1886-05-29 Baseball Rivalry

For Hamilton baseball fans in the spring of 1886, it was a new season in a new league. The International league had been formed via the merger of two leagues, the New York League and the Ontario League.

Consisting of teams from Syracuse, Utica, Rochester, Oswego, Binghamton and Buffalo, the only Canadian cities represented in the International League were Hamilton and Toronto. The passion for the sport of baseball was high as High in the Canadian cities represented as it was among the American communities. The deep-seated rivalry between Hamilton and Toronto was certainly seen to be a plus for the new league.

As the end of May, 1886, the Hamiltons had a won-lost record of 3-10, while the Torontos had fared better with a record of 8-11.

The 1885 champions of the National League, the Detroit Wolverines, were barnstorming in May 1886, and an exhibition game against the Torontos had resulted in a Toronto victory.

The Torontos were scheduled to play a home game against the Hamiltons soon after their victory over the major league champions. The Toronto newspapers were boastful that the Hamiltons were sure to be humiliated.

The players with the Hamilton were not impressed with that victory over the Detroit Wolverines, aware that the team fielded was not the complete major roster.

The Hamilton Spectator coverage of the May 28, 1886 game in Toronto was extensive beginning as follows :

“”Hamilton’s team of baseball players took a run to Toronto yesterday to see what sort of stuff Toronto had scraped together into her team, and to find out just what sort of team had beaten Detroit’s sub-second nine.

“Toronto had made splendid preparations for the meeting. Her strongest team was decked out in its very prettiest uniform, the coon mascot had an extra polish on his face and had rubbed his head on all the Toronto bats for good luck in hitting.”

¹“The World of Sport : The Hamiltons Give the Torontos a Few Pointers on How to Play Ball”

Hamilton Spectator     May 29, 1886.

The game proved to be an embarrassment to the Torontos and their fans, with Hamilton dominating and winning with a score of 13-2:

““The Hamiltons made no superfluous show and didn’t say much, but started to play when the umpire called play. They played so well that the Torontos soon began to feel sorry that they had ever run up against Hamilton. The Hamiltons commenced by hitting Veach, Toronto’s pet pitcher, very hard, but, for four innings they, unluckily, hit straight to the fielders. In the fifth inning, they began to place the ball – to line it out for singles, two-baggers, three-baggers and the like.

“The heads of the Torontos began to shrink about that time. The swelling went down suddenly. The reaction was so great that the Torontos became rattled. The Hamiltons kept on batting, and the Torontos kept on making errors until seven men had travelled the circuit of the bases. Realizing that this was likely to give the Toronto scorers more than they could handle, the boys stopped and gave the Torontos a chance to catch up. But Toronto could not strike a fast enough clip, and had to content herself with shuffling through the game in a half-spirited sort of way.

“The Hamiltons fielded splendidly. Outside of the battery’s four errors, there was only one error made. The Torontos could not bat Morrison to any alarming extent, and could not play a fielding games like that of Hamilton.”¹

It was a triumphant victory for the underdogs from the Ambitious City, and the Spectator reporter took great glee in touting the Hamiltons in his notes to the game: “Toronto should have kept last year’s team.

           The Hamilton team is just getting into working shape.

           Thirteen long runs ! How tired our poor boys must be.

           There will probably been a few people at Dundurn park today.

           A game like yesterday’s counts as double. Hamilton wins – Toronto loses.

           The Torontos should have died immediately after the game with the Detriots.

          The person who told the Torontos that they could play ball deserves to be severely thought of.

          The team that beat the team that beat all the world has changed its name to the Muddy Yorks.

          The soreheads that have been croaking around Hamilton for the last week or so are respectfully invited to go away somewhere and kick themselves.

Toronto’s committee appointed for the purpose of making that city attractive for visitors is considering how it may keep the Hamiltons away from the place.

It is to be hoped that no Toronto person, influenced by the things he read in the Toronto papers, was foolish enough to put Toronto money on the Toronto team.

If the Toronto papers will humbly apologize for the manner in which they have slandered the Hamiltons, the latter will let the Torontos win a game sometime this summer.”¹

The reporter also penned a satirical poem to celebrate the victory. The traveler in the poem was a well-known Toronto ‘sport’ named Lem Fletcher, a saloon owner known to attend baseball games, betting heavily on the Toronto side:

“THE RIME OF THE DISAPPOINTED SPORT”

          And the traveler stoppeth he,

            ‘By thy diamonds and high silk hat

          Now wherefore stoppeth thou me?

          ‘The Railway train waiteth near

             And I am fain to go,

          Hold off, hold off, thy jeweled hand –

             Dost hear the whistle blow?’

          He holds him with deadly grip –

            He cannot choose but hear,

          And thus spoke that wild-eyed sport

            Into the travellere;

          ‘Lem Fletcher, traveler, is my name,

            Thou mayest have heard of me;

          The foamy beer I am won to serve

            To thirtsy companie.

