1884-09-10 Two Street Incidents

The reporters in Hamilton newspapers in 1884 did not simply inside in an office but actually ventured forth to find material to help fill the pages of their newspapers with interesting material.

On September 10, 1884, the Times carried two stories which resulted from a hard-working reporter seeking out stories.

The first story concerned an observation made on a main downtown street combined with a criticism of the tactics of some Hamilton policemen :

“A workingman under the influence of liquor passed down James street at 2 o’clock. He conversed with several of his acquaintances on the way, and was not considered in an incapable condition by his friends.

At the corner of Merrick street, he was seized by a constable, who twisted him about in a manner sufficient to exasperate a more level-headed personage, so it was no wonder that the drunken party created a scene on the thoroughfare.

With all deference to the majesty of the law and duties of our P.C.’s, the TIMES thinks it would have been better had the officer allowed the man to quietly go home.

Discretion, however, is a hard thing to teach some of those individuals who are clothed in blue and are armed with a club.”¹

 ¹ “An Arrest”

Hamilton Times. September 10, 1884

          The second story involved what happened on a downtown street when a couple of horses attached to a taxi were spooked by the competition between two rival factions of the Hamilton Salvation Army:

          “Little Jimmy Carroll, who lives at the corner of King William and Mary streets, met with an accident on King, near John street, last evening at 8 o’clock. He was in the crowd watching the movements of the rival divisions of the Salvation Army.

A span of hack horses became frightened at the music, and Jimmy was not quick enough to get out of the way. He was knocked down and one of the wheels passed over his left foot.

Carroll was carried into Clarke’s drug store, at the corner of King and Hughson streets, and made as comfortable as possible.

Fortunately no bones were broken.

“A Boy of Nine Run Over”

Hamilton Times.  September 10, 1884