1883 - July 23ee

It was a quiet summer Sunday afternoon, July 22, 1883, when a reporter with the Hamilton Spectator ventured out from downtown Hamilton along York street to the Cemetery and Dundurn Park.

In his article which appeared in the following day’s paper, the reporter began by remarking that there was not the usual number of people who would visit the cemetery on a Sunday afternoon:

“For some reason, probably on account of the hot weather, the attendance at the cemetery for the last few Sundays has been small, and those who do go bear a sad face and wear somber robes, telling the tale of sorrow and bereavement.

“The last home of the departed at the present time presents a very fine appearance, the gay, blooming flowers filling the air with perfume and covering the graves with beauty.”¹

¹ “Cemetery and Park : The Excessive Heat Causes a Falling Off of Visitors.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 23, 1883.

While the heat might have deterred those wishing to place flowers or pay their respects at the graves of those known to them, the reporter did observe others whose purpose being there was of a different nature:

“There are, however, a few who do not go for the purpose of visiting or decorating the graves of loved ones. A reporter saw a sight in the Church of England burying ground yesterday; on the grass beneath the shade of a far-spreading willow lay a young lady charmingly attired in pink muslin and having about her an air of general coolness. She was reading some book, and from the ripple of laughter which came from the direction, the reporter thought it must be something unusually funny. Stepping quickly up he saw a large yellow-covered book, and on the page where the lady was reading was a picture of a clown, and over it the words ‘laugh and be happy.’ She was happy.

“A few feet off at a pump was a young man, his clothes covered with mud and his face red and dirty. He was bathing his head and washing a wound in his hand from which blood flowed freely; around were about a dozen small boys poking fun at him, and jeeringly saying ‘why did’nt you thump him?’ The girl in the pink dress saw the man and walked away, remarking that men were awful sinners.

“Sitting at the side of a tombstone were four little girls reading their Sunday school verses and beside them was a quartet of boys and girls giggling and laughing at nothing.”¹

The reporter then crossed York street and entered Dundurn Park. As opposed to the cemetery, those wishing to enjoy Dundurn Park had to pay admission:

“From the cemetery to Dundurn park, where all looked fresh and beautiful from last night’s rain, there was very little bustle. The sole occupants of the grounds were two women fanning themselves beneath a tree; a man lying at his full length on the grass having, for the sake of comfort, thrown off his coat, vest and shoes, which a little dog was endeavoring to convert into carpet rags; two men quietly smoking their pipes and talking of their winter stock, and two little girls swinging.

“ ‘Quiet day,’ remarked the reporter to the gate-keeper, when passing out. ‘Yes, fewer people here today than there has been for a long time.’ ”¹

 

 

1883 - July 30oo

It was one of the first inlets from the bay to be overtaken by the urban development of Hamilton in the 19^th Century.

Usually referred to as the Caroline street gully, the inlet ran from the bay south to the area around Cannon street west. After the completion of the Great Western Railway line in the early 1850s, the low-lying inlet, mainly marshy, was cut off from direct connection with the bay, leaving what water was in the inlet stagnant.

Gradually residents and businesses in the vicinity of the Caroline street gully started using the location as a place to put household, commercial and other refuse.

By 1883, the accumulation of what had been put in the gully, and what was still being put in the gully, had become a nuisance and a public health concern.

On July 30, 1883, the Spectator , under the headline, “A Horrible Place, “a few facts for the consideration of the board of health and the executive officer of the board” were presented:

“The Caroline street gully is a festering sore in a residence district of this city.

“In the rear of Grant’s brewery is a dump where can be seen a wagon load of rotten fruit, with other decaying vegetable and animal matter.

“There are human beings living on Railway street not far from the dump. They, or their landlords, pay taxes as do residents in other localities, and they are entitled to all the protection from nuisances the city council can give them. On Railway street, people are ill at Mr. Weir’s residence, made so by the offensive odors from the Caroline street dump and other nuisances in the neighborhood.

“Mr. and Mrs. Duignan have been ill the past week from the same cause, and a near neighbor is also suffering. Physicians who have attended cases on this street have spoken of the horrible condition of the gully.

“People living on the street declare that they will move as soon as possible because of the nuisance.”¹

¹ “A Horrible Place.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August  08, 1883.

 

 

 

 

1883 - July 23ee

It was an event anxiously anticipated, the arrival in Hamilton of the famous Barnum circus on Monday, July 23, 1883.

