1883 - July 28

“The old Hamilton Hospital, now the House of Refuge stands at the foot of John street, fronting Myles’ Wharf. The situation is a pleasant one. The large red brick building stands high up in the air, and the fresh breeze that blows pure and sweet off the bay sweeps through it”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 28, 1883.

The reporter for the Hamilton Spectator followed up his visit to the Aged Women’s home with a visit to the House of Refuge, following up on an invitation by Superintendent William Gilles.

While being shown through the institution, the reporter had the opportunity of chatting with several of the inmates :

“George Roots, one of the oldest patients there is an old Hamiltonian and his memory goes back many years. He is afflicted with weak ankles and cannot walk, though otherwise he is hale and hearty. He recalls easily the time when Hamilton was nothing but a forest almost; when there was only one brick house here; and when the ox was roasted whole, in a cellar in the place where the Royal Hotel now stands.

“ ‘That was a jolly time, sur,’ said the old man. ‘It wur the time Sir Allan MacNab wur here, and wine and beer flowed as free as water, an’ anyone wot wanted a slice of ox cud go right up an’ cut it off.’

“ ‘Where was that sinle brick house?’

“ ‘That, sur, wur Dr. O’Reilly’s, and wur right by the corner of King and Mary. Yes, Hamilton wuz a queer place in them days, and many’s a strange thing I’ve seen. Why, I could fill up a whole book about Hamilton in them old days. There’s Ferguson avenoo, that’s named after old Ferguson, who used to have a farm wot run right back to Wentworth street from where the avenoo is. Yes, sur, that wur a big farm; and Ferguson wur a nice man. How do I like the place? Well, sur, well, Mr. Gillies wur a nice man. How do I like the place? Well, sur, well, Mr. Gillies here is a nice man, and the missus is a fine woman.’ ”¹

¹ “The House of Refuge : A Walk Through the Home of the Aged and Infirm.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 28, 1883.

As Superintendent Gillies and the man from the Spectator toured the building, they met many of the institution’s 42 patients. The building, built in 1852 as the city hospital, had served as the House of Refuge, since the previous October 25^th.

The superintendent told the reporter that most of the patients  were cheerful and happy, but occasionally the ladies are jealous of one another:

“ ‘Jealous ! What of ? Of you?’

“ ‘Oh! dear me no ! Poor old bodies ! If one of them gets sick and the doctor gives her medicine, the others all think the doctor ought to give them medicine too, and they get quite jealous of the sick one. It is in that way, I mean,’ and Mr. Gillies laughed.”¹

The man from the Spectator ended his report on the House of Refuge as follows :

“The old people there with the bleared eyes, wrinkled sunken faces, and toothless jaws wag feebly when they talk, could tell some strange tales if they would. They could tell of venturesome journeys through life, of buried hopes and loves. And now that life is in its wintertime with them, they sit there and think of the past. Yet they go on quietly to the end – to the 31^st of some December, when it will all be over and they will go into eternity.”¹

House of Refuge

Image courtesy Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library

 

 

 

 

1883 - July 27

"There is certainly no class of people more deserving of a place of refuge – a place where they can rest in peace and feel assured that they have a home and will always receive every attention – than the aged, indigent woman. And the people of this city with their usual generosity have placed them in possession of a very model home”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 27, 1883.

On entering the gate of the Aged Women’s home on Wellington Street South, visitors are presented with a two storey building, surrounded with beautiful grounds:

“There is a fine orchard, and although the crop is not extensive this year, there is enough fruit hanging from the boughs to make the small boy peer wistfully through the cracks in the high board fence. The lawns are green and on a seat in the shade is an old lady quietly reading a paper. As the Spectator advances, she lays down the paper and willingly enters into conversation. She is over 80 years of age, and has been in the home since its opening in 1877. Beside her sits another old lady rapidly running her fingers over the pages of a peculiarly-looking blank book, and at the request of the matron she begins to read, for she is blind and is reading by raised letters – peculiar letters, all seeming to be put sideways, and not in the same shape as ordinary letters. She reads a few lines and the reporter recognizes the Vicar of Wakefield.”¹

¹ “Aged Women’s Home : How the City Supports Its Indigent Females.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 27, 1883.

Inside the Aged Women’s home, the reporter met an elderly lady of 84 years of age, who had entered her second childhood. She asked repeatedly if her mother and father had been in to see her. In all, twenty women in the home were over 80. For every woman taken into the home, the board of directors would receive $100, a sum either raised by friends or family, by the churches or sometimes by the lady to be admitted herself.

As the reporter was about to leave the Aged Women’s home, he met an active old lady with rosy cheeks, and pleasant smile, coming into the grounds:

“What ! 80 years of age, and has walked to the end of the street railway track, King street, and is not the least bit tired, but goes around to see some of the younger and feebler one inside.

“The Spectator reporter walks over the lawn and down the gravel walk to the street in the bustle of the city, musing on the tenacity with which those who have apparently nothing to live for, cling to life.”¹

Aged Women's Home Image courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library

 

 

 

1883 - July 26

For Hamiltonians in 1883 who were inclined to fish or hunt, the presence of the bay on the city’s doorstep was welcome. Although there were some signs of the water becoming polluted in some sections, it was generally believed that all fish pulled from the bay were edible.

During the morning of July 26, 1883, an interview was made a member of a local organization created with helping the hunting and fishing in the Hamilton vicinity from being exploited and even eradicated by illicit means:

“The Fish and Game Protective Association, of this city, said Mr. McKeand to a Spectator reporter this morning, has done good service for sportsmen in and around Hamilton. At present, it has a membership of from 160 to 180, comprising the best men of the community, and it is in a position to employ a number of game-keepers to look after pot hunters and others who offend against the law. Consequently, the honest sportsmen are protected from the poachers who sweep the waters with small-meshed nets, and snare game in the fields and woods.

“To encourage fishing, I offer a prize of $5 to whoever lands the largest bass or pike. So far, the heaviest caught has been one weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces.

“Yes, fishing in the Bay is good at present, but it will improve as the season advances. There is very little fly-fishing done here, but bait fishing is one of the principal amusements of the people. The baits in use are crawfish, natural or artificial, grasshoppers, minnows and worms. I think the grass hopper bait is the most attractive at this time of year. However, there are differences of opinion.

“Trolling will not commence for some time yet as the weed s are now very high. The gunning season will open on August 1, when the close period for woodcock will end. The snipe and mallard, gray duck, black duck, wood and summer duck season will open on August 15. Sportsmen are getting ready for it now, and we may expect to hear some lively popping shortly.”¹

¹“Fishing in the Bay : The Season Said to be a Good One – Opening of the Gunning Season.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 26, 1883.