Daily British Colonist - 25 August 1870 - Windsor and Annapolis Railway Celebrates First Year of Operation

Daily British Colonist - 25 August 1870 - Windsor and Annapolis Railway Celebrates First Year of Operation

A news article was published on August 25, 1870 in the Daily British Colonist (reprinted from the Kentville Star) regarding celebrations held by the Windsor and Annapolis Railway Company to mark its first year of operation. The scan of the article appears below, while the article's text is shown here for search purposes:

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The first anniversary of the opening of the Windsor & Annapolis railway celebrated at Waterville - 1870 - over 400 attend. Dinner was held at the Kentville Hotel.

The Windsor and Annapolis Railway.
(From the Kentville Star.)

One year ago yesterday the Windsor and Annapolis Railway was open for traffic; and we consider it our duty on its first anniversary to refer to its workings and success, The building of a line of Railway from Windsor to Annapolis was tong talked of before Messrs. Punchard, Clark & Co., the builders of the present road, contracted for the work. Many were the speculations of the inhabitants of our beautiful valley when the "Iron Horse,” came thundering along with its long train of human freight. Some scarcely believed their own eyes when the Locomotive "Evangeline” gave the first scream in their hearing: but the inauguration of this department of enterprise and advancement is a thing of the past, and the Windsor and Annapolis Railway is now a permanent institution in our midst. Long may it remain such!

This past year's experience is this enterprise has been one of success and encouragement. It will be remembered that the line when opened twelve months ago only extended from Annapolis to Grand Pre, leaving a break of thirteen miles between this and the Government road, sufficient to prevent all freight and a great deal of through passengers from passing over the line, No sooner was the line well started than the “Saxby” tides of October 5th and 6th destroyed all the Dykes which for a hundred years bad protected the lands over which the railway runs. This not only for a time interrupted the travel but the effects on the district and farms inundated is scarcely yet overcome. But as soon as the breakages were repaired and the road became settled, prosperity dawned more fully upon the enterprise, and nothing occurred to mar its progress or usefulness. No human life has been lost, or passengers injured, although thousands have already enjoyed a speedy flight through the vale of Longfellow's "Evangeline.” This should be a cause [of] thankfulness to the Giver of all good.

Business has improved along the line of Railway and the villages through which it passes show signs of new life and animation. Kentville and shire town of this County had apparently stood still for many years, but now what do you see? Buildings, many of them large and tastily finished, have arisen to our view, and others are still going up. If this state of things continue, and no doubt it will with the railway enterprise that we have in our midst, the once small, but generally admired village will become a town of considerable size and will increase in wealth and importance, Some say that this little flurry will soon be over, but we think not. With the Heads of the Railway Department, Machine Shop, and general Depot located here, a large number of men and their families will become permanently settled; our interests will soon be their interests, and dwellings will be put up in which they will be enabled cheerily to sing “Home, sweet Home.” This fertile valley also is destined to become a 'garden’ indeed. The vast resources of agricultural wealth which lies hid and yet locked up in the soil of this valley, has but to be properly cultivated by the husbandsman, and the proceeds of his labors sent to market on this railway in order that prosperity may be more generally seen. Some may think us too sanguine, but we only ask our readers to look back ten or twenty years and contrast those times with the present. Now we may expect still greater achievements in the way of improvement and prosperity. With these few general remarks we turn to the Railway Department and its appurtenances. The statements subjoined have been furnished us through the kindness of Vernon Smith, Esq., General Manager of the Windsor and Annapolis Railway and other officials connected therewith, who spared no pains to answer our enquiries, and to whom we feel exceedingly grateful for the reliable information we are enabled, through their courtesy, to lay before our readers.

MACHINE SHOP AND RUNNING SHED.

The building occupied by the W. & A. Railway as a Machine Shop and Running Shed is 220 feet x 57 feet. On visiting this Department we found Mr. T. H. Legg, Locomotive Superintendent, very courteous and willing to allow us to inspect the machinery as well as to answer our many questions. We judge him to be a gentleman well qualified for the position which he fills. The Machine Shop, attached to the Running Shed, is supplied with machinery of the best makers, and includes Light and Heavy Lathes, Drilling and Shaping Machines, and Bolt Screwing Machines. A full set of Whitworth Stocks, Dies, and Taps complete, is a useful apparatus. Amongst other Machines we noticed one of Sharpe, Stewart, & Co.'s Hydraulic Wheel Presses, by which one man can exert a force equal to two thousand tons. We particularly noticed one Lathe, nearly 29 tons weight, which is sufficiently powerful to turn the largest Driving Wheels used on this side of the Atlantic. At the time of our visit a pair of Driving Wheels weighing two tons and a half, were in process of being turned, These wheels had steel tires made by the celebrated Krupp, maker of the Prussian Gun which is doing such execution in the East. M., Legg has upwards of thirty men under his supervision, consisting of Locomotive Drivers, Fitters, Blacksmiths, &c. Repairing is done to almost any extent in this Department, The Machinery is connected to a Shaft which rags through the building and is driven by an engine of suitable power for the heaviest work. The iron castings are furnished by the Bridgetown and Windsor Foundries.