          ‘O listen while I tell to you

            The troubles that befall

          All weak confiding sporting men

            Who monkey with baseball.

          “I thought our team invincible

            When but two days ago

          They met the champion Wolverines

            And pulverized them so.

          ‘The Rochesters and Buffalos

            For them have proved by pie,

          And we have been all up on them,

            And no one more than I.

          ‘And now – and now, O traveler,

            Down comes our dearest foe –

          At whom we laughed with lofty scorn,

            For whom we’ve laid full low –

          “This very day that hated nine –

            (O pardon if I cuss)

          From Hamilton comes gaily down

            And paralyzes us.

          ‘Like one insane I walk the streets

            To cool my fevered brain;

          The boodle I had thought to rake

            I ne’er shall see again.

          ‘O traveler, traveler, tell to me,

            Dost thou not understand

          The pain of one who holds a flush

            Against a well-filled hand?’

          The sporting man with diamonds bright

            And face beckoning pain

          Is gone; and now the traveler hastes

            In time to miss the train.”

The much-lauded victory was the first game of a home and home series, between the Hamiltons and the Torontos, the second tilt to take place in the ball yard in Hamilton’s Dundurn Park.

There was much interest in the game and the grandstand at Dundurn was full, in addition to a large crowd surround the field, often crowding into the outfield.

The hometown fans were not disappointed :

“Yesterday was the sort of game which all those who understand baseball like to see, and as all Hamilton people understand the game, it was one which pleased them very much. The Hamiltons, by superior fielding and batting, got a small early in the game and maintained it throughout.”²

² “The World of Sport : Toronto Downed Again by Hamiltons”

Hamilton Spectator     May 30, 1886.

The Spectator reprinted the following comments from the Toronto press concerning Hamilton’s baseball dominant performances :

“WHAT THE TORONTO PAPERS SAY

          World

“The Toronto nine received no presents yesterday.

“Manager Humphries and the Mascot fell out yesterday, and they sat at opposite ends of the bench.

“Hamilton has the big head today. This is the first increase in size that Hamilton has experienced for a long time.

“The proverb that ‘pride goes before a fall’ has been amended by the Toronto club so as to read that pride goes before a ball. At least their pride vanished yesterday before the ball of the Hamilton pitcher.

          MAIL.

 “The statement that Captain Collins, of the Hamilton team, is a kicker must have very little foundation. He never disputed the umpire after the fifth inning in yesterday’s Toronto-Hamilton game, and was altogether a very genial and amiable gentleman.”

The Toronto team’s mascot, a raccoon, was the focus of the Spectator sports writer’s poetic summation of the second game of the May, 1886 home and home series between the nines from Hamilton and Toronto:

THE MANAGER AND THE MASCOT

‘Twas on a warm May evening,

          The baseball game was done,

And Humphreys at the tavern door,

          Gazed sadly  at the sun,

And near him, whistling low a tune,

Nestled the dusky mascot, coon.

The mascot said, in wistful voice,

          ‘O manager, I pray,

How came these blokes of Hamilton

          To win the game today?

Was it our errors settled it,

Or cause our fellers couldn’t hit?

“ ‘Twas not my fault; I stayed right through

          And didn’t stir at all,

And every time I got a chance

          I spit upon the ball.

But after all, do what I may,

The luck don’t seem to come my way.

“ Was it your fault, or was it mine,

          That we’ve been left so bad?”

Then Humphreys sadly gazed at him,

          This dusky mascot lad –

“Nay, boy, I cannot tell,’ said he,

“But ‘twas a famous victory.”²

1885-03-14 Coasting Incident

The late winter season of 1885 in Hamilton had been tough in terms of prolonged cold temperatures and plenty of snow. By the middle of March, when everyone’s thoughts were turning towards what they hoped was an impending arrival of spring, Hamilton still was in the grip of winter.

On March 12, 1885, both Hamilton newspapers were informed that one of the city’s leading citizens Mr. William Hendrie had some news winter sports enthusiasts :

       “Mr. William Hendrie, who has always been a thorough patron and advocate of all legitimate sports and pastimes for sports’ sake, has introduced a capital precedent and opened his spacious grounds (Homestead) to the public, that they may enjoy that good old form of Canadian outdoor winter amusement, bob-sleigh coasting.”¹

¹ “Mr. Hendrie Caters to Coasters”

Hamilton Times. March 12, 1885.

The Hendrie mansion, and its extensive grounds occupied the full block, Macnab to Park streets, Duke to Bold streets. The main entrance for carriages into Holmsted was from Bold street, opposite the southernmost end of Charles street.

The Times described the scene on Charles street, running north from the grounds of Holmsted, during the first night of coasting after the announcement from Mr. Hendrie :

“ About 200 people, equipped with at least 80 trim-built and speedy-looking bobs, kept Charles street in a very merry mood from 7 to 10 last night. Mr. Hendrie had several strong reflecting lights placed at intervals along the coasting line, and over the large front gates, through which the coasters passed, was an arch formed of Chinese lanterns. A number were also hung among the shrubbery, the whole looking very picturesque.

