Antigonish and the Railway
In the Apr 20, 1876
edition of "The Casket" the following articles appeared, giving hope
that an exciting new form of transportation would be coming to the
Antigonish district.
"The Railway. Tenders to be opened July 4 have been invited
through the medium of the public journals for the construction of the
Eastern extension. The Govt. makes two proposals one for the
building of the line 110 miles long from N. Glasgow to an undefined
point on the shores of the Bras d'or Lake the other for an alternate
line of about 75 miles from the former place to the Strait of Canso.
Both include a steam ferry from the mainland to the Island of Cape
Breton. The Govt. offers as a subvento to constructors, the Truro
Branch 52 miles long in good running order 150,000 acres of Crown land,
and a money subsidy of which the amount is not specified but known not
to exceed $8,000 per mile. Security is asked for so it is
presumable the lowest tender will be accepted. Premier MacKenzie's
generosity in the matter is indicated by his withholding the rolling
stock of the Truro branch."
"The Early Bird, & c., & c. We learn that parties in N. Glasgow
have already secured all the crown lands--about 2000 acres--in the
vicinity of Marshy Hope. This is of course in anticipation of the
railway's being located through that valley, but so far we believe the
Govt. has not officially made any selection of the route. It is we
understand, the intention to erect a steam sawmill on the premises which
are thickly grown with hardwood of various kinds.
Railway Construction
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