Bradford, Eldred &
Cuba Railroad news from the Wellsville Daily Reporter unless otherwise indicated.
Bradford, Eldred & Cuba news items from the Cuba Evening Review - May 4, 1881
Friendship is confident of having its railroad to Richburg, and we'd be pleased to see
its hopes realized. But, then, what's the use of having another road so near the Cuba & Richburg narrow gauged?
On to Richburg
____
The New Railroad to Richburg Assured - Work Already Begin - The Whistle will Toot Within Sixty Days.
A meeting of the stockholders and directors of the T.V. Railroad was held at Buffalo yesterday and the
new organization necessary to allow them to build a road from this place to Richburg completed. The new company will be officered as follows: President, R.G. Taylor; Vice President, G. R.
Blanchard; Secretary, W. L. Bissell; Treasurer, B. W. Spencer. Board of Directors: Bowen, Vilas, Atterbury, Fish, Bond, O'Day, Bissell, Taylor, Carter and Spencer.
The contract for the building of the road will be awarded this week and a large force of men put to
work at once. The engines, cars, rails, etc., have already been ordered and the completion of the road is promised within sixty dates from date. the grade survey is nearly completed and
the locating survey will probably begin tomorrow.
Not a moment will be lost in pushing the completion of the road. Cuba no longer takes a back seat, but
steps up to the front with the positive assurance of becoming the veritable outlet of a valuable oil field. Mr. Wellsville Reporter, would you like a ride over the Cuba & Richburg R.R.,
or do you prefer to "huf it" over the rocks from your native bog to the oil field?
May 6, 1881
The West Clarksville depot of the Cuba & Richburg Railroad will be situated on the farm of J.B.
Clayton.
The Cuba & Richburg Railroad is to be but a part of a great trunk line running from Attica to
Williamsport, Pa., and how in the world can the little roads, beginning nowhere and ending nowhere, hope to compete with it.
Bradford
Era, Friday, May 6, 1881
It was stated by a well informed gentleman last evening that a charter was yesterday granted at Harrisburg for the extension of the
proposed Wellsville, Bolivar and Eldred narrow gauge in this state. The charter obtained by the Allegany New York, corporators permits the construction of the road to the state line near
Ceres, N.Y., this county.
From the latter place to Eldred is a distance of eight miles, for the construction of which distance a charter must be obtained in
Pennsylvania. Citizens of Eldred are enthusiastic over the enterprise and are very anxious that it be carried through
to consummation.
A meeting was held at the Central Hotel, Eldred, Monday evening last, and $16,000 worth of stock subscribed and ten percent of the
amount paid. It has not been ascertained what is the estimated cost of the road in this state. Dr. W.L. Chrisman, oif Eldred proceeded to harrisburg after the meeting mentioned to secure
the charter, which is said was granted by the state authorities yesterday. The building of such a road will place Bradford in direct communication with the Richburg and other oil
developments in the Allegany County, new York, field. The distance from Eldred to Richburg by the wagon road is 13 miles.
Bradford Era, Saturday, May 7, 1881
Look Out For The Cars.
___
The connection of the Allegany County, New York, oil field with Bradford by narrow gauge railroad is now an assured fact. A charter has been secured in New York for the building of a road from
Wellsville through Bolivar to Ceres, on the line between New York and Pennnsylvania.
It is also reported that a charter has also been granted by the authorities of this state for the building of the road from Ceres
to Eldred. W.W. Brown yesterday went to Harrisburg to obtain a charter for the continuance of the road from Eldred to Bordell, from which place will be reached by way of the B.B. & K.
Railroad.
Cuba Patriot, Friday, May 13, 1881
BRADFORD, ELDRED & CUBA R.R.
_______
The narrow gauge railroad from Cuba through the new oil field to Eldred, is now assured. Work has been commenced on the Eldred end, and will be speedily pushed northward to meet the
work from Cuba southward, which will be commenced as soon as the engineers complete their survey, which is being rapidly and carefully made.
The first survey over Grove Hill has been improved both as to grade and distance by a third survey, and the engineers now report the route not only feasible but the best from the Erie
to the oilfield that can be found, both as to distance and grade between Bradford and Hornellsville.
It is expected that work can commence, and will, next week, and our sister towns will realize that while they have been spending their strength in fighting Cuba, she has been quietly
and determinedly pushing her way to the front without minding the attacks in the rear.
With the prospect before us, we can well afford to wish our neighbors full and complete success, if they can secure it. We certainly wish them all a railroad to Richburg, and think the
Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad will carry their working parties and material to Richburg on the cars. At least the PATRIOT will use its influence with the managers to have it done - and
without charge.
Meanwhile our people should rouse themselves to the importance of pushing oil developments south of us. Now that the railroad is assured, our capitalists should at once raise the means
necessary to test thoroughly Wolf Creek and the country east and west from it. By this means all doubts on the part of Wellsville and Friendship as the true oil center of Allegany county
will cease, and the Allegany Oil Field, even in the “Register” will be called “The Cuba Oil Field.”
