B & W Railroad – News of the day
The Athens Reporter and County of Leeds Advertiser
Excerpts have been taken from this paper referencing the following hamlet for the years 1889, 1894 and 1895
B & W Railroad and Stage Line
February 12th, 1889 issue
A passenger on the B&W Stage last Wednesday had one of her heels frozen.
March 12th, 1889
B&W: A large force of men have been shovelling out the snow drifts on the B&W during the past five or six days. On Sunday night a heavy freight train arrived here from Lyn. The line was this morning clear of snow from Westport to a point three miles east of Athens, and it is expected that regular trains will be running again tomorrow.
March 19th, 1889 issue
B&W– The snow blockade on the B&W which was raised on Sunday of last week was followed by a further blockade by the G.T.R. refusing to allow the B&W to pass over their line from Lyn to Brockville until a settlement was effected of the large account due them. Manager Hervey came down with the “Spot Cash” and was also able to secure a further lease of running powers over the G.T.R. line until such time as the B&W track shall be laid on the two miles yet unfinished. Traffic was resumed on the road on Saturday (Inst.) and regular trains are now running over the road on scheduled time. Contractor Knowlton of Newboro passed down yesterday to make arrangements for outing down the rails on the two miles yet unfinished.
March 26th, 1889 issue
B&W
It is said that arrangements are almost completed for finishing the laying of the track on the B&W from Brockville to Lyn. The iron for the overhead bridge will probably be on the ground this week. If these rumours are correct, another month will see that section of the road in running trim.
April 2nd, 1889 issue
The B&W R.R. must be a great boon to the back country at this season of the year. The train passes here every day (LYN) loaded with passengers.
Saturday April 27, 1889
The run off on the B&W, near this place (LYN) on Wednesday, might possibly have been saved by the employment of a few more section hands. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
April 30th, 1889 issue
B&W RR
Railway Business: The following are among the railway honuacs [sic] voted on by the Dominion Parliament:
To the Brockville, Westport and Sault Ste. Marie Railway, $64,000. for 20 miles, from Westport to Palmer Rapids.
To the Thousand Island Railway $54,000. from the St. Lawrence River at Gananoque to a junction with the B&W.
Tuesday May 7, 1889 issue
B&W RR
The twenty mile extension of the B&W west of Westport, will pass through a portion of the country rich in phosphate deposits.
The B&W has a full fledged news agent who supplies the daily papers’ The Reporter will be for sale on the train hereafter, commencing with tonight.
The work of ballasting the B&W is progressing rapidly. A large force of men, including about twenty Italians are working at the gravel pit and in the lifting gangs.
Monday May 13, 1889
The “R.G.Hervey,” as one of the B&W engines is called, has a new bell, replacing the old one, which was cracked voice, used to emit a discordant warning to the unwary. The new bell is a dandy.
December 31th, 1889
B&W RR
The B&W station at Unionville is being divided. One section will be removed to Gilbert’s Crossing and the other will be moved up to the Addison Road.
Tuesday Nov 20, 1894 issue- (date show is the date on the paper, not the correct date)
B&W – On Friday evening shortly after leaving Lyn, the B&W express struck a cow with disastrous results. The cow was instantly killed and the engine and tender derailed. No serious damage was occasioned to the train and it reached Athens only about three hours late.
Tuesday Jan. 8, 1895 issue-
The B&W was several hours late yesterday morning, the train being held over to allow voters to mark their ballots in the Crosby election.
Tuesday Jan. 15, 1895 issue-
The Mallorytown stage failed to arrive last night, the road being blocked with drifts. The other stages were only slightly behind schedule time and the B&W express came through without delay. (Athens)
Feb. 12, 1895 issue-
Reports from woodsmen put the depth of snow on the level at from three to six feet.(Lyn) Surely the regularity of the train service on the B&W this winter should convince the back country folks of the reliability of a mail service on that route. At present it takes three days to get a return mail from Delta or west of this to Lyn, and the same from Addison or Greenbush.
Tuesday Sep 10, 1895 issue
The Westport Mail Service
The deputation from the villages along the line of the Brockville and Westport Railway that went to Ottawa to interview the postmaster general with regard to the B&W Railway, returned today and report that no difficulty will be experienced in the railway getting the carriage of the mails, provided that the railway will give proper security for the due conveyance of the mails. In fact an order in council was passed as far back as October, 1891, providing for the transfer under these conditions.
