1890s Hamilton

 Dundas Town Council - 1897                                   Photo by Brian Henley ca 1979 “Fought in the Chamber : Exciting Scene at the Dundas Town Council Meeting” Hamilton Times. May 19, 1897 Image 936. (Special correspondence of the Times) “Dundas, May 19 – The Town Council met again last night. Tame and quiet as the beginning of business was, the wind up was a scene of excitement and consternation. “A motion to adjourn had been moved and seconded, when Councillor Fisher called the Council’s attention to the fact that, as he had mentioned at the last meeting. “Contractor Fielding was going on with work at the Head street bridge, although he (Councillor Fisher) had notified him verbally not to do so. Reeve Knowles advocated asking for new tenders for the work, as Contractor Fielding had not carried out his agreement   to have the work done by a certain time; and, furth...

  “Yesterday for the first time in many years, the vast majority of Hamilton people spent a holiday at home, the attraction being the great Trades and Labor demonstration, the programme of which included a street parade and an entertainment at Dundurn Park. Two trainloads of excursionists came in from Brantford in the morning over the T.H.&B., and another over the G.T.R. The H.G.&B. Electric Railway, the H. & D. road, and the Toronto boats also brought hundreds of strangers into the city to help swell the crowds on the streets.” Hamilton Times. September 3, 1895, In recognition of the second annual national celebration of Labor Day, the Hamilton Trades and Labor Council took the leadership in organizing a massive demonstration in Hamilton to mark the event. The two major components of the day in Hamilton were a huge street procession which ended at Dundurn Park where the second component was located. Monday September 2, 1895 was a very hot day in Hamilton, and c...

    “Chief McKinnon, pale and thin, and looking like a man who had come through a severe illness, appeared before the Board of Police Commissioners in Mayor Stewart’s office at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Hamilton Times.    January 18, 1895. The man who had been the center of attention in local and provincial newspapers for several weeks, Hamilton Police Chief Hugh McKinnon, finally made his way to the Hamilton City Hall to face the music. McKinnon’s appearance before the Hamilton Board of Police Commissioners had been repeatedly requested but he had not done so. His bad health, backed with letters from doctors, had been the reason for his not showing up to explain why he had been absent without leave. McKinnon had forwarded a letter stating in a rambling way that he was innocent of any charges of immoral conduct. His request to be given time to prove his lack of guilt had been refused. His presence was demanded for a meeting to be held in the Mayor’s Ci...

  A Times reporter reporter writes randomly about what he sees when he left the office one day:  “The writer takes a deep interest in the condition of the workingmen, their field of influence and the results of their labors. To a close observer who studies human nature, it must afford matter for thought to see a man of years, with bent form and snow-white hair toiling with pick and shovel for his daily bread. It must appeal to the sympathy of the passerby when he sees the results of an improvident life, the slave of intemperance or the heir of misfortune. “But the dignity of toil is evidenced by many light hearts and willing hands. In conversation with a corporation employee recently with whom I passed a cherry word, I said ; ‘Pat, I believe you are about the most useful man on the roll, and are always doing some good, useful work.’ “He looked up at me and replied in his rich Irish brogue ; ‘Thank you, sir; when I makes a job, I makes a job, and it’s a good job now.’ ...