So mote it be. So it will be.
Eldred Eagle, Sunday, May 15, 1881
Matters concerning narrow gauge railroads have been somewhat perplexing during the past week, and many more were made during the
past week, which from there seemed a mystery, furnished the chief topic of conversation. Last Saturday, the president and board of directors of the Eldred and Ceres road, were asked to
meet with a committee from Welllsvlile at the state line, whence they proceeded, but found the eastern men gone.
Our people followed them to Bolivar, but were again too late to see them. The Eldredites proceeded to Wellsville, but even at the
home of those who had extended the invitation, our representatives could not gain an audience. The cause of this was the Olean people led Wellsville astray by offering, not in good faith,
more than it was thought Eldred could offer and keep her word. Wellsville was deceived, and if she does not get a railroad, she must attach the blame to Olean's shrewdness and her own
shortsightedness.
Eldred was not to be be beaten and was angry at the insult she received. She went to work with renewed energy, the result of which
will be a narrow gauge railroad from Eldred through the new oil fields to Cuba. It will be the main and no doubt the only road of the kind through this section. Things have been amicably
settled between Dr. Chrisman, who holds the charter from Eldred to Ceres, and the new railroad company.
Eldred is to be the grand terminus of the road, with all the advantages such a company can give a town. Eldred has more natural
advantages then any other town along the line of the B,N.Y. & P. road and bids fair to become the center of attraction for both oil fields. Let our people encourage manufacturers of all
kinds and Eldred is bound to win.
The new company is composed of Buffalo capitalists, mostly, with R.G. Taylor, the superintendent of the Buffalo and Rochester
division of the Erie Railway as president. Work of grading began Tuesday and every day new gangs of laborers have arrived here to work on the grade which is being made very rapidly and is
hoped that in ninety days trains will run over the road from Eldred to Cuba.
Eldred Eagle, Wednesday, May 18, 1881
ELDRED & CUBA
____
A Narrow Gauge Railroad Commenced!
____
To Be Finished in 90 Days
___
Matters concerning narrow gauge railroads have been somewhat perplexing, during the past week, and many moves were made from their seeming mystery,
the chief topic for conversation. Last Saturday, the President and Board of Directors of the Eldred & Ceres road were asked to meet a committee from Wellsville at the State Line, whence
they proceeded but found the Eastern men gone. Our people followed them to Bolivar but were again too late to see them.
The Eldredites then proceeded to Wellsville, but even at the home of those who had extended the invitation, our representatives could not gain an
audience. The cause of this was Olean people led Wellsville astray by offering, not in good faith, more than it was thought Eldred could offer and keep her word. Wellsville was deceived,
and if she does not get a narrow gauge road she must attach the blame to Olean’s shrewdness and her own shortsightedness.
Eldred was not to be beaten and was angry at the insult she had received. She went to work with renewed energy, the result of which will be a
narrow gauge railroad from Eldred through the new oil field to Cuba. It will be the main, and no doubt, only road of the kind through that section. Things have been amicably between Dr.
Chrisman, who holds the charter from Eldred to Ceres, and the new railroad company.
Eldred has more natural advantages than any other town along the line of the B., N.Y. & P. road, and bids fair to become the center of attraction
for both oil fields. Let our people encourage manufactories of all kinds, and Eldred is bound to win.
The new company is composed of Buffalo capitalists, mostly R.G. Taylor, the Superintendent of the Buffalo and Rochester division of the Erie
railway, as President. Work of grading was commenced at Eldred, last Tuesday, and every day new gangs of laborers have arrived here to work on the grade which is being made very rapidly,
and it is hoped that in ninety days, trains will run over the road from Eldred to Cuba.
Wellsville
Reporter:
Monday, June 6,
1881
Our
Railroad!
____
Wellsville to Pittsburg!
___
The
Details Substantially Settled!
___
Work
to Begin in a Few Days
___
Main
Line
___
The time has
come at last when it is proper to announce brief details as to the outcome of the Wellsville, Bolivar and Eldred Railroad Project.
Rumors and
suspicions to the contrary notwithstanding, there has been no delay in shaping and property insuring the great work, which is now to be put through with true business energy.
It is settled
that our road is to be the main line of a large narrow-gauge combination, of which Wellsville will be the eastern terminus. It is to form a part of the line extending through to Eldred
and Bradford, and will be constructed by and operated in connection with the Erie interests. This will give direct connections through to Bradford and Warren, and on to Pittsburg."
The necessity
of securing a foothold between Bolivar and Ceres took much valuable time, and prevented the survey and securing of a right of way at this end of the line. Otherwise a train would have
been at work at Wellsville this week. Beyond question the dirt will begin to fly early next week, and sixty days will establish the running of trains.
Considerable
difficulty has been experienced in completing the survey from Norton Hill to this village and securing the right of way at this end of the line. But this has at last been substantially
closed up and the active work of construction is next in order.
