SUMMER OF ’67
Around the time of Confederation, in June and July of 1867, Toronto newspapers were filled with details of the festivities. Well, actually, they were occupied with drunks on the court docket, people falling off horses and intrigues involving the self-styl
(From the Daily Telegraph, June 27, 1867)
Alimited number of incorrigible bacchanalians and a couple of beggars formed the principal portion of the calendar today.
William Brown, whose appearance would make an admirable walking advertisement for the worst forty rod (whiskey) in the city, was charged by P.C. Hickey with being found embracing a lamp post on Dummer street last night.
His Worship – You have heard the charge. What have you got to say?
Prisoner – If you would postpone the case until next Tuesday, I wouldn’t mind going down for a month: but of all things which I know of I would like to be free on Monday.
His Worship: What’s that for?
Prisoner: The opening of the new Dominion. His Worship – Well, I’ll fine you $2 and costs, or thirty days in jail with hard labour.
Prisoner – What and have a man locked up on a public holiday, and that the inauguration, celebration, and civic manifestation, of representation by population of confederation of the entire British North American nation. (Cheers). His Worship – You can do that in jail.
(June 27, Daily Telegraph) More judicial affairs The calendar today was rather extensive, embracing no less than eighteen cases, the most of the offenders being … vile in consequence of their ardent devotion to the shrine of Bacchus. The first gentleman who emerged from the rude compartment of that most elegant vehicle was Mr. Harry Henry. He never looked more happy or more dirty than he did this morning. He was followed by several other gentlemen, whose costume would have been a credit to the noble order of “Calithumpians” (1) if we had such a distinguished and honorable order in this city. S.M. Hastings – Order! Order! Bring in the first prisoner. Mr. Harry Henry hereupon skipped into the dock, and was about to commence one of his eloquent perorations when he was suddenly stopped by a considerate friend who handed him a chew of tobacco. This prisoner was charged by P.C. Alexander with being exceedingly drunk on Stanley Street (2) last night. His worship – What was he doing when you arrested him? P.C. Alexander – Why, your Worship, the sight was a fearful one, by some means he had got on the roof of Mr. Dewan’s residence where he was dancing a jig to a well known party air at the eminent danger of smashing the roof.
Harry Henry – That’s lie No. 1 You call it a party air; now what party air was it? Complainant – I don’t know the name of it. Harry Henry – It was tow row row your Worship. Mr. Henry (3) retired into the reception chamber to await along with his friends in affliction, the arrival of the elegant conveyance which conveys them to country quarters.
(Daily Telegraph, July 3) Breaking news A large number of ladies and gentlemen left per G.W. train at 7 o’clock this morning for Oakville, in order to be present at the opening of the new strawberry beds (4), the largest in Upper Canada, owned by Mr. Reid. (Daily Telegraph, June 27) Circus comes to town Bailey & Co.’s circus and menagerie arrived in town this morning (5). A performance will be given this evening on the Royal Rink, King street. To-morrow morning a special exhibition will be given for the benefit of schools and families, and also in the afternoon and evening. (Daily Telegraph, July 2) Those Fenians again The Government having received information to the effect that a raid might be attempted by the Fenians (6) to-day, took the necessary steps to prevent it. The gunboat Heron was sent from this port to Niagara, another was placed at Fort Erie, and still another at Windsor.
The gunboats down the St. Lawrence were also kept in a state of readiness. Up to three o’clock this afternoon nothing unusual had occurred, and it was not thought likely that a raid would be attempted. (Daily Telegraph, July 4) No values test needed A goodly number of English, Irish and Scottish immigrants arrived in Toronto on Saturday morning by Grand Trunk Railway. They intend settling in Canada and will, without doubt, prove a valuable acquisition to our population, as the male portion are all either agriculturalists or mechanics, who appear to belong to that class of men who are not afraid of working for an honest livelihood (7). (Canadian Baptist, July 18) Traffic report AYonge street hardware merchant whilst riding along Adelaide street, near Victoria street on Saturday afternoon, was thrown from his horse, which stumbled and, falling, nearly rolled over him. No serious damage was done to either horse or rider (8).
