following day the Times was able to give full details of the effects of the storm with an emphasis on what happened on the Beach Strip.

The Weekly Times of April 8, 1886 reprinted the two columns together. 

That report, in full follows:

“The most destructive storm that has raged in this neighborhood for many years began to blow before seven o’clock this morning. The wind was then from the northeast, and it began to freshen and bring a little snow. All morning it increased in strength and before noon had damaged or destroyed almost everybody abutting the bay. The water rose several feet above the ordinary highwater mark and the howling wind beat it into great raging seas that overwhelmed with relentless force everything in their way. The muddy churned into foam under the lash of the wind and the rush of the seas at every dock along the bay, was a magnificent and terrible sight. A person uptown could have no idea of the tremendous force of the gale. Down at the bay, where it had swept the full length of Lake Ontario and broken only by the Beach, its real strength was felt. The wind there was violent enough to throw a man down and what was snow uptown was down there fierce, biting hail cutting the cheeks like flying pebbles.

                   Around the Docks

          RAILWAY DOCKS AND SIDINGS GONE.

“The Grand Trunk docks suffered severely and all the way above the elevator not a plank on it is left on the dock. The huge seas ripped off the planks fastened by six-inch spikes as though they were shingles. Lumber in piles along the docks and on flat cars flew about like straws. The old wharf at the west end of the yard was nothing but a row of spiles and a few straw timbers after the storm had worked it an hour or two. The siding nearest to it was undermined by the encroaching waters and the track fell into the bay. The Toronto branch track, which is at the water’s edge going out of the city to the junction was also washed out at one point and the trains going west went slowly and carefully till they had passed the exposed part of the line as far as the canal. Chief Engineer Hobson faced the storm all morning at this point, and everything was in readiness to repair any damage the storm might do to the main line, which so far has escaped injury.

                             A FLYING ROOF

“About 9 o’clock a large section of the roof of Walton’s big ice house at the foot of Strachan street was torn off and sailed away towards the railway track. As it fell it knocked down about twenty feet of the fence and smashed through the side of a new freight car just out of the shop. Beside the wrecked car stood a horse car containing the valuable trotting horse Rifleman, owned by Frank Martin, of Toronto, and bound for Philadelphia. Rifleman’s car was uninjured. The roof of the ice house was torn off for about sixty feet, and about twenty feet of the north end disappeared before the gale, which continued to rip off planks and shingles all day.

                   A WRECKED BOAT HOUSE

“Lake Thompson’s boat house at the foot of the big ice house was also badly wrecked, and his loss will amount up to several hundreds dollars. The walk by which the boathouse is reached was washed away shortly after the storm rose, and his last addition to the house, built a couple of years ago, was carried off and broken into fragments. About a dozen rowboats and canoes were fished out by friendly hands and hauled ashore badly damaged. As many more were dashed to pieces against the railway wharf.

                   BATIEN’S AND MARTIN’S

“Massie’s boathouse lost the front landing, but otherwise is not damaged, as it is in a sheltered position. At Bastien’s there is a great scene of wreck and disorder. The big standing keel yacht Idler lay at the west side of the wharf during the night, and when the storm arose she tugged and strained at her fastenings and dashed at the dock until she tore it down and continued pounding until she stove a hole in her hull and sank. The waves rushing in under the floor of the big boathouse ripped it off completely, but most of the boats were got out on the dock, which, with the Leander Rowing Club house at the head, is expected to withstand the storm. The first boat house after passing the shop where the boats are built was badly wrecked by 10 o’clock, and communication with the big boat house was cut off. In the first house were stored a number of new boats which were got out amid much danger and carried ashore. The Nautilus Rowing Club’s quarters at the further end of this building were reached and all the oars and one boat got out. Though the floor is gone, the building is thought to be able to stand the gale. The lapstreak four-oared boats and two old shells could not be got out, but are not likely to be damaged. All the oars and sculls belonging to the club were removed, and the new shells are safe in the big boat house.

                   STEAMERS AND SCHOONERS

“The steamer St. Magnus is lying snugly at her dock in the shipyard, though the water is higher than ever before known. The pier belonging to Zealand’s dock where the steamer Lake Michigan was tied up, disappeared before the waves, and the Lake Michigan drifted about a hundred feet to the west, where she is now hard aground. Unless she is got off before the water goes down, it will be a job of very great difficulty to get her afloat again. At Browne’s wharf, the schooner E.H. Rutherford is lying unhurt, but the North Star and the Undine lying at McIlwraith’s did not escape. The North Star was made fast to the dock and the other schooner to her. The Star broke away and tore out three spiles to which her lines were attached. Then she pounded against the Rutherford until she carried away jibboom and the bowsprit as far as the knight heads. The Undine tore herself against the stone work of the crib where the facing was worn off. About 100 feet of the roof of one of Mr. McIlwraith’s coal sheds were blown away, but the dock is little damaged. The propellor Canada, lying at the same dock, was not hurt, but her stern is very close to the wharf, and her rudder in danger.