It gives us
great pleasure to make this announcement. It is also gratifying to further announce that the line will work in pleasant harmony with the Friendship, Olean and Cuba branches, and that,
while our own village is to receive the greatest benefits from the grand combination all others are to share in due proportion.
Great credit is
due to the officers and directors of our road for the accomplishment of this happy combination. They have said little, but, done much, and in the end their hearty, untiring labors will be
fully recognized and appreciated.
Wednesday, June 8,
1881
W. B. & E. R.R.
____
WORK
COMMENCED!
___
Rail
Connection to Eldred in Sixty Days!
___
Business
commences in earnest today upon the narrow-gauge road from this village to Eldred.
The work of
construction has been let to the firm of Crangle, Rafferty & Yeomans, of Buffalo, a heavy concern, engaged to a great extend in railroad building, and well qualified to perform the work
promptly and efficiently.
Last Night No.
1 brought about thirty laborers to commence work this morning, and but for the continued rain dirt would have been flying today. By the middle of next week 150 men will be at work on this
end of the route, and in two weeks an engine and construction train will be placed on the rails.
This morning a
large lot of wheelbarrows, picks and shovels were unloaded at the lower end of Main street where the road is to cross, and where operations are to commence.
The same firm
have 200 men at work at the Eldred end of the route, where seven or eight miles are already graded and iron laid. Operations will be pushed from both ends and it is expected that the two
sections will meet in the vicinity of greasy Bolivar in sixty days.
A large number
of Swedes and Italians are expected by the contractors next week to fill out the quota of men needed, although there are many laborers in the neighborhood who will find employment. $1.75
are the very liberal wages paid per day to the men, and $8.50 for teams.
Mr. James
Lafferty of the contracting firm has charge of work here and will soon have an office established in the Lincoln Hall Block.
The company to
whose control or local organization has transferred the road is the owner of the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua road, and it is by a continuation of that line that connection will finally
be made with Bradford. Mr. R. G. Taylor is president of the corporation, who together with other of the officials is, intimately connected with the Erie management, under whose auspices
the new road will be run.
There is now
no doubt but that the Wellsville line will be the first and main line through the Allegany oil field, and that the home directors have done exceedingly well, under all the circumstances,
of accepting for it the influence and control of the powerful Erie management.
June 17, 1881
(From the Bradford Era)
Work is
progressing finely on the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba narrow gauge railroad under the superintendency of Mr. Emory Drake of this city. The grading was completed to Ceres last evening and the
rails laid for a distance of two miles from Eldred.
Unless
something unexpected intervenes to impede the work it is expected that the laying of track will be completed to Bolivar within 20 days. A bridge 100 feet in length will span the Oswayo at
Smith's Corners. When work reaches the Little Genesee country the men will labor on Sunday instead of Saturday in deference to the Seventh Day religionists residing in that section.
June 21, 1881
Cars for the Narrow Gauge
______
Last night
six new cars of the gondola order arrived for the narrow gauge railroad, from the Gilbert car shops, Buffalo, and being the first rolling stock received for that important enterprise were
viewed with much interest. The cars are heavier and larger than the narrowness of the gauge had led people to imagine. A comparison with the Erie gondolas upon which they were loaded shows
only a difference of 14 inches in the width of the bodies.
The cars are
lettered, "B., E. & C.," and it was a puzzle to many how that was going to look on the "W. B. & E. Railroad.' The fact is "B., E. & C." stands for the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroad,
but there is no danger of the road following the name. The company to whom our local organization sold out had organized before that time for the construction of a road from Cuba through
the oil field, and thence to Eldred and Bradford, under the above corporate title.
The work at
the other end of the route over the portion covered by their charter, is necessarily carried on under that name. But when the Wellsville route was accepted, the project for a road to Cuba
was promptly abandoned. So any mention seen of progress for the ' Cuba" road, may be known as pointing towards Wellsville.
The locomotive
which is to propel these cars will arrive just as soon as sufficient track is laid to make it serviceable, and as the grade is about finished to the Erie track, that will be in a very few
days. Both ties and rails are ready.
June 23, 1881
Railroad
Work.
___
The grading
for the narrow gauge road has been finished from the Eldred end of the route for a mile and a half this side of Ceres. The track is laid and the construction train runs to within four
miles of Ceres, there being some bridges to build between the two points.
The Olean
Company are also carrying on work, and are operating mostly this side of Ceres. They have graded a branch, ostensibly for connecting with Coudersport, but more likely for hindrance to the
Wellsville line whose proposed route it crosses. Probably they will not succeed however in causing any special delay.
A much larger
force of men are at work on that end of the line than in this neighborhood, but as that is the portion to be especially protected the push is commendable.
June 24, 1881
Progress on the
gap of our railroad between Allentown and Bolivar has been stopped for the past week, on account of the lack of spikes. Saturday a new supply arrived and today work on the three miles
remaining to be finished was commenced.
