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Pittsburg, Shawmut and Northern Railroad Company & it's Predecessors - NEWS ITEMS, from Various County & Other Newspapers;
Railroads Included:
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Gleaned from newspaper microfilm by Richard Palmer, whose eyes will never be the same! Thank you Dick, on behalf of all
railfans. rt/2007
Railroad News Items from the "Bolivar Breeze"
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Contributed by Richard Palmer
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Friendship Railroad,
This article was originally printed by the "Friendship Register", August 18, 1955. It was a contributed by a former resident who then resided in
Orlando, FL., now deceased, Walter F. Stiles. It touches on a nearly lost history of a very important tiny railroad which connected Friendship "over the hill from", Bolivar &
Richburg during the Oil Boom years. -- The story was re-printed by the "Landmark Society" in the 1974 Wellman Home Plaque Dedication
Brochure.
Narrow Gauge Railroad Linked Friendship With Bolivar-Richburg -- Oil Boom Towns
by Walter F. Stiles "One day which I recall as in June, 1881, my father took me up to the Erie
Station, where we joined about a hundred other "Sidewalk Superintendents", to see them unload the first narrow gauge engine from an Erie flat car. At that time, the Erie had a side
track on the south side of the main track and car in question was parked just west of Depot Street. A track of light
rails was laid up to the level of the car floor with an easy grade down to the ground level, then more track was laid over to a side track of the new railroad line. People referred
to this road as the Friendship Railroad, but, the first corporate name that I remember for it was the Allegany Central Railroad.
There are several sizes of Narrow gauge railroads, but, this one was of three feet gauge..that is, it was three feet between the rails, whereas a standard gauge road like the Erie is
four feet eight and one half inches between rails. This new engine was real fancy in finish. It had a lot
of polished brass on it, and under the cab windows, a name: "A. W. Miner." Being a small boy at that time, the name did not impress me, but any boy who grew up in Friendship in
those days and kept his eyes open soon learned that Asher W. Miner, who was president of the First National Bank, and his son-in-law, Colonel Abijah J. Wellman, the cashier of the bank,
were the spark-plugs of about all the first class activities in the community. The terminal for the Narrow Gauge was
rather congested, as the Erie held fast to land on one side and on the other side was the large, brick house occupied by Wesley Lambert, his wife and good looking daughter, Jennie.
Like many other dead-end terminals, the Grand Central Station for instance, there was no handy place to turn the little "choo choo" around. The company built a small car and repair
shop, with a Wye up in "Dogtown" and there is where the Engine had to go for a turnaround. The road was of quick and
hasty construction, the track was not ballasted and much of it was not properly drained, with the result that the frosts in winter and the thaws in spring worked havoc with its alignment.
Business was good and the road with all of its defects, served its primary purpose of furnishing much needed transportation to the new oil fields and the thousands of people who had
congregated there. It was said that at one time Bolivar had a population of 10,000.
The railway had little by way of equipment at the start. Narrow gauge cars were hard to come by on short notice, although they did, after a
while, get some fine cars and plenty of people rode in them just for the novelty of riding on a different kind of a road. One car I remember, was a flat car with a canopy top and
wooden benches running lengthwise. The railroad was extended to Olean.
That city had turned into what was said to be the largest oil gathering point in the world! Large refineries had been established there and oil was shipped by the train load. Business was so good and money so plentiful that the Allegany Central was reorganized as the Lackawanna and Pittsburg and extended first to
Angelica, where the people were hot to have a railroad, and then extended up in the sticks in a northerly direction.
This colorful and memorable "Little" railroad was junked in 1890 and a return to the stage coach lines was the sole connection between above mentioned points and the outside world."
(Richburg History p.35) ------------------------------------------
Friendship Weekly Register, Thurs., June 9, 1881
The Narrow Gauge - Friendship to Bolivar!
Work commenced this morning
_____
This morning several men and teams left here for the purpose of commencing work on
the narrow gauge railroad to be run from Friendship to Richburg and Bolivar, and thus meet the Olean and Eldred railroads and grading has commenced in or near the
"west notch" between this place and Richburg. This will put the rest the fears and speculations of many of our inquisitive citizens, and the commencement is
heralded with joy. It is safe to state the road will be completed and trains running within forty days.
The ties are largely secured, the rails and irons are now at the Erie depot,
unloaded, waiting the time to come when they shall take their part in the Friendship, Bolivar & Olean R.R., and the future for Friendship looks bright and
promising.
At this writing the directors of the Friendship Railway are holding a meeting and
things will be pushed forward to completion as fast as possible. Let the good news be spread.
Andover Express - June 30, 1881
"Friday last the engine for the Narrow Gauge between Friendship and Richburg arrived and bears the fine name of A. W. Miner.
The engine of the new Narrow Gauge road was placed on the track Tuesday evening. The train will soon be making daily trips with George Brown "former fireman with Dan Chapman on the
Erie line" as engineer. Theron Cross is the conductor and Byron C. Laning, Fireman."
Friendship Weekly Register, Thurs., July 14, 1881
Friendship Railroad.
Rapidly Nearing Completion
Several Cars on The Line
Since the commencement the work on the Friendship Railroad has been pushed forward
with great rapidity, and the construction hands have labored hard and well. The grade from Friendship to Richburg is nearly completed, and the ties and rails are
being laid on this end of the route. Eight gondolas are used on the construction train and the road will be in full blast within a very short space of time. The new
locomotive is a "darling" and works easily and well.
Andover Express - August 4, 1881 The new railroad and recent oil development have infused new life into the beautiful time of Friendship. The Erie trains daily bring
hundreds of strangers here to take the stage for the new oil fields. People who pass through, speak admirable of the beautiful village and the courteous people they meet. Some
very good sales of property are taking place. The side tracks of the Erie are constantly filled with carloads of boilers, engines, cables, timbers, and all kinds of supplies for the
new field at "Richburg". A large number of men and teams are constantly employed in removing iron for the new field at Richburg. Hotels are well filled and trade seems to
be booming.
Friendship Weekly Register, Thurs., Aug. 18, 1881
THE NEW RAILROAD!
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Friendship and Richburg Joined Together!
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The Friendship Railroad Nearly Completed.
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The building of the Friendship Railroad has been watched with deep interested by the good citizens of our
enterprising and wide-awake town, and while some of our neighbors have been throwing envious missiles at the project, the construction has been steady and rapid.
Before this issue of the Register will have reached its readers the iron horse will be sounding its loud snortings through the city of
Richburg, and carrying passengers to and from the city of grease. The grading is complete throughout the whole line, and the rails
will be laid to Richburg today (Thursday) and through to Bolivar before Monday.
