1883-10-01aa

At 1:30 p.m., Saturday September 29, 1883, a special train left the Northern and Northwestern railway station on Ferguson avenue, between King street and Main street. The train, heading for Port Dover, contained a member of the British Royal family, George Prince of Wales along with a large party of local dignitaries including John Stuart, president of the railway, Adam Brown, William Hendrie, Judge Sinclair, James Turner and a reporter for the Hamilton Spectator:

“A pilot engine ran about a quarter of a mile ahead. As the train left the depot a faint cheer was heard on board it, a cheer rose from the throats of the crowd assembled on the platform. The prince stepped to the rear of the car and acknowledged the salute by courteously doffing his hat.”¹

¹ “A Trip to Port Dover : With the Young Prince George of Wales.”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 1, 1883.

As the train moved swiftly along the N. and N. W. line towards the mountain, the reporter watched as the Prince was shown various points of interest on that portion of Hamilton. Prince George was particularly interested in the Boys’ Home which he felt was a very handsome building.

The first stop of the trip was at Jarvis where the Prince’s train was the object of considerable attention:

“All along the road crowds, varying in size with the towns, had gathered at the stations and cheered lustily as the train went past; and in the doorway of almost every farm house, members of the softer sex, vigorously waving pocket handkerchiefs, were seen.”¹

The second stop of the trip to Port Dover was unscheduled:

“About two miles this side of Port Dover, the engine gives a couple of shrill toots and the train comes to a sudden stop. Everybody rushes out of the doors and peers anxiously from the steps to see what the matter is. The stoppage is caused by a number of frisky calves, who have planted themselves squarely in the center of the track, and are looking at the train with all their might, trying, probably, to see the Prince. Pardonable curiosity perhaps, but very inconvenient all the same. But the head of cattle still stands there, and the train does not move. At last, the driver puts his hand on a mysterious-looking little brass something, and there is a sharp, shrill ‘whish’ of escaping steam, white clouds rising seemingly from the ground on either side of the engine, and with snorts of fright, the calves kick their heels high in the air and scamper off down the road.”¹

At Port Dover, a crowd, mainly composed of school children greeted the Prince, and followed the party to the wharf where a small steamer was being readied to take everyone to Col. Walker’s lodge at Long Point :

“At the wharf, half of Port Dover is waiting to see the Prince. The gentleman of leisure is there, the irrepressible small boy, the gawky school girl, the unshaved and dirty dock hand, the village storekeeper with an unclean brown Holland apron tucked up around his waist, the simpering young woman away up in her teens, and her older sister who is flirting slyly with the young medical student from the doctor’s office, albeit she keeps an anxious eyes on the Prince.”¹

While the Prince’s baggage was being loaded on the steamer, the Spectator reporter had an opportunity to interview the Prince’s aid, Captain Durrant, who said that the Prince and he were charmed with Hamilton, calling it a beautiful city but the interview was cut short as the boat was ready to depart. With a cheer from the assembled the boat pulls out into the mist towards Long Point.”¹

The crowd at the wharf gradually dispersed, while those from Hamilton who accompanied the Prince made their way back to the train from the return trip to the city:

“The engine flies over the long slips of shining steel, fields, houses, towns and villages go rapidly past. The brow of the mountain is reached and the descent is begun. On the left hand rises the mountain, its surface covered with verdant shrubbery. Far over on the right, the bay’s blue waters can be seen stretching away until they are lost in the distant horizon. Signs of civilization grow nearer. Through a sparsely- populated now along which grimy workingmen are swiftly wending their homeward way. The engine gives a toot, a red brick station is rapidly approached, reached. The train slows up, and we are in Hamilton.”¹

After a few days of rest at Long Point, Prince George returned to the hectic pace of his Canadian tour with a public appearance at Hamilton’s Central Fair, held at the Crystal Palace grounds.

At 4 p.m., the Prince and his entourage arrived at the fairgrounds:

“The roadway leading from the main entrance to the building was crowded with people eager to have a look at the young prince. Shortly after 4 o’clock, Mr. Hendrie accompanied the royal visitor and his party, drove into the grounds, made a brief inspection of the interior of the palace and other buildings, and then took up a position in the center of the horse ring. A bodyguard of six policemen was in attendance. The ring was covered with horses from every class, some prancing around their attendants, and others speeding on the track.

“After a short stay, the distinguished visitors left the grounds, running the gauntlet of a cheering crowd until outside the gates.”²

² “Great Central Fair : The Second Day Opens Auspiciously”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 4, 1883.