The narrow
gauge track is being extended down Loder street, and has reached a point in front of Howard's saloon. It follows closely the line of the sidewalk and mutilates the street in great
measure. it is probable that the depot will be located some distance east of the Erie, though the exact point is not yet known.
The turntable
being built west of the depot is to be used by both the Erie and the
narrow gauge roads.
As soon as it is completed, the Bradford express, now run as far as Cuba, is to extend its trips to this station. This will be highly important move in the improvement of Wellsville's
railroad facilities and will bring us in ultimate connection with the oil metropolis.
July 2, 1881
The grading of
the Wellsville, Bradford & Eldred railroad is progressing rapidly, and is completed well towards Petrolia. It is thought that the route will be changes a little, in a way that will better
accommodate Petrolia, and make really a better line for the road.
The line as
first proposed runs up the eastern side of Brimmer Brook to about half a mile below Petrolia, then crossing the creek it makes an abrupt turn and runs back on the opposite slope of the
valley, all the way climbing the hill. This course is continued far enough to bring the road nearly to the summit when another turn is made, the line mounts the top of Norton Hill, and
ascending the Knight's Creek valley, drops down the hill gradually to Allentown. The expected change simply continues the route a quarter of a mile nearer to Petrolia before turning back,
and will probably be adopted.
July 15, 1881
The Railroad.
_____
The steam pile
driver has finished its journey to the river from Main street, and is now putting in pegs along the river bank. The work is expeditiously done, the immense iron hammer falling once a
minute while in active work.
Track laying
is progressing near and towards the Erie depot. The lumber shed near the west end of the station has been removed to allow the line to proceed in that direction.
The bridge for
the river, being built in Buffalo will promptly paced in position, and close up the only gap in the line for a long distance from the village.
Although
large numbers of Italian laborers are at work in the neighborhood, the village has suffered none from their boisterousness or misbehavior, as might have been expected from the accounts
coming from localities where they are employed on other lines. We suspect they have been misrepresented.
July 18, 1881
In addition to
the work being done on the W.B.& E. Railroad in the immediate vicinity of this village, sections are being graded at different parts of the route. Just this side of Bolivar, a large number
of men have been at work, and on Monday morning next a gang is to commence throwing dirt in the vicinity of Vosbury, above Allentown.
July 25, 1881
Railroad Spikes.
____
A gang of men
were at work yesterday on the trestle. This work is now finished to the river. Piles have been driven in the bed of the river, across which a temporary bridge is to be laid. This will be
completed in two or three days, and then the iron layers will have an uninterrupted stretch of work ahead of them till the line is entirely completed. The rush indicated by Sunday work
was that the short gap over the river might be speedily filled and the work of placing the rails be only shortly delayed. Rails are laid to the edge of the river. None more gondolas
arrived Saturday. They all bear the deceptive initials, "B. E. & C. R.R."
Loder street
is to be split by the new track. it is expected that it will run along that thoroughfare as far as Pearl street. Track walkers were plenty yesterday, most of the Sunday excursions took in
the little bran-new track as an object of interest.
The surveying
gang expect to finally finish their work on the line today. They expect to commence operations for the same company between Cuba and Richburg. This latter fact looks as though Cuba still
had a possibility of connection with the oil field.
Regular
passenger trains commence running today on the other end of our railroad between Eldred and Ceres. iron is laid well in the direction of Bolivar.
There seems to
be a dead-lock in the affairs of the Olean & Bolivar railroad. Effective work was done at the Ceres-Bolivar end of the line, but between Olean and Portville simply nothing has been done
but talk. Negotiations have been attempted with the syndicate who have control of the B. N. & P. railway, but the matter remains in status quo. C. S. Cary, the president of the company,
is said to be in New York in consultation with the syndicate's agents and Olean is hoping and hoping that they will get the road running some day.
July 30, 1881
Rails on the
Wellsville, Bolivar & Eldred road were laid last night as far as the residence of S. H. Brown on Brimmer Brook.
Aug. 1, 1881
It will be a
fine view of the beautiful and fertile Knight's Creek valley which the passengers on the W. B. & E. road will obtain as they cross the summit of Norton Hill. But the terrible abruptness of
the horse shoe curve made at that point will prevent anyone from enjoying it more than once from the outside platform.
Tuesday, Aug. 2,
1881
Friday morning
the new locomotive for the Olean, Bradford & Warren Railroad made an unlucky start by colliding with a Kendall & Eldred hand car only a short distance west of Eldred. No one was injured,
but the car was completely demolished. When it arrived at the yard here, it jumped the track while attempting to run on to the B., E. & C. "Y." The locomotive was being run via Eldred to
the short piece of track which the Olean people have laid in the fields between Portville and Ceres, and called a railroad. - Eldred Eagle.
Aug. 3, 1881
Things are a
little mixed, but then Wellsville gets a railroad out of it. It's a B.B.& K. locomotive drawing B.E.& C. cars over the W.B. & E. rails, and the whole under the fostering care of the N.Y.,
L.E. & W. R.R.