The scenery adjacent to the new railroad is so varied in its numerous formation as to
take too much space for a detailed account in today's paper. Especially through the Notch is the landscape strikingly grand, where the passengers ride over high,
long trestle work, with deep and romantic ravines on either side; the towering mountains in the distance, with bountiful growth of forests, thickly studded with
almost innumerable derricks - no finer scenery can be found in this section of the State.
The railroad bed has been graded with more than the usual amount of care, and is built to last. The rolling
stock, &c. is all of the best make, and in short, the Friendship Railroad is the best running to the new oil field. The completion of the road at this early day is
a good lift for our young city, and establishes the fact far beyond a doubt that Friendship is the great center of the Allegany oil fields. Friendship certainly
offers better inducements to land purchasers than either Cuba, Scio or Wellsville, and building lots are being sold off at a rate that excels Maud S. by several seconds and a fraction.
Today Friendship is the liveliest town in the county, and besides our former manufactories and oil refinery,
new industries are being established that will assist materially in revolving the wheel of fortune and good times. Land is not held in Friendship to speculate on -
nor is it sold for such purposes. "The train makes three trips a day between Friendship and Richburg. Good day, sir!"
Friendship Weekly Register, Thurs., Sept.1, 1881
All Aboard!
____
The Friendship Railroad is now completed, and is making three trips daily to Richburg, and will run regular
to Bolivar before Saturday night! Let all people along the line rejoice. The citizens of the towns south of us can come to Friendship - the oil center of Allegany
counrty - by rail! While one or two penny-a-liners were harping upon the early completion of their roads into the new Oilderado, Friendship kept quiet, working
steadily and surely, and now has the honor of first sending the iron horse into the heretofore quiet and beautiful hamlets of Richburg and Bolivar. Shake,
neighbors, shake!
Friendship Weekly Register, Thurs., Sept. 1, 1881
The First Train to Richburg
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Seated on the foremost car of the construction train on the afternoon of
August 25, 1881, we steamed out of Friendship to make the first trip over the narrow gauge to Allegany's most prominent city of derricks, Richburg. The thump, thump of the cars as we glided past the
company's numerous switches, was about lulling us to sleep in the warm, August sun, when we were somewhat revived by the blowing of a fresher breeze, occasioned by
our increased rate of speed across the fertile meadows of Friendship, and none more fruitful and well cultivated are to be found in Allegany County than those
through which we passed, between Friendship and Nile.
Our train had steamed along so swiftly that it seemed almost impossible five minutes after starting, that it
really was the church steeples of Nile we saw through the smokey atmosphere, a half mile to our left. As we wound around the hills of
Nile, new scenes constantly attracted our attention; one of the most attracted our attention; one of the most attractive of which
was the large trestle, over which we crossed the valley, at a height of forty feet from terra firma.
The shadows which here began to creep across the car denoted our near approach to the forests, through whose
cooling shades we swept, over trestles, embankments and culverts, emerging in the beautiful meadows of West Notch, where we caught the first odors of the distant
oil field, borne up to us on the southern breeze, in a few moments more we were whistling through the cut at the Notch and started on the descending grade the other
side.
As the car rocked to and fro over the newly constructed road we implored the engineer with all the railroad
signals at our commend to stop and let us get off, but he only riled at our fright and we went booming on around the hill-side at the rate of nearly a mile a
minute. The urchins by the way sought a more remote fence stake from which to view the first train, and two young ladies who wished to start a flirtation with the
fireman, showed their deep anxiety for his safety by signals, too touching to be described; but now the derricks at this once so quiet Sabbatarian town began to
loom up before us, and soon we went steaming into the busy little city - the first train to Richburg.
While our train was exchanging its load for iron for one of human freight we observed the town from a rise
of ground near the site of the future depot. We saw buildings fast nearing completion on every side and all kinds of industry connected with an oil town being
pushed with unusual vigor. The hissing of taps, the clutter of hammers and tread of hundreds of feet convinced us that
Allegany County had had the foundation for one of the largest cities in Western New York.
With the signal of "all aboard for Friendship," we pulled out of the coming city, and after a half hour's
ride stole into Friendship with the shades of evening, having completed the first ride to Richburg by rail.
(First timetable of the Friendship Railroad published in the Friendship Weekly Register,
Sept. 29, 1881. Stations shown are Friendship, Nile, Wirt Center*, West Notch,* Richburg and Bolivar. Three trains daily in each direction. Running time, about 50 minutes.
*Stop only on Signal. W.O. Chapman, Sup't.)
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Allegany Central Railroad,
Wellsville Daily Reporter, Aug. 23, 1881
Quite a force of men are at work between Angelica and Belvidere repairing the old grade of the Rochester & Nunda railroad, for the purpose of laying a narrow gauge track thereon. The work
is nearly completed between these points, and it really looks as though Angelica might hope for rail connection, even if not of the calibre of a broad trunk line. Work is also progressing
between Ross's Crossing and Nunda. Wellsville Daily Reporter, Nov. 1, 1881 A New Railroad
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An Important Enterprise.
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A very important new railroad enterprise has just been assured for Allegany county. It is no less than the extension of the Olean & Friendship narrow gauge to
Belvidere, Angelica, Swains, Nunda and Mt. Morris - or near the latter point - where it will form an important connection with the extension of the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railroad.
The importance of this will be understood when we state that the connection at (or near) Mt. Morris on the one hand, and at Olean, with the B., N.Y. & P., on the other hand,
introduce to this county and section a distinctly rival line of railroad to the Erie.
The right of way is being bought and paid for from Friendship to Belvidere. The work of grading is going rapidly forward, and it is expected that much of the line - at least that
from Friendship to Angelica - will be completed and in running order before Jan. 1st. It is owned by the great syndicate, represented by Chapman, Clark, Post & Martin, Seligman and others,
and evidently means business in earnest.
Friendship (N.Y.) Weekly Register, Thurs., Nov. 17, 1881
The Erie has placed a Tracy patent switch at the transfer of the Erie and the Allegany Central
Railroads at this place. Yesterday when train 9 pulled in, the switchman set the switch for the side track, but when the train pulled out it kept to the main track
just as if nothing had been wrong. A large mogul engine was backed out of the siding when the switch was set for the main track, and kept the rail just the same.
This is a wonderful invention, yet its workings are as simple as a couple of young lovers.
Cuba Patriot, Friday, Nov. 25, 1881
AN ACCIDENT ON THE FRIENDSHIP NARROW GAUGE.
____
A Passenger Coach Plunges Off a Fifteen-Foot Trestle - Miraculous Escape of the Passengers.
