|
History of the A's |
||
|
City Welcomes Heroes Home |
||
|
THE
RECEPTION The
Daily Standard Monday
September 26, 1910 Confident
in the ability of the Athletics to retain the championship and keep the
Globe Shield in this city was so great that, before the team went to
Toronto, it was arranged that on its return to St. Catharines should be
given a popular demonstration. The result proved that the confidence was
justified. The Shield, representing the championship, was not only assured
to St. Catharines, but the margin of assurance was increased by a victory
over the much-vaunted Young Torontos, on their own grounds. A
reception was due, and such a reception has seldom been seen. When the
news of the victory arrived the whole city was enthused and final
preparations made for the big parade. In spite of a recurrence of rain,
which had fallen earlier in the day and which ceased in the evening, at
eight o’clock participants in the demonstration began to appear on the
streets. By nine o’clock most of the component parts of the parade had
gathered at and near the Geneva street station. The
train conveying the Athletics and the hundred admirers accompanying them
to Toronto was expected to arrive at half-past nine, but the information
came that it had been delayed, and would not arrive before ten. At that
hour Mayor McBride appeared on the scene, where all was ready for the
reception of the conquering heroes. Happily the rain ceased, for there was
still a long wait, which was relieved by the music of different impromptu
bands marching up and down in the light of a few torches, the many being
reserved for the grand event – the arrival of the train. The
Parks baseball club sang a number of popular songs, gathering in musical
merriment about a wagon illuminated with Chinese lanterns and bearing a
transparency advertising the Baseball Festival to take place on the
lacrosse grounds on Oct. 6. At intervals the Bugle Band cheered the
waiting throng. At 10:30 the band, under the direction of Mr. Peel, broke
the monotony by playing popular airs, the crowd joining in words to the
music of “Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet” and “Has Anybody
Here Seen Kelly”. Some of the boys indulged in dancing in the
street. At
10:45 news came that the special train bringing home those who had played
the great game, and those who had gone to see it win, had been delayed at
Jordan by a mishap to a freight train which had got in front of it. That
was at 10:10. The special had been released and had arrived at Western
Hill station. It had been held at the Jordan bridge. With left-handed
compliments for the Grand Trunk officials, the crowd settled down to
patiently wait, cheered by the feeling that it could not be for long. Enlivened
by the firing of Roman candles and a euphonium solo, “Sweet Genieve”
the parade stood pat till the long looked-for train backed down from
Merritton at exactly 11 o’clock, two hours and a half late. Then
there was life. Torches were lighted and there was a blaze of illumination
all along the line. There was great cheering as the team and their
supporters marched from the station to the conveyances consigned to them.
Secretary Captain McIlwain and President W. J. Lee took seats in the
mayor’s carriage. In a few minutes the parade started on its route
through the streets, which were lined by cheering thousands. In
the van rode the marshall, James Collins, with the flag, followed by the
Bugle Band, playing a march. Then came a fireworks wagon from which Roman
candles or sky-rockets blazed and hissed almost incessantly. Following
this came the wagon bearing the Globe Shield with decorated lacrosse
sticks and around it the pennants of the various baseball clubs;
McKinnon’s, Lyceum, Merritton, Y.M.C.A., Ridley, Port Dalhousie, Parks
(Rangers), N.S. & T., White Oaks and Thorold. The wagon was lighted by
four can torches and on either side bore the motto, “What we Have we
Hold.” The
Mayor’s carriage came next, decorated with flags. It was followed by a
large wagon in which were packed the players and those who had accompanied
them. Joined by the other excursionists, they sang in joyous and
triumphant mood: -- “Hurrah,
hurrah! Just find better men; And
if we ever meet them, we’ll do the same again, As
we go marching to victory.” And
this: -- “What’s
the matter with the Athletics? They’re all right. If
we send them again they’ll do the same. What’s
the matter with the Athletics? They’re all right.” The
team was cheered all along the line. The vehicle in which the players rode
bore the significant and patriotic motto, “Made in St. Catharines.” Next
rode the reception committee and ex-players in a wagon bearing the legend,
“The Men Behind the Gun.” Another wagon bore the advertisement, “For
Sale – Twenty-Four Lacrosse Sticks. Apply to the Young Torontos and
Young Tecumsehs.” Another motto was, “Oh Your Mann Cup.” Another
fireworks wagon was followed by Peel’s Band playing joyous airs without
a let-up all along the route. Next
rode the Young Athletics followed by the Parks, White Oaks and
McKinnon’s clubs on foot. Then came the baseball wagon followed by the
Western and Martin lacrosse clubs and the various juvenile baseball clubs
of the city. The whole line blazed with the light of oakum torches, and
with the glare of Roman candles and rockets all along the line of march,
on Geneva, St. Paul, James, Church, Ontario and St. Paul Streets, the
sidewalks were crowded with men, women, and children giving glad acclaim
to the idols of the hour. In the windows appeared heads as the procession
passed by. At Col. Carlisle’s on Church Street, a party of ladies stood
out in front. In
half an hour after starting the parade arrived at Shipman’s Gore, where
it halted, and Mayor McBride rose in the carriage to speak. He could not
do so for a few minutes on account of the vociferous cheering. When quiet
was obtained he said: “Ladies
and Gentlemen, especially the Champion Athletics Lacrosse Team – it has
been my pleasant duty on different occasions to extend a welcome to
strangers coming to our city. To-night I am delighted to welcome home the
champion lacrosse team from the victory they have won in which they retain
that shield, “What we have, we hold.” The St. Catharines team still
holds the shield which has been in its possession so long.” “I
am pleased to congratulate the team upon the very great credit they have
conferred on themselves by the very clean game of lacrosse which they have
played. You have covered yourselves with glory and upheld the reputation
which this city has so long enjoyed in the example of lacrosse playing.
You will all agree that it is only a pleasure that we extend to you this
splendid reception. You have brought an honour upon the city which will go
a long way toward advertising it in bringing before the people everything
its history in no small degree.” “I
wish to thank the committee, the clubs. And the bands who have exerted
themselves in making this reception such a glorious success.” (Cheers) At the conclusion of the Mayor’s address, the parade resumed its course, amid a blaze of rockets and Roman candles, to the N. St. C. & T. R. station, where it broke up at 11:45, all being quieted down before midnight. Read more on the 1910 Athletics in "Mann
Cup Muddle" in the featured stories section of this site. |