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Unless otherwise   identified, articles below are from the Wellsville Daily Reporter.

Many Thanks to Richard   Palmer for hours of diligent browsing through microfilm and transcribing   the material he has submitted to be published on this website.

Bradford, Eldred &   Cuba Railroad

"B.E.&C.   RR"

News Items

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 NortonÕs   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 have   good reason to be especially delighted with the traffic and receipts.

Cuba Patriot,   Oct.  21, 1881

        The B., E. & C. recently purchased a lot 20 x 160 feet on the Richburg   Road, upon which was a fine water privilege for the sum of $500.  They   are now laying pipes from the spring to the railway track.
   

Cuba Patriot, Oct. 21, 1881

    The B., E. & C. recently purchased a   lot 20 x 160 feet on the Richburg road, upon which was a fine water privilege   for the sum of $500. They are laying pipes from the spring to the railway   track.

Cuba Evening Review:

Oct. 24, 1881

     Mr. L.H. Bullis, of Bradford, has   received  the  appointment of Superintendent of freight on the B.,   E. & C. R.R. He entered upon his duties Saturday.  He will make his   headquarters in Wellsville

Cuba Patriot, Oct.   28, 1881

        The B., E. & C. is graded through Richburg

Nov. 7, 1881

    The B., B. & K.   engine No. 1, which has done all of the work on this end of the narrow gauge,   is at this station  partially disabled. The Sunday train through was   pulled by the new engine belonging to the B., E. & C. corporation.

Nov. 7, 1881

     The Narrow Gauge   Injunction.

                   ____

    The Richburg branch of   the B., E. & C. was built half way from Bolivar to that town, when it ran   against lands owned by parties interested in the Friendship  road on the   other side of the valley. The owners refused the right of way across the   land, and put an injunction, restraining the company from taking means to   secure the right of passage, and they have succeeded in so far that the road   has never been built into Richburg village.

     The injunction   was based upon the ground that there being already one road in operation   between the two places, a second  one was unnecessary for the use of the   public. But the inability of one road  to handle all of the freight, and   the large quantities intended for Richburg which are sent over the B., E.   & C., have been carted quite a distance, has produced  a strong   interest in both places in favor of the completion of the Richburg road.

     As a means of   dissolving the engineer of the B., E. & C. road, and their attorneys have   been canvassing the two villages, securing affidavits from the businessmen,   for the purpose of showing the necessity of more railroad facilities. The   effort will probably be successful  and sufficient matter of that kind   presented to the court to vacate the injunction in short order.

Cuba Evening Review:

Nov. 17, 1881

    It is the intention  of the B., E.   & C. R.R. to  run cars every half hour between Richburg  and   Bolivar.

 (Friday) Nov. 18, 1881

    The first train on the B.E. & C. ran   into Richburg Tuesday.

Wed., Nov. 30, 1881

    An  engine arrived   at this station for use on the Wellsville, Bolivar & Eldred road in the   yard at Bolivar and on the extension between that place and Richburg. it is   an oddly constructed machine of the switch engine pattern, with no tender,   and has been in use on the Tonawanda Valley Road. Hourly trains are to be   drawn by it between the two lively towns, and both freight and passenger   traffic for Richburg will be largely expedited and convenienced.

Monday, Dec. 5, 1881

     Two new   locomotives, labeled respectively B., E. & C. Nos. 3 and 4, have been   received. They are fresh from the Brooks Works at Dunkirk, strong and heavy   six-wheeled machines and are put up in the best style of narrow gauge   architecture. The first was unloaded from the cars Saturday,  put in   running order and assisted in getting its companion onto the rails yesterday   in sight of interested loungers.

Dec. 9, 1881

    I is reported that Mr.   R. G. Taylor, President of the B., E. & C. Railroad, has tendered his   resignation  as Superintendent of the Buffalo and Rochester divisions of   the Erie. his object is said to obtain the rest and recuperation that his   important duties have denied him.

Dec. 19, 1881

        Eldred Eagle:  The   B.E. & C.  railroad is crowded with freight trains day and night,   and their motive power is pushed to its utmost capacity.

Dec. 24, 1881

      CAUGHT IN A   FROG

          And Run Over By the Cars.

A Narrow Gauge Employee Seriously,   Probably Fatally, Injured.

                _____

    Frank Galutia, a   brakeman on Conductor E. Lacy's train, is the first victim on the narrow   gauge since its completion to the village. The train leaves Wellsville for   Bolivar at 1:45 p.m. and Galutia was  assisting to make it up just   before one o'clock when the accident occurred.  

     The locomotive,   handled by C.G. Lacy, was backing a box car to make coupling with a gondola   on the switch. It was moving  very slowly and Galutia had hold of the forward   end of the car, backing with it. As it passed onto the switch his left foot   caught in the frog, throwing him down across the rail.

     In an instant,   although the engine was immediately stopped, the wheel was over his left leg,   crushing it terribly from the knee to the hip. The obstruction threw the car   from the track, and it stopped with him still fastened beneath its cruel   weight. While in this position he called to the engineer to back up farther   so as to release him. 

     Other train hands   had got to the scene by this time, and it was necessary for the car to be run   ahead, again passing over his leg before he could be removed. It was a   sickening sight which presented itself to his fellows, as after much effort   his foot was pulled from its fastening, he was carried with bleeding and   mangled limbs, to the Clinton House.

     Dr. Nye was   called and after examination gave his opinion that the accident would   probably be fatal as the man would not be able to survive the amputation   necessary. In addition to the left leg being utterly crushed, the right was   severely cut. The unfortunate man retained his consciousness  entirely,   until the surgeon relieved him partially from the great pain during the   examination by an anesthetic.

     Galutia is a man   of about 30 years of age, and has a wife and two children residing at   Eldred.  He had been making  efforts to  secure a house to   bring them here, and was about to make the move.  His wife was    immediately notified by telegraph of the accident, and to  come on as   quick as possible. He was a steady, reliable workman, spoke of in the best   terms by his associates and fellow workman.

(No follow up article found). 

Thurs., Jan. 5, 1882

                           A Little Railroad War.

                                      ___

     Yesterday   afternoon about 3 o'clock, while Charley Warner's freight train was rounding   a curve between Ceres and Little Genesee, a trackman was seen in the middle   of the track gesticulating wildly as though desirous of warning them against   danger. The train was brought to a standstill and it was found that an old   farmer, named Wilbur, had torn up several rails, hoping by this means to   compel the company to accede to some demand which he had made in reference to   the right of way through his farm.

     The rails were   replaced and the officers of the company will have the man arrested. It is   hoped that justice will be meted out to this man who would thus endanger the   lives and property to attain an end easily reached through the courts, if   found to be well founded. - Olean Herald.

Jan. 31, 1882

                     Profits of Railroading in the Oil  Region.

                                           ____

     The necessities   of the oil business in the Bradford region have called into existence a   number of narrow gauge railways which have their center in that city. They   radiate in all directions. Although as a general thing, they traverse a   country which is little better than a wilderness, the profits they return to   their owners are wonderfully large.

     The capital stock   of none of them is more than $250,000. The Bradford, Bordell and   Smethport  railroad has a capital of that amount. It began business in   June, 1880. In the following September it began paying a monthly dividend of   2 percent, and at the end of one year's business, had a surplus in the   treasurer of $2,651,080. The dividends still continue at the rate of 25   percent a year.

     The Olean,   Bradford and Warren railroad has a capital of $150,000. Last year it paid a   dividend of 30 percent to its stockholders, and at the end of the fiscal year   - June, 1881 - had a surplus of $1,886,778.  

     The Kendall and   Eldred railroad, on a capital stock of $150,000 paid in 17 months 12   dividends of 3 percent, four of 6 percent, and one of 10 percent, on a total   of $105,000.  This railroad also  owns a plank road which clears   $400 a month.

     At the end of a   year's business the company had a surplus of $2,553,150. Since the   development of the oil field, in Allegany county, New York, north of the   Bradford district, a number of narrow gauge roads have been completed in that   region. None of them have been in operation over three months, and they are   paying dividends of 1 and 2 percent a month. The business of these narrow   gauge roads is obtained from passenger traffic and the carrying of oil   supplies and general supplies for oil towns. They carry no oil. -    Elmira Free Press.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Feb. 2, 1882

      J.W. Tripp, of the Cornucopia,   is establishing a livery stable in Bolivar and contemplates running a hack   between this point and Bolivar. This enterprise has long been needed and will   afford better conveniences than the B., E. & C.R.R.. affords.