Wellsville Daily
Reporter, Wed., Aug. 3, 1881
A Distinguished Arrival.
____
The long
looked for locomotive of the Wellsville, Bradford & Eldred R.R. arrived last night, and is on the rails, steamed up and doing duty this afternoon. it is not a new machine, but has been in
service on the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua road. This latter line is under about the same management as our local road, and will undoubtedly at some time be used for the Bradford
connection.
The locomotive
is similar in appearance to the large heroic ones we have been in the habit of seeing, with three drive wheels, and adopt in certain features of its construction to the abrupt curves
incident to narrow gauge railway construction.
The arrival
attracts much interest from sight-seers. It will aid much in expediting the work of construction, as the rail-laying has now reached a point nearly two miles from the depot.
It really
looks more like a railroad to see a live locomotive busy upon it and as an evidence soon to be completed and much desired steam communication with the oil field, Wellsville gives it
enthusiastic welcome.
Look out for
the cars when the bell rings!
The first
train on the W.B. & E. R.R. pulled out at 2:-05 p.m. and consisted of six gondolas. The first stop was made at the tank erected near the end of the river bridge to take water. It then went
steaming on its way, the pioneer engine in the Brimmer Brook valley.
Cuba Patriot, Friday, Aug. 5, 1881
TERRIBLE COLLISION!
______
On the Olean, Bolivar & Friendship "Railroad" - A Hand-Car Smashed!
______
Friday morning the new locomotive for the O., B. & F. R.R. made an unlucky start by colliding with the K. & E. hand car only a short distance west of
Eldred. No one was injured, but the car was completely demolished.
When it arrived at the yard here, it jumped the track whyile attempting to run on to the B., E. & C. "Y." The locomotive was being run via Eldred to a
short piece of track which the Olean people have laid in the fields between Portville and Ceres, and called a railroad. - (Eldred Eagle)
Saturday, Aug. 6,
1881
The New
Narrow Gauge
____
A Trip over the
Other End of Our Railroad.
____
From the
Bradford Era
Regular trains
have been running since Monday over the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railway as far as Ceres. Six passenger trains daily - three each way - pass between Eldred and Ceres. Conductor E. C. Lacy,
formerly on the Buffalo division of the Erie road, has charge of the trains, and Engineer John Stout, from the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua narrow gauge, runs the trim little locomotive.
A few mornings
ago an Era man boarded the morning train on the new road which pulls out from Eldred at 9:15 after the arrival of the Buffalo train on the B., N.Y. & P. railroad. Unlike other narrow gauge
roads in the northern field the B., E. & C. road is free from curves, trestles or cuts.
The route
follows the course of the Allegany river as far as Bullis Mills. At Carrol, the second station from Eldred, it crosses the Oswayo, and from the latter point it follows the low lands to
Ceres. Here the route terminates for the present. Work is progressing rapidly beyond and it will not be long before the plucky little engine on this new route will whistle down brakes at
Bolivar and Richburg. The Wellsville and Bolivar road connects with the B., E. & C. at the former place. The two roads will run under one management.
This new
system of narrow gauges will open a new outlet for an extensive lumbering industry, all of which will find a ready market in the new oil fields beyond the Allegany.
Of course the
travel over the new road is constituted mostly by parties enroute for Richburg and Bolivar. At Ceres a delegation of hack men await the arrival of each train, each lauding with the most
persuasive tones the attractions of their respective conveyances. The vehicle that does the most business, probably from the novelty of its appearance, is Stewart Bros. tally-ho coach,
drawn by six horses. This same coach has been doing solid service since the old war times of '64 and was named "General Grant," which title it still bears in prominent colors. it first
was run between Brady's Bend and Kitttanning. George Rushenburger, who drove the first team attached to this coach, still handles the ribbons. It is an ancient appearing vehicle and brings
one back to the days of Washington. It is capable of accommodating 18 passengers with an unlimited amount of baggage.
This system of
slow traveling between intermediate points will soon be supplanted by the iron horse. The road a portion of the distances passes through farming lands and their fences not being completed
all of the way they have to guard the farmer's cattle by other means. It appears odd and slightly ludicrous to see a passenger train stop to let down a fence and then pass on until
another set of bars are met with. This will soon be remedied, however, and this sort of obstruction abolished.
Aug. 6, 1881
Trains on the
W., B. & E. road stop to take down and put up the bars which cross the track as it leaves A.R. Hill's lot. That looks like funny railroading. The engine is perfectly capable of taking
them down itself, but the caboose can't get them back up and keep up with the rest of the train.
Aug. 8, 1881
The W., B. & E.
railroad company purchased Saturday of E. A. Smith, a small plat of land bordering on the railroad in the rear of Henry Jones' house, for the purpose of putting a "Y," which is to be used
in the stead of a turntable. it includes 21/100ths of an acre and was paid for at the comfortable rate of $1,500 per acre.