LOCOMOTIVES.

There are six new first-class and three old Locomotives owned by the Company, viz :'Evangeline,' 'Gabriel,' 'Gaspereaux,' Grand Pre,' 'Hiawatha,' ' Minniehaha,' 'Sir Gaspard,' 'Joe Howe,' and 'St. Lawrence.' The 'St. Lawrence' is now undergoing a thorough repair.

CARPENTER AND CAR SHOP.

The Carpenter and Car Building Shop is 70 ft. x 40 ft., two stories high. It is well lighted and is very convenient. Very little machinery is used in this department as yet, but no doubt time will add all the requisites of a first-class car shop. Mr. William Grierson is the Foreman and has at present thirty men employed, He is as a workman, punctual in looking after the interests of the Company, and is generally esteemed by his hands.

PAINTING DEPARTMENT.

Considerable attention is given to the painting of the Rolling stock of the Line, in order that the wood and iron may be protected from the weather. But we notice that the W. & R. Department look beyond protection and have an eye to the ornamental as well. The Locomotives are tastefully decorated by Mr. G. J. Marsh, the Foreman of the Department, He has five hands employed under him. The only drawback is the want of a suitable paint shop, which no doubt will soon be supplied.

WAREHOUSE.

A Warehouse, under the supervision of Mr. Jas. Leitch, is an important department in connection with the works located here. The building is not large but is convenient. All the supplies for the road, including Locomotives, pass through the hands of Mr. Leitch. The position of Storekeeper is a responsible one, and which we judge, is well filled by the present incumbent.

ROLLING STOCK.

The Cars owned by the Department are as follows: seven first-class passenger ; one combination, first and second-class ; two second-class ;two Post Office ; ten horse ; ten cattle ; twenty freight ; and eighty flat cars, which are in good running condition. The most of these cars are of superior build and finish, and the Passenger Cars are very easy to ride in. Mr. Daniel Griffin is Car Inspector, and we judge that the Company have in him a good mechanic, well qualified for this important position. A "watchful eye and an attentive car" should be a characteristic of the Inspector of this Department, as much of the safety of the travelling public depends or his judgment and carefulness.

THE YARD.

The Yard covers seven or eight acres, in which there are eight tracks, viz : Main line, Through siding, one for loading and discharging, a Hospital siding for broken Cars, a Dead siding, a siding into the Engine Shed, and two into the Car Shop.

STATION HOUSE.

The new Station House which is now nearly completed is 74 feet x 34 ft. two stories high, with stone and brick Basement under the whole. It is a fine building and will cost, including furniture, $4000,00. The basement contains three fire-proof vaults, two good kitchens for the Refreshment department, and two nice stores. The first flat contains five rooms and a hall. On the east side of the hall we find a General Waiting Room, Ticket and Telegraph Offices. On the west side a Dining hall Refreshment Bar, and Pantry On the second flat there are nine rooms and hall. These rooms are for the General Offices and are very neat and commodious. The third flat or attic, contains three rooms and hall, one of which is to be used at present for a Masonic Hall, and another for the 'Sick and Accident,' and other objects connected with the Railway.

FREIGHT HOUSE.

The Freight House—at present used as a Station House—is 30 x 24 feet with basement, and has two setts Platform Scales attached. One inside for small articles and the other connected with the platform for weighing carts and more bulky articles.

THE LINE.

There are are twenty-three Stations on the line of the W.& A. Railway, attended by Nineteen Agents and four Telegraph Clerks. These with Pumpers, Porters, Wharf hands and Messengers, make thirty-three employed in the Running Department.

The line is divides into fourteen Sections, and on each of these sections three men and & boss are employed. Two Division Road Masters and an Inspector also are employed to this very important Department. Connected with the repairs of the road there is a party whose duty it is to look especially after the bridges, making in all sixty-six men looking after the repairs of the road. This department is one on which great care should be bestowed for if the Locomotives and Cars are in a thorough running condition, and a screw or two becomes loose or out of place in connection with the rails, life would be endangered. We consider that the public may feel pretty safe while Mr. Arthur Putterell is the Inspector, as we have seen him about his duties, both day and night, for the last twelve months, and judge him to be a gentleman who thoroughly understands the requirements of bis department, Mr. P. is also Architect to the line.