Oil   Echo, Richburg, N.Y.,

Feb. 6 1882

SHOCKING   ACCIDENT

A   Woman Knocked Down by a B. E. & C. R.R. Train and Fatally Injured.

                                      _____

       Mrs. Rose  Borgon, aged 40, a hardworking and industrious washerwomen   residing on Allen street. was yesterday made the victim of a serious railroad   accident on the B., E. & C.R.R., near Bolivar. Mrs. Borgon started from   here early yesterday morning to do a day's washing in Bolivar, walking along   the B., E. C. R.R. track.

       When she arrived at a point a short ways below the pump station she heard the   whistling of a locomotive, and turning around, saw the dummy and passenger   car bearing down upon her at the rate of half a mile a minute. She stepped   aside, so the conductor and the engineer of the train say, when the train was   several rods away, but as the snow along the embankment was quite deep, she   soon stepped up onto a tie that projected farther out from the track than the   rest. Just as she ascended to this position, the swiftly approaching train   struck her, and she was thrown to one side, striking her head violently on the   ground.

       The train was backing towards Bolivar when the accident happened the dummy   being in the rear. The engineer and conductor claim that they are blameless,   as they say the woman threw herself right into the way of the train by standing   where the passenger car could not pass without striking her.

        The unfortunate woman was then picked up, placed in a car, and conveyed back   to Richburg, where Dr. Weaver was summoned to attend to her injuries. She was   taken to her residence on Allen Street, where an examination made by the   doctor developed fatal injuries. Her leg was broken in two places, and one   rib was broken so that a section of it penetrated her lungs and inflicted   other serious internal injuries. There were also painful contusions on her head.   Drs. Weaver and Swan say the patient may live two or three days, but she   cannot possibly recover from her injuries. Mr. Pierce, overseer of the poor,   arrived yesterday afternoon and took charge of her.

       Since the accident occurred many citizens have expressed themselves in pretty   plain language respecting features of the management of this road. Even if an   employee of the road should stand on the front platform of the passenger car   while the train is backing down to Bolivar, there is no bell rope by which he   could communicate with the engineer, should he see any person on the track   ahead. A horse or cow might wander on to the track and if no person stood on   the platform to be on the look-out for such an obstacle, the engineer would   not know of any danger till the train was off the track. There are the tracks   of two railroads running to Bolivar, and hereafter it will be for the   interest of our citizens to travel on the one that secures the better   protection of life and limb.

       Mrs. Borgon was committing trespass at the time of the accident, to be sure,   but this fact does not detract any of the blame on the railroad company, who   should have had a m an stationed on the platform. Three railroad employees   told the reporter yesterday that the woman was drunk, and they claim to   substantiate their statement by the fact that she vomited after she was   picked up. The doctors refute this charge and assert that the woman was not   addicted to drinking at all. The vomiting was caused by her internal   injuries. 

Oil Echo, Richburg,  Feb. 6, 1882

    The people here do not believe that the   B.,  E.  & C. R.R. are entirely blameless for the sad accident   which happened near the pump station yesterday   morning.      A farmer crossing the B., E. &   C.,R.R. track at this depot, yesterday, came very near being run over by an   approaching locomotive. There might have been a serious accident had not a   friend taken him by the coat collar and pulled him off from the   track.      There is no change in the poor woman who   was knocked down and internally injured by the B., E. & C. train.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Feb. 6, 1882

     BOLIVAR -   The B., E.   & C. R.R. comes in for a good share of blame here because it does not run   Sunday trains to Richburg. If this corporation had a soul and a higher regard   for dollars and cents, it would suit the people here a little better. Nothing   can be more dreary than a Sunday spent in Bolivar. There is no church to   attend and our citizens have been too well brought up to arrange   cocking-mains, dog-fights, glass-ball shoots and other little diversions   which amuse people in some of the benighted hamlets of the oil country. We   have to go to Richburg to attend divine worship, and the journey involves the   expense of hiring a horse and cutter. Let us have some Sunday trains, Mr.   Williams. 

 Oil Echo, Richurg, Feb. 7, 1882

   The B., E. & C. R.R. now uses a bell rope on   the dummy train that plies between Bolivar and Richburg. This is as it should   be.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Feb. 10, 1882

    What the people of Richburg are crying for   now is a stage line between this point and Bolivar. The railroad manifest too   much of an independent spirit, and we need something that will pay more   attention to the accommodation of travelers. The B., E. & C. R.R. and the   Allegany Central R.R. have obtained their charters under false pretenses, and   not only neglect to run their trains on schedule time, but refuse to carry   the mails at government rates. Give us a stage line to Bolivar.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Feb. 11, 1882

      Mrs. Rose Borgon, who was so   dreadfully injured by being knocked down by a B., E. & C. train, is,   strange to relate, slowly recovering. Drs. Swan and Weaver. Who are attending   her, believe now she will recover completely.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Feb. 16, 1882

     The "dinky" train on the   B., E. & C. R.R. started on one of its trips from Bolivar yesterday   afternoon with barely steam enough to carry it to its destination and   consequently a large number were kept in waiting  at the Richburg depot   a long  time, as the movement of the trains was distressingly slow.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW

Feb. 17, 1882

    Efforts are being made to have   the hourly trains which run on the B., E. & C. railroad between Bolivar   and Richburg weekdays, operate on Sundays. There should also be a means   provided for passengers who desire to go to and from the oil fields Sundays.

Oil Echo, Richburg,

Mon., Feb. 20, 1882

The Bradford excursion   yesterday over the B., E. & C. R.R. was a complete success, and we are   glad to know that it is the intention of this road to repeat it every Sunday.   Mr. C.D. Williams, the superintendent, is doing so far as his authority   extends, all in his power to accommodate the people living along the line of   his road, and his new enterprise of making up a Bradford Sunday train will   receive a liberal patronage.

Oil Echo, Richburg,

Feb. 24, 1882

A great many 500-mile   tickets are being sold over the B., E. & C. Railroad. Oil Echo, Richburg,   Mon., Feb., 27, 1882 Every returning Sunday makes it more and more clear that   trains are urgently required on the B., E. & C. between Bolivar and the   Hub. Yesterday it was made apparent by the continuous line of persons footing   it from one town to the other, and again counting the ties homewards that   local trains would not only be a great convenience and means of pleasure to   the inhabitants of both towns, affording them opportunities for social   intercourse and making of mutual acquaintance, but also a veritable "bonanza"   for the R.R. company. The Allegany Central Railroad have already set an   excellent example in this respect to the profit and convenience of all   concerned, and it is to be hoped that the companion road will soon follow   suit.


   

Feb. 27, 1882


   

     Suveyors are now busily   engaged in locating and laying out work on the B., E. & C. railroad just   south of the Erie depot.


   

March 1, 1882

   

     The B., E. & C. has   constructed a new switch at  Bolivar.

WELLSVILLE REPORTER

March 2, 1882

     The graders at   work in the vicinity of Cuba, on the Genesee Valley Canal, the Tonawanda   Valley & Cuba,  and the Bradford, Eldred and Cuba Railroads struck   yesterday morning for an increase of pay to $1.50 per day. They ascribe the   advance asked by the boarding house keepers. They have simply stopped work,   remaining undemonstrative.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW

March 2, 1882


   

    Surveyors are busily engaged   locating on the B., E. & C. railroad south of this village.


   

March 4, 1882


   

    We understand that the right   of way for the B., E. & C. has been secured between Cuba and Obi. The   gentlemen who are engaged in security the right of way south of this village   are getting along nicely.Thus far they have succeeded in procuring the required   lands without trouble from the owners.

WELLSVILLE REPORTER

March 4, 1882

    The right of way for   the B., E. & C. south  from Cuba, is being secured for immediate   use. The line will run from Cuba through Clarksville Centre and Obi, to   Genesee, where it will connect with

the main line from Ceres to Bolivar,   having  been using over that portion of the route the track of the   Allegany Central.