The Hamilton Spectator assigned a reporter to cover both the street parade and the performances of the circus both in the afternoon and the evening.

His report on the parade, in full, follows :

“Everyone in the city seemed to be afoot at daylight this morning awaiting the parade of Barnum’s show, and the streets were crowded with country folk gathered for the same purpose. As usual when there is a demonstration afoot or when Dundas manages to secure a holiday, the morning broke cool and threatening, and by the time the show came round, a drizzling rain endeavored to keep down the ardor and excitement of the enormous crowds gathered on the line of march. At about eight o’clock, the much-talked of, much-longed for, event, moved from their grounds on Wentworth street followed by a tremendous crowd of eager and exited spectators, who half-killed one another in endeavoring to get a glimpse of the wonderful things in the procession. The route was straight along King, and at the corner of King and James, the crowds were so great  and excited that they rushed into the road and it was with difficulty that the colossal chariot containing a brass band and drawn by six prancing horses could make its way through. The first band was followed  by cages of lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, bears and other animals and in the dens with them were the keepers sitting as cool and unconcerned as if the animals were mere kittens. Following these were magnificent golden chariots surmounted with picturesque groups of Zulus, Nubians, Indians and Highlanders. Interspersed among the chariots were droves of camels and dromedaries, racing camels, harnessed to glittering chariots and driven by female charioteers, thoroughbred horses, cowboys and male and female equestrians on richly caparisoned horses. A clown dressed in his grotesque costume attracted the attention of a horde of small boys, while a richly-gilded chariot representing Mother Goose and another of Santa Claus elicited exclamations of admiration from all sides. A herd of unusually large elephants preceded a great number of very small ponies, some roaming loose, others harnessed to gilt chariots driven by ladies, and the whole paraphernalia of the elegant procession was brought to a close by a chariot which was colossal in size and magnificent in appearance, followed by the steam organ or calliope which was one of the wonders of the procession. The crowd on the street was the largest ever seen on an occasion of this kind.” ¹

¹ “Jumbo on Deck : The Parade of Barnum’s Show This Morning.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July  23, 1883.

The Spec man’s report on the performances follows:

 “It has come and it has gone. To look at the tier of happy faces under Barnum’s colossal tent yesterday was indeed a pretty sight. Twelve or fourteen thousand passed through the entrance in the afternoon as soon as the show opened., and a happier, pleasanter, more enthusiastic crowd has not been seen in Hamilton for many a long day. Through the courtesy of Mr. Thomas, the agent of the greatest show on earth, several representatives of the press and a number of ladies had an excellent opportunity of thoroughly inspecting everything connected with the circus, and the SPEC man had the honor of allowing Jumbo to take the bun and had a toss on the tusks of one of the other elephants.

“By a mysterious short cut the ‘clergy’ as Mr. Thomas facetiously designated the party, found themselves in the dressing tent confronting a glittering cavalcade of ladies and gentlemen mounted on spirited steeds all ready for the grand entry. The discipline among the attaches of the show was perfect, not the slightest confusion occurred as the procession wheeled into their proper places, neither was there any rough talking or swearing. Indeed, as Mr. Thomas remarked, a lady might pass through every department of the circus without hearing a word that would cause her to blush. After the grand entry had taken place, in which ands of horsemen, elephants, camels, giraffes, llamas, zebras, scared cattle and other animals took part, the party entered the main tent and were shown to reserve seats in a spot that ensured a splendid view of the two large rings and the elevated platform. The next emotion experienced by the spectator was a feeling of surprise at the good order that was kept among the naturally restless throng. Every spectator had an uninterrupted view of the various performances. Performances were held simultaneously both on the stage and in the rings, so that the audience found themselves troubled by an embarrassment of riches, and in endeavoring to take in the varied attractions of really three circuses, failed to get a proper idea of even one. Among the acts on the programme were the various gymnastic and acrobatic exhibitions which were very clever, and were got through with lightning-like rapidity. Then there was a boxing bout between the Davenport Brothers , and an assault between two fencers, Col. Albert Gaston and Capt. Armand Thiebault. These last two gave a very pretty exhibition of the various tricks of fence, showing also the different thrusts and parades, and closing with a brilliant example of the disarm. The three Girards did some capital high kicking and grotesque dancing. The bicycle riding of the Elliot children was much and deservedly admired and applauded, and their act was one of the features of the show. There was the lady with the iron jaw, Miss Emma Jutta, who was drawn along a 200 ft. wire while suspended by her teeth, and who, while hanging by her legs from a trapeze, supported a 170 pound man by a sling which she held in her teeth. Then there were two men, also with iron jaws, who lifted heavy tables by their teeth and performed other feats of abnormal strength. There were also the tricks of the educated elephants, who did astonishing things, the bareback riding of a number of equestrienne artistes, some laughable scenes by their roller skaters, Rose, Harris and French, the funny business of a trio of clowns, some exhibition wrestling by a couple of Hindoos, and, finally, the hippodrome races, the whole winding up with a representation of an Indian chase for a wife and a fight with cowboys.

