On a Monday morning, September 8, 1873, a distinguished
gathering of prominent citizens gathered at the temporary platform set up on
Ferguson avenue, between King and Main street, beside the recently installed
tracks of the Hamilton and Lake Erie Railway.
The occasion was the opening along the new railway line
which would ultimately connect the city of Hamilton with Port Dover, although
on that day it had only been finished as far as Jarvis.
The train consisted of five first class coaches, and
smoking car, and a baggage car. It was under the personal charge of Mr. W.
Wallace, General Superintendent of the railway.
Among the 250 passengers was a guest who might have been
somewhat less distinguished than the rest, but whose descriptive powers would
capture the trip in words for the readers of the Spectator newspaper.
The reporter noted that:
“The train was drawn by the locomotive John Scott, under
the skilful hands of Mr. Wm. Rodgers, Locomotive Superintendent. The engine was
beautifully decorated with flowers and was gay with fluttering bunting. Not a
few men of practical experience thought the train too heavy to be taken up “the
Mountain” by a single engine, but the John Scott walked away with them up the
steep ascent without faltering for an instant, and with a speed that surprised
everybody on board.”
The start was effected about a quarter past nine, with
all the cars comfortably full:
“As the train wound around the base of the escarpment,
the beautiful landscape, spread beneath and revealing new charms at almost
every hundred yards, was the theme of general admiration. One of the incidental
advantages of this will be that the passengers arriving by it for the first
time will receive pleasing impressions of Hamilton. The first trip over a new
railway rarely gives occasion for going into ecstasies over its condition; the
desire to get it opened is too strong to wait for all the little finishing
touches which give a look of completeness to the practised eye. From the city
up to the top of the “mountain,” however, the Hamilton and Lake Erie Railroad
is a most substantially constructed track, thoroughly ballasted, and in perfect
order, between that and Caledonia the building is but partially completed,
though the road bed is a solid and safe one.”
When the train
arrived at Caledonia, the passengers were impressed with the welcome they
received:
“Flags were flying in every direction. Upper windows
were crowded with fair faces, and fluttering handkerchiefs greeted the
strangers with a hearty welcome. The station platform was crowded with a
welcoming company whose radiant faces testified the pleasure which they felt, even
without the hearty cheers which gave it a vocal utterance.
“Soon the company brought by the train and that on the
platform were promiscuously mingled, and old friends were finding each out,
shaking hands and exchanging congratulations. “How are you, old Scott? Is heard
a score of times as that veteran friend of the road is encountered by his old
friends of campaigning days, and by the beard of the prophet, here is Hobbs of
Walpole, and Capt. Stewart of Oneida., Reeves of their respective townships
when the Haldimand bylaw was passed, and who, I verily believe, never slept two
hours out of the twenty-four when the question of carrying it was before the
people.
“Here too is Squire McKinnon, of course – and his son
Mayor Archibald McKinnon, Reeve of the village, surrounded by his Reception
Committee, who are to entertain us on our return from Jarvis. Mr. Almas, of
Hagersville, meets us here to bear us company to that village.
“But we cannot name even a tithe of the prominent
friends of the enterprise who have gathered from every quarter to look upon the
reward of their labors and the realization of their hopes. After a few minutes
delay, the greater part of the company walk forward to get a better view of the
splendid bridge over the Grand River than riding in the train would give. The
solid masonry of its piers, and the substantial work of its superstructure were
the subjects of much admiring comment, and when the train came along, it was
noticed that was not the slightest deflection that this eye could detect.”
One of Hamilton’s richest and most prominent citizens,
William Hendrie was on the trip, and the Spectator reporter echoed the
favourable comments made about Mr. Hendrie and the work of his comp0any:
At the southern end of the bridge, the work for which
Mr. Hendrie, of Hamilton, has the contract, commences; it extends to Jarvis,
some 17 miles, and was commenced a year ago, and but for delays in receiving
iron, would have been finished long before now. For several miles beyond this,
we find the road ballasted and complete, everything about showing the great
workmanlike finish which Mr. Hendrie and his superintendent, Mr. Eddington,
always leave behind them.”
On to Hagersville, where, as at Caledonia, the platform
was covered with a large gathering of citizens to welcome the guests on the
train:
“Fog signals give off a detonating salute. The steam
whistle of a neighboring factory pipes us a rhythmical “good morning, how are
you? welcome to Hagersville,” and the stentorian voice of the “John Scott”
sends back an echoing answer of good will. But that is not all, for now there
floats through the open windows of the cars the stirring music of the
Hagersville brass band, mingled with cheers that are strong and hearty. Here,
too, the flags are flying, and an air of general rejoicing pervades the place.
At the next stop, Ballsville, the guests were treated,
unexpectedly, to something to slack
their thirsts:
“We find Capt. Ryan smiling behind tankards of foaming
ale, and bottles of greater potency. It was not the first time that many of us
had enjoyed that gentleman’s generous hospitality, and we remembered well his
valuable assistance in the carrying of the bylaw. When, therefore, the
President proposed his health, the proposition was hailed with three genuine
cheers.”
The final stop was at Jarvis where the line ended at
that time:
“The demonstrations that greeted us at other places were
repeated here, and in addition an agreeable surprise had been provided in the
shape of a luncheon in the station building, which was tastefully decorated
with flags and evergreens. If the new railway leads to the source of such
butter and such ham as was dispensed at that luncheon, it will have a claim to
our gratitude not hitherto thought of. Our stay at Jarvis was necessarily brief,
for we were due at Caledonia between two and three o’clock. Nevertheless, the
President took occasion to thank the people of Jarvis for their handsome and
unexpected reception.”
The guests returned to the train, which immediately
started for Hamilton, reaching the station a little before seven o’clock.
All the excursionists had fully enjoyed themselves, and
the whole affair passed off to the entire satisfaction of all.