Thurs., Aug. 11,
1881
A clambake and
green corn dance is arranged for Sunday next in honor of the Wellsville, Bolivar & Eldred railroad. We are sorry to state that Sunday has been chosen for the jubilee, but truth compels us
to state facts.
Aug. 11, 1881
The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroad will soon be completed to this place. A large gang of men were set
to work yesterday and it is stated that a much larger force will soon be put to work along the line. Cuba will soon have plenty of communication with the outside world, including the
celebrated Allegany oil field. Who says Cuba isn't entering a new era of of prosperity?
(From the Wellsville Daily Reporter, Aug. 11, 1881)
This afternoon Ed. Sweet was riding on one of the flatcars of the Wellsville, Bolivar & Eldred road,
allowing his feet to hang over the side. As the cars were run on to the switch his legs were caught between them and a car standing on the siding, jamming them badly. He was taken to
Sarsfield's hotel where Dr. Gish attended to the bruised limbs which are painful, but not all that serious. Ed. will lay by for repairs for several days.
Aug. 12, 1881
Mr. J. S.
Antonelli, a genial and enterprising young Frenchman of Buffalo, who has been one on the sub-contractors on this end of the W. B. & E. railroad finishes up his share of the grading today.
He has had in his employ 60 workmen, mostly Italians, for which nationality of laborers he has decided preferences.
With this same
force he leaves tomorrow for Cuba, having taken a contract for a section of grading of the Tonawanda Valley and Cuba road. He has also taken an extensive job on the Pittsburg & Western
Railroad being built through western Pennsylvania, which he will attend to as soon as through at Cuba. Mr. Antonelli has been a resident of America for 12 years, most of the time engaged
in railroad work, and in addition to being an adept in that line is quite an accomplished linguist, speaking half a dozen languages fluently.
Monday, Aug. 15,
1881
Richburg's Railroads
____
Last Saturday
officers of the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroad made a final location for the depot at Richburg, on lands now owned by I.E. Dean and Wellman & Miner, it being the western portion of the
Ackerman farm. This means a Union depot for all the narrow gauge roads extending through the Allegany field, with the exception of the Friendship railway.
That Richburg
is destined to become an important oil town, none familiar with the present drift of operations will doubt for an instant. leading business firms who are interested in the trade of the
oil regions realize this fact. Some, however, intend embarking in trade in this embryo oil town, before deciding on a building site, have been hesitating until the location of the Union
depot.
Farmer Dean,
founder of Dean City of Bullion fame, with Miner & Wellman, an enterprising banking firm of Friendship, N.Y., are owners of the land on which the depot will be built, said property
extending between the two railroads, the Friendship route and the B.E.C. and Wellsville road. It is the intention of this company, and the streets are already surveyed, to extend avenues
from Ackerman street, on the east to Forman street on the west, The gentlemen controlling these desirable lands will survey lots to suit purchases, which will be sold on favorable terms.
- Bradford Era.
Cuba Evening
Review:
Aug. 17, 1881
Through trains are running on the B.E. & C. from Bradford to Ceres.
One year ago Richburg had no hotel. At present 10 of these public houses are patronizing that place.
Aug. 20, 1881
We have received information from good authority that four or five hundred men will immediately be
put to work on the line of the B.E. & Cuba railroad between Bolivar and Cuba. The men will be boarded in tents which can be moved to suit their requirements.
The Friendship railroad is nearly completed to Richburg.
Aug. 22, 1881
Five hundred more workmen are to be placed on the B.E. & C. Railroad this week.
Aug. 23, 1881
The New Narrow Gauges.
Mr. Drake stated last night to an Era man that the Wellsville narrow gauge was progressing favorably.
The rails will be laid as far as Allentown by noon tomorrow without some unforeseen delay. They will run regular trains to the above point as soon as their locomotive power is increased.
The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba company commenced running through trains from Eldred to Ceres. That is,
the regular passenger trains from Bradford run through without change.
The Olean road have the rails laid two miles beyond Little Genesee and will reach Bolivar early this
week.
The Friendship road intercepts the Olean road at Bolivar. The former company have nearly completed
their grading at the further terminus of the route and the track has been laid for some distance out of Friendship.
The B.E. & C. has its Richburg depot located on the Ackerman farm.
Aug. 26, 1881
Work is now to
be commenced at once upon the B. E. & C. road between Cuba and Richburg. The Wellsville route will be the line for traffic for some months at least.
Friday, Sept. 2,
1881
Through A
Bridge
____
The Narrow
Gauge Caved In
___
Our new
railroad is "busted." Reared in pride and bolstered up on hemlock piles, it has come sudden grief.
This morning
the "Allentown Express" had made one trip and back to the end of the road, and had started on its second run. The train consisted of the observation car and a gondola loaded with ties
pushed by the engine. The locomotive stopped at the tank at the eastern end of the river crossing to take water, the rest of the train resting upon the temporary structure which serves as
a bridge.
Just as they
started up, the second cross piece from the shore broke in two letting the track down three or four feet. There the timbers lodged, and prevented the engine from going way to the river.