                   THE GULNAIR ASHORE

“The schooner Gulnair broke from her fastenings at Myles’ dock and went ashore a hundred feet away. She is held by her big anchor, and while the wind holds in the present direction will not suffer any damage.

“The schooner Ella Murton, at Murton & Reid’s wharf, is pounding against the uncovered spiles, and is the wind shifts will be stove in and sunk.

                   COAL WHARVES SUFFER

“Murton & Reid’s wharf, at the foot of John street, being the most easterly of the city docks, received the first shock and suffered the greatest damage. ‘I saw $1,500 worth of dock disappear before the waves in half an hour,’ said Mr. Murton to a Times reporter this morning. Great planks and heavy timbers are piled up in the slip, grinding and tearing everything to pieces. The water is up in one of the coal sheds flooding the floors two feet deep, and but for the piling that protects it to the east there would not be a vestige of a dock remaining. Myles’ wharf is less damaged, but the roadway to the coal sheds was washed away and the wagons reached the shed only be knocking out the side and going in by way of Murton’s. All along the bay shore is ruin and desolation. Every slip is filled with floating timbers and planks, which threaten the destruction of the docks that remain.

                   IN THE EAST END

“Very little damage has resulted from the storm in the eastern portion of the city. Fences have suffered pretty severely and gates have been blown off their hinges, but that is about the extent of the damage.

“At Victoria Avenue School a few of the classes of the younger scholars were dismissed during the forenoon, owing to the cold and discomfort of the rooms. At West Avenue School, the scholars were able to stay it out until noon, but were told to stay at home in the afternoon, if they desired, should the storm not abate.

“At the corner of West avenue and Cannon street, a large picket fence was blown into the middle of the street.

                   IN THE WEST END

“Several casualties are reported. The roof of Mr. Joseph Faulkner’s house, corner of Napier and Pearl streets, was lifted off by the wind, but fortunately none of the inmates of the house were injured. The premises are three stories high and pretty old.

“The chimney of Mrs. Thos. Gillespy’s residence, No. 139 York street, was blown down. Several boards, carried by the gale from a neighboring lumber yard, lodged on the roof.

“The fence at the corner of Queen and Napier street has succumbed to the blast.

“A number of shutters in Sharpe’s block, York street, were torn from their fastenings and fell with a crash.

“A small portion of Dundurn fence is down, and the willow trees in the park have suffered.

                   AT THE BEACH

“Residents at the Hamilton Beach say that there never was such a storm for years. The waves of old Ontario are rolling fully as high as the lighthouse at the end of the piers, and at times the latter on both sides of the canal are completely covered with water. Considerable property has been destroyed along the Beach, as the inhabitants had taken no precautions, not having been advised of the approach of the gale. The N. & N.W. Railway track has been washed away on both sides of the swing bridge, and the morning train from the north managed to cross the bridge, but has to remain on this side, owing to the washout. The passengers, about fifty in number, spent several hours at the Lakeside Hotel and Ocean House, awaiting the arrival of a special train from Hamilton to bring them on their journey. They were obliged to walk up to Dynes’ crossing to embark on the special car.

                   NOTES

“The bridge over the Desjardins Canal appeared so shaky this morning that people driving into town were diffident in crossing it.

“Wild ducks and geese by thousands have sought shelter in Dundas marsh. The gulls are perfectly at home.

“The Valley Inn cellar is flooded, and the barrels are swimming around on the surface.

“Boathouses on the bay shore near the Desjardins Canal suffered severely.

“Fences were torn down on Burlington Heights.

“Many of the telephone wires are down, and the Chief of the Fire Department has considerable trouble with his system.

“The Great Northwestern Telegraph Company have had their repairers out all day mending breaks in the city. The damage outside is also considerable.

“A number of shade trees in various sections of the city have been completely ruined.

“A big ventilator on the roof of the Alexandra Arcade caused a good deal of anxiety to passers-by on James street this morning until it was blown over on the next roof and secured there.

          (From Wednesday’s DAILY TIMES.)

“The great storm subsided last evening and time was given today to the sufferers to look over the damage to their property. The wind still holds from the northeast, but abated very much during the night, and today, though there is still a heavy sea on Lake Ontario, the storm has spent its fury. About nine inches of heavy snow fell during yesterday and last night, and today the traffic in Hamilton, including that of the street cars, was on runners. The snow gave promise of disappearing in twenty-four hours, and the roads will be almost impassable.