“During the evening, large numbers of spectators visited the slide, drawn thither by the numerous horns, bells, flashing lights and attractive illuminations. Mr. Hendrie very kindly extends these privileges as long as the good weather and slipping permits.”¹

The night-time coasting experience along the brightly-lighted street from the Holmsted all the way to King street was a delight. Every evening large number of young people, and a few older types, were enjoying the thrill of speeding down the hill, with lights on the track. In the Spectator’s Diurnal Epitome column of March 16, 1885 noted the fun that was happening at the location:

“Coasters had a gala time on the Charles street hill Saturday night. The street from Mr. Hendrie’s house to Main street was a blaze of light, a large headlight at Mr. Hendrie’s residence and numerous lesser lights as well as light at Mr. Gillespie’s residence making the scene one of brilliancy and animation that was well worth beholding. The many coasters’ hearts  were full of joy, and they keenly appreciated the generosity of their kind-hearted benefactors.”²

² “The Diurnal Epitome : What Goeth In and About the City : Items of Local News Gathered By Spectator Reporters And Presented in Attractive Form for the Interested Reader. ”

Hamilton Spectator     March 16, 1885.

Unfortunately the joy of the coasting slide can to an abrupt end Wednesday evening, March 16, 1885:

“For the past ten days, Mr. Hendrie has opened his grounds to the young people who patronized the bobsleighs, and scores of heavy loads have gone whizzing down the hill gaining fresh impetus at every travelled yard. Last night fully two hundred people were thus engaged, and the slide was full of sleighs”³

When a line of coasters was already underway heading down the Charles street hill, a carter’s lorry, driven by Robert McQuillan was seen driving eastward along Hunter street:

“Mr. Waddell, Mr. Burrows and Chief Stewart, seeing that a frightful collision was imminent, called to him to stop, the latter gentleman going in front of the horse to prevent its progress. McQuillan, however, deliberately drove on and a bob with six persons on it came crashing into its wheels. The force of the collision threw the driver to the off, and the occupants of the sleigh were scattered senseless on the ground.”³

³ "Coasting Disaster : Collision of a ‘Bob’ With a Lorry Last night : Three Persons Seriously Hurt”

Weekly Times. March 19, 1885.

A reporter for the Hamilton Spectator had been at the Charles street hill and witnessed the incident firsthand:

          “All went well until about half-past 8, when the accident occurred, which summarily stopped the coasting for the night.

“All the bob sleighs went down the incline together, a procession of some 40 or 50 bobs, each carrying from 3 to 7 persons. As the head of the line approached Hunter street, the crowd on the corner saw a horse and lorry coming east at a brisk pace along Hunter street, and several persons raised a warning cry to the driver, but that person either did not hear or heed the cry and pressed on. The danger now became apparent to everyone who saw the situation.

“Chief Stewart, who was in the crowd, ran out into the road and held up his hands in front of the horse; but the driver urged the animal on until it ran against the chief, who stepped aside to save himself, and the horse and cart passed on.

“By this time the leading bob in the line had reached the corner. It was steered by one of Mr. Hendrie’s sons, who had two ladies behind him. He saw the danger in time to steer out of the way, but almost grazed the lorry in flying past.

“On the second bob were half a dozen persons. It was steered by Mr. Wm. Moore, of 134 main street east, and immediately behind him sat Miss Isabel and Miss Beatrice Burrows, daughters of John C. Burrows, of 36 Hunter street west. Mr. Moore did not see the danger in time to avert it, and his bob crashed into the rear wheel of the lorry.

 “The coasters were hurled to the ground or against the lorry, and the force of the collision was so great that the lorry was driven half way round and the driver was thrown to the ground. The horse proceeded on its way down Hunter street, and the driver picked himself up and ran after it without troubling himself about the unfortunate coasters, who were all stunned, and lay prostrate on the ground.

“All but three, however, were able to rise and walk away, though none of them escaped without bruises.

“The three who were seriously injured were Mr. Moore and Misses Burrows. Fortunately for the gentleman, he had instinctively thrust his feet before him and thus broke the force of the collision; if it had not been for this, he would have been killed. As it was, his face was dashed against the hub of the wheel and was terribly cut and bruised.

“Miss Beatrice Burrows was also thrown against the wheel, and her sister against the side of the lorry. The former was carried to her home nearby, and her sister and Mr. Moore were borne to R. R. Waddell’s house, where their injuries were attended to by Dr. Husband and Dr. Bingham. They were conveyed home later in the evening.