Special to the Daily Patriot.
Richburg, Nov. 21.
This morning as the train on the Allegany Central railroad was approaching Richburg, and while on a 15-foot trestle, the rear coach left the rails and went tumbling
down into a ravine, turning completely over, and landing rightside up.
Luckily there were only a few passengers in the coach, and they almost miraculously escapes serious injury, with the exception of Ms. Geo. Smith, of Ceres, who was
badly cut about the head and face. Allegany Weekly Democrat, Wed., Jan. 11, 1882 ANGELICA REJOICING _____ The good people, the bad and the indifferent, of Angelica, were in a hilarious state of excitement Monday
afternoon, occasioned by the advent of a locomotive and train of cars into the ancient capital over the Allegany Central road. Cannon was fired, bells rung, maidens
with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes danced with joy, and according to Sheriff Gillies, saint and sinner stepped up to the St. Charles Hotel, and indulged in round
after round of tangle-foot. We congratulate Angelica, and the people thereof, in having at least emerged from heathen darkness into the glorious light of
civilization and progress. Angelica is now the Mecca where the weary pilgrims from Birdsall, Grove, Granger, Joncy, Allen, (let us include Wellsville) will travel
to offer up their devotions, and lay their wires for a candidate for County Judge. In the exuberance of their joy, Raymond and Gillies clasped hands and swore
eternal fidelity. The former will serve as headlight on the locomotive, and the latter furnish fuel. Great credit is due Frank Smith for his untiring exertions in
securing the completion of this great enterprise for Angelica. At about three o'clock in the morning Joe Gillies was found walking in front of his hotel, his head
bowed down,and soliloquizing thus: "This goodly frame, the earth, compared with our locomotive, seems like a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the
air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me, than a foul and pestilent
congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is our engine! How noble its throttle valve; how intimate in boiler capacity in form and moving, how express and
admirable in action, how like an angel of beauty and power, how like a god!" Angelica is once more to congratulate you. Remember there is ever the Asylum in Utica.
Cuba Evening Review, Wed., Jan. 11, 1882
Angelica's New Railroad
The first train on the extension of the Allegany Central Railroad between Angelica and Friendship went over the line Monday afternoon. It reached Angelica about two o'clock in
the afternoon and was greeted with enthusiasm by the natives. Every window was full of wondering individuals.
Children and grandparents climbed up on stumps to get a better view of the wonderful machine, while a few of the braver class approached the smoking engine and gave it a
thorough examination. The old cannon was brought out and after being loaded to the muzzle was let loose, the noise carrying glad tidings to the natives of that hitherto isolated
hamlet.
The church bells were rung, dispatches sent to the leading towns of the State, and a day of general rejoicing was celebrated by all Angelicans. The train, which consisted of
two passenger cars and two freight cars, was loaded down long before it was ready to return
to Friendship, and hundreds were left behind, not being able to get aboard. The people of Angelic are now perfectly happy. We extend to the resurrected village our warm congratulations,
and my she "live long and prosper." Oil Echo, Richburg, January 25, 1882
Richburg Railway Directory ____________ Allegany Central Leave Richburg, West, 6:54 a.m., 10 a.m., 3:20 p.m., 6:10
p.m. East, 9:26 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 1:40 p.m.., 6:32 p.m. Bradford, Eldred and Cuba Leave Richburg, West, 10:27 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 4:45 p.m. East, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5
p.m.
Cuba Evening Review, Jan. 27, 1882
The Allegany Central railroad company has established a telegraph office at Angelica. A more public building is needed for the telegraph and ticket offices at the above station, they being
now located in an old farm house.Oil Echo, Richburg, N.Y., Feb. 22, 1882
The noon train on the Allegany Central R.R. has to run a freight car in addition to the ordinary baggage
car to convey the large amount of express matter and overplus of passengers' trunks that daily are shipped to Richburg. it is n.g. for Bolivar to constantly to
assert that the largest amount of freight and express goods are shipped there, for such is not the case, certainly so far as Olean trade is concerned. The fact is
that out of the aggregate of passengers on the little road at least three take tickets for Richburg for ever one traveling to Bolivar, "Patsy" or "General" Bolivar
notwithstanding.
Oil Echo, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1882
The arrival and departure of trains from the new Allegany Central platform caused
a little confusion among those accustomed to the first arrangements when the B., E. & C. platform did serve for all the trains.
Oil Echo, Richburg, Feb. 28, 1882
Locomotive sparks set fire to a large quantity of oil on the flats below the village yesterday and, although there was no valuable
property endangered, the appearance of the dense smoke created some alarm among those in the village.
Oil
Echo, March 4, 1882 The arrival and departure of trains from the new A.C. R.R. platform
caused a little confusion among those accustomed to the first arrangement. when the B., E. & C. platform did service for all the trains. Oil Echo, Richburg, Tues.,
March 14, 1882 If there is one branch of the newspaper industry that requires more energy and pluck than another, it is that which is conducted by the news agent on
the railroads. There is one person in this section of oil country who, through close attention to duty, has achieved a great success in the news selling business.
His name is L.J. Smith and he has the entire patronage of the Allegany Central trains running between Angelica and Olean. His morning sales of the Echo have often
reached as high as 100 copies. Courteous and accommodating to passengers, and withal a sharp eye to business, Mr. Smith is on the right road to prosperity.
Oil Echo, March 13, 1882
The Allegany Central railroad have their own conductors on the B., E. & C. trains
running the seven mile trip between Bolivar and Ceres. The road belongs to the Allegany Central and the use to which is put by the B., E. & C. R.R. is merely for
the accommodation of its patrons, all pecuniary benefits falling to the Allegany Central.
Cuba Evening Review, April 6, 1882
The Allegany Central Railroad authorities have made an arrangement to put on a through coach every Saturday from Richburg to Bradford
returning through from Bradford to Richburg on Monday morning. It is thought that the through coach will ere long become a daily institution.
Oil Echo, Friday, April 14, 1882
RAILROAD RACKET
The Allegany Central company have now the exclusive use of their track between Bolivar and Ceres, and
aside from this they now have a road of their own from the latter place to Eldred junction.
Heretofore they have used the B., E. & C. trains over their own new track between Ceres and Bolivar.
The B., E. & C. railroad company are working on both ends of the Cuba branch.
The Allegany Central railway will be running through to Swains, on the Erie road, in twenty five
days. Within two months this road will be in shape to send passengers through to New York and Albany via Rochester and the New York Central Railroad.