                   At the Beach

“Great damage was done at the Beach, the Northwestern Railway Company being the chief sufferer. The train from the north due in Hamilton at 11:45 yesterday morning reached the Ocean House, when the engineer discovered that the track ahead of him was gone before the assaults of the fierce waves. The train backed up and crossed the bridge only to find that the track was washed away on the north side of the canal. The bridge was recrossed and the train pulled up on the high bank in front of the Ocean House. Raging waters were in front and behind and on all sides. The train had about 50 passengers, who had to content themselves at the Lakeside House, looked after by Mr. John McNeil. Conductor Darche walked down in the mud and water to the Beach Post Office and telephoned to Hamilton that the train was unable to move in either direction. A special train was made up and sent to the Beach, but could only get within about a mile of the delayed train. Two teams, all that could be raised on the Beach, were utilized to remove the passengers and their baggage from the regular train to the relief. Mr. W.J. Grant, city agent of the Northwestern, had an involuntary bath while engaged in furthering the transfer of the delayed passengers. He and Mr. Webster, whose team was drawing a load of baggage over the gap, sank into a gully made by the waters crossing the Beach and got chilled but unhurt.

                   The Transfer Was Completed.

about half-past eight, and the relief train started for Hamilton. Progress was so and cautious, and before the end of the Beach was reached two stops were made to allow the section men who came down with the relief train to strengthen so suspicious-looking places in the roadbed. The train reached Hamilton about five hours behind time, but the passengers were glad to get here at all. There is little or none of the road left from John Dynes’ hotel to the Ocean House, a distance of

                             OVER A MILE AND A HALF

          “Mr. Grant says that it will be two or three days before regular traffic across the Beach may be resumed. For the present, Northwestern trains for the north go from the King street station to the Grand Trunk and then by that road as far as Burlington. This will continue to be done until a large force of trackmen now at work on the Beach have that work finished.

                             A HOUSE IN DANGER

“A house belonging to Mr. J.B. Bishop, which stands on the lake shore road below the Beach, narrowly escaped destruction, though it had been expected all day to be demolished by the waves. The veranda was carried off and the house undermined in part, but it still stands. The house was unoccupied. On the same road, the sea washed out a gully about twenty feet wide, and Mr. David Fitch estimated the cost of repairing the damage at about $200.

                   SCHOOL CLOSED

“The school east of the Beach was closed early yesterday morning when a stream began to make its way across the road and threatening to cut off the children from reaching their homes. The stream rose very rapidly, but the larger children carried the little ones across and very soon the water of the lake was pouring into the bay.

                   BREACHES ON THE BEACH

“At several places on the Beach, breaches were made so that the lake and the bay were joined by channels four and six feet deep. A little distance south of John Dynes’ the whole beach for a hundred yards was two or three feet under water.

                   76 MILES AN HOUR

“Old sailors and fishermen put the velocity of the wind at from 60 to 75 miles an hour. The force of the seas was tremendous, and the waves rose at the end of the road beside Fitch’s until one sea knocked down John Dynes’ ball room and Mort. Corey’s ice house, not leaving a pound of ice.

                   AT THE WATERWORKS

“The filtering basins of the Waterworks are on the lake shore just where the Beach joins the main land. The old basin, about 1,500 feet in length, suffered somewhat from the furious assaults of the waves. About the middle a small breach was made in the sand, and towards the northern end the sea carried away about 75 feet of the bank and fence surrounding the basin. The sand, however, poured in quickly and filled up the breach made by the waves.

1884 - Natural Gas at Mount Albion

 

In the late winter of 1884, news was carried in the March 20 issue of the Weekly Times that a company had been formed to investigate the viability of tapping into natural ga veins in the Hamilton area, particularly at Mount Albion.

The full column follows :

