1884-11-24tyo Two Re James Street North

Two articles from the Hamilton Spectator relating to an incident and a new line of products available at a store on James Street North.

          First was a collision between a Hamilton Fire Department Hose Reel and and Hamilton Street Railway street car :

          “The person who pulled alarm box 45 Saturday pulled it twice, and a mixed alarm was sounded.

“The men at the King William street station thought the alarm came from box 47, corner of Stuart and Caroline streets, and they started with the hose reel for that spot, turning off King William street on to James. As usual they took the street car track.

“There was also a car on the track, moving in the same direction. When opposite the post office, the car stopped rather suddenly to take on a lady.

“The driver of the reel could not get off the track in time to avoid a collision, and the right wheels of the reel crashed into the rear of the car, knocked off the back of the platform and dragged the car off the track.

“The lady for whom the car had stopped – Mrs. Jos. Harvey, of James street north – had not yet entered and was standing on the rear platform when the collision occurred. She was thrown violently to the ground, and received some painful bruises, but was able to rise and walk away without assistance.

“The driver of the car and the men on the reel were all flung to the ground by the violence of the collision, but all escaped without serious injury.”¹

¹ “ Street Car and Hose Reel.”

Hamilton Spectator. November 24, 1885.

The other James street north reference in the Spectator related to a new line of artistic products which could be purchased at a store on that street:

“The Canadian Art company of 118 James street north, this city, is introducing a new line of art cards, which from their novelty and originality, and beauty of design and execution, are probably destined to be very popular.

“The cards are decidedly unique in conception. They are modelled from nature by Prof. Wilkins, the well-known sculptor. From his models, moulds are made, and as many composition casts taken as are required.

“Samples of the work are shown in the company’s offices. Principal among them is a large bas relief in silver and bronze. It is by Mr. Wilkins, and founded on Tennyson’s Maiden’s Prayer.

“In work similar to this, they show King William crossing the Boyne, the American shield, with portraits of the new presidential team; and heads of Christ and the Virgin Mary

“The other lines are different, consisting principally of flowers, fruit and leaves on paper that can be bought in pure white and adorned by the purchaser.

“The company also makes a specialty of producing bas relief portraits, plaques or palettes, and people wishing themselves immortalized can have it done, either directly or from their photographs.

“The company’s rooms and productions will bear inspection.”²

² “Artistic Novelties”

Hamilton Spectator.   November 24, 1884.