Oil Echo, Richburg, April 14, 1882
RAILROAD RACKET. ____
The Allegany Central company have now the exclusive use of their track between Bolivar and Ceres, and aside from this they have a road of
their own from the latter place to Eldred junction. Heretofore they have used the B., E. & C. track. The latter company are running trains over their own new track
between Ceres and Bolivar. The B., E. & C. railroad company are working on both ends of the Cuba branch. The Allegany Central railway will be running through to
Swains, on the Erie road, in 25 days. Within two months this road will be in shape to send passengers through to New York and Albany via Rochester and the New York
Central railroad.
Oil Echo, Richburg, Sat., April 15, 1882
A Spotter Foiled. By the recent change in the track of the Allegany Central road near Ceres, that railway does not enter Pennsylvania but
keep on the New York side of the line as a well behaved producers' railroad ought. By this means, Roberts' man Wheeler is deprived of a means of pursuing his honest
(?) calling, to wit: that of a spotter. on Wednesday morning last this "honest" man, anxious to earn 30 pieces of silver, boarded the train at Olean, intent upon
the practice of his "honest" profession. As the train approached Ceres, the Gretna Green of his hopes, and he saw that it did not cross the line, but kept sailing
right along in the Empire state, he didn't serve any papers on that trip. The Olean producer can now make the trip between his home and this field without being
pestered with the presence of the spotter.
Oil Echo, Richburg, April 24, 1882
The A.C. R.R. are, it is understood, about to arrange with the Olean, Bradford & Warren R.R. to run through trains to Bradford and back at
lower rates and in much quicker time than at present. A new turntable is being constructed on the A.C.R.R. track a little south of the depot.
Cuba Evening Review, April 24, 1882
Still They Come.
_____
Another Railroad to Cuba
It is reliably reported that the Allegany Central railroad is surveying a branch line from Westons to this place. The work was commenced this morning. Men are
already busy securing the right of way, and the work is to be rapidly pushed. Graders will be set to work as soon as the surveying corps has finished its work. The
road is to connect with the Genesee Valley Canal railroad at this place.
As Cuba will be the terminus of this branch, it will be a great benefit to our town. This new enterprise makes No. 6 in the railroad column for Cuba.
Oil Echo, Richburg, Thursday, May 18, 1882
Railroad Notes Ten o'clock in the morning is the busiest hour at the depots. Then and shortly afterwards trains arrive and depart on
the Allegany Central and Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroads, always heavily laden with passengers who are rushing away to some point on the respective roads, or
arriving by the incoming trains for a short time enliven the railroad platforms, soon to be scattered through the town or adjacent territory. Ten o'clock at the
depot today and the same time of the day even so short a time as three months ago, presents one of the most striking examples of the rapidity with which the
Allegany field has been developed, populated and progressed. The new timetables of the B., E. & C. R.R., and the A.C. R.R., which go into effect this morning will
be found to be a great improvement on the old schedule. Richburgers will hereafter be place in closer communication with the outside world. The switch engine plying
between Richburg and Bolivar ran off from the track below the pump station on Tuesday afternoon and interrupted the progress of trains for the balance of the day,
the tender being thrown crosswise on the track and the locomotive half off. The Bradford short line was opened yesterday, an excursion party made up of railroad
officials and newspapermen passing over the road from Titusville to Bradford and return. The condition of the road was pronounced excellent and the excursionists
expressed themselves highly pleased with the trip. Regular trains will commence running over the road today.
Cuba Patriot, Friday, June 11, 1882
Track-laying on the Allegany Central road was completed on Friday. The track-layers on this road and those laying the
third rail on the Rochester, Nunda & Pennsylvania road from Rochester, met near Swains, in this county, thus completing a narrow gauge line from Bradford to
Rocheser, via Olean. When the third rail is laid from Eldred to White House, on the B.N.Y. & P., the line will be much shorter and more direct.
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Central New York & Western Railroad,
Railroad News Items from the "Bolivar Breeze"
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Contributed by Richard Palmer Nov. 19, 1892
RAILROAD RUMORS
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Bolivar May Yet Be on the Line of a Standard Gauge Road.
____
Prospects are very bright just now for a standard gauge railroad through Bolivar, to
be known as the Central New York & Western. The promoters of the enterprise are the company of New York capitalists who recently purchased the Lackawanna & Southwestern and the
Rochester, Hornellsville and Lackawanna roads. The propose to widen the gauge of the Lackawanna & Southwestern from Olean to
Angelica, connect there with the standard gauge and with the D.L. & W. and Wayland. The course of the road bed will be changed slightly in a few places along the line to avoid
unnecessary curves and grades. Should this scheme go through, Bolivar will have excellent freight and passenger
service both east and west A canvass is now being made of the towns along the line of the road to see about how much traffic there is to be secured. Representatives of the new company
were at the Newton House on Monday evening and met with the majority of Bolivar's business men who signed an agreement to give the new road their business if it proves to be a "go."
With a standard gauge railroad and equitable freight rates, Bolivar might blossom
out into a manufacturing center of considerable importance. With free sites, natural gas and the close proximity of large bodies of timber land just across the state line, Bolivar
might be in shape to induce a number of manufacturing establishments to locate here. We can talk of this matter more earnestly however after the road is converted from paper to
reality. Friday, Jan. 6, 1893 Engine 4, of the C.N.Y. & W. snapped a drive wheel tire in the
yards here yesterday noon, and as No. 5 was in the shops no trains
moved over that line yesterday afternoon. Trains are running on
schedule time today. Friday, Jan. 13, 1893
A party of surveyors were in town, Tuesday. They were working
on the line of the C.N.Y. & W. R.R. Friday, March 3, 1893
The C.N.Y. & W. Railroad.
It is thought probable that the shops of the Central New York &
Western railroad will be located at Angelica and that all the machine
work and repairs will be done there. The old shop at that place where
the work was formerly done will be reopened. The matter of locating
the shops has not been fully decided and may possible be located in
this city. - Hornellsville Press. Friday, March 17, 1893
High water in the Allegany near Portville compelled the C.N.Y.
& W. trains to abandon a through run on Monday and tuesday, and a
connection was made with the Western New York & Pennsylvania trains
at White House. Friday, March 24, 1893
It was rumored yesterday that the C.N.Y. & W. would purchase
the defunct B.E. & C., and operate the spur between Bolivar and
Wellsville. The rumor lacks confirmation. Friday, March 31, 1893
A special train will be run over the C.N.Y. & W.., on Sunday to
accommodate those wishing to attend Easter services in Olean. The
train will leave Bolivar at 9 a.m., and the round trip will be 50
cents. Returning, train will leave Olean at 1 p.m.