Monday, March 6, 1882

    Engine No. 6 of the B.,   E. & C. arrived at this station Saturday, and was given an   "airing" about this yard yesterday. it was built at Frostburg, Md.,   and is of the "dummy" pattern, carrying its water tank on its back,   like a camel's hump. It is a light-weight, and is to be put into service on   the switch between Bolivar and Richburg.

March 6, 1882

              Narrow Gauge War

                      ______

The B. E. & C. & A. C. Railroads   in a Muss.

                      _____

     The two   competing, but heretofore, harmonious lines of narrow gauge through the   oil  fields are in open rupture. The two companies have been using the   same line of track from Bolivar to the Junction below Ceres, where their   routes separated, the Bolivar, Eldred & Cuba running to Eldred and the   Allegany Central to Olean.

     Seven  miles   of the track from Bolivar to to Ceres was built  and owned by the   Allegany Central, and the two miles  from Ceres to the Junction by the   other company. The latter have been securing the right of way, and perfecting   arrangements for constructing an independent line over the seven mile   section.  

     The Allegany   Central  people were not disposed to give them time for thus building a   line of their own and proposed to shut them off at once from the privileges   enjoyed. To do this it was necessary for them to complete their own line by   building from Ceres to the Junction. It is their attempt  to do this   which  has led to a regular railroad war and opposition at the point of   the pick and crowbar.

     The B. E. &   C. saw the point and purchased a piece of land across which the Allegany   Central would be obliged to build and shut them off. They had been working   night and day to rush their line and it was understood the track would be   laid across the disputed territory yesterday with 200 men and prevented any   such action. The  section and trainmen were taken from this station   Saturday night, and drafted into the army. The opposing force was fully as   large but no attack or advance was made.

     Today the two   armies are lying on their arms, facing each other, but probably no bloody   collision will take place.

Oil Echo, Monday, March 6, 1882

                       RAILROAD TROUBLE

The Warlike Positions, of the A.C. and B., E. & C.   Railroads

Special Dispatch to The Echo.

                 BATTLE GROUND, BETWEEN CERES AND JUNCTION. - March 5 - 12 p.m.

     The war in progress between the   Allegany Central and Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroads has now about   reached a climax. The two companies, when building their respective roads, each   completed a piece of track, the B., E. & C. between Junction and Ceres   and the Allegany Central between Ceres and Bolivar.

     It is understood that a verbal   compromise was effected whereby each company was to use the other's tracks.   The amount of business now being done over both roads has given rise to   competition and caused a jealousy. The A.C. has been working night and day to   complete a track between Ceres and the Junction and today had a large force   at work.

     The B., E. & C., seeing into the game,   before the entire right of way was secured bought a strip of land extending   from the present track to the hill across which the A.C. Co. will have to   cross to make a connection at the Junction. The A.C. Co. intended to cross   this piece of land today, Sunday, thus avoiding an injunction  being   served on them.

    The B., E. & C. have been watching the   progress being made in laying track and this afternoon they were on hand with   at least 200 men to resist the A.C. Co. in crossing their land. Each company   has several engines and cars at its disposal constantly running backward and   forward gathering supplies and reinforcements.

     The country people for miles around   have flocked to the scene of action, expecting to see a bloody conflict, but   I am informed g\there is an amicable settlement in progress whereby each   company will complete its respective grades and tracks, running as heretofore   until the work is completed. I anticipate no trouble as I do not think the   A.C. company will undertake to cross tonight.

March 10, 1882

    Fred Behren's saloon   and parlor are utilized as convenient waiting rooms for the B., E. & C.   Railroad.

Cuba Patriot,  Wed., March 10, 1882

     PROBABLY MORE LIVELY TIMES AMONG THE   RAILROAD LINES

                                         ____

     

    All of the T.V. & C.'s forces ordered   suddenly to Ceres. Something n the wind.

                                      _____

     Sunday afternoon at a late hour a dispatch   was received here from President Taylor, of the T.V. & Cuba railroad to   send every available man including carpenters and bridge builders to Olean.   There was a hurrying to and fro, and Supt. Kirkpatrick took the first train   with a large force. A carload or two, we also learn were sent from Buffalo. -   The force is evidently to be concentrated atr Ceres for quick work.

                                     _____

                                    LATER.

    The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba and the   Allegany Central at War -

                       500 men in the Field. -

                   (From the Bradford Era of Monday)

     The Allegany Central and the   Bradford, Eldred and Cuba narrow gauge railroad companies have decided to run   over their own lines independent of each other. Under the present arrangement   the Allegany Central rolls u the B.E. & C. rails from the Junction as far   as the upper switch, and the latter company run over the line of the    Allegany company from this point to Bolivar.

     The latter company did considerable   grading last summer on their own surveyed route between the Junction and   Ceres. Saturday a large force of men were seen at work along the new route   and it seemed that the completion of the road would only be the question of a   short time. The same might have been said of the B. E. & C. road between   Ceres and Bolivar. They have renewed the right of way from the farmers and   will finish up their incomplete work which they abandoned last summer.

    We are told that they are surveying this   route from Bolivar up the valley to Cuba. Railroad officials of both roads   were at Ceres Saturday superintending new work and the antiquated lumbering   town presented a lively scene. Narrow gauge stock in the Allegany field would   command a big premium if any was for sale. The profits of the two roads are   immense. Notwithstanding the fact that many shrewd capitalists were of the   opinion that two roads would not be profitable in the Allegany deal, both are   doing an enormous business and one road could not handle freight and take   care of the travel to and from the new oil field. The excellent traveling and   transportation facilities is the main factor in the rapid development of   Allegany county.

     Yesterday there was a storm brewing   about Ceres, which showed that the two rival roads were on very bad terms. It   seems the B. E. & C. railroad purchased a farm lying directly across the   proposed line of the Allegany tracks from Ceres up to Bolivar. The iron was   laid up to the very edge of this track, but the B.E. & C. officials   fiercely refused to give them right of way across it. The contending forces,   numbering probably 500 men, were on the ground last night.

   A construction gang under Emery Drake was ready at   the first chance to lay the tracks and hoped to do it before this morning in   which case they expected to hold the point of vantage. The resisting forces,   however, were numerically strong and such an operation could only be   accomplished by sheer force of violence, or strategy. So far as heard from,   there has been no personal encounters, but of course such are within the   bounds of possibility as each side is determined. Sheriff Gilles is on the   grounds with a posse in order to prevent any breach of the peace.

 

Cuba Patriot, March 10, 1882

 

       Both sides Lying Their   Arms at Ceres - A Settlement Regarded as Probable

                            _____

 

    The battle field of the rival railroads,   the Allegany Central and the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba, near Ceres,   yesterday was still unstained with blood and the prospects and the prospects   are that it will not be the scene of any desperate hand to hand engagement   between construction gangs.

     The belligerent hosts,   consisting  of several hundred men, are resting their arms and drawing   pay in calm, philosophic manner of those who work by the day. Several engines   were on the ground, these being the nearest approach to artillery, but their   services were not required. The work of laying the track as far as the farm   held by the B.E. & C. railroad went on, but beyond that there was no   thoroughfare for the Allegany Central.

    It is possible that a compromise will be   effected. C.S. Cary, Esq., of Olean, who is interested in the Allegany   Central railroad, secured several farms lying across the route of the   proposed extension of the B.E. & C. railroad from Ceres to Bolivar. It   will thus be seen that there is a perfect deadlock, as neither can lay track   without the other's consent.

     It seems probable, however, that   amicable arrangements will be made. A conference between high officers of the   road will be held at Buffalo today and the result  may reasonably be   looked for as a settlement of this complicated state of affairs.    Otherwise the difficulty will likely continue for some time longer. The large   and increasing traffic seems to demand that each road should have a through   track from the Junction as he present system is fraught with some annoyance.   - [Bradford Era].

Oil Echo, Richburg, Sunday, March 12, 1882

             The Railroad War

     The Echo correspondent at Junction   writes that the railroad war now is at a standstill, awaiting the result of a   conference of officials at Buffalo. Both roads have increased their force by   detachments from Buffalo.