There are five Conductors employed on the line, who, we feel assured are men of the right stamp, at least we have found them attentive to their duties, and urbane in their department. The gentlemen referred to are: James Keys, Amos Scureman, Edwin Dennison, Joseph Edwards, and John Carroll.

In looking over the road we must not forget one important department that contributes perhaps more comfort to the public than the others named. and that is in the marshalling of the trains, management of the cars en route, conductors, brakemen, &c. This Department is under the care of Mr. George Donkin, who has been long and favorably known on the Government Road, and who has won general esteem in his present capacity.

The Station Agents on the line, while prompt in looking after the interests of the Company, are considered to be courteous and off Land in their communication with the people.

FINANCES.

This is a question discussed by everybody, and but which few have as yet any authentic knowledge. We learn that by agreement the earnings of the Road up to the 30th of June 1870, were handed over to the contractors, who undertook to pay off working expenses, and interest on capital invested. The earnings lave been, during the present summer, at the rate of about $9000.00 per month, and from this time both will be sent in monthly statements to the Royal Gazette, and Star newspapers, for publication.

We do not feel satisfied in closing this brief report of the W. & A. Railway Line and its workings, without saying that we consider Vernon Smith, Esq., General Manager of the line, the right man in the right place. In opening and running this road there have been great difficulties in the way, but Mr. Smith's thorough knowledge of Railway Management has enabled them all to be surmounted, and the whole line this day, we have no hesitancy in saying, is in as good condition as any line in the Dominion of Canada, or on this side of the Atlantic.

THE ANNIVERSARY.

As anticipated by us in the Star of last week, the Manager of the W. & A. Railway appointed the anniversary, Thursday 18th inst., a Holiday, consequently a Picnic under the auspices of the Company was held. At 11 o'clock, a.m. a special train, containing upwards of four hundred persons, being officials, employees, and invited guests, left the Depot at this town for Waterville, the place selected for holding Picnic. This number was augmented by employees and others from different parts of the line, until the number on the grounds amounted to one thousand. The site chosen which was very suitable was on the farm of George D. Pineo, Esq. The Windsor Band and three violinists were in attendance, and discoursed very good music during the day. The Committee of management deserve much credit for their energy and skill in conducting the field amusements, which ware varied and entertaining to those present, Mr. Smith and his lady were present giving countenance to, and apparently enjoying the sports. At 6 o'clock. p.m., the Company returned home in a special train all apparently pleased with the days enjoyments.

THE DINNER.

At 8 1-2 o'clock, p. m., Vernon Smith, Esq., entertained twenty-one gentlemen, consisting of Heads of Department and a few guests at Dinner at the Kentville Hotel. The viands and vintages were served in Mr. Lyons’ best style and would have done no discredit to Heslein of the Halifax Hotel. After the cloth was removed speeches, songs and toasts were given in a pleasant and humorous style.

Mr. Smith on rising was greeted with applause, and in a very neat and appropriate speech stated that he was exceedingly pleased to meet those present on this interesting occasion, the anniversary of the birthday of the Windsor & Annapolis Railway. He felt that the Company had much cause for gratification on the success which had attended their efforts during the past year. Although difficulties had been met they had also been overcome, The safety of passengers who travel over the line appeared to occupy much of his attention, and he stated that although upwards of 7000 persons had been carried over the line, not a finger of any of them was injured. This remark caused a burst of applause from the whole company assembled, forcibly demonstrating the responsibility the officials feel in the safety of travellers. Mr. Smith warmly thanked his staff for the able and satisfactory manner in which they had discharged their various duties, and for their willingness at all times to co-operate with him in endeavouring to make the road successful. He hoped that the Anniversary, which they were for the first time celebrating, would be followed by many happy returns, and trusted that whoever might fill their places tn the future, the same degree of amity and good-feeling evinced on this occasion would characterize their gatherings.

Among the toasts given were the following “The Queen,” responded to by the company rising and cheering. “The Windsor and Annapolis Railway,” Vernon Smith,” coupled with Mrs. Smith and family, Mr. Smith responded.” "Mr. Puttrell, Road Master.” * A free press,” coupled with the Kentville Star; ., A. Halliday responded.

John Boles, Esq. made some remarks in which be referred to the prosperity of the W. & A. Railway, He spoke of the opposition the Railway scheme had met with, but was happy to state that opposition war fast decreasing and every day the line was increasing in public favour. One hundred acres of land purchased by himself at Waterville a few years ago for $74.00 bad already so arisen in value, that he had taken that amount of money for one quarter of an acre.

Messrs Simpson, Legg and others, interested the company by singing some thorough English songs during the evening.

At 11 30 Mr. Smith announced that he was under the unpleasant necessity of informing the company that the hour for separating had arrived and as he left the room he was lustily cheered by the whole company.

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