General Superintendent Blair of the C.N.Y. & W. was in town
Saturday. In conversation with a reporter he stated that the company
now owns nine standard gauge engines, and that a few days ago he
purchased a string of new boxcars and three new standard gauge
passenger coaches. Over 100,000 new ties have been contracted for
and all indications point to a broad gauge railroad. Supt. Blair
stated that the new rolling stock was purchased for cash and that
everything pointed to the fact that the present owners of the C.N.Y.
& W. mean business. the gauge cannot be widened too soon to suit the
shippers and the rest of the folks along the line.
Friday, April 14, 1893
The east bound passenger train on the C.N.Y. & W. was derailed
at Main Settlement Saturday evening. A boxcar jumped the track,
spreading the rails and allowing the baggage car and coach to leave
the track. The engine and one boxcar remained on the rails. None of
the 20 passengers were injured. They were transferred to the
remaining boxcar and the train resumed its journey to Bolivar. The
derailed cars were placed on the track late Saturday night and Monday
morning trains were moving as usual. It was a lucky accident.C.N.Y. & W. engine 5 came out of the shop yesterday looking as
bright and trim as a Columbian souvenir coin. For three weeks
Engineer Saeger and his assistants have been busy making repairs, and
the result of their work is plainly apparent. No. 5 hauled a freight
train extra over the road yesterday and helped clear the blockade in
the Ceres yards caused by the recent flood in the Allegany near
Portville.
The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh will put up a handsome
station at Bradford in place of the one recently destroyed by fire. A
passenger coach is now used as a ticket office and waiting room. April 28, 1893
Chief Engineer Parsons of New York passed over the CNY&W last
Friday on a tour of inspection. When his report is submitted the
question of widening the gauge will be decided upon, the mystery
will soon be solved.
Friday, May 5, 1893
Burglars visited Ceres Thursday night. The C.N.Y.& W. depot was
entered through a window and the American Express office and the freight house were ransacked for plunder. Several express packages
and perhaps a dollar in pennies were secured in the express office.
The money drawer was torn from its place and left on the floor.
Several large sample trunks belonging to C.M. Cummings, a Rochester
dry-goods salesman, were in the freight house. These were pried open
with a bar and their contents scattered about the depot.
One trunk was carried several hundred feet down the track and
left in a lumber yard. Cummings lost over $50 worth of underwear and
furnishing goods. The thieves then stole C.H. Gleason's speeder and
started toward Olean. Mr. Gleason found his speeder at White House on
Friday morning. One wheel was broken. The thieves secured in all
perhaps $100 worth of plunder. Two suspicious characters lounged
about town on Thursday. They disappeared on Thursday night and are
supposed to be the thieves.
Friday, May 12, 1893
You would have a hard time of it if you tried to convince
Station Agent Dunn of the C.N.Y. & W. that 13 is not an unlucky
number. He remarked yesterday that No. 13 was the unluckiest car that
ever ran over the road. "If a consignment of freight is stolen,
delayed, or lost or cannot be accounted for, it is always sure to be
billed in car 13, and I have known," he went on to say, "of instances
where the freight was by mistake not shipped at all, but strange to
say the waybills located it in car 13.
"Do I believe that 13 is an unlucky number? Well I should say I
did at least as far as car 13 is concerned, but of course you know I
am not superstitious," and with a knowing wink he turned to the
ticket window and informed an inquisitive old lady that the 7:05
train would leave at five minutes past seven. Friday, May 19, 1893
Supt. Blair of the C.N.Y. & W., informed a reporter on Wednesday
that two reliable contractors would go over the road in a few
days, preparatory to making a bid for doing all the grading for the
standard gauge line. Four more new passenger coaches have been
ordered and just now it looks as though the line would be widened
this season. May 19, 1893
The regular monthly payroll on the narrow gauge division of the
CNY&W amounts to $1,500.
Friday, June 16, 1893
Beginning next Sunday, the C.N.Y.& W. will run a Sunday train
between Bolivar and and Olean. Train will leave Bolivar at 9 a.m. and
arrive in Olean at 10:20, stopping at all stations along the line.
Returning, the train will leave Olean at 2 p.m. and arrive in Bolivar
at 3 p.m. The round trip from Bolivar will cost 75 cents.
July 14, 1893 B.F. Palmer, the CNY&W express messenger, is something of a sprinter himself. At Bolivar
on the 4th he won the 100 yard dash in 12 seconds.
Friday, July 14, 1893
NO BROAD GAUGE THIS YEAR
_____
So Says General Supt. Mitchell S. Blair
____
Perhaps the C.N.Y. & W. Will be Standard Gauged
Next Year, But Not This Year.
____
It is given out on good authority that the C.N.Y. & W. will
not be standard gauged this year. The road will continue to operate
as it has been since Supt. M. S. Blair took charge of it.
Arrangements were completed, so we are told, to begin the work of
widening the gauge and pushing the line through from Olean to
Angelica when the money panic came on.
Capital at once became shy and the officials of the road
decided to delay the contemplated improvements until next spring at
least. The mill men and other heavy shippers along the line will
regret that this step was necessary, but the fact is the railroad
people could not do otherwise. Wind may jolly a sailing vessel along
but it won't build and equip railroads in these panicky times.
Friday, July 14, 1893
The running time of the Sunday train on the C.N.Y. & W. will
next Sunday, July 16. The train will leave Bolivar at 9 a.m.
arriving at Olean at 10:20 and connecting with the W.N.Y. & P. train
for Rock City and Bradford. Returning, the train will leave Olean at
7 p.m. arriving in Bolivar at 8:20. Those who desire can spend the
day either at Millgrove, Olean, Rock City, or Bradford. Returning,
the train will leave Olean at 7 p.m. arriving in Bolivar at 8:20.
Those who desire can spend the day either at Millgrove, Olean, Rock
City or Bradford. Under the new schedule, the Sunday train ought to
become popular. Friday, Aug. 25, 1893
General passenger and freight agent, C.H. Hammond of the C.N.Y.
& W. has been compelled by continued ill health to cease work and go
to southern mineral springs to rest and recuperate. This move has
caused quite a change in the station agents on the line.B.D. Dunn, of Bolivar, has been called to Hornellsville to fill
Mr. Hammond's position. Agent Lathrop of Angelica, has charge of the
Bolivar office and C.H. Gleason, of Ceres, formerly agent for the
B.E. & C. has charge of the Angelica office. The change is but
temporry. Mr. Hammond is troubled with nervous prostration and has
been ill for two or three months. He is popular as he is competent,
and his legion of friends all along the line hope for his speedy
recovery.
