Police Chief McKinnon's Absence (Part 3) - January 1895

“In connection with the disappearance of Chief McKinnon, the Board of Police Commissioners held a special meeting at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon in the mayor’s office, and after a brief consideration of the matter decided to adjourn without taking any action.”

Hamilton Herald.   January 10, 1895.

After some delay, Hamilton three police commissioners met for the first time to consider the situation regarding the police chief and he alleged behaviors with two women in Toronto.

At the brief meeting, which was not attended by Chief McKinnon, Magistrate Jelfs expressed his desire to have the chief immediately suspended, pending the commissioners receiving a satisfactory explanation of his actions.

Another commissioner, Judge Muir disagreed urging that any suspension be delayed. Mayor Stewart, the third Police Commissioner was neutral on the matter.

Several others were in attendance at the meeting, including J. W. Nesbitt, Q. C. The lawyer explained that he had been asked to attend the meeting by Mrs. McKinnon, who he described as being “in deep distress.”

During the discussion at the meeting, Magistrate Jelfs noted that the chief had been absent without leave for a week and asked that Police Sergeant-Major Smith to come to the mayor’s office to answer some questions :

“Mayor Stewart whistled down the pipe for the sergeant-major., who promptly responded to the call.

“Judge Jelfs asked him if he knew where the chief was, and the reply was a negative. The sergeant-major said he understood the chief was going out of the city last Thursday, but he had received no instructions in regard thereto.

“Judge Jelfs asked : ‘You have full power to deal with the force in his absence, have you not?’

“ ‘Yes, sir,’ responded the sergeant-major.

“ Judge Muir – ‘Did he say he was going away?’

“ Sergeant- Major Smith – ‘I received a telephone message a week ago today that the chief was going to Toronto.” ¹

¹ “Another Day’s Grace : The Police Commissioners and Chief McKinnon”

Hamilton Herald. January 10, 1895

At this point, Mayor Stewart interjected that the chief had asked him for leave to go to Toronto for a wedding. On the understanding that the chief would return the next day, the request was granted.

The discussion resumed:

“Magistrate Jelfs : ‘I will not attempt to say the newspaper reports are true, but if the chief has been in Toronto  in company with ladies, enjoying himself, it is a question whether he has been neglecting his business or not.’

“Judge Muir – ‘Should we not give him an opportunity to explain?”¹

 Mayor Stewart explained why he was not going to intervene regarding the question whether Chief McKinnon should be suspended or not :

“Mayor Stewart at this point referred to the delicate position in which he stood on the matter. ‘The chief and I are not on friendly terms,’ he said, ‘and while I do not wish to shirk the duty of my office, I am afraid my motives might be misconstrued if I sit in judgement on him. I feel more inclined to let Judge Muir and Mr. Jelfs investigate the matter, if any investigation is necessary.’ ”¹

The disagreement between Muir and Jelfs continued with Jelfs reading from the police rules that if an officer of the force were absent three days without leave of absence, he was liable for dismissal.

Ultimately Judge Muir formally moved that the meeting be adjourned with no decision, and the mayor voted in favor of that, defeating Magistrate Jelfs’ preferred suspension of the chief.

Tommy Gould was basking in the publicity caused by his wife and sister-in-law’s involvement with the sensational story :

“Tommy Gould is now the most important person in town these days. He walks about with a grand imposing air of mystery, and carries his head at least two inches higher than he did last week.

“Never at any time in his little life has he been an object of such general interest as he is at present, and he is making the most of the occasion. The notoriety he is receiving is grateful incense to his nostrils, and his proud and pompous strut, for all his insignificance of stature, is a sight for gods and men.” ¹

^{1 “}Tommy As Detective : His Disguise While Shadowing the Chief.”

Hamilton Herald.   January 11, 1895.

Tommy Gould, although recently raised in public awareness, had already been a well-known character in downtown Hamilton :

“For several weeks, Tommy has been parading around in disguise. A luxuriant growth of black whiskers has cast a gloom on his erstwhile radiant countenance, and his shapely form has been concealed by his long Persian lamb coat. He wore a cap to match the coat. The glitter of diamonds once brought solace and joy to sad hearts, but, of late, he has refrained from wearing them.

“But Tommy is himself once more. The disguise has been shorn from his face, his hair has been trimmed, the black coat of deception has been laid aside for an ordinary freize and diamonds and precious stones again ornament his person.”¹

Tommy had been disguised because he had been acting as a private detective, following his estranged wife and her sister.

A Herald reporter met Tommy Gould on a downtown street, and Gould informed the reporter that “it’s all up now”:

“In explanation of this, the harassed husband said there had been a big row down at the house – Mrs. Gould’s houee. Miss Sanford had been ejected from the house, the result of which she had turned ‘Queen’s evidence’ and admitted everything. He said he induced her to admit it all, and at present has her concealed, so that she will be available when her services are required, and he refused to tell where she is.

“The indignant husband said he has had no end of trouble and anxiety because of the waywardness of his wife. Many an hour he has spent hiding around the corner of Park and Barton streets at night, and it was only a short time ago that he warned Chief McKinnon that he would have a Pinkerton detective after him, but the only satisfaction he got from the chief was that it would be foolish to make a sensation out of the matter, as he was only giving some good advice to Mrs. Gould and warning her to keep out of trouble.”¹

The police chief managed to get a certificate from a doctor attesting to his inability to attend a meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners until the weekend. He was suffering from a severe cold, and his voice was so raw, it was only with great that he could speak at all.

                        Sergeant-Major Smith