     The B., E. & C. have put a gang   of men grading between Ceres and Bolivar, and the A.C. are making their road   between Ceres and Junction.  A strong force of B., E. & C. men are   guarding their land near Junction to repel any attempt to cross it.   Everything points to an amicable settlement.

March 13, 1882

     The Empire Gas   Co. bring their pipes down Brimmer Brook from Petrolia on the land of the   B.E. & C. railroad, having found the land owners a little too exorbitant   in their right of way demands. The company commence distribution of their   pipes inside the village tomorrow.

     Engine No. 1 of   the B., E. & C. has been supplied with the vacuum brake and will run out   today for the first time with its new fixtures. It draws train 21 from Eldred   and 24 from this station. The time necessary to apply the brakes has also   been improved by having it repainted. Rhodes, our painter, has had this job   and of course it is handsomely done.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW:

March 13, 1882

    The Allegany Central   railroad company have placed conductors of their own on the Bradford, Eldred   & Cuba trains, between Bolivar and Ceres, and now collect the local fares   from the passengers between those points. No tickets on that portion of the   road were sold by the B., E. & C. railroad, although through tickets of   that company wee honored.

Cuba Patriot, March 17, 1882

     Getting Ready to Push Work. - The   engineers of the B., E. & C. are busily engaged in closing up their work   on the line south of this village, the contractor for the first five miles is   here, and work will commence at once and be pushed with all possible speed.   It is claimed that the entire distance will be graded by the first of May.

March 20, 1882

     The grading gang on   the B., E. & C. railroad at this end is progressing rapidly. The number   of men was increased this morning. There is a great deal of work to be done   at the cut just east of the Erie depot. The Allegany Central railroad have   completed their new track between Junction and Ceres. They began running this   transfer today.

WELLSVILLE REPORTER

March 20, 1882

     Ten car loads of   rails for use on the B., B. & C. extension from Bolivar to Ceres were   being hurriedly transferred and forwarded to their place of use yesterday.   Three hundred men are at work in construction of the and in less than sixty   days the connection will be completed.

Tues., March 21, 1882

     Between Saturday   night and Monday morning forty carloads of freight were switched to the Erie   at this station. And from Saturday night until Monday noon 28 narrow gauge   carloads were forwarded from this station over the B., E. & C.

    The narrow gauge track   through Loder street has been moved near to the Erie switch and is being   extended through Pearl street. The orders now are not to stop the work of   construction until it finds its terminus at that point.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW:

March 21, 1882

    A body of about 20 men   arrived in town last night. They have been engaged to work on the B., E.   & C.

Cuba Patriot, March 24, 1882

    It is the intention of the Bradford,   Bordell & Kinzua Railroad Company to extend their road to Eldred for a   connection with the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba road, which is owned by the   same parties. A strong gang of laborers will be placed on the new section as   soon as they have completed their work on the independent line of track on   the B., E. & C. the company will do their own work without the aid of   contractors.

Cuba Patriot, March 31, 1882

     Our Corsican friend Joe S. Antonelle,   of the firm of Atonelle & Gibson, contractors on the B. P. & W., is   now building narrow gauge railroads in Allegany County. At present he is   engaged with a force of 300 men on the B., E. & C. between Eldred and   Little Genesee, and is pushing things.

     Nine days from the time he took the   contract he had four miles of road graded for iron. Messrs. Antonelle and   Gibson have beside the work at Little Genesee, another contract on the B.,   E.  & C. and still another on the T.V. & C., making in all about   50 miles of narrow gauge to build, which is to be done in 90 days.

    Mr. N.S. Beardslee is the chief engineer of   the B., E. & C. railroad, and is having the construction of the road done   as fast as possible. "Dick" Manning, of Salamanca, has a situation   on the works as timekeeper and clerk, and does the work very satisfactorily   to Mr. Antonelli. [Cattaraugus Republican]

Oil Echo, April 3, 1882 Frank Good, now   conducting the half-hour train on the little road during the absence of W.B.   Clements, will next week take charge of the passenger train on the B., E.   & C. R.R. running from Wellsville to Eldred.

April 4, 1882

    Three-hundred men are   at work on the B., E. & C. road south of Cuba, and the contractors want   more.

Oil Echo, Richburg,

Tuesday, April 4, 1882

No, the loved and faithful little train is   not to be discontinued, rumor to the contrary notwithstanding, the fact of   the case being that the old Tonawanda Valley & Cuba railroad, with its   dulcet whistle, is to be returned to its old service of drawing a   construction train on the road just named, and that it is to be re replaced   by an entirely new engine, with air brakes and the latest improvements, with   a still more dulcet whistle, now doing service as construction engine on the   B., E. & C.R.R. between this place and Ceres.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW:

April  5, 1882

    The B.E. & C. railroad   train which runs every half hour between Richburg and Bolivar, carries an   average of 500 passengers per day.

   Work on the B., E. & C.   railroad between Ceres and Bolivar is progressing rapidly. The rail is all   laid, and the workmen are now engaged in ballasting. The company now think   that portion will be ready for use by the first of April.

April 6, 1882

    The train on the B., E.   & C. railroad between Bolivar and Richburg, nets the company about $50   per  day.

    Men are in great demand at the   B., E. C. in spite of the immense force now employed.

April  6,1882

   

     Mr. R.G. Taylor,   is now the active President of the following six roads: The Bradford, Eldred   & Cuba, The Wellsville, Bolivar & Eldred, the Tonawanda Valley &   Cuba, the Eldred, Rew City & Pittsburg, the Bradford, Bordell &   Kinzua, and the Bradford & Smethport.

Buffalo Morning Express, Thurs., April 11,   1882

    The Bradford, Eldred   & Cuba Railroad has declared a dividend of three percent on the   outstanding stock from the earnings of the quarter ending March 31st. This is   the company's second dividend and is only on that part of the road now   completed. When the road is finished it is expected that the dividend will be   more than doubled.

Oil Echo, Richburg,  April 11, 1882

   No more do the A.C. and B.,E. & C. railroads   run on the same track, the new branch from here to Ceres of the B., E. &   C. R.R. being now completed and used by their cars. Chalk up one more mark of   progress.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW:

April 12, 1882

    The following subscription   paper has been placed in A.H. Bishop's grocery store, and is receiving many   names: Whereas; Otis Sykes, on the 3d day of April, 1882, while laboring on   the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba  railroad, received severe injury to his   right arm, which permanently disables him, and he being in destitute   circumstances, having a wife and child to support, and being a person worthy   of aid, we the undersigned, do hereby agree to pay the amounts placed opposite   our names, for the purpose of aiding him and his family in his present   condition.

April 14, 1882

    It is truly wonderful how   the work at the deep cut east of the Erie depot on the B., E. & C. is   progressing. A large portion of the road at that point has to be dug out of a   sort of slat rock, which makes the work very slow. Six dump cars are used and   run on temporary track nearly quarter of a mile.

    The dirt and rock is   conveyed by this means to a place by the side of the Erie track east of the   cut. The road bed has been reached more than two thirds of the distance   between the west end of the cut and the point where the new road leaves the   Erie and starts southward.

     It is thought that the   extra grading at that point will be completed by the 10th of May. The work is   now being accomplished at a great disadvantage, as the dirt which is removed   has to be thrown away instead of being used to fill up at places where   needed.

Buffalo  Express, April 14, 1882

                                  The Railroads.

                                        ____

                       The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba   

                                     ____

     The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba   Railroad Company have finished their independent connection between Ceres and   Bolivar, a distance of seven miles, the grading, bridging and ballasting all   having been done in the short space of two weeks. This makes two   competing  lines for the immense traffic now carried between Friendship   and Bolivar, viz., the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba and the Allegany Central,   both of which have just finished independent lines.  The latter company   have been running some 40 trains each day. The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba   will now run 13 daily, and the business will be divided between the two   lines. The competition between these two routes is very strong.

     The Allegany Central endeavored to   get possession of certain lands owned by the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba by   laying a track one Sunday in order to head them off as an injunction could   not be sured to stop them on that day. Mr. R. G. Taylor, who owned a strip of   land near which they were to pass, gathered 350 men from different lines of   which he is the President and proposed fighting the passage over the strip of   his property.

