June 24, 1876

"The game between the Standards and the Maple Leafs of Guelph is proceeding at the Palace grounds as we go to press.”

                                      Hamilton Spectator    June 24, 1876

When the afternoon edition of the Hamilton Spectator hit the streets in the later afternoon of June 24, 1876, the big baseball games between the Hamilton Standards and the Maple Leafs of Guelph was underway, but readers were provided with some news about the pre-game activities:

“The Maple Leafs drove from Guelph this morning, arriving at the St. Nicholas Hotel at about one o’clock. At two o’clock a portion of the XIII Battalion band serenaded the Guelph men at their hotel, shortly after which they escorted them to the grounds. The game commenced at three o’clock. A full report will be given Monday.”

Another game at the very same baseball diamond at King and Sophia (now Strathcona) streets took place the previous afternoon:

“A game of base ball was played at the Crystal Palace grounds yesterday between a nine from the Wanzer Sewing Machine Works, and a team from Tuckett & Billings’ Tobacco Manufactory. The Wanzer men were victorious by a score of 52 to 27.”

An accident on the street in front of the Spectator office drew attention from the reporter at work at his desk:

“As a one-horse wagon, driven by a woman, was proceeding along Macnab street opposite the SPECTATOR block, a heavy waggon loaded with hides collided therewith, breaking both shafts of the lighter vehicle. It is but fair to say that building operations have blockaded the street very much at the point where the accident occurred, so that the collision was hardly attributable to carelessness.”

Finally, evangelical services organized by the local Y.M.C. A. were making an impact in the city:

“These meetings which are held daily under the auspices of the Young Men’s Christian Association are attracting large and deeply interested audiences. Last evening an open air service was held at 7:30 in the Gore, where earnest addresses were given by Messrs. Crombie and Simpson, after which a largely attended meeting was held in the Y. M. C. A. hall, where the services were of a most impressive and solemn character, the singing of lively and beautiful Sankey hymns, which are largely made use of, never fails to touch the heart and produce salutary impressions.  Addresses were delivered by both gentlemen mentioned, and the Rev. J. C. Smith led in prayer.”