“One feature must not be omitted, and that was the appearance of a dude among the spectators, who dressed in the extreme style that his class effects, and who seemed to be in a dreadful state of mind concerning a seat for which he had no check. It was only after he had excited the greatest amusement among the audience and had been nearly ‘fired out’ by an over-zealous policeman, that it was discovered that he belonged to the circus itself. The hippodrome races introduced at the conclusion of the programme were an exciting novelty to the majority of the spectators. The riders flew around the lengthy track at lightning speed, and the races were sufficiently closely contested to arouse the greatest enthusiasm. The finest display of skill in driving was certainly the chariot race with four horses abreast. The animals flew past at full gallop, the earth thundering under their tread, and it seemed a miracle that the charioteers were not hurled from their places during the sharp curves at either end of the track. A comical race of ponies with monkeys on their backs for jockeys excited much amusement. The double team standing race was a fine exhibition of equitation. Other races were equally exciting and well-contested.

 

          THE EVENING

“An immense crowd gathered in the neighborhood of the tents and when the doors were opened a rush took place and soon the tents were filled with a mass of struggling humanity, eager to inspect the attractions of the interior. The programme was the same as in the afternoon. During the ladies’ race, Miss Nellie Venoce’s horse fell. At first, it was thought that she had been seriously hurt, but when she remounted and rode around the course, she was vociferously cheered. The train bearing the show left for Brantford about midnight.

 

          THAT CONCERT.

“During the performance at the circus last evening, it was announced that, after the main performance, the large center platform would be turned into a stage and some famous comedians and a minstrel troupe would give a concert. Later in the evening, it was announced that two-thirds of those present had purchased tickets and in order to induce the rest to stay to the concert, the managers would exhibit the contents of the side-shows for the sum of ten cents. Several thousand purchased tickets and remained expecting to see something great, but as soon as the circus was over, the reserved seats and platform were taken away. A few boards were thrown out for a platform, and an orchestra played a tune, and amid the clatter of boards and hauling of posts, a bearded woman, four giants and a few other trifles were exhibited for a moment and then passed out, after which a little girl danced a jig, two girls sang, and a number of darkies gave a chorus. Then the lights went out, preventing anyone seeing much, and the noise of the men working prevented hearing. This should not be done. If a concert is announced, a concert should be given. If it is not given, public confidence in the announcements will soon be shaken.”¹

¹  “Barnum’s Great Show : About 30,000 People View Jumbo and the Circus : The Street Parade – The Afternoon Performance – The Concert in the Evening a Failure.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July  24, 1883.

 

1883 - July 23rd

It was an unannounced visit by the young man from the Spectator, but he was welcomed and given a tour of the hospital.

The column which resulted from the visit follows:

“Neither the resident physician nor any of his aides were at the hospital when the SPECTATOR reporter called the other day, but, through the courtesy of the matron, a light-footed young lady showed him over the building, pointing out such features as would prove interesting to him.

“There are between 50 and 60 patients now in the institution. In one of the wards, eight or ten men were in bed, while one, who seemed to be suffering from general weakness, sat with his head leaning on a table. Here and there flowers were to be seen, and the rooms were made light and airy as possible. An apartment at the end of the male was set aside for the use of convalescent patients, several of whom were engaged in reading and playing draughts

“However clean and neat it may be, there is always something depressing about a hospital. One cannot lose sight of suffering humanity when it is brought directly to his notice. But what would the world be without such institutions? What would become of the poor and the afflicted if man’s generosity did not prompt him to open these places of refuge for the needy and the suffering?