“Mr. Moore’s head and face are so badly cut and bruised that he is likely to be disfigured for life. Miss Isabel Burrows, who is a teacher in the Central school, is not cut, but received several painful bruises on the body as well as on her head and face. Miss Beatrice Burrows’ injuries are more serious. Her nose was broken and her face gashed and bruised cruelly. She also had a hip so severely strained that it may prove troublesome.”⁴

⁴ "Serious Coasting Accident : Three Persons Badly Injured By a Collision on Charles Street”

Hamilton Spectator  March 17, 1885.

The carter, McQuillan, made no effort to stop and see what had happened, but continued to drive away:

“Immediately after the accident, Chief Stewart and Constable Johnston went in search of the carter who was mainly responsible for the accident. His name is Robert McQuillan. He was found at his father’s house, 110 West avenue north, and arrested on a charge of malicious injury. He was drunk when taken into custody, and so far from expressing regret at what had occurred, he stoutly declared that he had a greater right to the road than the coasters had.”⁴

McQuillan spent the night in the police cells and was brought before Magistrate Cahill the next day:

“At the Police Court this morning, McQuillan’s name was entered opposite a charge of malicious injury to persons. Chief Stewart said that the injured persons were not able to appear and he would have to ask for an adjournment.

          “Mr. Sadlier appeared for the defence. He said ; ‘McQuillan was driving along the public street, as he had lawful rights to do, and those who are injured ran into him. It would have been the act of a humane man to stop when he was told, but I doubt very much if he is criminally responsible. He didn’t run into them. They ran into him. I have no objection to an adjournment.’

          “Constable Johnston was called and said that McQuillan had been warned not to cross Charles street.

          “Chief Stewart pointed out that McQuillan was not in charge of his horse when the animal first appeared. It crossed Hunter street and was taken in charge by two boys, who brought it back to Mr. Waddell’s house, and it was tied up there. When McQuillan came along he got in and wheeled around, driving east on Hunter street. Mr. Waddell, Mr. Burrows and the Chief warned him of the danger, and the Chief attempted to stop his horse, but McQuillan drove the animal against him.

          “McQuillan said that the horse had been tied in front of a house on Hunter street, and had got away by breaking the line by which it was fastened. When he found it at Mr. Waddell’s and got in the wagon he could not stop the horse, on account of having but one line. He did not see the coasters until the first sleigh had passed him, and then he shouted to the horse, hoping to get out of their way. He denied being drunk and said he had not taken any liquor.”³

          McQuillan was not granted bail immediately and had to spend another two nights in jail before he was released. It was decided to sent case to a higher court to be tried at the upcoming spring assizes.

As for coasting along Charles street, that experience had come to an end:

“The coasters’ slide on Charles street was not like a private toboggan slide. It was open to all comers, and was patronized by people not only from the immediate vicinity, but from all parts of the city. Mr. Wm. Hendrie, whose residence, Holmstead, is at the head of the street, had very kindly thrown open his grounds and illuminated the slide with locomotive headlights. He was quite willing that coasters should have the use of his property to make the slide complete, but he did not wish to interfere with any person doing business on the streets, and as soon as he found that McQuillan thought his rights were interfered with by the maintenance of the slide, it was closed and the lights extinguished.

          “There is not likely to be any more coasting on Charles street.”³

                Police Chief Stewart came to a decision unilaterally that coasting on public streets was too dangerous to allow it to be continued:

“It is likely that this accident will have the effect of putting a stop to coasting in this city – at least on Charles street. Chief Stewart said last night that he would endeavor to prevent it in this locality during the remainder of the season.”⁴

 ^{Above, top, detail from 1876 Bird's Eye View map, below an undated photo of Holmsted.}

1885-03-09 Jail Escape

 “It is not often that the Times or any other paper is called upon to record an escape from the Hamilton Jail, which is admitted on all hands to be one of the safest and best-conducted institutions of the kind on the American continent.”

Hamilton Times     March 09, 1885.

It was very soon after the report of an escape from the jail on Barton street reached the attention of the staff at the Hamilton Times. A reporter was immediately dispatched to the scene.

The first person to be interviewed was the superintendent of the jail, Captain John Henery:

“ ‘Yes,” said Captain Henery, ‘a prisoner got away from us about 9 o’clock this morning. His name is Edward Wright, and he was doing a sentence of three months for larceny of a fur cap from a man named John Cunningham, of this city; he was admitted on Thursday. He escaped from the stone yard, and when you see the wall he climbed over, you will be astonished.’ ”¹

¹“ ‘Over the Garden Wall’ : Daring Dash for Liberty by a Hamilton Jail Bird : Remarkable Escape from Jail”

Hamilton Times     March 09, 1885.