     The party were camped out one night.   Their numbers and the hints that nitro-glycerine lay upon

the land ready to be exploded if iron was laid across the   property so discouraged the other parties that they dare not cross, and Monday   an injunction was served restraining them from so doing. Taylor is equal to   any emergency.

     Mr. R. G. Taylor, who has suffered   considerably from ill health, is not the active President of the following   six roads, the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba, the Wellsville, Bolivar &   Eldred, the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba, the Eldred and Rue City and   Pittsburg, the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua, and the Bradford &   Smethport.

     A surveying  party began today   upon a route for the extension of the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua to   Eldred to connect that road with the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba. The party   will be under the director of Chief Engineer Beardslee, and will stake the   line from Eldred to Rue City. It has been stated on good authority that this   will extend north and connect with the Erie's Dansville branch.

    The Tonawanda Valley & Cuba Company   have decided not to begin at Arcade, as proposed, and build toward Cuba, but   to finish the road in the Allegany oil field as rapidly as possible, the   amount of freight and passenger traffic in that section being so much larger   than it would be at the Arcade end. The entire construction force will be   placed on the line between Cuba and Little Genesee this week and rapid work   will be done.

Cuba Patriot, April 14, 1882

   The B., E. & C. railroad has declared a   dividend of three percent on the outstanding stock from the earnings of the   quarter ending March 31st.  This is the company's second dividend and is   only on  that part of the road now completed. When the road is finished   it is expected that the dividend will be more than doubled.

April 15, 1882

                    Progress of  the Narrow Gauge

    The Bradford, Eldred &   Cuba railroad is now nearly all graded between the deep cut east of the Erie   depot and Peter Coon's farm, while pieces of it are graded for a distance of   three miles south of the village. Jerry Wells has charge of a gang of 20 men   who are employed about one-half mile out of the village. Mr. Wells says that   help is now so plenty, that help is now so plenty, that had he tools for   them, he could get 100 men at ease.

    The great difficulty, he   said, is lack of tools.At the point where the Wells gang  is now at   work, the grading is very difficult, the ground being filled with stones,   roots and stumps, and being very wet and muddy. The men work well, however,   and the road is being rapidly completed to that point. The first bridge to be   constructed on this road, south of the village, is over a small creek,   directly west of G. Oldam's residence. The bridge will be but a small one.   Bridge No. 2 will span the large creek on D. Helm's farm.

     The employees are   looking anxiously for the construction train, as anything is welcomed that   will relive the monotony  of the pick and shovel. Nothing of course can   be done by the construction or the road, south of this place, until the   grading is finished  at the cut east of the depot. Rails are being   rapidly laid northward on the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba end of the road,   and it is probable that he construction engine, which is expected   immediately, will be employed on the northern end of the line until the   completion of the grading on this end of the B.E. & C.

WELLSVILLE REPORTER:

April 15, 1882

     The laborers upon   the B., E. & C. extension in the neighborhood of Ceres and Little Genesee   are somewhat agitated, and a strike is said to be imminent. They have been   receiving $1.50 per day, which, owing to the rate they have to pay for board,   is not thought sufficient. A further cause of dissatisfaction is the claim   that the subcontractor employing them had not fulfilled his obligations. The   Italians are  said to be the more active agitators, and  a serious   fight took place at Little Genesee  Thursday night, between those in   favor of a strike and those opposed. Yesterday also the crowd was quite loud   and demonstrative, and serious trouble is feared.

     Along the line of the B., E. & C.   R.R. between Ceres and Little Genesee, yesterday, a riotous manifestation was   made by the Irish and Italian laborers in consequence of the construction   contractor of the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba R.R. failing, it is alleged, to   meet his obligations. The laborers complained that they were not only behind   on their wages,  but were receiving beggarly remuneration for the work   they performed.

     In view of the high prices that they   were obliged to pay for board they deemed $1.50 a day hardly adequate for   their labor. Night before last a fight took place between those who agreed to   work for $1.50 a day and those who demanded higher wages. A general strike is   imminent and more trouble is brewing.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Mon., April 17, 1882

     A Richburg youth took the trouble to   count the ties between the B., E. & C. R.R. depot in Richburg and the B.,   E. & C. R.R. depot in Bolivar yesterday afternoon and arrived at the   lofty figure of 7,286. The boy has the patience of an astronomer, and will   one day make his mark on the world.

     On Friday evening an employee of the   B., E. 7 C. R.R. while crossing a lumber car belonging to a freight train   that was at a stand-still, fell between the two cars. He was stunned and   bruised by the fall. Dr. J. L. Cutler, who was near the scene of the   occurrence, promptly rendered the necessary medical assistance.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW:

April 18, 1882

     Contractor Mitchell,   of the B.E. & C., recently received a severe wetting by falling into the   creek off  a log while looking over the line south of this place.

    Graders on the B. E. C. have   now reached a point nearly four miles south of this village. They are now at   work on the Bartles farm. Thee are two or three places north of that point   where the work has not been finished, but soon will be, as large gangs are   constantly plying the grading tools.

    One who has not traveled   over the road leading south toward Clarksville, would be surprised at the   change the railroad has wrought in the appearance of the country. About two   miles south of the village the road is constructed on quite a steep grade.   One would think while looking at the that the little narrow gauge cars could   begin at the summit, between this place and Clarksville, and slide into   either town. But it is stated that the grade is not near as heavy as it   appears from the highway.

    The farm houses along the   line are a scene of life and bustle. They are all crowded to their utmost to   accommodate the workmen, and the farmers are thus realizing a great benefit   from the road before it is even finished. The highest prices are paid for   board and lodging. the work at the cut east of the Erie depot is progressing   rapidly. the road is now being dug out of solid rock and powder has been   brought into use for blasting the stone. The work at that point  will   soon be completed.

WELLSVILLE REPORTER:

April 26, 1882

                                  Railroad Work.

                                          ____

   Work on the B., E. & C.   extension from Cuba to connect with the line now in operation at Little   Genesee, is being pushed rapidly from either terminus. Southward from Cuba   considerable progress has been made and northward from Little Genesee the   line is pushing out to meet them.

     On the latter   section Messrs. Grannis & Wafer, a Syracuse firm, have a contract for   nine miles of road, and may build more if they can get beyond that point   before the opposite crew meets them. They have now about 200 laborers at   work, partly Italians.  Mr. Grannis, of this firm, makes his headquarters   at the Fassett House in this village, and is a contractor of many yeas'   experience, both on railroad and other work.

Cuba Evening Review, Thurs., April 27, 1882

    The graders on the cut at the northern end   of the B., E. & C . railroad have reached the road bed nearly the entire   length of the cut, there being only about two rods left. The work at that   point has been executed with great rapidity.      It   has been dug out of solid rock the greater part of the distance. Surveyors   are now at work laying out the work, so that a connection may be made with   the T.V. & C. end of the line. But little grading will be necessary west   of the deep cut.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW:

April 28, 1882     

    The Bradford, Eldred &   Cuba railroad came over from Friendship three times to help  trains up   the summit. The engine should be kept at Cuba, as the steepest grade is this   side of the summit.

    The line is now graded from   this place to the summit between Cuba and Clarksville, with the exception of   one or two small places. Grading gangs are now plying the tools south of the   summit and will soon be into Clarksville.

     There  are 700   men employed on the Cuba branch of the K. & E. railway. -( Richburg Oil   Echo).  

      Either the Echo is   decidedly off its base  or else there more railroads pointing at us.   Cuba will be entirely eaten up by railroads yet. But we opine that the Echo   man indulged in an overdose of "bug juice" just before writing the   above article.

     The road bed will be   reached through the remainder of the cut east of the Erie depot on the B., E.   & C. in  three or four days. The construction train will then be put   in operation on that end of the line and will be used first in digging away a   slope at the cut on this end of the road, the wall of dirt by the side of the   track now being almost perpendicular. The bridge or trestle over the creek on   Daniel Helms' farm is now being constructed, and will be finished soon.