(Daily Leader, July 2) The dark sidewalk The sidewalk east of the Don bridge on the city side of the street is in a dangerous state, especially to pedestrians travelling over it on dark nights. A great many planks are off and there are no lamps east of the Don. The residents of that locality are taxed equally and justly complain of with those of more favored localities the manner in which they are neglected in this respect, by the city authorities (9). (Daily Leader, July 2) Workplace accident This morning a dreadful accident occurred in this city, resulting in the death of a man named Ambrose Kent. He was assisting in the making of a drain in the upper corner of Queen and George streets, and went down into it for the purpose of bricking up a portion of it. While stooped down engaged in this work the sides of the drain caved in, completely covering the unfortunate man, thus burying him alive … An inquest (10) was held this morning at Leary’s tavern, on the corner of Queen and Nelson streets, by Coroner Riddel, when the following verdict was returned: “That the deceased, Ambrose Kent, came to his death by the falling in of a portion of the drain in which he was working. The jury censure the parties whose duty it was to have seen that the side of the drain were property protected for not having performed that duty.” Kent was a hardworking and industrious man who leaves a wife and several children unprovided for.
(Daily Telegraph, June 27) Street justice On Friday evening, at nine o’clock, a man named Ryan was met by a woman on King Street east, near Church street, who ordered him home “at once.” He refused, but she caught him by the coat collar and amid the applause of a considerable crowd dragged him off in triumph. (Daily Leader, July 1) World news Some of the London journals ridicule Napoleon’s idea of liberty in France, as expressed in his speech at the Exhibition (11).
(Daily Telegraph, July 3) Mexican intrigue The news of the shooting of Maximilian by order of Juarez bears every mark of authenticity (12). It purports to come from an Austrian official to the Austrian Minister at Washington; and if genuine there is no room to doubt its correctness (13). The threat of vengeance had been hanging over the head of Maximilian ever since he was made prisoner of war … This is a melancholy ending of the unfortunate Mexican business, in which Napoleon III was the prime mover. It was on the invitation and at the instigation of the Emperor of the French, that Maximilian went to take possession of a throne which had been prepared for him …
Civilized Europe will look with horror and detestation on the barbarous murder; but it cannot undertake the task of exterminating the Mexicans. (Daily Leader, July 2) The starting bells The new dominion was hailed last night as the clock struck twelve by Mr. Rawlinson ringing a merry peal on the joy bells of St. James’ Cathedral, the effect of which was very fine, in the otherwise solemn stillness of the night (14). Even at that late hour large numbers of persons were brought under the streets by the chiming of the bells and thousands there remained at their open windows to enjoy the pleasures of listening to the first musical performance of the Province of Ontario. The bells had scarcely commenced chiming when the firing of small arms was heard in every direction. (Daily Leader, July 1) July 1tradition The great event of the day, however was the display of fireworks in the Queen’s Park during the evening. It drew together an immense crowd. The display was the finest of the kind ever witnessed in Toronto and gave universal satisfaction. Several of the pieces were very beautiful and appropriate. Two bands were present and added much to the pleasure of the crowd by playing at intervals. (Daily Telegraph, July 2) Charity roast Capt. Woodhouse, of the bark Lord Nelson (15), roasted an ox and distributed the meat among the poor, giving what was left to the Orphan’s Home and House of Providence.
(Daily Telegraph, July 2) Process of illumination In the evening many of the principal buildings of the city were illuminated though the illumination was not so general as it would have been had the committee given more definite instructions regarding the matter (16). The Post Office Custom House and Queen’s Hotel were brilliantly lit up, as also was the Gas Office. The office of the Daily Telegraph had a beautiful design in gas jets burning in front of it.
(Daily Telegraph, July 2) Even the weather was patriotic All businesses were suspended during the day, and the whole population turned out to do honour to the great event. Early in the morning the houses on the leading thoroughfares were gaily decorated with flags of all description and the vessels in the harbor were also decked out with a profusion of bunting. The weather was very pleasant, the heat of the sun being agreeably tempered by a fresh breeze from the lake. The streets soon began to present an animated appearance with crowds of people winding their way in all directions in search of recreation and pleasure for the day. (Daily Leader, July 2)