“The Hamilton hospital is situated on Barton street. It is a brick building of goodly proportions. The center building is occupied by the resident physician and his assistants, and the matron and the nurses. One wing is for the use of male patients, and the other for female. Everything in and around the building gives evidence of careful management. All the appliances which science has devised for the treatment of diseases and for the alleviation of human suffering have been taken advantage of in furnishing the hospital. The medical attendance is the most efficient, and the matron and nurses are said to rank with those of any similar institution in Canada.

“Many people are prone to look upon the hospital much in the same light as the look upon the workhouse – the last resort for needy people, and think that it is something in the nature of a disgrace to seek admission to one. This is a very fallacious view to take. Hospitals are now so excellently conducted that patients admitted to them receive as good if not better treatment and attendance as they would in their own homes.

“A visit to the hospital in this city will convince anyone that it is well-equipped for the purposes for which it is intended. Dr. Woolverton, the superintendent, has the institution in perfect running order, and is ably seconded by Mrs. Carmichael, the matron. If there is one charitable institution which requires more than another a generous support at the hands of the public, it is the general hospital.”¹

¹ “In the Hospital : A Few Remarks Anent the Barton Street Institution.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July  23, 1883.

 

Image courtesy www.Hamiltonpostcards.com

 

 

 

 

 

1883 - July 23oo

During a bright, if a little warm, morning in August 1883, a reporter with the Spectator was sent out to inspect and write an article about a place most Hamiltonians only knew from the outside ,the Barton street jail:

“Everything is neat and clean at the jail. From the office to the topmost cell, everything is as bright as a pin.

“A SPECTATOR reporter, through the kindness of Captain Henery, was shown over the building the other day by Jailer Morrison. There are only 26 prisoners in the establishment at present, and it is hoped that the number will decrease.”¹

¹“A Visit to the Jail : Employment Required for the Prisoners.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August  08, 1883.

The first aspect of operations, at what was formally known as the Wentworth County Jail, related to what the prisoners were fed:

“Mr. Morrison led the reporter first into the kitchen, where two able-bodied prisoners, arrayed in the degrading prison livery, were firing up under two immense coppers – one containing potatoes and the other a mixture of oatmeal.

“In the morning the prisoners are regaled with gruel; at midday they have meat and potatoes or bread and potatoes on alternate days; at night they have bread. There was a time when porridge was the chief diet, with trimmings of salt and a drink of water, but through the kindness of the Government who raised the diet at the suggestion of Mr. Langmuir, inspector of prisons, the prisoners are allowed the solace of a potato now and then, just to remind them of outside luxuries. Spring chicken, plum pudding and strawberry pie have no meaning in the jail.”¹

In the area outside of the stone fortress, the reporter saw many characters he had observed in the police court:

“In the yard, flanked by a pile of wood for the sawyer, paced Mr. Dumphy, convicted of selling liquor against the peace of our sovereign the Queen, her crown and dignity.

“It is surprising what a change the prisoner garb makes in a man. It seems to retain, in a concentrated form, all the vileness of former owners, which it immediately imparts to the wearer. Go down to one of the clubs or hotels, and take the most fashionable dude that can be found. Bring him up to the jail, cut his hair, and put him into a jail suit, jerry hat and all, and a hardened, devil-may-care look will come over him in a very short time, and anyone who does not know him would pronounce him a very dangerous fellow. Mr. Dumphy could never be accused of being a dude, but still imprisonment has left its mark upon him.”¹

The man seen most often in the Hamilton Police Court was an individual who was arrested and imprisoned gain and again for his habitual alcohol consumption:

“In an apartment where a bench held up a miscellaneous collection of paint pots, bottles of oil, brushes, etc. stood Mr. Livingstone, the veteran drunk. He laughed and nodded familiarly as the jailor passed the usual civilities. Livingstone is the jail painter, and he is scarcely ever out of a job. It is sad to think that this old, poor man has spent the best part of his life in jail because he  not the resolution nor the will to overcome a low habit.”

Passing along a hall in the jail, the reporter encountered several prisoners, men and women:

“Mr. Anderson, the alleged embezzler, stood in one of the corridors with a hair brush in his hand, talking with a youth held for burglary. As the reporter passed another prisoner in the same corridor, he pulled his hat over his eyes and held down his head as if to escape recognition.

“The large cell which Major Phipps occupied is lonely and deserted-looking, the benches piled upon the table being the only reminders of its occupant.

