Opening of Railway Line to
Antigonish
Invitation sent out by the Halifax and Cape
Breton Railway and Coal Company announcing opening of line to Antigonish.
A description of the opening of the railway
line to Antigonish is presented in a September 25, 1879 edition of the
"Eastern Chronicle".
"Opening of the Eastern Extension Railway to Antigonish" The
western division of the Eastern Extension Railway was formally opened on
Thursday last, the 18th of September, by the running of an excursion train
between New Glasgow and Antigonish, and a lunch at the latter place...
...The regular
morning train, arriving at 12:50 brought the guests from Halifax and
Truro...
...Immediately after
the departure of the Halifax express, the Eastern Extension train was made
up. It consisted of the locomotive "Antigonish", tastefully
decorated with flags, evergreens and flowers, a smoking and baggage car,
and three first class passenger cars...
Double Decker at Murphy's Mills
...about a mile from the town of
Antigonish--the party was received by a large assemblage of people, ladies
and gentlemen, young and old, who greeted the first passenger train of
steam cars to reach the vicinity of their town with enthusiastic cheering.
The train stopped in an artificial bower of spruce, profusely decorated
with flags, while a small arch stood over the roadway leading to the town.
The inhabitants were out in full force with dozens of coaches and
carriages to convey the visitors into town.
The town was in
holiday attire, and decorations of various kinds made the business portion
look exceptionally attractive. The streets were swarming with people, who
gave a right hearty, Highland welcome to the visitors whose coming
inaugurated a new era of intercourse with the outside world.
At three o'clock the
party, augmented by the principal residents of the Antigonish were
conducted to McDonalds Hall, where a substantial and most excellent lunch
awaited them. The hall was profusely but very tastefully decorated
with evergreens, flowers and bunting... Mr J Duke Laurie had charge of the
lunch, and is to be congratulated on the skill and taste manifested in
preparing for and having the feast served...The very efficient brass band
of the town performed choice pieces during the progress of the repast.
After full justice
had been done to the more sold viands, the toasting began...
...By the time the
prandical performances had exceeded by about an hour the period appointed
for the departure of the train, and the gathering broke up in excellent
spirits.
At about 6 o'clock
the train started on the return journey. New Glasgow was reached
after about one hour and three quarters--about the same time that was
taken for the down trip. The Pictou people got home, after a short
delay at the Landing, in good season; but the Halifax party,
notwithstanding it contained the highest provincial dignitaries had
the pleasure of being dragged behind a coal train, but reached the capital
after a seven hours ride, which was very quick traveling compared with the
modes which prevailed in the period of blazed trees when common carts were
esteemed as gorgeous chariots in this Province."
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