Then the reporter was led to the area where the escape had been made :

“Turnkey Hawkins then courteously escorted the newspaper representative to the rear of the jail premises. ‘Here is the wall young Wright climbed over,’ remarked Hawkins, ‘and he must have made his exit from the that (northeast) corner. This is the way it happened : I had nine male prisoners in charge, escorting them from the jail to the stone yard. We were passing from the wood yard to the stone yard, and, of course, I had to stand at the gate to let the convicts file past me to see that they were all there. Wright was among the first to enter the yard, and he at once made a break for the fence and climbed like a cat to the summit and down the other side. I never saw such a quick move in all my life. I at once brought in the other prisoners and locked them up, and gave them the alarm. The other turnkeys, Sullivan and Ray, started out in search of the fugitive, and I went to the watch tower, but could see nothing of him. Governor Henery telephoned the police authorities.’ ”¹

The police immediately responded after hearing the news of the matter:

“It seems that on receiving news of the escape, the patrol wagon was dispatched with Detective McKenzie and Sergeant Vanater to scour the northeastern part of the city. These officers found the convict’s coat in the vicinity of the N. & N. W. elevator, and sent it to the jail. About 10:30 o’clock, Mr. Kenny, a milkman, called at the jail and told Governor Henery that one of his customers had seen the young man making tracks across Clark avenue about 9:20.”¹

As it seemed that the escapee had headed along the railroad tracks or the road towards the Beach Strip, he would be outside of the city limits, requiring the Hamilton police to be paid were they to pursue him:

“The Captain was quite content to pay all the expenses of the search.

“About 11 o’clock Chief Stewart dispatched two of his men – Reid and Campbell – in a buggy Beachward, with a view of running down the fugitive. Detective McKenzie and Sergeant Vanatter returned towards dinnertime, having scoured the country to the northeast, and around the Delta. They could find no trace.”¹

The Times representative provided his readers with some detail as to the challenges faced in making such an escape:

“The wall which young Wright scaled is 18 feet high, clean boards on the inside, and nothing from bottom to top upon which a foothold can be secured. On the outside of the structure are bevelled  binders which helped him somewhat to reach terra firma. The marks of his feet on the boards were plainly visible. On gaining his liberty, he hashed down the H. & N. W. Railway track and then – history may or may not reveal whither. The fact that he was in a position to discard the jail clothing after his escape gives color to the suspicion that he may have been assisted from outside. It was not impossible for a rope to have been thrown over at the corner of the stone yard to assist Wright in his dash for liberty, but if so it was removed immediately afterwards. How any human being could climb up the side of a perpendicular wall is a marvel; but then human beings sometimes do unheard of things to gain their liberty.”¹

Barton Street Jail (from 1876 Bird's Eye View Map)

1885-03-13ee Orpheus and Eurydice at the Grand

It was a performance, scheduled for March 12, 1885, that was much anticipated, especially by many of the male population of Hamilton.

That evening, at the Grand Opera House on James street north, a large audience, composed solely of men, paid admission to see the Rentz Santly Company.

The reporter, usually assigned to attend theatrical and musical performances for the Spectator, was also at the Grand that evening and here follows his review:

“Music, Legs, Mirth and Bosoms

“These were the principal components of the entertainment given in the Grand last evening by the Rentz Santley company. The audience was large, and composed wholly of men.

“A mélange of songs, witticisms, banjo playing, etc., in which the whole company, male and female, took part, opened the programme. But the audience was restless. Then Bob Winchester and john Jennings gave an amusing medley of songs and burlesque sketches – clever in their way; but the audience was not enthusiastic. Andy and Annie Hughes followed in songs and dances; dismissed with mild applause. Jeppo and Fannie Delano then tried to please in a funny sketch called the Bashful Lovers. Their acting was crisp and neat; but evidently their male auditors were looking for something else.

“ Miss Lottie Bordeaux came out and opened her mouth and was supposed to sing, and posed in a very abbreviated skirt was supposed to dance. This was better but still the spectators acted as if was only tantalizing.

“Then the scenes were shifted, and a dozen pair of female legs clad in tights of various hues came out before the footlights, bearing their owners with them. The spectators settled themselves in their seats with sighs of relief. The entertainment had begun.

“It was a burlesque in seven scenes, founded on the classical story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus was represented by a pretty girl in an open linen duster, a pair of trunks and flesh-colored tights. Eurydice was also in tights, but she wore side-skirts several inches long to let the spectators know that she was a woman.

“All the more respectable gods and goddesses of Greek mythology were represented, and, of course, all of those which were represented by females were in tights. Charon, the ferryman on the Styx, was personated by a man and made up as something between a slugger and a clown. Jupiter was also personated by a man – a little fellow with a huge scarlet nose, spindle legs, and a cracked voice. The amorous proclivities of the king of the gods were of course made more prominent by the most prominent feature of his character.

“Proserpine, Queen of Hades, was represented as an amiable and amorous ogress, in huge bonnet, side curls, Mother Hubbard gown and pantalettes. Of course, this character was taken by a man. Plato, the King of the infernal regions, was evidently intended to be represented by as a god of Hibernian extraction, for the gentleman who personated him spoke in the broadest kind of Irish accent.