“The female prisoners are mostly from the ranks of the drunken and dissolute.”¹

The reporter, observing so many idle and bored prisoners, suggested that something be done about that:

“It is to be regretted that no employment has been furnished for the inmates. Lolling in the window seats or walking idly in the yard does not improve them morally or physically, and some means of occupying the time which seems to hang heavily upon them, should be devised.

“ Poor old Livingstone is generally engaged painting the walls and surfaces, and keeping things clean, generally, but the other prisoners have apparently nothing whatever to do. In wintertime, however, when the furnaces are in operation heating the building, three or four are required to look after the apparatus, firing, carrying wood, etc.

“Mr. Morrison showed the reporter the balls and chains formerly in use when prisoners did outside work. An active man would find some trouble in running with such appendages to his ankle.”¹

Completing his tour, the reporter left the jail and then ended the article he wrote about his observations with the following comment:

“The interior and exterior appearance reflects credit upon the taste and management of the governor and his assistants. It is to be hoped that they may never have more to do than at the present time.” ¹

1883 - August 8a

After visiting and reporting on some of the most egregious unhealthy locations in Hamilton and after investigating what other communities were doing as regards improving the healthiness of their local districts, the Spectator reporter who had been on the case was then sent to interview two indivisiuals : Alderman Carruthers, chairman of the health committee and Police Chief A. D. Stewart

The reporter’s interview with the alderman included a focus on the Caroline street, a former inlet from the bay between Caroline street and Bay street, north of Cannon street which was being filled in by the dumping of all sorts of refuse into it:

“A SPECTATOR reporter yesterday afternoon interviewed the chairman of the health committee in regard to what had been done in the way of remedying unhealthy spots in the city, which had been pointed out by the SPECTATOR.

“In answer to the reporter’s question as to whether anything had been done to the Caroline street gully, Ald. Carruthers said that nothing had been done yet.

“ ‘Do you intend to do anything with it?”

“ ‘Well, no; there is nothing to be done there. The place does not smell at all.”

“ ‘Ought there not be some notices put up round the gully to prevent persons rom putting refuse matter there?”

“ ‘Yes. There should be. I have thought it advisable to have notices put up, prohibiting people putting any more there. The chairman of the board of works is having the stagnant water that has accumulated in the gully below Barton street drained off. That is the only place there, and when that is cleared away, the gully will be all right. There was one thing I saw there, and that was a bed of watercresses that I should have liked to have some of.”

“ ‘Is anything being done to the Cathcart street sewer, do you know?”

“ ‘No, I don’t; I spoke to Ald. McLagan, the chairman of the sewer committee, and he said they were getting along with it as fast as possible.”

“After this interview, the reporter went down to view again the place where the watercresses grow, and found as Ald. Carruthers said that nothing had been done save the draining off of the water, which is a good act in itself. The work of renovating the Cathcart street sewer is also commenced, but the workmen are down at the exit yet, and the people in the vicinity are still complaining of the sewer.”¹

¹ “Yours for Health : Points That Ought to Be Considered.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August  08, 1883.

          The police chief was asked about the role of his men in enforcing regulations in terms of unhealthy nuisances in the city:

“ ‘Yes,” said Chief of Police Stewart, to a Spectator reporter yesterday, in answer to an inquiry, ‘I have read about the scheme for sanitary supervision which they have adopted in Toronto. The idea of constituting members of the police force health inspectors is a capital one, for the officers know every nook and cranny of the city, and are therefore admirably qualified to nose out nuisances. But we cannot imitate the example in Hamilton. We have not one man, to say nothing of ten, to spare for such a purpose – and just at this season particularly, when three men are off at a time for their holidays.”

“ ‘How does the Hamilton force compare in numbers with the Toronto force?” was asked.

“ ‘We have 45 all told; Toronto has 150 odd, that’s the difference. I have for some years been advocating an increase in the force, but to no purpose. The commissioners don’t view the matter from my standpoint. Then there is another comparison to make. Our men have a district to look after quite as extensive as Toronto’s police precincts with the difference that it is less densely populated. Fancy how much distribution there must be of our few men to cover such an area and what disadvantages an officers labors under when so obligated to act without needed assistance. Once when Detective McKenzie (then sergeant) arrested a prisoner at the head of York street, it took him from 11:30 to 3:30 to land his captive in the cells. The officer knocked his obstreperous prisoner down 27 times, and the obstreperous performed a like service for the officer to the number of about 20 times.”

And the chief laughed heartily at the funny incident.

