March 29, 1876 - Part One

“This evening the Turkish Baths erected on James street by Dr. Vernon will be opened to the public”.

Hamilton Spectator. March 29, 1876

         Turkish baths on James street north!

In March, 1876, citizens of Hamilton were more than interested in a new business that had potential to improve the health of many Hamiltonians of the day :

“This institution will supply a want long felt in Hamilton, and the worthy doctor deserves every success in the enterprise. Invalids in the city have been obliged to St. Catharines and other places for their baths, but this want will be supplied, and our citizens will have an opportunity of encouraging Hamilton enterprise. Dr. Vernon has secured the very best managers for the institution, and invalids may rest assured that every care will be bestowed upon them while undergoing a course of treatment.”

In another story, a new star of popular entertainment came to Hamilton for the first, Buffalo Bill. It was the beginning of a stage career which would carry Buffalo Bill into a career that would make him one of the most popular people in the world

The Spectator review of Buffalo Bill’s show follows :

“The Buffalo Bill Combination appeared at Mechanics’ Hall last night to a very fair audience considering the inclement state of the weather. The programme commenced with the sparkling comedietta of “Thrice Married,” in which Mlle. Moriacchi charmed the audience with her musical and terpsichorean performances, Mr. H. Mainhall, as Horace Waddles, and Charles Waite as Jack Quaverly, also appeared to great advantage. The most attractive part of the entertainment though, was the drama of “Life on the Border.” The play abounds in startling situations, hairbreadth escapes, and thrilling adventures, in which, of course, Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack play the principal parts. These gentlemen are fine specimens of physical manhood, and the naturalness with which they appear on the stage is invested with additional interest from the reputation which they possess of having had abundant experience in the reality. The support was fair. Mr. J.V. Arlington as Old Sloat, a trapper, was very good, as also Mr. C. Waite, who took the part of Captain Huntley and represented the villain of the play to perfection; while Mr. T.Z. Graham as Jedediah Broadbrim, a peace commissioner, succeeded in causing plenty of fun by their comicalities. The troupe give their closing performance at the Mechanic’ Hall this evening. Seats may be reserved at Grossman’s.”