“There are very few people residing in the county of Wentworth, or in fact in this section of the Province, who have not heard and talked of the wonderful gas which emanates from fissures in the rock, springs, etc., in the vicinity of the Albion Mills, in the township of Saltfleet. To use a vulgar expression, ‘it is as old as the hills,’ and some of our fathers and mothers, when they were children, were taught of its existence in the pages of the old Maver reader which was then in use in the public schools. It is there spoken of as ‘jets of natural gas issuing from thew rocks and ground a few miles from Burlington Bay.’ In bygone years, the section contiguous to the Albion Mills has frequented interested the public. The old flouring mills at one time were brilliantly lighted up with the gas brought in from the rock nearby, and now, although many of the burners have fallen inti disuse, there is little doubt but the vapor still exists in large quantities as ever in the vicinity. Some forty years ago, a pleasure resort was established in this locality, and hundreds of Hamiltonians every week during the summer season drove out to see the beautiful scenery thereabouts and partake of the water from the springs. Many a visitor to Albion Mills had wondered how it was that some enterprising men had not formed a company for the purpose of utilizing this flow of natural gas, and on several occasions have such corporations been talked of in the past. At last, the enterprise has been taken hold of and acharter for the incorporation of ‘The Emerson Natural Gas Light and Fuel Company of Hamilton’ has been applied for to the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council. The original directors and stockholders of the company are : Messrs. Edward O. Emerson, Titusville, Pa.; J.G. Haymaker, Angelica, N.Y.; Thomas Hunt, Angelica, N.Y.; R.R. Waddell, Hamilton and Simon James, Barton. The purposes of the company are to acquire lands, sink wells, and construct machinery for obtaining the gas, and to lay down pipes for its conveyance to Hamilton or elsewhere in the Province. The county of Wentworth, of course, will be the principal base of operations, and attention will be given to the development of gas in the section referred to above, and all will admit that the field is an encouraging one for operations. The present capital stock, as taken up, amounts to $75,000. The company intend sinking wells in the neighborhood of Sulphur Springs, and near Mount Albion (about five miles), and the operations will be commenced as soon as possible after the opening of spring, when experts will examine the strata and sink test wells. The gas which has been heretofore been used there is superficial; the company will bore deep – 1,5000 feet or so – and more than one well will be sunk. Times readers are probably aware that gas veins are somewhat similar to the petroleum veins, they abound in certain rocks. If the company have the good fortune to strike gas at first, they will go on boring; if not, another well be sunk, and so on until success or failure  results. The United States gentlemen who have investigated the matter are sanguine that the venture will be successful.

“The principles on which the company will be worked are : In the event of gas being discovered in satisfactory quantity, it will be conducted through mains to a receiving tank in the city, from whence it will be distributed by pipes to the citizens who may wish it. An effort will be made to introduce it for heating purposes, such as is so common in some of the cities of the States. It is said that at Bradford, Pa., it is almost universally used for heating, lighting and generating steam.”

1884 - Emancipation Day Celebrations in Hamilton

 From the Weekly Times, August 7 1884 :

“The colored citizens, as they deserved, have been favoured with splendid weather for their annual demonstration, on the occasion of the fifty-first anniversary of the emancipation of the slaves in the British Empire.

“Early in the morning, the brethren were astir to make arrangements for those coming from a distance. Mount Brydges Lodge, No. 1, 855, G.U.O.O.F., under whose auspices the demonstration was held, appointed a reception committee to meet the various trains as they arrived in the city, and escort the delegates to the lodge room.

“The procession started from the Gore shortly after 11 o’clock , proceeding up James to Hunter and down John and around to King, and along King on the way to the Palace

“After the procession reached the grounds, the company scattered and passed away the time in various ways until the games, baseball and speechifying began.

 

“The celebration of Emancipation Day yesterday was an unqualified success. The day was, so far as the weather was concerned, most delightful, and the colored people appeared to enter most heartily into the spirit of the occasion. Everyone commented on the orderly and respectful appearance they presented, and it is questionable if there is any other order  in the city who could have honored their anniversary in a more creditable manner. The games were carried out in first-class style, and the baseball match between the Victorias and the Dauntless was very interesting, although the latter had very little practice, their play was very good. Within the Palace, a platform was erected on the west end.

                   In the Evening

“The procession, headed by the Union Coronet Band, at 7:30 left the Gore for the Palace, which was brilliantly illuminated with gas. After some time had been spent promenading and listening to the music of the band, a grand review and drill of the members of Mount Brydges Lodge of Oddfellows and of the members of the House of Ruth. Few were aware of the ladies following so closely on their heels. To the music of the band, they marched and countermarched in double and single file, and went through the various maneuvers most creditably.

“Dancing to the music of Vint’s string band was ten commenced. That everything was carried out with proper decorum and in first-rate style, it is only necessary to say that Prof. Jesse Gant, the renowned disciple of Terpsichore along with others have much reason to congratulate themselves upon the splendid and orderly manner in which everything passed off. The Times congratulates them and the whole of the colored population upon the grand success of their celebration

                   Notes

“Quite a number of whites took part in the dancing at the Palace.

“George Wright, the oratorical wood-sawyer, harangued the crowd several times during the afternoon. He was standing in a buggy and occasionally, as he was particularly warming up to his subject, some mischief lovers at the horse’s head would make the animal step up, and George invariably stood upon his head for a second or two on the seat. It was great fun – at least many of the spectators thought so. Wright is the colored man who has been soliciting orders for wood-sawing in our streets lately.

“There as not a drop of beer or intoxicating drink sold on the ground. Nobody under the influence of liquor was seen at the picnic.”