“’ But are not police ex-officio health inspectors?” the reporter queried.

“ ‘True, they are supposed to report all nuisances coming within their observation. The reports are recorded in a book and their duty in the matter ends. But to think of detailing members of the force to specially act in this direction would be useless. I want more men on the force as it is without proceeding to utilize some of those no employed for the purpose of sanitary inspection.”¹

 

1883 - August 8

As part of its continuing campaign to make Hamilton a cleaner place, the Hamilton Spectator found out about a number of initiatives being urged upon municipal officials in many locations. Reprinting the reporting from various newspaper, the Spectator added its own comment to each paragraph quoted:

“St. John Telegraph ; - Leading authorities on sanitary science in London are urging upon the people the very great importance of seeing that their house drainage is so arranged as to prevent the escape into dwellings of poisonous gasses from sewers. This question has a practical interest in every city. Its importance is too apt to be overlooked; yet there is no room for doubt that a great deal of sickness, and chronic ill-health if traced to their proper source, would be found to originate in imperfect house drainage.

This is a paragraph for householders. Read it, then go and see your plumber.

Kingston News : - Daily is our reporter accosted on the street and is requested to ‘pitch in’ to the board of health and the committee appointed by it to take the first steps toward cleaning the city. The people want to know if the committee intends to meet, if not one that would have some energy about it should be appointed. Our readers wish the board to wake up out of its state of lethargy and do its duty; see that the city is put in a healthy condition.

For Kingston in the above, read Hamilton.

Tilsonburg Observer: - The Observer man in his rambles about town has noticed that there are several localities in which the stench arising from decaying substances is positively unbearable, and he would respectfully call the attention of the council to the matter as one requiring the immediate attention of that body. The mayor is a physician, and he, at any rate, should know the extreme danger which arises from the presence in any community of unclean back premises during the hot months. We would also appeal to the people of the town to do all they can to help the health committee out in this matter by attending to their own premises, and by promptly reporting all nuisances to any officer the council may appoint to look after this matter.

The citizens of Hamilton should take the good advice tendered above.

Rochester Post-Express: - Figures which are given elsewhere show that nearly 50 deaths from cholera infantum were reported at the health office of this city during the month of July, and that of the whole number fifteen were reported from the Thirteenth ward, a ward which the investigations of the Post-Express reporters have shown to be in a deplorably filthy condition, where the garbage wagon is rarely seen, and where the refuse of the houses is allowed to lie day after day in the sun to pollute the air with its foul exhalations. It is time for the people, the press, and the medical profession to awake to the terrible state of affairs here.

Where about the Market street alley and Cathcart street sewer? Are the odors ascending from these places healthy for infants?

Cobourg Star: - The mayor called the attention of the council to a circular he had received from the Provincial board of health, and recommended that some action be taken towards carrying out the suggestion. Moved by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Daintry, that the health committee take such measures as will maintain this town in a healthy condition. Carried.

Will the Hamilton health committee follow suit and look after the Caroline street gully?

Belleville Ontario: The wet season, too, has created pools of stagnant water in many parts of the city which might become dangerous hotbeds of disease under an August sun. The sewers should be examined and cleansed if necessary. Decaying vegetable and animal matter should be deodorized and rendering harmless by disinfectants.  Delay is always fraught with danger.

Flush the sewers, drain your stables, wash out the gutters, clean up the alleys and use good disinfectant and you may feel comparatively safe from cholera.

St. John Sun; - Atmospheric dust is composed of various particles – some harmless; others fraught with injury to public health. As an instance of how disease may be distributed in our midst, we would point to the piles of street sweepings which are allowed to remain day after day decomposing in the sun, until a windy day scatters the dry particles in every direction to be inhaled by our citizens. When we remember that these piles contain the expectorations of consumptives and other diseased persons, in addition to mould spores, etc., it becomes apparent that the street sweepings should be removed at once.

Will the City Council order a general cleaning up of the streets and gutters? It is needed.”¹

¹  “Yours for Health: Points That Ought to Be Considered.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August  08, 1883.

