The first open clash between Orangemen and Reformers in Peel County, Ontario in the years leading up to the Upper Canada Rebellion came at the end of 1833. Peel, which at this time may have been the most solidly Orange area in Upper Canada had been a staunchly loyalist area and Reformers and supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie would always find a good fight there. The trouble came at the Hyde hostelry in Streetsville. The Hydes had originally come from Vermont and were staunch Reformers and supporters of Mackenzie.

The head of the household seems to have been a true old battle-axe. Although her husband was to survive for another two years, the inn was already known as Mother Hyde's. Although she may have had a wicked temper she was known in the area as being a superb cook. The Orangemen of the area resented the fact that they couldn't hold their 12th of July dinners there and that the Reformers were the ones to enjoy Mother Hyde's cooking.

Things came to a boil when the Orangemen heard that the Reformers were arranging an official reception and banquet to celebrate their leader's victory at the polls in December. The Orangemen decided that this was one time that the Reformers wouldn't get to enjoy Hyde cooking. Mother Hyde spent the day preparing things for the Reformers meal that evening, unaware of the intentions of the local Orangemen. At six o'clock sleighs began to pull up at the door of the inn, and the Reformers quickly entered and crowded around the table. A barrel of home-made cider was opened by the visitors and everyone quickly got into the jubilant spirit of the evening.

After everyone had taken his place Mackenzie asked Malcolm McKinnon to say a Gaelic grace and a quiet hush fell on the Reformers. The silence was soon broken by noise from outside the inn. Shouts, battle cries and the beating of fists and shillelaghs on the door were heard. The door was burst open and into the room streamed a party of the Town Line Blazers. The Town Line Blazers were local Orangemen who opposed Mackenzie and his Reformers. The battle raged on for a quarter of an hour. William Perkins Bull described the fight this way; "The Reformers, although unprepared and outnumbered, fought valiantly for their principles and roast chicken and dumplings, but were eventually chased out, hungry and furious, into the cold. The victorious Town Line Blazers then bolted the door on the Reformers and soon bolted the food as well."

From the Boyne to Brampton