     Graders are now at   work on the southern side of the summit between this place and Clarksville,   and soon the wondering eyes of the natives of the latter town will behold the   smooth road bed, as it curves gracefully down through the valley, hitherto a   strange to ought but cow paths and lazy ox and farm horse teams. The right of   way has not yet been secured on Geo. V. DeKay's farm,  situated about   two miles south of Cuba. A settlement has been effected with the owners of   this place and the grading implements were set at work yesterday afternoon.   The work is being pushed as fast as expected.

Cuba Evening Review, Sat., April 29, 1882

    Our statement in yesterday's Review to the   effect that the B., E. & C. has secured the right of way across the   Bartles farm south of this village, is contradicted by the persons owning the   farm.

Cuba Evening Review, Mon., May 1, 1882

    The graders on the B., E. & C. railroad   are fast nearing Clarksville.     The large gang of   graders that was employed at the cut east of the Erie depot, struck this   morning for higher wages. They have been receiving $1.50 per day and they are   obliged to pay $4.50 for board. They thought that the profit was too small to   pay them for the hard labor they performed. They were at work under   Contractor Monroe. Our town is now filled with idle railroad men.

Cuba Evening Review, Tuesday, May 2, 1882 

   Yesterday morning while the gang of striking   railroad men were about town they maintained perfect order, and conducted   themselves in a gentlemanly manner. The men who are employed in the country   and who board at farm houses, complain that they cannot accustom themselves   to the salt pork which invariably appears on the tables. No man can rightly   be blamed for objecting to such a diet.

   The B., E. & C. railroad company made a   settlement with the owners of the Bartles farm,  situated about four   miles south of this village, concerning the right of way last Saturday.   Graders in large numbers are now employed at that   point.     The gang of men at work at the cut at this   place, who struck yesterday for higher wages, resumed work in the afternoon   at the old rates, doubtless of the opinion that small pay was preferable to   no pay at all.

May 2, 1882

     Graders   working  for Contractor Monroe on the B. E. & C. at Cuba, struck   yesterday morning for higher wages. They have been receiving $1.50 per day   and paying $4.50 per week for board. The men spent yesterday in idleness.

     J.S. Antonelli,   who made this village his headquarters last summer while at work on the B.,   E. & C. road, has a contract for grading on the Tonawanda Valley &   Cuba road near Rushford. Two hundred and seventy five men are at work on that   section.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, May 5, 1882

    There is now about one mile of grading done   on the B., E. & C.  railroad south of the Summit between this place   and Clarksville. A gang of about 20 men are at work in the village of   Clarksville. They are getting along splendidly with the work. The people of   Clarksville expect to see the construction train in about 30 days. The   company has not yet secured the right of way across Geo. V. DeCay's farm   south of this village.     Cuba was full of railroad   employees last evening, many of whom were pretty full of drink. With the   exception of a little row on South street, however, no disorderly conduct was   indulged in. The many unhappy fellows who have been sent to Angelica for   drunkenness and disorderly conduct has been a warning to the class of workmen   who drink, and they are exceedingly cautious  how they indulge   themselves. When they feel that they must drink they purchase the material   and go outside of the corporation where they will not be disturbed.

May 6, 1882

     A new timetable   will go into effect on the B., E. & C. R.R. on or about the 18th inst.   Between  Eldred and Bolivar the running time will be cut down from one   hour and seven minutes to 55 minutes. Faster time will also be made over the   K. & E. R.R. which will connect with the other road as usual. The B., E.   & C. is being rushed through to Cuba and will probably be completed by   Aug. 1.

May 8, 1882

     The rolling    stock of the B., E. & C. is to  be added to by the purchase of two   more locomotives, one for passenger and one for freight uses. They have   already been ordered. This indicates a need of more trains over the busy   little line.

     A Sunday train   over the B., E. & C. from  this station is promised to commence a   week from next Sunday.

Olean Sunday Herald, May 14. 1882

     Up to the present time 116 cars of   iron have been received at the Erie depot for the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba   and Tonawanda Valley & Cuba railroads.

     The little "donkey" engine   which has been used to draw half-hour trains between Richburg and Bolivar on   the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba R.R. arrived at the Erie depot Friday, to be   used as a construction engine on the T.V. & C. road.

Cuba Evening Review, Thurs., May 11, 1882

                   Narrow Gauge Railroad.   Ties are being distributed along the line   of the B., E. & C. railroad preparatory to the laying of rails. During   the heavy rain last night a large quantity of sand and gravel was washed on   to the planks which had been laid in the bed of the creek where the railroad   bridges are to be constructed.     The planks were placed   in the stream to prevent the water from washing out the railroad works. It   will be removed by a large gang of shovelers. The grading of the narrow gauge   through this place is now completed.

The   Oil Echo, Bolivar, N .Y., Monday, May 15, 1882
   
                    Railroad Time Changes
                           _____
    A New Schedule to go into Effect on Thursday - Shortening Time 
  Between Richburg and Bradford.
                           ____
        It is reported that both the Allegany Central   and Bradford, 
  Eldred and Cuba railroads will run on a new time schedule on and 
  after Thursday next, the day after the opening of the Bradford Short 
  Line.
        Richburg is to receive many benefits by the   changes, the time 
  of traveling the distance between here and Olean and Bradford being 
  shortened considerably. In regard to the Allegany Central, trains 
  will leave at about the same time that they do now, but fewer stops 
  will be made on the road.
        There will be a train made up at Richburg at   10 o’clock in the 
  morning and go right through to Bradford without change of cars or 
  locomotive, thus shortening the time about 55 minutes, a no in-
  considerable item to the busy oil man of this region. A reclining-
  chair or parlor car will be put on this train. But two stops will be 
  made between here and Olean and two between Olean and Bradford.
        The afternoon train which is now made up here   at 3 o’clock will 
  hereafter leave at 4 o’clock and go through to Bradford in the same 
  manner as the morning train. The Allegany Central is now finished as 
  far as Swain’s, 20 miles north of Angelica, and it is understood that 
  the trains will go right through, without any change whatever, to 
  Swain’s, where connections will be made with the Genesee Valley   Canal Railroad to Rochester.
        The Sunday trains will run about as they do   now. It is the 
  intention to run through trains from Richburg to Warren via Olean, 
  Bradford and Kinzua at an early date. At Warren connections will be 
  made with the river division of the B., P. & W.. and passengers can   
  be taken to Oil City with little delay. When the narrow gauge is 
  built from Warren to Oil City then passengers can go through from 
  Richburg to Oil City without change of cars.
        All these new arrangements will be of great   convenience  to 
  those people of Richburg who do so much traveling  between here   and 
  the lower country. Although it has been announced that the new 
  timetable will go into effect on Thursday there are doubts about 
  making the change on that day, as the trains will be all over the 
  road on the evening before and it will be difficult to make up the 
  trains at the places designated. The changes may occur next Monday, 
  as on the Sunday before preparations can more easily be made.
        The Bradford, Eldred and Cuba Railroad people   say they are not 
  going to run their regular trains to Richburg on and after the 18th.   
  The only material change in the running of the four trains which 
  leave Wellsville daily and go through to Eldred, will be that 
  Richburg will not be touched at all, the trains going right through 
  Bolivar. The Richburg line is only a spur of the road anyway. 
  According to the present arrangement, it takes 27 minutes for a train 
  to go up to Richburg from Bolivar and return, and the whole time 
  between Wellsville and Eldred is two hours and fifty-five minutes.
        By taking off the Richburg trip and making   fewer stops the time 
  between Wellsville and Eldred will be shortened by about an hour. 
  Richburg will have communication with Bolivar by the “dinkey” train, 
  which will make seventeen round trips every day of the week, Sunday 
  not excepted. A special timetable will be issued for the “dinkey” 
  train, the hour of arriving and departing being made more regular. 
  Richburgers and Bolivians both will be pleased with this latter 
  arrangement as there has always been as much of a demand for Sunday as   week-day trains.

   

Cuba Patriot, Monday, May 15, 1882

                         Another Strike!

                              ____

    The workmen in the cut of the Bradford,   Eldred & Cuba Railroad, in this village, some forty in number, struck for   $1.75 per day Monday A.M. They were receiving $1.50. They based their action   on the ground that the price of board had been increased. Mr. Mitchell the   conductor, refused to accede  to their demand, and the whole gang   "hoisted up their turkeys"  and "welted" the road   towards Rushford, saying they would get a job with Joe Antonelli, where board   is cheaper. There was no disturbance, no drunkenness. The men simply packed   their carpet bags and started. Their places were immediately replaced.