1884 - Salvation Army Activities

A not-usual day in the early history of the Salvation Army in Hamilton:

From the Weekly Times August 7 1884

“Again on Sunday, from seven in the morning till eleven at night, did the Salvationists hold their out and indoor services, and seemingly they were not then wearied, as one might hear them in groups on the streets passing home singing their much-loved songs. It is a notable circumstance that there is always something new at the Army meetings to ‘keep the pots a-boiling’ and yesterday was no exception to this rule. It occurred thus wise : Captain ‘The Winning One’ dilated extensively upon the part of Matthew x, which calls upon Christians to confess their Christianity before men. She poi8nted out in a quiet earnest manner that it was the duty, privilege and joy of a Christian to speak of the Master he was serving, and if he failed to do so, why ‘God will thrash you,’ interposed ”the Merry One.’ In answer to this call, many of the audience who are members of various churches arose and gave their experience  of a religious life. Good singing interposed between these speeches, and all was going happily , but unfortunately for the Army’s peace, there was a little quiet, old Methodist man present, and he seemed determined to test the Salvationists’ mettle, for at the end of his address, he, in a pointed manner, expressed regret that there were ‘so many renegade  Methodists upon the platform. ‘If you scratch a Turk, you will find a Tartar was here striking illustrated, for Methodism is the heart and soul of the army, and a thrill of indignation at the word ‘renegade’ ran through the soldiers. Up they sprung, and vigorously hurled back the word ‘renegade’ into the old man’s face, at the same time stating that if there had been scope for earnest Christian work in the churches, they would not have left them. The audience was evidently tickled, and the old man sat perfectly still and smiled grimly upon the commotion he had created. Eventually, all the ruffled feathers were quietly smoothed down by the soft and earnest addresses of three ‘Ones.’

“In the evening, the subject was again taken up by an old and well-known Churchman of forty-seven years’ Christian experience. He gave many excellent reasons why he preferred the Army method of introducing plain gospel truths to the masses of people, but decidedly the best soldier’s address and song were given by Sergeant Barrett. During the whole of the time he was upon his feet, the large audience was profoundly attentive. The public meetings had been so interesting that 10 o’clock was reached before one was aware of it. The prayer meeting was then commenced and continued till 11. During this time, persons came forward and, after prayer, professed Christianity. The singing of ‘Till the power Jesus Promised Should Come Down’ ‘The Merry One was remarkably effective. ‘Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow terminated one of the best meetings ever held in the barracks.

1884 - Baby Deserted

         

“Child Desertion : A Newborn Babe Found at the Door of the Home of the Friendless”

 Hamilton Weekly Times     February 25, 1884.

“The weather Friday was anything but pleasant for young or old, and the man or woman who would expose a new born infant to such a storm is certainly devoid of humanity. But such an outrage occurred. A boy baby, a few hours old, was forsaken by its cruel mother, and laid on the steps of the Home of the Friendless, corner of Duke and Caroline streets. A man who said he was passing and heard the infant cry summoned the matron of the institution who took charge of the waif. The child was in a small basket, wrapped up in a shawl. The incident was communicated to the police, who are looking for the heartless mother.”

Railway Disaster at the Junction - 1889 Part Two

The third day’s coverage from the Spectator relating to the follow up to the major Grand Trunk Railway accident of April 29, 1889 :    

“Yesterday morning there was considerable agitation apparent among the railway authorities here. General Manager Hickson had arrived from Montreal in his official car to ascertain why so many people had been killed on the southern division lately. He arrived on the 9:20 train from Toronto, and the fine, large engine Princess was attached to his car to take it out to the scene of the accident. Mr. Armstrong appeared with an immense armful of maps and plans, and the general manager, accompanied by Joseph Hobson (chief engineer), W. W. Pope (of the solicitor’s office), Joseph Wallace (chief clerk), and Samuel Barker (superintendent of the Northern and Northwestern division), started for the scene of the wreck and spent an hour there looking over the ground. Then they returned and examined the debris which is piled on cars in the yard. Mr. Hickson was seen by a reporter after his examination was concluded and asked if he had decided what caused the accident. “I have seen all that is to be seen in connection with the accident,” he said, “but I really can’t undertake to express any opinions while the matter is in the hands of the coroner. I would be glad to afford the Spectator any information, but it would not be right for me to express an opinion until the jury has given its verdict. I may say that when the inquest is over, a rigid investigation will be made, independent of that, by me in the interests of the company.”

          “I understand you are also going out to St. George this afternoon,” said the reporter. “Will the investigation which you propose to make cover both disasters?”

          “I think I will go over to St. George before I return, but that has already been investigated.”

          “As a result of this disaster at the cut will any change be made in the road at that point with a view to taking off part of the sharp curve at the foot of the grade?”

          “No, I don’t see that there is any necessity for it. The fact that there was an accident there does not prove that the spot is dangerous. The track has been the same there since it was built, and no accident ever happened at that particular spot before.”