 

(To Be Continued)

1883 - August 7

Four days later, on August 7, 1883, the Spectator carried the result of an investigation into the conditions of another  problematic alley:

“Complaints have been made of the bad condition of the alleyway running between Main and Jackson streets from Spring to John streets,

“A reporter took a walk through this alleyway yesterday morning and found that the reports concerning it had not be exaggerated. The alleyway is not very wide, and heaps of rubbish piled on each side have given growth to flourishing beds of burdocks, thistles and other weeds, which are more annoying than ornamental, and have completely blocked up any track for a vehicle which might have once existed. Now it is with difficulty that one can pick his way through without cutting his boots on broken bottles and old tin ware.

“There are, in several places, large manure heaps standing in the middle of the road, and as these places are made the receptacles for other matter, they are not very pleasant additions to the alley.

“There is one poster in the alley to warn people against depositing rubbish, dirt, vegetable or animal matter in that place, but as anyone wishing to read it has to climb up over a heap of manure, it is not perused much.”¹

¹ “Model Alley No. 2 : Points for the Board of Health”

Hamilton Spectator.  August 7, 1883.

Walking a little further east, the reporter came upon an exceptionally offensive portion of the alley:

“From Walnut to Cherry street, the alleyway was kept in fair condition, except near the Cherry street end where the odors that assail a pedestrian give him to understand that he is near a city farm. The person who keeps this assemblage of horses, cattle, pigs and fowls should see that the drains on his premises are in proper working order, as to all appearances the rain has washed a good deal of manure and other refuse matter into the public alleyway.

“From Cherry street to Spring street, where it ends, the alleyway is in very bad condition; very foul and disgusting smells arise from water-closets, and stables alongside of it, and putrefying heaps of garbage, with the usual compliment of old boots, tinware, bones, dead chickens and other rubbish lie stinking in every corner. From one house in this part of the alley all the dirty water and slops are emptied into the road, where it forms a rill of sewerage down the only path that the piles of rubbish and the too luxuriant growth of weeds will permit.”¹

 

(To Be Continued)

1883 - August 3aa

 

As part of its ongoing focus on the unhealthy state of many of the alleys in the city, the Hamilton Spectator, on August 3, 1883, carried a report on the condition of an alley which ran parallel to Market and York streets, between Park and McNab streets :

“The whole of the ground of the alleyway is covered with all kinds of decaying vegetable matter, filthy rags, and manure. The manure, which is piled up high against the fences of other citizens’ yards comes from Ten Eyck’s stables, and that, in the first instance, the public object to. Connected with the stables is a cow house and pig pen belonging to Mr. Thomson. The neighbors would not object to him keeping pigs and cattle in the alleyway if the law allows him to do so, but they decidedly object to it if they are obliged to put up with the noxious odors which arise from these places.¹

¹ “A Model Alleyway : What the Health Inspector Might Look After.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August  03, 1883.

It was learned that the alleyway in question had been recently used as a location to kill and dress three pigs. The refuse matter from that operation had been thrown on a dung heap and left uncovered. Later, a dog was shot and the carcass thrown on Ten Eyck’s manure pile causing anther stench:

“When the reporter it (the alley), there was the manure heap one one hand, a pile of lumber on the other, and a cesspool in the center of the road, leaving very little room even for a man to pass.

“In fact, every person living near who has a dead animal of any kind, a lot of decayed fruit or vegetables, or anything else that would be likely to cause an annoying smell, deposits it in this public alleyway, despite the notices posted up to the effect that all social evil doers will be prosecuted.”¹

 

(To Be Continued)

1883 - August 3a

Around the noon hour, Wednesday August 1, 1883, Mrs. James Foster, 182 Hughson Street North, opened the top of an unused cistern below her bedroom window:

“She saw what she thought was a couple of eggs on top and noticed a dark mess dimly in the water below. She called to the servant girl, ‘Come here. There’s a body of a dog or something in this cistern.’

“The servant girl came and touched the object with a pitchfork, when the horror and surprise of both the women, the body of a child rolled around in the water and sank again.”¹

¹ “Found in a Cistern : Horrible Discovery By Mrs. Foster.”

Hamilton Spectator.   August  01, 1883.

Later that afternoon, after the police had been notified and the body removed to the city hospital for examination, a Spectator reporter interviewed Mrs. Foster who recounted the story of an affair involving a young Irish girl, Maria McCabe. Maria had applied for work as a servant girl, even though, only a few weeks before she had given birth to a boy:

“She had no place to go. The young man in this city whom she alleged was the father of her child, either could or would not contribute towards her support, and out of pure kindness of heart, more than for any other reason, Mrs. Foster took the girl in.”¹

Mrs. Foster bought clothes for the child and gave Maria spare cash. All was fine until the previous April when the child disappeared. Maria could not give a satisfactory reason for the child’s absence. Mrs. Foster was convinced that the partially-decomposed body was that of Maria McCabe’s son.