“Orpheus and Eurydice cannot be criticized like an ordinary dramatic or musical piece. The success of a piece of this kind is proportionate to the scantiness of the costumes of the female performers. Judged by this standard, O. and E. is one of the greatest successes of the season.

“In the fifth scene, the Orpheus of the play appeared in nothing but a narrow silver fringe, beside her tights, and her bosom was barer even than a fashionable ladies at a ball. The forms of Juno and Pallas and Venus were nearly as much exposed to the audience as they were to Paris when the three goddesses presented themselves for judgement.

“The Venus of last night, however, had an accomplishment which the original Venus never dreamed of; she could kick eighteen inches higher than her head, and several times proved her ability to perform the feat.

“The curtain finally went down on a chaos of wildly swaying arms and legs and heads, and bared breasts palpitating and gleaming in the glare of the footlights.

“Such was Orpheus and Eurydice. The audience was not composed principally of youths engaged in the work of wild cat sowing, but of respected citizens and fathers of families.” ¹

¹ “Music and the Drama : Information Concerning Singers and Players : Items of Interest About Those Who by Voice and Action Instruct and Amuse the Public.”

Hamilton Spectator     March 13, 1885.

1885-10-10a Chief Stewart

After Louis Riel and his followers were defeated at the Battle of Batoche, May 9 to 12, 1885, the Northwest rebellion was over. On May 15, Riel and several of his fellow Metis were arrested and imprisoned.

The government of Sir John A. Macdonald was determined that Riel and his cohorts be tried for his actions as quickly as possible. To prepare the government’s case, witnesses and evidence had to be assembled. The federal government considered a number of people considered capable of doing that task, and ultimately decided that the best man was Hamilton Police Chief Alexander David Stewart.

In short order, Chief Stewart received permission from the Hamilton Police Commissioners to take a leave of absence, and Sergeant Smith be given control of the force until the chief’s return.

The trial was held in Regina, and lasted five days, starting on July 28, 1885. Chief Stewart had assiduously collected sufficient evidence and witnesses for the trial to proceed, and was present throughout the proceedings. (Pictured below is Louis Riel, standing, while he was testifying at his trial. A.D. Stewart is sitting facing him, third from left, with dark moustache.)

By early October, 1885, Chief Stewart, his duties in the Northwest concluded, was on his way back to Hamilton. As he was at a brief stopover, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a reporter with a local newspaper managed to get an interview. The resulting column was reprinted in the Hamilton Spectator of October 8, 1885 :

 “ Chief Stewart, of Hamilton, Ont., who acted as prosecutor for the crown in the Riel and other trials and prepared the evidence in the same, arrived in this city last evening and is a guest at the Leland house. On the way to the city, the chief was interviewed by a representative of the Manitoban. He has just returned from Battleford, where he has been since Aug. 23, previous to which time he was in Regina. Being asked what sort of a trip he had to the north, the chief replied :

“ ‘On the whole it was pleasant enough. We were on the trail for five days. The police escort lost five horses, which caused me some delay. I got in on the 8^th.’

“ ‘You have seen a good deal of Saskatchewan country, chief?’

“ ‘ Yes, a good deal. I was to Fort Pitt, Egg lake, Saddle lake, onion lake etc., hunting up witnesses and prisoners. Sergeant Bagley was in command of my escort, and a finer fellow there’s not in existence.’

“ ‘You had the necessary guide and competent interpreter?’

“ ‘ Yes, I had a good guide and competent interpreter.’

“ ‘How is the Saskatchewan country now, chief?’

“ ‘Everything is quiet and peaceable. The Indians and halfbreeds are mute as mice. They are thoroughly cowed and broken up. Judge Rouleau sat about ten days ago, and Wandering Spirit, the murderer of Quinn, Louison Mograin, policeman Cowan’s murderer, Charles Dutcharms, Dressy Man, and We-say-gum-up have been convicted and sentenced to death.’

“ ‘Was there much interest taken in the trials?’

“ ‘O yes; considerable. The court was daily crowded. Prescott Sharpe was prosecuting counsel. The prisoners were not defended.’

“ ‘How did the Saskatchewan people recive you, chief?’

“ ‘With open arms.A cordial reception was given me, and in a manner almost too flattering to relate. Did I want a horse, gun, memento of the district – anything, in fact. If so, I should take it. My reception surprised my most sanguine expectations.

“ ‘What is the feeling up there regarding Riel”?’

“ ‘Well, generally there is a strong feeling against him. The white settlers had a great deal to suffer during the rebellion. Shadowed, imprisoned or hunted over the prairie in their night dresses, you know the feeling against Riel must be bitter. The halfbreeds, too, owe him no good will, but I must say there is a superstitious crowd of Indians who still believe in the late rebel leader’s so-called ‘divine mission.’ ”  ¹

¹  “A Manitoba Interview : Winnipeg Manitoban.”

Hamilton Spectator. October 8, 1885.

During the early evening hours of Wednesday October 7, 1885, a large crowd gathered at Hamilton’s Grand Trunk Railway station, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a train from the west, carrying Chief A.D. Stewart home.