          “It has been generally considered dangerous though. I understand Senator Sanford wrote to you some years ago pointing out the fact, and suggesting it be altered to lessen the curve?”

          Mr. Hickson smiled : “You know how that sort of thing is. If you were to see the number of letters I get in a year offering gratuitous advice you would appreciate the fact that running a railroad is something like running a newspaper.”

          It is said, Mr. Hickson, that the locomotives used on the Grand Trunk fast trains are not of sufficiently good class for the purpose, and that to this fact the recent accidents are attributable?”

          “All nonsense. The engines we use on our fast trains are as good as any on the continent. In fact, they are the best that can be got. The engine on the limited express was built in Kingston on the best model, and has only been in use six years.”

                   SOME MORE PROBABLE VICTIMS

          The railroad authorities have been having the contents of the unclaimed baggage saved from the wreck investigated, with a view to ascertaining who the dead folk are. This morning they obtained the following list : H. Levy, Chicago; Mrs. Smith (no address); Capt. Butler, Cook county insane asylum, near Chicago; F. Randall Orr, Omaha, Neb. Also another piece of baggage belonging to a lady, in which the owner’s name does not appear.

          ANOTHER BODY IDENTIFIED

Colvin, 550 Warren avenue, Chicago, arrived here  this morning in search of the body of Morgan R. Scullin, of 781 West Lake street, Chicago. Mr. Colvin examined the burnt remains and identified a body as that of Mr. Scullin by a fragment of the coat and waistcoat. The body was the one thought to be that of Mr. Curnick yesterday.  Mr. Colvin left for Chicago with the remains this afternoon.

A BROKEN WHEEL

Mr. Hall, locomotive superintendent, has discovered that in addition to one axle of  the engine truck being broken, the outside, or north wheel in front, had five pieces broken off it, and the fragments were found and brought in front the wreck this afternoon. The pilot of the engine was buried seven feet down in the sand. It is now thought that the accident was caused by the front outside wheel breaking and taking the guide rail instead of the proper one.

          TWO TORONTO MEN AMONG THE VICTIMS

                   Toronto Globe

            Charles Fraser, who was mentioned in yesterday’s Globe as a probable victim of the awful accident of Sunday morning at the Y, is well known in this city, having been a resident here for some years. That he is among the killed is now certain, his brother Andrew having yesterday identified a watch chain found in the debris as that of his brother, and, still further, Mr. Stiff, G. T. R. superintendent, telegraphed last evening that the pass on which Fraser was checked at Windsor on the ill-fated train. There are circumstances attending the death of poor Charles Fraser of a most melancholy character, plunging, as it does, a wife and living relatives in unutterable grief. Six months ago, he left the city for Omaha, laving his wife in Toronto until such time as he was in a position to send for her. He succeeded in getting a good position in the Union express company, of his adopted city, and three weeks ago, in great hopes of a prosperous future, took steps to remove his family there. His furniture was shipped ten days ago, and his wife meanwhile remained with friends until her husband should arrive for her. He wrote Mrs. Fraser that he would in Toronto at latest on Sunday or Monday, but the stated time came to find him amongst the twenty so frightfully and tragically killed. The poor young widow is left with two children, and her grief at the loss of a husband, whose life was devoted to her interests, may well be imagined. The deceased was a brother of Mrs. Ramsay, of Grange avenue, who is now in Omaha, where she went two weeks ago. He was a prominent member of the Gaelic society, always taking a keen interest in everything pertaining to the maintenance of Scottish sentiment, and his death, of which there is no doubt, will be lamented by a large circle of friends.

          Another Toronto man was also a victim of the disaster, at least circumstances point strongly to that conclusion. George Duthie left this city some twenty years ago for Kansas City, where he has continuously remained ever since. Last week he wrote to his parents, who live at 263 Adelaide street west, that he would leave Kansas with his wife on Friday for Toronto to pay them a short visit. He did leave as stated, but up to a late hour last night, he had not arrived. His brother went over to Hamilton yesterday to try and find some trace of the missing ones among the ruins. He found two ticket stubs bearing the Kansas station stamp, the numbers being forty and forty-one, thus leaving no doubt, when the other circumstances are taken into consideration, that the unfortunate couple perished with the others. This is another touching incident of the deplorable accident. The unfortunate man did not see his aged father and mother for twenty years, and no doubt the son was as rejoiced at the prospect of meeting them as they were to again see a son from whom they had been so long separated. He was a man of about 40 years of age, of medium height and dark complexion.