Wed., May 17, 1882

    R. G. Taylor, President   of the B., E. & C., accompanied by several prominent railroad men and   officers of the Erie, made a trip over the narrow gauge yesterday. They left   this station at 8:40 on a special train drawn by the new locomotive   "Ceres" No. 6, Wm. T, Handy, the pioneer engineer of the road, the   manipulator of "Old Ironsides" No. 1Ê of the B. B. & K., but   now transformed into a B. E. & C. locomotive, handled the throttle and   successfully piloted them over the winding, tortuous track on their tour of   inspection.

Cuba Evening Review, May 18, 1882

        Bradford, Eldred   & Cuba Railroad

    The work of laying rails on the B., E.   & C. railroad is being pushed with remarkable speed. Last night they had   reached S.P. Ault’s farm, making a distance of about three quarters of a   mile. The grading is, with few exceptions, completed between this place and   Clarksville. Men are now plying the grading tools in the vicinity of Obi. It   is thought that the rails will be laid through to Little Genesee within a   month.

Cuba Evening Review, May 20, 1882

    A new railroad between Eldred and White   House is to be put in by the Kendall & Eldred railroad company. They   intend to run through trains between Bradford and Richburg at an early date.

May 20, 1882

                                            A Later Train

                                                   ____

     The new timetable   on the B., E. & C. is not very satisfactory to Wellsville, nor just to   its business interests. By the present arrangement, the first train, either   freight or passenger, that reaches this station in the day is as late as   11:15,  and the last one to leave is as early as 2:30. Here is only   three hours and fifteen minutes, at the very longest, which any one depending   on that  road could spend in this village,  on either business or   pleasure, and return the same day. This is too short a limit.

    There should be a train   leaving here later in the day, not merely for the benefit of our businessmen,   but as well for the comfort, convenience and profit of the patrons of the   line who desire to make this  well-appointed business center their    trading point. We trust the management will be able to  accede  to   this proper demand.

Cuba Evening Review, Monday, May 22, 1882

     The natives south of this village are   astonished at the rapid progress being made by the iron gang on the B., E.   & C. railroad. Saturday night the rails were laid nearly through E.G.   Wasson’s sugar bush.

Cuba Evening Review, Thurs., May 25, 1882

    Last Sunday morning, before the usual   services in the M.E. church at Ceres, a declaration was unanimously made by a   rising expression, from the pastor and congregation, expressing   disapprobation of the Sabbath desecration in that town by the running of   railroad trains and the construction of roads and the continual repairing of   the same on that hallowed day, and praying that the time may soon come when   such practice shall cease.

      A like expression was made at   King’s Run in the afternoon of the same day.  Evidently the citizens of   those towns have not yet become hardened to the wicked ways of the world.

Cuba Evening Review, Sat., May 27, 1882

        Railroad Accident.

   While Horace Hitchcock of Kossuth, was walking on   the B., E. & C. railroad track, between Bolivar and the former town,   Thursday evening, he was struck by a gondola that was running wild down the   grade. He saw the car approaching and attempted to leave the track, but the   car struck him on the forehead and he was hurled into a pool of oil. A   gentleman who saw the accident took the injured man to his home. Medical aid   was summoned and it was ascertained  that his injuries were not serious.

Oil Echo, Monday, May 29, 1882

    The B., E. & C. R.R. people are talking   of having the dinkey train run up to Factory street, having a platform   constructed there for the accommodation of passengers. It has been glaringly   apparent for the past two months that the B., E. & C.R.R. depot is not   located in a locality convenient to the general public.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, June 2, 1882

     A gang of carpenters are busy framing   trestle timbers for the B., E. & C. railroad at Little Genesee, where   they have a long trestle to build. The depot of the road at that place is the   finest on the ling, being a structure 34x100 feet, two stories high.

     The town itself promises to develop   into a prosperous place.  The Allegany Central and B.,E. & C.   railroads already run through the village, and a short time will see the T.V.   & C. in operation from its junction at Cuba with the B.E. & C.

Cuba Evening Review, Sat., June 3, 1882

     The heavy rains of Wednesday night   washed out the B., E. & C. railroad track down at Ceres, compelling them   to transfer passengers.

     One and one-half miles of track have   been laid north of Genesee on the B., E. & C. railroad. A large number of   teams are employed hauling trestle and other timbers to the front.

Olean Sunday Herald, June 4, 1882

     The Bradford, Eldred and Cuba station   at Little Genesee is the finest on the line, being a two story structure 24   feet wide by about 100 feet in length. The waiting room in the center is   conveniently fitted up, with the ticket office between it and the freight   room, which is at the east end.

     The other end is being fitted up as a   lunch and dining hall, for the convenience of the traveling public. This will   be a necessary institution when trains are on the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba   Road.

Oil Echo, Richburg, June 7, 1882

      The B., E. & C. R.R. has a novel   arrangement for crossing the Allegany Central Railroad track here, consisting   of a gate laid across a foot above the A. C. track on the level with the   siding which is crossed in the usual manner. The gate is laid down when a   train passes over and then raise, leaving the A. C. track clear for trains on   that road. When the line is completed to Cuba, the Allegany Central main   track and siding will likely be brought to a level and the regulation   crossing put in. 

June 9. 1882

     Two new coaches   for the B., E. & C. have arrived at this station direct from the shops.   One is a "combination" car, having a compartment for baggage and   express in one end.  The other has seats arranged along the side with a   bench also in the center of the car. Both are finished in fine style.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Friday, June 9, 1882

   

     Workmen yesterday were repairing the   the road bed of the B., E. & C. R.R. track between this depot and Factory   Street preparatory to running trains over it. A depot will be erected on   Factory street and all trains will arrive at and depart from it at the hours   now specified in the timetable. The depot now in use will not be abandoned;   trains will stop there going to and returning from Bolivar. It is expected   the new arrangement will be perfected inside of a week.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Sat., June 10, 1882

     Today trains on the B., E. & C.   Railroad will run up to Factory street, taking passengers there as well as at   the depot on Broad Street.

Oil Echo, Richburg, June 12, 1882.

    On July 4th, cars will run between Cuba and   Bolivar on the B., E. & C. R.R.

Cuba Evening Review, Tues., June 13, 1882

        Big Row in Eldred.

         A good sized   row occurred at Eldred Sunday between a large number of railroad employees of   the new roads who were spending Sunday night in that place. A gang of Italian   graders on the Rew City & Eldred railroad constituted a beligerent    party,  while a number of employees of the narrow gauges constituted the   opposing force.

     About four o'clock in the afternoon   the two gangs men on the corner of Main and Depot streets and hostilities   immediately commenced.  All sorts of weapons were used, the brick-bat taking   a conspicuous part of the battle.

     The Italians were at last defeated,   several of their number being badly injured. The police arrested one of the   party, Jack O'Brien, by name, who was fined $10. It is thought the whole gang   will be similarly dealt with.

Oil Echo, Richburg, Sat., June 14, 1882

     Conductor Edward Lacy's train on   Wednesday made some magnificent time between here and Eldred,  Mr.   Courtwright, engineer. They waited here for No. 3 on the Erie, which was 55   minutes late, and got to Eldred fifteen minutes late, schedule time, having   made up forty minutes on a thirty-three-mile run with their schedule speed at   fifteen miles an hour. Considering the grades this is good.

Oil Echo, Richburg,  June 17, 1882

     The B.,E. & C. R.R. has taken off   one freight train drawn by Engine No. 4 between Eldred and Wellsville and   transferred the engine to construction work on the Cubs extension on which   work is being pushed rapidly ahead.

June 17, 1882

     Engine No. 4 of   the narrow gauge was shipped to Cuba yesterday to run the construction train   on that branch of the B.E. & C. R.R.

Cuba Evening Review, Monday, June 19, 1882

              B., E. & C. Railroad Excursion.

    Through the kindness of Engineer James   France and Fireman Lanny Warren, of engine No. 4, a very enjoyable pleasure   ride was given some of our citizens yesterday to Grove Summit via the B., E.   & C. railroad. The scenery is reported as very charming in that locality.

