June 26, 1876

The game at the Crystal Palace grounds on Saturday afternoon ended, as was generally expected, in the defeat of the home club, but after the rather respectable show which the Standards made in Guelph, few expected they would be so badly beaten as they were.

                                                Hamilton Spectator.  June 26, 1876

Even with the build up of anticipation, no knowledgeable Hamilton baseball fan expected the home side to beat the champion Maple Leafs of Guelph. But their low expectations were not only met, but exceeded :

“The game commenced at 3 o’clock, the Maple Leafs going to the bat. In the first inning they scored 1, and the Standards followed with a whitewash.

The next inning for the Standards resulted in the same way, and at the end of the fifth innings, the score stood – Maple Leafs 16, Standards 0, the former having scored 7 in the second, 2 in their fourth, and 6 in their fifth innings respectively.

It seemed at this stage of the game as if the Standards were not going to make a run, and there were long and disappointed faces among their friends. In their sixth innings, however, they succeeded in scoring1, which was repeated in the seventh, and the Maple Leafs having only obtained one in their sixth and nothing in their seventh, the score at the end of the seventh innings stood – Maple Leafs 17, Standards 2. Then followed two more whitewashes – one for each side – and the Champions took the bat for the ninth innings. Much to the astonishment of many present they succeeded in adding eight to their score. And here it may be said that the secret of the Maple Leafs scoring so heavily was in the habitual muffing of the Standards. Had it not been for the wild throwing and very bad judgment on the part of some of the Hamilton players, the Guelph team would never have made runs in their last inning. It is useless for the Standards to attempt to play such clubs as the Maple Leafs and Tecumsehs unless they procure some new and superior material who about a very decided improvement in what they have. Some of them did very well, but others did the very opposite, and the game was in reality lost and won long before it was finished.

The play of the Maple Leafs was very much admired, their playing, generally speaking, being of a high order.”

In the same afternoon edition of the Hamilton Spectator, the following item was included:

“As we go to press, the Hamilton Field Battery is on its way to the Crystal Palace grounds for the performance of the annual drill. The corps presented a fine appearance as they marched up King street, headed by the band. “

However, a previous City Council decision to deny the militia unit use of the Crystal Palace grounds had to be reversed as explained in the following::

“A special meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday evening to reconsider the application of the Hamilton Field Battery for the use of the Crystal Palace grounds for the performance of their annual drill, and also to make arrangements to attend the funeral of the late ex.-Alderman Mullin.

Members present : The Mayor in the chair, and Ald. Kenrick, Morgan, Kent, Fitzpatrick, Chisholm, Magee, Crawford, Barr, Humphrey, McLellan and Field.

The Clerk read the following :

To His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Hamilton :

SIR AND GENTLEMEN : The Hamilton Volunteer Field Battery of Artillery having been ordered to perform its annual drill for this year at some convenient place near its headquarters, respectfully request the use of the grounds and some of the stables connected with the Crystal Palace for that purpose.

These grounds, together, with the stables, and the unlimited supply of water are, by far, the most suitable spot in the neighbourhood of the city, and I earnestly trust that your honourable body will kindly grant the Battery the use of them for their annual drill which commences on or about the 26^th inst.

                                                G. R. Smith,

                                                Captain Commanding.

                                                          Per W. F. McMahon,

                                                          Lieut. H. V. F. Battery,

Hamilton. June 6^th 1876

                                                                   Hamilton, June 24^th, 1876.

MY DEAR SIR : Permit me to inform you of the death of the late Mr. James Mullin; the funeral will take place from his late residence on Monday the 26^th instant, at 2 o’clock p.m.

                                                Respectfully,

                                                          John A. Mullin.

Moved by Ald. Chisholm, seconded by Ald. Kilvert, that Capt. Smith, of the Hamilton Volunteer Field Battery be heard in regard to the petition for the use of the Palace grounds. Carried.

Captain Smith addresses the Council and pointed out that no injury would be done to the grounds or the buildings. He said it was not the intention of the Battery to perform any gun drill on the grounds. Should any damage be done, it would be paid for.

Moved by Ald. Field, seconded by Ald. Crawford that the vote of this Council at its last meeting refusing the use of the Crystal Palace grounds to the Hamilton Field Battery be reconsidered. Carried.

Moved by Ald. Kilvert, seconded by Ald. Chisholm and resolved : That the Hamilton Field Battery be allowed to occupy the stables, and to pitch tents and use the cook house, in the Palace grounds during their annual drill, it being understood that the Battery are not to drill with their horses and guns inside the grounds. Carried.

Moved by Ald. McLellan, seconded by Ald. Field, that the City Council attend in a body the funeral of ex-Al. Mullin, on Monday, the 26^th inst., and that His Worship intimate this resolution to the family of the deceased, with expression of regret at the death of the gentleman. Carried.

Council then adjourned.”

The Police Magistrate seems to have been in a relatively forgiving mood at the morning session of the Police Court of June 26, 1876 :

“Wm. O’Neil was arrested by Constable McFlagan at the Palace grounds on Saturday for climbing on the sheds attached to the grounds. He was fined $2.

                                      COWS AT LARGE

Patrick McGrath and George Pfann were charged by Alfred Myles with having cows at large. Mrs. McGrath and Mrs. Pfann gave a satisfactory explanation of the delinquency and the cases were dismissed.

                                      INSANITY

Hugh McKay was arrested, on complaint of his wife Agnes McKay, with insanity. Mrs. McKay stated that she and her children were in danger of bodily harm from him. The case was adjourned to procure medical testimony.

                                      DRUNK

Charles Rathmore was found drunk on York street by Constable Williams about half one o’clock on Sunday morning. He was fined $2.

                                      VAGRANCY

Jno. Dunn, Chas. McKay and Jas. Donohue were picked on Bay street yesterday morning by Constable Littlehales. The prisoners said they had come from St. Catharines, and were making their way to Toronto. As this was their first appearance at the Police Court, they were let go on a promise that they would leave the city without delay.

                                      THREATENING

Mary Nixon complained of her husband having threatened to beat her. John denied the charge and promised to be on his good behaviour for the next 12 months. He was let go.

                                      ASSAULT

Mary McKenna, a rather hard-looking specimen of an Irish woman, was arrested for brutally ill using another, Kirkpatrick on George street, yesterday morning. The case was adjourned.”