                   THE INQUEST

          The adjourned inquest into the cause of the recent railway disaster at the junction was resumed last evening at No. 3 police station, before Dr. A. Woolverton. There was a large attendance of auditors. Joseph Hickson, general manager of the Grand Trunk railway, was present accompanied by John Bell, Q. C., solicitor for the road; Samuel Barker, superintendent of the Northern and Northwestern division; Jos. Hobson, chief engineer; James McLerie, freight agent; John Proctor, director; C. K. Domville, locomotive superintendent; Joseph Wallace, chief clerk; and Mr. Larmour. A shorthand writer was present on behalf of the Grand Trunk to report the evidence taken by the coroner.

          On opening the inquest, the coroner said that Mr. Hickson would like to address a few remarks to the jury.

          Mr. Hickson came forward and said : I only desire to express the regret of the directors and the sorrow of myself and the other officials of the Grand Trunk at the sad calamity that happened near your city on Sunday morning. It is a matter of deep sorrow to myself and the officers of the railway, and I desire to say that any assistance the jury may wish from the officers of the company will be cheerfully put before you. We desire a full investigation of the circumstances.

          Mr. Littlehales, before the taking of evidence commenced, said that as none of the jury had any experience in examining witnesses, he would ask the coroner to have the crown attorney present.

          C. R. Smith, another juror, said it might be necessary to have a counsel and also experts. He moved that the coroner request the attorney-general to grant financial aid for the purpose of paying the expense of such assistance.

          The motion was put and carried unanimously.

          Dr. Woolverton said he would have the recommendation conveyed to the attorney-general. He thought it would be impossible to have Mr. Crerar present at that session.

          Wm. Galbreaith, night station-master at London, was the first witness. He said : Have occupied that position for one year. The train arrived there in two portions from Sarnia and Detroit, and was amalgamated there. It was composed of two baggage cars, a smoker, two first-class coaches, a sleeper, a first-class coach and three sleepers in that order. It was about an average train. It was due to leave London at 4:45, but left that morning ten minutes late. An unusual number of passengers got off at London. The train was examined there and a fresh engine put on.

          Thomas McHattie, locomotive fireman at London, was sworn : Have been in that position at London one month, and before that was at Palmerston. Am responsible for seeing that any necessary repairs are made and that all engines go out in good order. Was not present when the engine of the limited express went out, but saw the engine the day before. It came in two days before. Two drivers and two engines run this train, and during the two days one of the drivers was laid off and the other did double service. Did not examine engine 738 personally. It is one of the largest and strongest engines on the road and is comparatively new, having been overhauled recently. New wheels were put under the engine truck on March 6, 1889. The express engines are given special care and examined by the driver every time he comes in from a trip. When the driver finds that repairs are necessary it is witness’ duty to see that they are carried out. The car examiners test the engine wheels as well as the cars. So far as reports showed, engine 738 was in perfect running order. A train of ten cars should take two men not less than five minutes to tap the wheels. It could not be done in a proper manner in three minutes, he thought.

          Capt. Wm. Hall, Toronto, sworn, said : Was a passenger on the train from Detroit, and occupied a berth in the sleeper until the train reached Harrisburg, when he was aroused by the tapping of the car wheels by the examiners. Got up then, and the berth was shut up and he took his seat. The speed from Dundas down was about twenty-five miles an hour. Was in the fifth car from the engine, and thought the car was well-filled. First indication of anything being wrong was a kind of “shock concussion,” as if the train had struck something. Then the car went ahead. There was no noise of breaking glass or timber, and the engine did not whistle. Then the car jumped the track, bumped about and stopped. From the time of the concussion, the car ran two or three lengths. Got off on the north side of the track, east of the switch, and observed the passengers coming out of the car ahead, which had its end knocked in. Saw the ladies stepping out over the timbers as cool and unconcerned as possible. Heard no noise or screaming anywhere. Looked for the enginemen, and could not find the engine for a while, as it was buried under timbers. Met the fireman walking past the engine, and some one said to look out, as the boiler might explode. Witness suggested that some one should go back and flag any oncoming train. Thought no one was specially hurt. Then started with Mr. Dixon to telegraph to Hamilton, but the conductor went instead. About that moment, the flames, which he hadn’t noticed before, broke through the roof of a car that had been telescoped. The flame was fully ten feet wide when it shot up into his view. It originated in the mass of wood next to the engine, but did not catch fire from the engine. The fire got a draft from somewhere and spread very rapidly. Witness ran down to the telegraph office and saw a train coming up on the Toronto track.  Went on from there to Hamilton thinking no one was hurt, and that the accident was not serious. The track, he said, was moved laterally two or three inches in a southerly direction. It was two or three minutes from the time of the accident that the conductor reached the telegraph office. Could not see the smoker after the accident. Three cars were jumbled up together, and the fire originated in the heap. Heard no one say that there was anyone under the wreck. Did not see any appliances there to put out the fire, and did not notice any efforts made to put it out. The fire was too large to be put out by ordinary appliances. On cross-examination witness said he was formerly bridge inspector on the Grand Trunk, but now owns vessels on the upper lakes.