The following is how a Spectator reporter described the homecoming in the following day’s paper:

“Chief Stewart is home.  Bright, cheery, vigorous as ever, with the tan of wind and sun darkening his skin, with the great, good health that open air living and plenty of exercise give, with a month’s growth of curling brown beard and whiskers on his handsome face, he stepped off the 5:35 train from the west yesterday evening, to meet his wife and children and a host of friends who had been patiently wearing out the platform till the train arrived. His attire was picturesque. He wore a light brown duck fatigue jacket, used by the Northwest mounted police and the volunteers, a pair of still lighter brown corduroy trousers tucked into top boots, while a Buffalo Bill hat worn rakishly over his right ear completed his costume.

“ “I have come back in rags and tatters,’ he said. ‘My other clothes got all worn out and these were the only ones I could get.’

“ ‘He looks like the pictures we see of English tourists in the Alps,’ said a girl who was standing by. “He looks like an Italian brigand,’ growled the young man with her. ‘But he isn’t bloodthirsty looking enough for that,’ said the girl. And all the while, the chief was shaking hands and saying, ‘how are you old fellow? Glad to see you again.,’ till his arm and tongue grew weary.

“Finally he broke away from the enthusiastic welcome of his friends and got up home. He left Hamilton on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 23, and went to Regina, where he was busily engaged in gathering evidence for the prosecution of Louis Riel until that gentleman was tried about the middle of August. Immediately after Riel was sentenced, the chief left for Battleford, where there were over 40 halfbreed and Indian prisoners, captured by the troops, awaiting trial. In getting evidence and witnesses against these people, he went out to Fort Pitt and Frog lake, and as far as Saddle Lake, doing all the traveling on horseback. He stayed in Battleford until after the trial and conviction of a number of the more important prisoners, and the minor cases were being prosecuted when he left for home. This is a brief account of the work he has been engaged in during the sixteen weeks he has been absent from Hamilton.

“The chief shakes hands in the same free and untrammeled way that he always did. The weary weeks have not interfered with his right vise one bit. If anything, it is more so. When a Spectator reporter recovered from a grip last evening, he found the chief quite ready to talk about things in general.

“ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I had a very pleasant trip indeed, but I’m heartily glad to get back to home and civilization. I haven’t slept in a bed since I left Regina seven weeks ago, except one night in Winnipeg, and I will appreciate the change. I slept under canvas the rest of the time I was away. We had magnificent weather up there. There was very little rain, and, man, you have no idea of the grand country it is. I was never there before, and it was a revelation to me. Beyond Regina, it seems to be so cut off from civilization. You turn into your tent at night, monarch for the time being of all you survey, and the mighty silence and freedom on the great plains cannot help impressing you.  The people you meet there are wonderfully hospitable too. It is so seldom they see anyone that a traveler is a Godsend to them, but, beyond this, it seemed to me that they went out of their way to be kind to us. No matter what it was I wanted, if it was in anybody’s power to get it, I got it. I cannot speak too highly of the unvarying courtesy, kindness and consideration. I cannot speak too highly of the unvarying courtesy, kindness and consideration that was shown to me by every person I met in the Northwest, either in business or social relations. The mounted police are a magnificent lot of men, superior in both physique and mental powers to any company of men I have ever seen, not even excepting British soldiers. The non-commissioned officers of the force are especially fine fellows, and by long odds, the most perfect body of men it has been my good luck to see. The only that militates against against the popularity of the force is the having to search for liquor, something which the people have decided objection to. The people did all they could to help us out, and showed the same hearty hospitality that the residents of the country did.’

“ ‘Game,’ he continued presently, ‘is very plentiful. Ducks, geese, prairie chickens and deer are very abundant.’

“ A gleeful expression came over the chief’s browned and bearded face, and there was a triumphant ring in his voice as he leaned back and said, ‘I shot a bear – a black bear. It was a big one. I brought the skin home with me. The bear was a ferocious-looking brute. It was the first time I had seen one away from a circus or a street performance, but it didn’t scare me. I had to fire four shots before I killed it. My horse wouldn’t go up to it, and after I fired the first shot, I jumped off and went for it on foot. The second shot I fired broke its shoulder. It started for me. I sent in two bullets while it was coming and the last one finished it. We lived in bear’s meat for some days after that.’

“The chief has brought home with him a large number of relics, principally Indian goods. Many of them are great curiosities here. Before he came away he was presented with a magnificent pair of mounted buffalo horns by Charley Ross, the scout. Sergeant Bagley, of the mounted police, and Henry Hardy, his servant. He had an interpreter, too,Francis Du Preene, a halfbreed. At Battleford, he and Mr. Sharp, a young barrister, camped out with Col. Otter. ‘Speaking of camping out,’ he said, ‘it’s curious up there. If a man by some rare good luck owns a house and wishes to be hospitable, he says stay at my house tonight, which being interpreted means, bring a blanket with you and sleep on the floor.