Friday, Sept. 8, 1893
It would be hard to find a more accommodating corps of railroad
men than the employees of the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge. From
Conductor McLaughlin to Brakeman Laffin, they are courteous and
considerate. and that is the principal reason why the road is so well
patronized. Friday, Oct. 13, 1893
Next week the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge will sport a gaudy
passenger train. Two coaches and a baggage car have been completely
overhauled. New floors have been pt in and the cars have been painted
and lettered in an artistic manner. The interior of the baggage car
has been remodeled, and it is as handy now as a pocket in shirt.
The work work has been done by Engineer Seager, Casper Weiler
and D.J. Stull, and reflects much credit.
Friday, Oct. 20, 1893
The depots along the line of the C.N.Y. & W. are now being
repaired by the carpenter gang. The target house at White House has
been newly roofed and sided.
Friday, Oct. 27, 1893
The work of ripping up the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge between
Bolivar and Nile will begin this morning. A gang of about 20 men will
be employed, the majority of whom are already here. An engine and a
train of flat cars will aid in the work, and the old iron will be
shipped from Olean. It will take two weeks or more to complete the job.
Friday, Nov. 10, 1893
The morning train on the C.N.Y. & W. came into the city Monday
morning with a string of elegant new passenger coaches. This road is
one of Olean's best feeders, and under the efficient management of
Supt. M.S. Blair, it is doing a large and paying business. - Olean
Times. Friday, Dec. 8, 1893
Train service on the Kane & Elk narrow gauge railroad, running
from Eldred to Bradford was abandoned Tuesday, and the chances are
that the iron will be ripped up This move leaves Duke Centre and
Rixford without a railroad. The K. & E. did not pay.
The Olean, Oswayo & Eastern Railroad is completed from Genesee
to Ellisburg. The rolling stock has not arrive, but the W.C. & P.C.
trains make trips over the new line for the accommodation of
passengers and the transportation of freight daily.
The completion of this road during the recent stringency in the
money market is a triumph in financiering that reflects credit upon
Mr. J.B. Rumsey, the originator of the enterprise and the man who has
carried it forward to success.
We understand that the people along the line and particularly
in the vicinity of Ellisburg, have been very enterprising and
generous toward this great public enterprise. Many, we may say nearly
all the property owners gave the right of way through their premises
besides donating liberally in money. - Wellsville Democrat.
Friday, Dec. 15,1893
There is more travel on the C.N. Y & W. between Bolivar and
Olean than many people suppose. Conductor "Jack" McLaughlin's cash
fares average about $400 a month, and the receipts of the ticket
offices and the sales of mileage books must amount to as much more.It is doubtful if there is a more accommodating or gentlemanly
set of employees in the employ of any road in the country than the
C.N.Y. & W. can boast of. From General Supt. Blair to Brakeman Laffin
they are courteous and accommodating. it is simply another
illustration of the value of civility in business.
Jan. 19, 1894
The CNY&W purchased 50 new broad gauge box cars this week. Supt. Blair says that all
indications point to a standard gauge through Bolivar in the spring.
Jan. 26, 1894
The speeder livery business along the line of the CNY&W is at an end. Notices have
been posted for a year or more warning speeder owners not to trespass on the company's premises, but no attention was paid to them. Speeders were kept for hire and netted the owners
quite a nice thing, and also interfered with legitimate passenger traffic.
On Thursday morning C. H. Gleason hired his speeder to a couple of Ceres residents
who wished to visit Olean. The speeder met the east bound train with Supt. Blair on board near Main Settlement, and the train hands were ordered to place the speeder in the express car
and it was taken to Bolivar and placed in the car shops for safe keeping. Mr. Gleason is naturally quite angry but as he was personally notified to keep his speeder off the railroad
premises, the outcome ought not to surprise him. - Ceres Mail
Feb. 2, 1894
The CNY&W track was blockaded with snow drifts on Tuesday and the trains moved with
much difficulty, but managed to run pretty close to scheduled time.
March 23, 1894
The interior of the CNY&W passenger coaches are now as attractive as could be
wished. The cars have been ceiled with Georgia pine finished in hard oil, and all the wood and iron work, including the floors have been brightened up either by paint or varnish.
Nothing appears to be too good for the CNY&W patrons. The work was done by Engineer Seager, D.J. Stull and R.A. Barber.
John W. Scott, for eight years past, a trusted section foreman for the CNY&W narrow
gauge, will resign his position on April 1st and go to Deposit, N.Y., where he has purchased a fine farm with his savings, and will settle down for good.
At one time Mr. Scott's section extended from Richburg to Olean but later was
divided and for a few years past he has had charge of the line between Bolivar and Main Settlement. For a year past, Mrs. Scott had been in charge of the station at Little Genesee.
When "Jack" and his estimable wife bid good bye to their home at Little Genesee, they will carry with them the best wishes of the railroad boys and a large number of friends beside.
April 20, 1894
Mr. C.H. Hammond, of Hornellsville, general freight and passenger agent of the CNY&W
and Mr. H.C. Barlow, of Bradford, division freight agent of the Erie R.R. were in town this morning, enroute for a visit to Shingle House and other points along the Oswayo valley. A
large portion of the freight shipped over the CNY&W comes from the Oswayo valley and the outcome of this visit of the two freight agents will be a more equitable joint freight tariff.
Heretofore the Erie officials have not realized that it would be to their advantage
to make a joint rate with the CNY&W but when they see the amount of through freight handled by the latter road they take a different view of the matter.
April 27, 1894
The CNY&W telegraph line is being repaired between Bolivar and Angelica. The repair
gang is composed of Midge Williams, Jack and Dan McGorgian and Henry Young. The latter is "boss."
May 11, 1894
The great coal strike is causing many manufacturing concerns to shut down. there is
no soft coal to be had now and not a pick is swinging in the mining regions. The railroads are nearly all in bad shape and many of the engines are being fitted with hard coal burner.
The CNY&W narrow gauge has a three month's supply of coal on hand but the standard
gauge division has only few carloads left. Thirty-five carloads for the standard gauge were confiscated by one of the big roads while on the way from the mines a few days ago.
May 25, 1894
(Lengthy article on damage caused by flooding on May 20, 1894). It mentions the
CNY&W depot at Portville was moved from its location nearly across the track, and into the old canal bed. The damage to the CNY&W track was heavy. In many places the rails and ties
were swerved from the roadbed and the damage to the trestles could not be ascertained until the water receded. The CNY&W train was to connect with the Western N.Y. & Pennsylvania
train at White House until through trains could be restored.
The CNY&W's long bridge at Olean was saved, though considerably damaged, after a hard
fight. Bad washouts occurred at Delevan and above Eldred.