Later that afternoon, Maria McCabe had been located by the Hamilton police and placed under arrest. She was brought to Chief Stewart’s at No. 1 station in the City Hall where she confessed to having drowned her baby :

“She was sick of it, she said, and wanted to get rid of it. She succeeded in getting rid of it. But retribution is sure to come on evil-doers, and it has come to Maria, although as time worn on she had doubtless grown firm in her belief in immunity from the consequences of her crime.”¹

Later in the evening of August 1, 1883, an inquest was held on the body of the child. A jury was empaneled and taken to No. 3 Police Station to view the body, after which they were returned to the court house to listen to testimony about the child’s death. Mrs. Ann Foster told of discovering the body in her cistern. Chief Stewart testified that the girl, Maria McCabe, had been arrested at the Victoria Hotel and that she had voluntarily confessed to having thrown her child into the cistern:

“She said she was sorry for what she had done, and was willing to suffer for her crime, and she was glad it had been found out and the baby’s body found. She said she had killed the child because Mrs. Foster had turned her out of the house twice. She had no home and no place to go. She felt miserable and sad and saw nothing but trouble and disgrace in the future for herself and her little one. When she appealed to the father of the child, who is well-known in business circles in this city, he laughed at her and refused to give her any help.”²

² “The Infanticide Case : Maria McCabe Makes a Full Confession.”

Hamilton Spectator.    August 2, 1883.

The last witness was Dr. Leslie who had examined the child’s body and testified that the corpse was in such an advanced state of decomposition that it was impossible to determine the cause of death.

The jury returned a verdict indicting Maria McCabe for causing the death of her child. The girl was held in custody for an appearance at Police Court.

On Thursday morning, August 2, 1883, Maria McCabe was brought to police court and committed to trial :

“The girl is slimly built, wears a pink dress and a black Gainsborough hat, and is rather plain in appearance. Her hair is brown; her eyes a bluish gray. Her mouth is full, and there are hard lines about it. Her eyes were red with weeping.”²

After Magistrate Cahill read the charge to her, Maria nervously whispered, ‘I did so, I did so.’

While Chief Stewart presented his evidence, the young woman broke down and burst into tears:

“Crying, she was led into the cells. The sound of her loud, heart-rending cries came floating up from the cells into the court room. She appeared to be in a perfect paroxysm of grief. Her cries grew louder and louder. Then the door was shut and only the occasional smothered yell told what was going on below.”³

³ “That Child Murder : Maria McCabe Committed for Trial”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 2, 1883.

The day after Maria McCabe had been formally charged with the murder of her baby, the following editorial appeared in the Hamilton Spectator:

“A young, unmarried woman of this city has confessed to having murdered her infant child. She is now in prison awaiting trial, and with the legal aspect of the case, we have at this time nothing to say. But there are certain things about this sad affair which call for careful consideration.

“Maria McCabe came to this country not long since from Ireland, a country renowned for the purity of its women. She is not an educated woman, but is possessed of average intelligence, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, must be adjudged a pure woman when she left home. But in an evil hour, she listened to the voice of a tempter and fell, losing all that makes life worth having.

“It is terrible to think that a mother could so far overcome the natural love she must have had for her offspring as to deliberately compass its death, but it showed that she was not altogether lost to a sense of shame, and the wonder is that she did not also make away with herself. But her crime was discovered, and she now finds herself in a prison cell, an outcast from society. The lesson is soon taught. The young women of this day are as pure as those of any former generation, but the fate of this girl should not be without its effect upon those who need such a warning.

But Maria McCabe was sinned against; and what of the man through whose instrumentality she fell ? There should be no halfway measures. The officers of the law should seek him out and bring him before the bar of justice; and the people of Hamilton will not be true to themselves if, when he is discovered, they do not treat him with all the scorn and contempt his cowardly conduct deserves. Society is too prone to condone the offense of the man and make the woman suffer. Justice requires that he who tempts a woman to commit a wrong should be punished as a co-partner in her guilt; and if the law cannot reach him, he should be made to feel that the people of this city have no sickly sentiment to waste upon such as he.”⁴

⁴ “Maria McCabe”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 3, 1883.

(To be continued)