In Hamilton - June 10 1896

 It had been an eventful day in Hamilton, Wednesday June 10, 1896.

When readers of the Hamilton Times opened their morning edition of that newspaper on June 11, there was more than enough of interest to attract the attention of all.

On Wednesday evening June 10, a home wedding took place in the east end:

“At 7:45 last evening, Miss W. Wodell, organist of the Victoria Avenue Baptist Church, and Mr. C. W. Upsedell, were married by the Rev. F. Barker at No. 65 Oak avenue, the future home of the bride and groom. The bride wore a cadet blue dress trimmed with cream silk and carnations. The bridesmaid also carried carnations and roses, and Mr. J.H. Upsedell, brother of the groom, was best man. About twenty-five friends of the happy couple witnessed the pleasing ceremony and partook of a sumptuous wedding repast. The rest of the evening was spent in music, the enjoyment of games etc. Mr. Jim Upsedell favored the company with several trombone solos. The couple received many and very beautiful presents.”

A less joyful event occurred further west, in the vicinity of the east end Aberdeen avenue:

”About 10 o’clock last night, P.C. Walsh, who was on duty on Aberdeen avenue, heard screams in the vicinity  of the James street mountain road. He ran and met Geo. McNeal, of the Beach, running toward the city. MacNeal said that he and his lady friend, Miss Darlington, of Burlington, had been held up by five men near Russell’s quarry. Two of the strangers seized him, and the other three took hold of his companion, who was thrown into the gutter in the scrimmage. He shouted for help, and Mr. J. McLaughlin , of the mountain top, appeared on the scene, and the strangers ran eastward, past the Incline Wailway. P.C. Walsh made an investigation, but could not find any of  the alleged footpads. Neither Mr. MacNeal nor Miss Darlington  was hurt, and as no money was demanded, the police are inclined to think the affair was a joke. The five men are supposed to be friends or acquaintances of McNeal, and followed the couple from the mountain top.

“The couple had a horse and rig in the city and drove home soon after the occurrence.”

During the afternoon, loud explosions were heard coming from the waterfront :

“Yesterday afternoon, Messrs. Jas. Reynolds, Geo. Gordon, Jas. Canary and Frank Beddoe exploded a number of dynamite cartridges in the bay near where young Pfeifer was drowned on Sunday last. The body did not rise, however, and no traces of it were secured. Hundreds of dead and stunned fish were brought to the surface by the explosions. Several parties grappled until late last evening, and this morning the work of grappling was abandoned. Tomorrow morning more dynamite will be used.”

In the downtown core, a serious accident occurred involving a  bicyclist and the driver of a horse-drawn milk wagon :

“Mr. Robert Newton, a clerk in the employ of W.H. Ryckman & Co., grocers, met with a serious accident while wheeling last night. He was riding near the corner of John and Main streets when he came into collision with a milkman’s outfit owned by Mr. Ellsworth Vansickle, of Glanford, and driven by a young man named George Jacobs. Mr. Newton received a deep cut on his chin and others about his head a face, and some severe bruises about his body and legs. For a time he was unconscious. After he recovered he said that the milkman’s horse seemed to dodge after him while he was attempting to get out of its way. Jacobs, the driver, felt very bad over the accident, which, as far as could be learned, he could not have prevented. Both milkman and the wheelman were going at a fair rate of speed.

“Newton was taken into Blaicher & Reche’s drug store, where he was attended by Dr. O’Reilly. Fortunately no bones were broken. He was afterwards taken to his boarding house, No. 71 Jackson street west. The bicycle was demolished. The accident took place about 8:45 o’clock.”

Finally, a lengthy report concerning an evening full of entertainment was one of the predominant articles in the Thursday June 11, 1896 edition of the Times. The reporter who attended the evening’s fun at the Arcade Hall included full details undoubtedly garnered by him as an observer:

 “You missed half of your life if you were not at the Campbell-Gant cake walk and concert in the Arcade Hall last night. The affair was what the boys termed a ‘hot rag.’ It was a great social and financial success. Some of the best people in the city were there; so were some of the worst, but they all paid to get in. The concert was first on the programme and the cake walk followed. Prof. Gant acted as chairman at the former and manager at the latter, and he discharged his duties in a most satisfactory manner and took the cake. Prof. Fred Campbell fluctuated between the box office and the stage as he imagined his presence was required.

“About 9 o’clock, Prof. Gant took the chair on the platform and then the fun began. ‘We have been waiting for our talent to arrive,’ he said, ‘but it is getting late and some of it ‘has arove.’ I think I’ll proceed. (Laughter) He then called upon Prof. Campbell and his half-brother, Louis Washington, to play an instrumental duet. They gave an imitation of the playing of Innes’ band, using a harmonica and an autoharp. The imitation was a good one, but almost anybody could tell that it was not the band that was playing. Miss Kate Preston gave a recitation, and was followed by Mr. Washington, who showed his versatility by singing a solo. Then the Chairman announced a cornetist – a wonder from British Columbia. “Does he not come from Kootenay, now?’  asked someone, and another person shouted out that he was from Saw Bill. Prof. Holland was his stage name, and he played two selections and showed that he had very strong lungs. He did not break the instrument. Mr. Andrew Workman gave an exhibition of trick dancing, and the Chairman brought the concert to a close by singing a song. This would have had the same effect on the audience as ‘God Save the Queen’ had not the cake walk followed.

“As prominent citizens arrived, cheers were given that could be heard a block away. Before the concert closed, fully 800 persons were in the hall. Mr. R.G. Boville and some Conservative friends dropped in, and, although the Chairman announced them, they got rather a cool reception. He soon left the hall, being disappointed probably by not being tailed upon.

“Mr. R. Kennedy and Dr. Smith, of the Hamilton Asylum, were appointed Associate Judges of the cake walk, and after a long delay, the middle of the hall was cleared and about thirty couples lined up. About 11:30. the shout went up, ‘they’re off!’ While the crowd howled itself hoarse, the contestants walked on and on. They first showed how they would walk on the street; then in a drawing room; then they did a military walk; then they saluted on the street and indicated how they would enter a parlor and take a seat. The judges awarded first prize to John Holland and Mrs. Wm. Workman; 2^nd, Mr. Ernest Rabitoy and wife; 3^rd Mr. Arthur Workman and Miss Gertie Peters. Three extra cakes were presented as follows : Miss Violet Preston, best-dressed contestant; Mrs. Eliza Workman, best-looking contestant; Mr. Philip Roy, the man with the neatest tie. Miss Roy and Miss Fannie Scott were awarded ‘the bun’ on general principles.

“After the prizes were awarded, Mr. Wm. Carroll mounted the platform, and, in an elegant and figurative speech, presented Prof. Gant with a large cake, on behalf of Mr. D. Gilles and others. The cake was a valuable one and contained a brick – not a gold one.

“The Professor, although ‘taken by surprise’ replied suitably.

“The special prizes offered by Mr. Carroll for press reporters were then awarded. Mr. Boy got a box of cigars for being the best dresser; His Boss got a silver-headed cane for having the prettiest feet and Ali Blue won the pipe and case, it being alleged that he was the best looker. The judges were Messrs. W. Hobson, Walter Noble and Geo. Robertson

“The floor was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up until about 3 o’clock this morning. Lightfoot’s orchestra supplied the music and Mr. Andrew Workman was floor manager.

“No person was killed.”