May 25, 1894
Supt. Blair of the CNY&W has placed a switch and sidetrack at the gravel bank just
above Bowler's, and in a day or two a construction train will begin to draw gravel to Portville to repair the washed out roadbed.
June 1, 1894
The work of repairing the flood wrecked section of the CNY&W goes steadily on.
Between Weston's and Gordon's, a half mile of the road bed is as smooth as a floor. Not a tie or rail is to be seen. The flood swept them into the river and they are now buried under
great piles of logs in the Weston boom. New standard gauge ties and standard gauge iron is used entirely in the repair work. Supt. Blair hopes to have trains running into Olean on June
12th.
June 22, 1894
The CNY&W passenger train pulled out of Olean last evening with 71 passengers
aboard.
The CNY&W passenger coaches and he Wellsville and Friendship stages are gaily
decorated with banners advertising Bolivar's big celebration.
A through train service was resumed on the CNY&W Monday morning. The damaged section
of the line between Portville and Olean is now in better shape than before the flood.
July 20, 1894
the work of repairing the washed out section of the CNY&W between White House and
Olean has been completed, and the construction train has ceased running. The road bed is now in much better shape than before the flood
Sept. 14, 1894
The steam cars now run out of Oswayo with a regularity that greatly pleases the
residents of that lively hill encircles town. The Olean, Oswayo & Eas†ern railroad which was recently completed from Genesee Forks to Oswayo, is a broad gauge* line and opens up new
territory. it gives Oswayo direct railroad connections with Wellsville and the road ought to pay. At present Oswayo is the terminus of the road. Whether it will be continued to
Coudersport or Ceres is what folks along the proposed routes are very anxious to learn. The chances are that no more track will be laid before spring.
A party of Col. John Byrnes and Frank S. Smith, of New York, Supt. M.S. Blair of
Hornellsville, F.M. Van Wormer of Ceres, Fred Tarbell, E.E. Alderman and Allen B. Williams of Olean, and a representative of this paper, passed over the CNY&W from Olean to
Bolivar
and return on a special train, Friday afternoon. Col. Byrnes is president of the road and Mr. Smith is one of the principal owners.
The outlook for a standard gauge line is quite bright just now though no move will
be made this fall. Stops were made at all stations and the ground was carefully looked over. President Byrnes frequently took occasion to compliment Supt. Blair on the masterly manner
in which he has handled the narrow gauge division. the roadbed and rolling stock are now in good condition and the line is more than paying expenses. The widening of the gauge would
be of great benefit to Olean and all the towns along the line.
*In this instance "broad gauge" means standard gauge, or 4 feet, 8 1/2 inches.
Oct. 12, 1894
A Substantial Present Worthy Bestowed.
From the Ceres Mail
Yesterday afternoon when the CNY&W passenger train pulled into the station, and
conductor "Jack" McLaughlin alighted on the platform he was met by Mr. F.M. Van Wormer who presented him with a very handsome heavy silver plated conductor's lantern, upon the globe
of which is etched the recipient's name.
Mr. McLaughlin is the most accommodating and best liked conductor who has ever
pulled the bell cord on this line since the road was built. He has numberless times done Mr. Van Wormer a good turn in placing cars properly in the yards and in doing extra
switching which he was not really required to do. Mr. VanWormer did not want the deal one sided, so in order to get even presented "Jack" with a very handsome and valuable
testimonial of his good will. From. Supt. Byrne to the track walkers, the officials and employees of the CNY&W are courteous and gentlemanly in their treatment of the patrons of
the road.
Oct. 19, 1894
Oswayo folks will celebrate the completion of the OO&E railroad to that place by a
jubilee and ox roast, which will take place on Friday and Saturday of this week. A good program of sports has been prepared and an interesting blowout is anticipated.
Nov. 16, 1894
Railroad Gossip.
C.H. Hammond, passenger and freight agent of the CNY&W R.R., was in town last week
seeking data for warranting rebuilding of that road throughout as a standard gauge railway. If it can be made self-sustaining it will be re-established and another factor in our
prosperity nailed. The gentlemen who are backing the enterprise are wealthy and mean business. - Friendship Register.
Nov. 30, 1894
More Railroad Gossip
_____
A Hornell Correspondent Tells What the C.N.Y. & W. Folks May Do.
HORNELLSVILLE, Nov. 28. - The project of extending the Central New York & Western
from Angelica, its present terminus, over the roadbed of the old Allegany Central to Olean, is again revived and it looks as if the proposed extension might this time be made. The
Allegany Central was built in 1882, during the oil excitement in Richburg and Bolivar, Allegany county, and was a narrow gauge.
The original road was built from Angelica to Friendship and then to Richburg, it
was extended four miles farther down the valley to Bolivar a little later in the year, and was finally extended to Ceres and Olean. It is safe to say that during the life of the
Allegany oil field no road in this section of the county paid better than did the old Allegany Central, for trains of a half dozen coaches were often run over the road with standing
room at a premium, and many times in the history of the road it was necessary to used flat cars for the purpose of carrying passengers.
With a standard gauge built from Angelica, the present terminal, to Olean, the
Lackawanna will gain an entrance into important and flourishing towns which it cannot now reach and which would, undoubtedly, be of great advantage to towns along the way which would
now have no railroad or which have but one railroad and therefore no competition. Should the extension be made the main offices of the company will probably remain in this city.
Dec. 21, 1894
There is every indication that the CNY&W will be broad gauged* next spring, between
Olean and Bolivar, if not the entire length of the narrow gauge system.
(*Meaning standard gauged).
Jan. 25, 1895
A new ice house has been erected in the C.N.Y.& W. yards in Bolivar. It holds 50 tons
and was filled last week brought from the Allegany river, below Portville. It is a standard gauge ice house.
Feb. 1, 1895
The Bolivar bound train on the C.N.Y.& W. due in Ceres at 6:55 p.m. did not reach here
until 2 a.m. Sunday morning. The down run in the afternoon was made on time. The track was drifted in several places but engine 5 went through the piles of snow lie a hot knife through
oleomargerine.
While in the yards at Olean two flues were blown out and No. 5 was disabled. A message
was sent to Bolivar for No. 4, and a start was promptly made. Near Main Settlement a big drift stalled the engine and it was after midnight before Olean was reached. No. 5 was repaired on
Sunday and returned to Bolivar. Monday morning the passenger train was pulled through by both engines and the run was made on time. - Ceres Mail.
Feb. 15, 1895
Portville Pointers.
A genuine Dakota blizzard struck Portville Thursday night and lasted until Sunday.
Trains on the W.N.Y. & P. were nearly all abandoned Saturday, the only ones to pass Portville were the Clermont short line, in the morning, over an hour late, from Olean, and the Express
from Buffalo due Friday evening at 6:26 which arrived late Saturday evening.