The rails at the eastern end hang together, but at the other end of the break are snapped off.
The engine and
tender are hanging together over the curved and broken rails of forty-five degrees, the balance of the train resting safely on the solid portion of the bridge beyond. The engine was
moving very slow and the track sank so gradually that the engineer and fireman had time to get onto the sideboards of the engine, prepared to jump if occasion demanded, before the tender
and cab tipped together.
The accident
is probably due to the high water. Its pressure upon the center one of the three piles which supported the a cross piece, had pushed it out of perpendicular a little, and left supports
only at each end. The cross-piece was fastened by long spikes, to the end piles, but not in the center, as it was intended to have a permanent bridge structure in place and these piles
removed before the expected fall floods raised the river.
there being no
other locomotive at this end of the road to assist the disabled one out of its hole, the job will be a tedious one, John Crowner's stump machine being the only power available. When once
the wreck is removed, the repairing of the track will be a short operation. But it will delay the forwarding of supplies and the active prosecution of the work of track laying for a day
or two.
Rails are laid
on the narrow gauge below Sawyer's two miles beyond Allentown. Lack of material on the Bolivar end of the route has prevented any work this side of that place. About a three mile gap is
all that remains to be filled in.
Cuba Evening
Review:
Sept. 5, 1881 (Monday)
Eighteen new flatcars for the B., E. & C. railroad arrived at Eldred last Friday.
Sept. 14, 1881
The locating corps of surveyors on the B., E. & C. are now at work just beyond the depot. They will
stay at Clarksville tonight instead of returning to Cuba.
Thursday, September
22, 1881 - (The actual trip occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1881).
THE FIRST RIDE BY
RAIL TO BOLIVAR
A party of
about thirty, by invitation of Mr. E. A. Drake, the agent of the contractors, who are building the road, Thursday of last week took the first through trip from Wellsville to Bolivar, all
the way by rail, even the last few rods of the road being laid after the arrival of the train which was transporting the excursion party.
The train as
made consisted of two flat cars loaded with ties, the car temporarily used for a passenger car and the sturdy little puffer of an engine on behind, pushing us along.
The track leaving
the Erie station runs parallel with the Erie for about half a mile, when a curve takes us through Mr. Hill's estate, across the Riverside road, over the trestle work approach to the
Genesee River. The workmen are seen lustily working at the timbers of the bridge, that is soon to take the place of the temporary trestle work, that for the present supplies its place.
The train stops
exactly in the spot of the late disaster, when the engine was so nearly engulfed by the raging river, which had undermined one of the supporting piles down in the stream. We stop, till
the thirsty iron horse drinks all he wants, and then go on through the fields to the familiar gateway of the Brimmer Brook valley. Up, up, up, an average grade of some sixty or seventy
feet to the mile, we fly through the well known valley, up which so often we have slowly climbed, with muscle and nerve of horse flesh, and not those of steel and steam.
This portion of
our trip is enlivened by some disputes as to right-of-way with sundry former horned possessors thereof, without serious results to either party of the dispute.
About four
miles up the valley we come to the grand curve, where our train doubles about itself, faces right about, and goes North instead of South. Right at the center of this semi-circle is the
station of Petrolia, at present without depot, and almost without platform. Here are buildings belonging to the Pipe Line. The present village is in sight, a few rods to the south. The
heaviest grade in the whole ascent to the top of NortonŐs Hill, is in the approach to this curve in the Brimmer Brook valley, the grade being a hundred feet to the mile.
From Petrolia up
the hill, the sturdy little engine puffs and pushes, and soon we are on the summit. At the summit is another grand semi-circle, where the northbound train thinks better of its intention
to reach the North Pole, and turns itself southward once more, and downward now, down the hill to Allentown.
The views as we
are climbing this hill are fine and the picture that lies spread out before us is simply grand, looking down into the Knight's Creek valley, and southward across the divide to the
depression where lies Allentown and over the billowing hills to the location of Richburg and Bolivar.
We make a stop
at the summit, long enough to run our two tie-laden freight cars onto a side switch. Some of the passengers, who had bestowed themselves, on these cars have to make a sudden change of
quarters, lest they should be left high, stranded. Henceforward to the southern terminus the iron slave has a sinecure. The force of gravity pulls us swiftly down hill.
Without any very
decided curves we slide down the hill, through the woods a good part of the way, till we come to the first sign of the approaching oil field's deserted well in the forest the Nameless well
which was a very small oil producer. When we are nearly come to Allentown we pass a huge iron tank of the Pipe Line. Strangely enough, the first building we see of the busy and thriving
oil town known as Allentown is, not a beer saloon, but a church. It was explained, however, that the church was already there before the oil and the town were thought of in that
neighborhood.