          David Walker, of the Walker house, Toronto, said he was on his way home from Chicago, and was riding on the last car on the train, the sleeper Montpelier. The car was very full with people going to the Washington centennial. Went to sleep before the Detroit river was reached and awoke in Paris. On coming near the scene of the accident was standing at the door of the car talking with the brakeman, and on looking at his watch saw that it was 6:50. Immediately afterwards felt a concussion, and was thrown against the door, and then thrown backwards. Felt as though the car was off the track and then the train stopped suddenly. When he got off he saw the engine lying on the north side of the track and water rushing down the embankment from the broken tank. Helped to carry out three wounded who were underneath the smoking car. Looked underneath the car again and didn’t see anyone, but another man was looking in from the side and neither could see anything. Looked under another car with cane chairs, but could see no one else. Subsequently met the engine men and the baggage man, and the latter told him that several persons from the smoker had been dumped into the baggage car. Saw the flames commence to shoot up a short time afterwards and went through the cars waking up the people. The flames spread very rapidly and as soon as they reached a car would rush through it like a funnel. Uncoupled the last two cars and with the help of several men ran them back. Then witness went to the right side of the track and saw a dead body lying there. In a few minutes an engine arrived from Hamilton and the men called on the passengers that could to come on board. Witness asked if they had brought out any doctors and they said no, being Sunday morning they could not get an answer to their telephone messages. There was a heap of debris over the locomotive, which he thought was the remains of the tank. Did not hear any screams or groans under the wreck. The cars were on fire when the first auxiliary came up, but the cars had not all caught fire when the second auxiliary came, about eight o’clock. Thought the train was not running more than twenty-five miles an hour for some time before the accident.

          James Dargie, the man who tried the wheels at Harrisburg, said it was his duty to examine the wheels and brakes of all trains that came in there. The wheel-tappers begin at the rear of the train and tap every wheel except the drivers, one man going on each side of the train. Remember tapping the wheels of the limited express on Sunday morning. It is timed to arrive there at 6:23. Examined all the wheels on the south side of the train, including the front wheels of the engine. Thought it took him five or six minutes to do it. Found no defect in any of the wheels. Occasionally do find defects, and always take the car off and replace it. The train stops there on purpose to be examined.

          Alexander Dargie, brother of the last witness, said he tapped the other side of the train and found it all right.

          Alexander Douglas, London, said he was a yardsman there and made up all trains. Made up the limited express with ten cars.

          The inquest then adjourned until Friday evening at 7:30. The jury will go out to have another look at the locality this afternoon.

                                      NOTES

          Mrs. McLeod, of Toronto, looked over the watches in the superintendent’s office, but found none she could identify.

          Mr. Dougherty, the traveller for J. M. Williams & Co., has been heard from. His wife received a telegram from Wiarton saying he is all right.

          Yesterday Chief McKinnon received a letter from William Long, of New York, inquiring about Henry Pringle, a young man from Chicago, who is supposed to have been killed. He had about $150 in gold in his possession.

          David Booth, of Toronto, who was supposed to have been one of the victims, has been heard from. He is safe in Chicago, not having started for home.

          The fact that more watches than there are victims were found in the wreck has been explained by the fact that one of the passengers was an agent for the Waterbury watch company and had several time keepers in his hand baggage.

          The public may as well understand that William Burrwell, who lives near the scene of the recent accident, did not charge anybody a dollar for keeping a horse on the day of the accident; neither did any horse remain in his yard all day without food.

          General Manager Hickson went out to St. George to see the wounded who still remained there, and subsequently visited the wounded from the junction at the hospital here. There are six wounded still at St. George : Mr. and Mrs. Marshall; W. Benedict, Belleville; Dr. Le Quesne, Cleveland; Miss Andrews, Belleville; and Thomas N. Doutney, temperance lecturer.

          Eugene P. Newhall, formerly of the SPECTATOR staff, and now of Omaha, arrived in the city yesterday in search of his brother-in-law, C. J. Fraser, of Toronto. Mr. Newhall traced the missing man as far as Detroit, and when he arrived here he found that Fraser’s watch had been found in the debris and identified by a Toronto relative, so that there is no doubt whatever that Fraser was one of the victims.

          “The Railway Horror”

        Spectator.   May 2, 1889

        The week’s WEEKLY SPECTATOR, published this morning, contains a graphic description of the terrible railway accident at the junction cut, list of the killed and injured, identification of the bodies, inquest to date, etc. May be had at SPECTATOR counting room, in wrappers, ready for mailing, 4 cents per copy. Also for sale at the bookstores.”