1883-09-04rr

Hamilton’s Market Square in the fall of 1883 was located to the west of James Street North, and a portion of the square was immediately to the rear of the Hamilton City.

On Market days, the square was filled with wagons, farmers and citizens inspecting and purchasing the produce for sale. On days when the Market was not being held, the square was a vast empty space. It was on a non-market day, when two citizens passing through the area noticed a large circular type of pavement, different than the rest of the surface.

Wondering what the origin of the item was, the men proceeded into the City to ask the City of Hamilton’s eldest employee Charlie Smith, who despite his advanced years still worked as a City Messenger.

A Spectator reporter overheard the conversation and reported it as follows in the September 4, 1883 of the paper:

“ ‘What is that?’ remarked one citizen to another yesterday morning, who pointed to some flag pavement about twelve feet in diameter in rear of the City Hall. The second citizen didn’t know, and, being curious to find out they sought out Charlie Smith, who is supposed to know everything about the city. He was found in the City and shown the object of all the curiosity, and was able to give the following information:

“ ‘It was about 25 years ago, before there were any waterworks or steam engines in use, the water for fire purposes was supplied from tanks situated throughout the city. That piece of paving marks the spot where the largest one was situated. It was about twelve feet deep and the spot has a history.

“ ‘At that time, I was engineer of the fire brigade and was going to my work one morning when I noticed a peculiar smell, as of some dead animal, arising from the tank. On opening the tank, the smell grew worse, and it was resolved to clean out the tank to find its cause. There was a good deal of water in at the time and the men had a sick job of it, and when they got to the bottom, they found the body of a boy about 14 years of age. The boy, I forget his name, had been missed from home for about two weeks and had been advertised for by his parents, who feared something wrong but never suspected the tank. It was only a short time before this tank was filled and those flags placed there, but I never look at it without thinking of the time we found the lad.”¹

¹

  “Those Flag Stones : A Spot in the Market With a History Attached.”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 04,1883.

 Hamilton Market Square - Photo courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library