A $10 bet led a Hamilton man to put a bull in a china shop

Jack Rankin was not the kind of man to bow away from a challenge.

So, when a radio personality offered $10 if he would let a bull loose in his china shop at 1342 Main St. E., Rankin said, You're on."

He borrowed a bull from a Greensville farmer in exchange for a 20-piece set of china. He arranged for a wooden cart to haul it to his store on Jan. 15, 1949, and the crowds, newspaper reporters and photographers deluged the area around the store.

At first the bull just stood there. But then Jack jumped on its back and a bunch of dishes got smashed before the animal was finally escorted out.

The event turned out to be one of the biggest publicity stunts ever in Hamilton. Bull in a China Shop' pictures appeared in newspapers across the continent, and Rankin printed up postcard pictures that became collector items.

The china shop eventually became a restaurant: Rankin's Bar and Grill. Rankin died in 1994 and his family carried on the business. He was remembered by longtime friend Gordon Henderson in a 1994 Spectator story as good company ... He always had a gimmick, for business, or whatever. He was just a nice chap to be around. He was certainly far from being mad and he had a great sense of humour."