The C.N.Y. & W. train which passed Portville Friday p.m. one hour late, got stalled in a
snow drift this side of Gordon's and did not get out until Monday. The passengers engaged Trenkle's trolley to convey them to Olean. On the return trip the wind blew the
trolley over but
hurt no one. Road are in a fearful state. Much extra work will have to be done to clear them. It is by far the most severe storm ever known in Western New York.
Feb. 15, 1895
The worst blizzard that has visited this section in half a century was turned on last
Friday, and lasted until Saturday night. Outside it was bitter cold and a low gas pressure made life a burden to people who tried to keep warm indoors. The air was filled with flying
snow
and at times it was impossible to distinguish an object three rods away.
It was bitter cold and the wind howled and roared like a band of reckless Comanche
Indians gone mad. Stage lines and railroads trains were abandoned and travel came to a standstill. Business was practically suspended. The storm was not local in character, it extended
from sea to sea and harrowing stories of suffering and death came from all quarters. Even on the Atlantic, the storm was terrific in its force and it is feared that several ocean liners
now many days overdue, have foundered in mid-ocean.
S. A. Wertman had a new experience during the blizzard. He was enroute from Galeton to
Austin on a Buffalo & Susquehanna train. The train was stalled in the snow on top of the hog back mountain near Cherry Springs at 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon, and was unable to move
until six o'clock Saturday morning. The steam heating apparatus in the cars was shut off to save coal and the passengers huddled about the stone in the baggage car, where they had hard
work to keep warm. the fourteen hours fast was made u p for when Austin was reached.
March 1, 1895
Railroad News.
An Angelica special to the Buffalo Express says: The Central New York & Western Railroad
Company is making arrangements to open their shops in Angelic with a full force of men about March 1st, and work will soon be commenced to broad gauge the road between Angelica and
Olean, via Friendship and Bolivar.
C.N.Y. & W. engine 5 blew out a flue in the yards at Bolivar Monday morning and the down
train was two hours late in reaching Ceres. The master mechanic L.B. Heers, came over from Angelica yesterday and repaired the damage. Engine 4 has been disabled for several days.
March 8, 1895
Frank Decker of Angelica, was greeting old friends in Bolivar this week. Mr. Decker
formerly was a conductor on the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge, and now yanks the bell cord on the standard gauge division. The most exciting event in Mr. Decker's life took place on May 10,
1891, in the woods near Austin. He had charge of the ill-fated train which was surrounded by a forest fire that day and narrowly escaped death.
He was terribly burned and for 14 months was unable to do a stroke of work. It will be
remembered that Supt. W.H. Badger who was with Mr. Decker that day, was burned to death, after a gallant struggle for life. Though compelled tore main idle for more than a year, Mr.
Decker never received a nickel from the millionaire, F.H. Goodyear, in whose employ he was when he faced the sea of fire.
March 8, 1895
Conductor "Jack" Kelley of the O.O. & Eastern, is as popular a man as ever jerked a bell
cord or handled a punch. Kelly can hold his base with the best of 'em.
Will Judd, formerly fireman on the B.E.& C. railroad, now pulls the throttle on the O.O.&
E. flyer. Charley Frank, another old reliable B.E. & C. man, is head brakeman on the W.C.& P.C. road.
W.W. Atwood, formerly superintendent of the B. E.& C. railroad, is now general
superintendent of the Middlesex Valley Railroad, a 40 mile line that connects Naples and Geneva. Mr. Atwood lives in Naples.
Charles Young of Birdsall, has been appointed section fireman on the C.N.Y. & W. narrow
gage line to succeed Anthony Dougherty.
April 12, 1895
The Allegany river at Portville is on the rampage. Tuesday morning the water was six
inches over the track and still rising. The C.N.Y. & W. trains were unable to reach Portville and connection was made with the W.N.Y.& P. trains at White House. The water has begun to
fall and it is thought that through trains will be running again today. The damage to the track is slight.
April 19, 1895
Better Railroad Facilities
During the past two weeks the freight tonnage on the Central New York & Western railroad
has been greatly increased by the revival in the oil business. Oil at $2 or better means that several hundred wells will be drilled in the Allegany field this summer and that hundreds of
old rigs will be torn down and rebuilt.
The demand for oil supplies and lumber will be large and nearly all the supplies must
necessarily come in over the C.N.Y. & W. Added to this is the stimulus that trade in Bolivar, Richburg and Allentown will receive, means a heavy increase of freight receipts in all
branches of trade.
With a standard gauge road through Bolivar the freight and passenger traffic would be
even larger than we have outlined. The oil boom will, we trust, hurry along the widening of the gauge from Olean to Angelica. Bolivar needs better railroad facilities and ought to have
them right away.
April 26, 1895
M.S. Blair, the always-the-same Superintendent of the CNY&W was in Bolivar on official
business, Wednesday. Mr. Blair believes that business is improving all over the country, that the tide has turned at last, and that brighter days are not far away.
May 3, 1895
The CNY&W narrow gauge railroad has not cars enough to handle all the freight offered at
present. New switches have been put in at Slade's crossing and at the Tidewater pump station.
May 17, 1895
No one was surprised last Friday when Supt. M.S. Blair tendered a free special train to
the family of Robert Laffin and friends. Mr. Laffin has been a faithful employee of the road for several yeas and the policy of the CNY&W has always been one of courtesy and liberality
toward its employees. We doubt if thee is a railroad in the country where the relations between employees and officials are more cordial. If more men of Blair's stamp were placed at the
head of great enterprises, strikes and lockouts would be few and far between.
May 17, 1895
BROAD GAUGE ROAD.
____
The Central New York and Western to
Be Broad Gauged Right Away.
____
The Question Settled Wednesday.
___
The Work of Widening The Gauge Between Olean and Bolivar Will
Begin at Once. Welcome News.
____
The question of widening the gauge of the C.N.Y. & W. was settled Wednesday and the
verdict of the owners of the property is a favorable one.The road will be widened between Olean and Bolivar right away, and the road will in all probability be extended from Bolivar to Angelica before snow flies.
On Monday Supt. Blair purchased 10,000 standard gauge cedar tiesat Buffalo, to be delivered at White House at once. The abandonedstandard gauge line from Belfast Junction to Angelica is being rippedp and the iron will be used between Olean and Bolivar.
The C.N.Y. & W. already has plenty of standard gauge engines and cars and there will be no delay on that score. The news that the C.N.Y. & W.is to be standard gauged will be hailed with delight by very shipper along the line of the road. "Its a good thing; push it along."
May 24, 1895
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