At Allentown,
one or two of our party stop, but the most are eager to go on to the end of the track. Presently we are playing hide and seek down hill, and in and out around the windings and curves of
the little brook that enters the Little Genesee at Bolivar. As we approach the town we see the men distributed along the track in companies ballasting the road, and on in front rapidly
laying the track advancing the rail along the graded bed. We halt a few minutes, and as the last rail the workmen have at hand is laid, we push the construction car on the track before us
till we are a rod or two from the main street in Bolivar. Very near is the new hotel approaching completion, of which Col. Lewis, lately of the Fassett House, is to be "Mine host". Most
of the party take a little excursion up the dusty street, but soon are recalled by warning shrieks from the "Little Giant" that stands ready to pull us up the hill once more.
The home journey
is the repetition in reverse order of the outward bound trip, save the exciting episode of a collision with a meat wagon, just below Petrolia, that might easily have worked a hundred fold
more destructive to life and limb than it did. No lives were lost. The train was not thrown from the track. Besides the fact that horse, driver, wagon and contents were pretty badly
shaken up and demoralized, no harm was done. At about five o'clock we reach home, and after hearty thanks to Messrs. Rafferty and Drake in a little speech by the solid man of our party,
we disperse.
All agree in
expressing surprise to find the track of the new road in such excellent condition, level, solid, carefully and thoroughly constructed. The connection with the other end of the road will
be made to-day, and in a day or two through trains will run over the road from Bradford to Wellsville without change of cars.
The party are
indebted to the train managers for every courtesy and attention. Engineer W. G. Reed pulled the throttle and Conductor H. A. Parsons "bossed" the train.
An
unexpected treat of buttermilk made quite an excitement. Yes, it was buttermilk, and no mistake. It wasn't in bottles. It was white, and in a tin pail, and with a tin dipper to drink
from.
Take it
all in all this first ride by rail to Bolivar is one long to be happily remembered by those who had the pleasure to be among the first to hear the call: All aboard for Bolivar!"
Sat., Sept. 24,
1881
The Narrow
Gauge.
On Monday
trains commence regular trips over the Bolivar, Eldred and Cuba and Kendall & Eldred roads between Bradford and Wellsville. The time-table which goes into effect gives three passenger
trains arriving and departing from this station daily.
Two at 6:45
a.m. and at 1:45 p.m. run to Bolivar, while the morning train leaving at 9:25 in close connection with No. 3 of the Erie, runs directly through to Bradford, arriving there at 1:15. The
morning express from Bradford arrives here at 11:35, connecting with No. 6, and the two Bolivar trains arrive at 9:03 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The stations on
the road are Eldred, Bullis' Mills, Carroll, Junction, Ceres, Little Genesee, Bolivar, Henry's, Vosburg, Allentown, Norton Summit, Petrolia, Crowner's and Wellsville.
Sept. 30, 1881
Trains Nos., 23
and 24 on the narrow gauge leaving here at 6:45 a.m. and returning from Bolivar at 9:03 a.m. have been discontinued until further notice. Nos. 21 and 22 will take enough longer time on
the run to make the stops at the flag stations made necessary by this change.
Oct. 4, 1881
Sale of
Narrow Gauge Railroads
_____
A special
dispatch to the (Bradford) Era from New York, dated October 3, gives the following particulars of the sale of certain narrow gauge roads in the oil region:
"A sale
involving important interests to the oil regions was completed today. Messrs. Carter, Hurd, Bissell and other owners of the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua railroad have been in the city for
several days negotiating with a syndicate composed of wealthy New York capitalists for the sale of the road and its franchises and connections, the closing of the bargain having been
delayed by a slight difference between sellers and buyers as to the price. But everything has now been satisfactorily arranged, it is understood, and the sale has been consummated.
The property
purchased by the syndicate embraces the B.B. & K. railroad with extension from Rew City to Eldred, the road from Eldred to Richburg, and an extension from a point near Simpson's station on
the B., B. & K. to a point near the Clermont coal fields, as well as 4,000 acres of valuable coal lands in the vicinity of Clermont.
These coal
lands have been owned by Col. A. L. Wilcox for some years, but have been but slightly operated. It is the intention of the new purchasers to operate them extensively and sent the product
to the oil region where it is expected it will find ready sale.
Competent
engineers have passed over the roads and surveyed the lands included in the sale and report them as exceedingly valuable. It is understood that the price paid was in the neighborhood of
$3,250,000."
Oct. 6, 1881
The syndicate
which has bought the Bradford, Bolivar & Kinzua and other narrow gauge roads, including the line from Eldred to Richburg, also secured large tracts of coal lands in McKean county, which
have been only slightly developed. Probably this means more active operations on that line, and if so, Wellsville will certainly be in close connection with those mines, and cheaper
bituminous coal should be the important result.
Oct. 14, 1881
Surveyors are
changing the line of the B., E. & C. between Bolivar and Cuba, to get around the obstructions placed in the way of its construction by parties in Friendship.
Oct. 15, 1881
Several
officials of the B., E & C. railroad, arrived yesterday morning on No. 3, and took a ride over their line, returning in time to take No. 12. They were well pleased with the appearance of
the line and the section it taps, and