“The chief will resume his duties today, and as Sergt. Smith has been worked pretty hard during his absence, he should be given a month’s holiday. Smith has done his own work and the chief’s too. And they will give to him, as everyone that knows him will give to him, a hearty welcome.”²

² “Back from Battleford : Chief Stewart Comes Home at Last : He Kills a War in the Northwest and Does Various Things Which May Be Read of Below”

Hamilton Spectator     October 08, 1884.

A hearty welcome had indeed been prepared for Chief Stewart. All of the men on the force who could possibly be present, along with the mayor of the city, gathered in Police Station No. 3 on King William Street. The Spectator reporter was also present and he captured the feelings of admiration for Chief Stewart from those in attendance, along with the Chief’s words, and the rousing finale in the following article:

“The men of the Hamilton police force gave Chief Stewart a welcome home last evening, and did it in such a thorough, whole-souled manner as to give every evidence of the deep friendship, almost affection, existing in their hearts for their able chief officer.  The time chosen was 6:50 when the day men come in, and the night men relieve them, and, as a consequence, 43 policemen including the chief and detectives, gathered in No. 3 station, only the men on office duty being absent. Paragraphs previously printed have informed the public that the particular  sample of welcome which the men proposed uncorking for the chief’s benefit consisted of a very handsome set of photographs, magnificently framed and mounted, of every man on the force – and the patrol wagon. At seven o’clock, Mayor Mason mounted the police magistrate’s throne and on behalf of the men made the presentation. He referred to the pleasure it gave him to act on this capacity, and said : ‘The men on this force feel that you have been ever zealous in looking after their comfort and welfare, and wish to testify in some slight way their appreciation of all that you have done for them. They felt that no more fitting opportunity could be found than on your return from the Northwest. In regard to your duties up there, you were entrusted by the government with a delicate and dangerous mission that perhaps no other one man in Canada could so ably attend to. You discharged your duties there faithfully, honestly and zealously, in the face of hardships and difficulties that would have completely balked any ordinary man. And while you have been serving your country in the Northwest, the men of your force have been have been doing there duty here, in charge of Sergt. Smith, and have as a rule been giving every satisfaction both to the commissioners and the public. For the men, one and all, I welcome you back as their chief. They wish you a long life, happiness and prosperity, and hope these photographs will ever remind you of always have kindly recollections of you, though you may have vanished from the scene of this force.

“”There was loud applause as the mayor ceased speaking. Chief Stewart was visibly affected, and there was a tremor in his usual deep and steady tone as he said:

‘There are moments in every man’s life when he can scarce command the words he fain would speak; when the thought that are nearest his heart are difficult to bring to his lips. I hardly know what to say to you all. My heart is very full of tender feeling tonight, and I only wish my words could tell how proud and glad and happy you have made me by giving me this most magnificent present. I am heartily glad to be back among you all tonight, glad to shake your honest hands, glad to feel that in each one of you I have a friend. When I got the appointment for the Northwest service, there was one thought that cheered me more than did any personal gratification in being selected from among so many. It was the feeling that the government had recognized and appreciated the work of the force, for had that not been the case, the appointment would not have been made. When far away from here, I often thought of you all, and remembered the faithful service you have, one and all, cheerfully given. In every one of you I count a friend. You know how hard it is for a man in my position to get on satisfactorily with all. But I have never aimed to be your master, always your friend, and I do not think a man amongst you bears any ill-will or hard feelings towards me. I feel tonight that I am amid old, tried and true friends. (Applause.) I have every reason to be thankful that everything has gone so well with me and mine. When I left you it was with a heavy heart , for my wife was at death’s door, but I come back finding her restored to health and spirits, better and stronger than ever. (Loud applause.) I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindly sympathy and welcome. This picture we will keep as long as my wife and I or our children have a home, whether I am on the force or off it. And let me say to you that it would take a great deal to make me sever my connection with this force, and I trust the necessity may never arise, but that with advancing years our friendship may grow stronger and stronger, and if we ever part, we may meet again with a warm and hearty handshakes as we have tonight.’

“The applause finally ceased. ‘And now men,’ cried the mayor, ‘three cheers for the chief and take the word from me!’ They were given, ‘and three more for Mrs. Stewart,’ and after that, ‘once again for the little ones.’ Silence for a moment while the cheering died away. Then P.C. McMenemy hoisted his helmet, and with a rosy blush rising up his neck and face to the roots of his hair – a blush that would have added beauty to the features of some fair miss – cried, ‘An’ three av thim for the mayor.!’

“And thus the chief was welcomed home.”³

³ “With Three Times Three : Chief Stewart Right Royally Welcomed Home By the Force”

Hamilton Spectator     October 10, 1885.

The Spectator would later add that the handsome large frame for the collection of photographs presented to the Chief had been a donation from Mayor Mason.