Railway Disaster at the Junction - 1889 Part Six

Reprint  of the Hamilton Spectator coverage of the public funeral for the unnamed victims of the junction railway accident :

       “Hamilton, May 7 The last sad scene in the dread tragedy of the junction cut was enacted today, when the unknown dead were deposited in their last earthly abiding place in the city cemetery, with all the attendant marks of respect that could be bestowed upon their memory by the citizens. From early morn, the flags on the Government buildings and public institutions flew at half-mast and there were other evidences that the city was in mourning for the dead. For more than an hour before the time for the funeral to take place, hundreds and thousands of persons, young and old, made their way to King street west and stood near the funeral establishment in which lay the bodies, waiting patiently for the departure of the cortege. Within the walls of Mr. Blachford’s establishment rested the eleven caskets, nine, containing the remains of men and women, being finished in black cloth, and two, containing those of children, in white plush. On each of the caskets was missing the familiar metal plate that should tell of the remains of the loved one within. One word, “Unknown,” told the sad and significant story. Yet, although near and dear ones were not nigh to deck the caskets with flowers, the dead were not entirely forgotten in this regard. Floral offerings from Mrs. B. E. Charlton and Mr. T. G. Foster lay on two of the caskets. Another bore a scythe, bearing the word, “Unknown,” and sent by A. J. Taylor, Miss E. Wilson and Miss L. Burtch. The two children were not forgotten, for upon the pure, white caskets lay bouquets sent by a friend. To all the floral offerings were attached cards, on which were inscribed “With Sympathies for the Unknown.” These thoughtful offerings spoke volumes of sympathy and kindness for those who sent them.

                             The Cortege

          At three o’clock, King street west was thronged with thousands of anxious and expectant citizens, and the sidewalk and most of the road became almost impassable. On Macnab street stood the eleven hearses, beginning with the handsome funeral coach belonging to the firm who had the arrangements in hand, and ending with the white coach in which the remains of the young are conveyed to the tomb. Such an unusual demand for hearses necessitated an application for aid to undertakers outside the city, and besides five hearses belonging to the city undertakers, there were two from Dundas and one easch from Waterdown, Grimsby, Beamsville and Burlington. Shortly after three o’clock, the fire bell of the Central Station began tolling in slow and measured tones. Citizens were still hurrying on towards King street on foot and in carriages.. At half-past three, the hour of the funeral, the crowd in front of the funeral establishment became very dense, and while from all parts of the city came the sound of funeral bells rung from the church towers, the placing of the remains in their respective bearers and the formation of the procession began.  This, after a time, was accomplished and the cortege wended its way to the city of the dead in the following order :-

                   Detachment of Police.

            Officiating ministers in carriages.

       Aldermen of the city and Grand Trunk Railway officials, acting as pall bearers.

                    Post office officials and employees.

           Members of Parliament and citizens in carriages.

          The route taken was along King street west to Locke, along Locke to Florence, along Florence and on to the cemetery. Arriving at the cemetery, the cortege entered by the principal entrance and passed on toward the grave.

                             The Burial

          One grave had been dug fourteen feet square to receive the unknown dead, and it occupied a pleasant spot beside the driveway, a short distance south of the main entrance and beneath the branches of a spreading pine tree. The pall bearers were :- Representing the city – Ald. Mason, Cruickshank, Carruthers, Judd, Kendrick and Mr. John Hoodless; representing the Grand Trunk Railway – Charles Stiff, R. Hobson, W. S. Champ, J. W. Wallace, C. J. Domville and Fergus Armstrong. These gentlemen ranged themselves on the road beside the grave to perform the sad duties devolving upon them, whilst beneath the tree stood Rev. R. G. Boville, of the James Street Baptist Church; Rev. J. S. Ross, of the Centenary Methodist Church; Rev. S. Lyle, of the Central Presbyterian Church; Rev. J. Forneret, of All Saints’ Church, and Rev. John Morton, of the Congregational Church. When all was in readiness, Rev. Mr. Boville read the opening portion of the burial service, a deep hush fell upon the thousands of spectators gathered around, and the pall bearers representing the city and G. T. R. alternately bore caskets containing the unknown dead and lowered them to their last resting place. When the two last coffins were reached, those of the children, the rev. gentleman resumed the burial service, reading the special portion referring to the internment of the young. When the last body had been laid away, Rev. Mr. Ross and Rev. Mr. Forneret continued the service, and a prayer and benediction delivered by Rev. S. Lyle closed the services.

          Amongst the mourners who gathered round the grave were Mrs. Fraser and her sister, of Toronto; Mr. Cornick, of Chicago; and relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Duthie, of Toronto. The day was beautiful and the sky bright and clear, and in contrast to the gloomy duty that was being performed on the earth below.

          The funeral was the most largely attended of any in the city for many years past, the crowds on the streets being estimated at fully 12,000. The procession was fully one mile in length and contained representatives of all Churches and classes of society.

          Besides the ministers named who officiated at the grave, there followed Bishop Hamilton and Dean Geddes, of the Anglican Church; Bishop Dowling and Vicar-General Heenan, of the Roman Catholic Church and others.

          The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of Mr. Blachford and were carried out by him in a praiseworthy manner. The Grand Trunk Railway Company gave instructions that the funeral should be conducted without consideration of cost, and each of he victims was enclosed in a handsome metal-lined casket, costing upwards of $100. The remainder of the arrangements were in keeping. It is the earnest wish of all citizens that the city may never be called upon to assist in such a funeral as that which took place today, which will linger long in their memories. “