Cuba Evening Review, Wed., June 21, 1882

    The delightful country between this village   and Clarksville is daily being visited by delegations from this village. They   go over on the B., E.  & C. railroad

construction train. Mr. James France, the popular engineer, is   very accommodating.

    The fastest time which has yet been made on   the B., E. & C. railroad, was made yesterday by an Erie employee on foot.   He made the distance to the Summit, a distance of five miles, in just 45   minutes, six and one-half seconds.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, June 23, 1882

    John Robertson informs us that business is   rushing at his foundry and machine shop. They are casting a number of car   wheels for the B., E. & C. railroad and doing a large amount of miscellaneous   work.

Cuba Evening Review, Mon., June 26, 1882

         B., E. &   C. Railroad

    The Summit of the B., E. & C. railroad,   between this place and Clarksville, which is called by the officials of the   road, "Cuba Summit," is 520 feet above the Erie depot at this   place. The road is 20 miles in length. Fourteen miles of the road has a grade   of 160 feet to the mile. Six miles of the road are now laid on the Cuba end.   The work is being pushed as fast as possible, one thousand feet of track   being laid daily.

Cuba Evening Review,  Tues., June 27, 1882

     The narrow gauge railroads in the   Allegany oil field are suffering from the decline of business, and one   freight train has been taken off from the B., E. & C. railroad, while the   Allegany Central suffers even more than the other   road.     A large body of workmen on the B., E. & C.   got left this morning by the construction train, which carries them to work.   They claim they would have been ready could they have had their breakfast in   time. A little rest may possibly do them good.

Cuba Evening Review,  Wed., June 28, 1882

     The long trestle on the B., E. &   C. railroad, just this side of Clarksville Corners, will be 41 feet high,   consisting of 38 bents. Work on the structure was commenced this morning. It   will thus be seen that the construction train will not reach the above place   as soon as many expected.

Oil Echo, Richburg,  June 30, 1882 

        What the Railroads   Are Doing. 

   The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba road will run   special trains between Richburg, Eldred and Wellsville on the Fourth. Fare   will be at reduced rates, as follows: 

RICHBURG AND RETURN

From Eldred...... $1.10        From  Henry's...........$.40

   "      Bullis Mills   ....80       "  Vosburg...................50   

   "       Carroll............60       "    Allentown.................50 

   "       Junction.........50     "  N.   Summit.................60 

   "        Ceres......... ..45      "  Petrolia   ...................70             

   "     Bowler...........40         "  B. Brook..................90     

   "  L.   Genesee......25       "      Crowners..............1.00  

   "       Halbert..........30         "    Wellsville...............1.10

The Allegany Central folks will no doubt run special at excursion   rates from points north on their railroad. Give the Friendship and Angelica   people an opportunity to witness a celebration in true oil region style.

July 14, 1882

     The changed   condition of affairs in the Allegany Old Field has of course affected to   quite an extent the traffic on the narrow gauges leading thereto. The B.E.   & C. have retired two train gangs, employed on freight runs, and have   reduced the office force at both Richburg and Allentown. The falling off in   in-going freight, was, however, partially replaced by the transfer of goods   and tools bound to the Warren region, much of which is brought to this   station for reshipment.

    The stampede in that   direction has quieted down and very little more of emigration or transfer of   drilling apparatus can be expected. The little road could not expect to enjoy   forever the marvelous patronage and heavy dividends  which have made it   one of the best paying railroad properties ever built, and although a   decrease has come it is still left with profits which would make the managers   and shareholders of any standard gauge road smile with surprise.

Cuba Evening Review, Monday, July 17, 1882

                        B., E. & C.

                             ____

Progress of the B., E. & C. Railroad - Clarksville now   Connected with the Railroad Centre of Allegany County - A Pleasant Trip Over   the Road Yesterday.

    Two excursion trips were made yesterday   over the B., E. & C. railroad from Cuba to Clarksville, by the   construction train, drawn by engine No. 4, James France, engineer, and Lanna   Warren, in the absence of the regular man, officiating as fireman. The day   was bright and beautiful and the cars were well laden with sightseers.

     The trip to Clarksville cannot fail   to afford pleasure to all participants. There is something decidedly romantic   in the high hills and deep valleys., The road passes up a steep grade until   the Summit is reached, and then immediately begins  the descent into the   town hitherto a stranger to the smoking locomotive.

     The high, dizzy trestles, the steep   precipices and sharp curves over which the road passes, makes the trip one of   constant excitement, while the gentle lambs with their little tails flopping   up and down in the air, the frightened cow, the festive horse, woodchucks,   squirrels, and even human beings all striving to gain the greatest distance   from the horrible iron monster rushing through the country, gives the scene a   laughable aspect.

     The road for the greater part of the   way is smooth, having been well ballasted and put in the best condition.   Numerous halts were obliged to be made for the purpose of letting down bars,   which, in the absence of the railroad fence, which has not yet been   completed, are kept to keep cattle from wandering away from their pastures.

     The track on the road has been laid   to a point near the Clarksville bridge, over Dodges Creek, at a place where   the public road is crossed, and within a quarter mile of the town. The   natives of the place are at present laboring under great excitement, caused   by the appearance of the road, and it is stated that during church services,   as the reverend minister was delivering his long prayer and when he had got   to a central point, the shriek of the locomotive whistle rang through the building,   and realizing the great blessing which had fallen to the happy lot of the   community, he shouted "Amen!" and hastily seizing his stovepipe hat   rushed from the building, and followed by his entire congregation, choir   included, hastened to meet the train.

     This is but a single illustration of   the feeling felt in Clarksville over the advent of the railroad. The road   will soon be entirely completed and will then be a source of profit as well   as pleasure to the inhabitants along the line. Meanwhile, we will shake hands   with our Clarksville friends, wishing them prosperity and happiness in their   new advantages.

Cuba Evening Review, Tues., July 18, 1882

     A Good Old Time in Prospect

       When a  certain   point is reached, directly west of Clarksville on the B., E. & C.   railroad, permission will be asked of the superintendent to run an excursion   train, composed of five cars with comfortable plank seats, from the place to   the above named place. There is a beautiful grove at the place, and a   platform will be erected, music furnished, and Cubans and Clarkvillians will   dance together on the new railroad and the intercourse which as been   established between the two towns. It is almost needless for us to add that   the popular engineer of engine No. 4, "Jimmie" France, is at the   head of the anticipated sport.

Cuba Evening Review, Wed., July 19, 1882

    Tracklaying on the B., E. & C. road was   stopped this morning on account of a lack of spikes. A new supply was   expected today. Eight miles of track remain to be laid.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, July 21, 1882

     Three B., E. & C. boxcars arrived   on Erie train 19, last evening, for use on the T.V. & C. road.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, July 21, 1882

        Narrow Gauge   Excursion.

     Excursions are becoming quite   numerous on the two narrow gauge roads diverging from Cuba. They are always   heartily welcomed by our citizens, who take the opportunity to spend a few   hours in a pleasure trip into the newly opened rich farming country north and   south of Cuba. Two of these trips were made yesterday, one towards Rushford   and the other to Clarksville.

    The Clarksville excursion on the B., E.   & C. road composed of about 150 citizens who made themselves comfortable   on two flatcars with plank seats, was pushed by engine No. 4, James France at   the throttle. A third car car loaded with lumber at the rear of the engine,   was also occupied by quite a number.

     The train started at about  two   o'clock. Upon arriving at the summit the front truck of the forward car was   thrown from the track art the curve. The train was immediately stopped and   after about an hour's work was again safe upon the rails.

     Arriving at Clarksville the party   took a stroll and viewed the sights. We understand that something in the way   of refreshments was also on the program. After remaining in Clarksville about   a half hour the pleasure seekers returned to the "coaches" and went   whirling back to Cuba much pleased with the trip.

     The party that accompanied engine No.   4, "Tom" Hale, engineer, drawing the two coaches and baggage car   towards Rushford was not so large, but had an agreeable time. The train only   went about half the distance to our neighboring village, on account of a   cattle-guard being constructed. The object of this trip was mostly to allow   the engineer to test his engine and learn the ways of the road.

Cuba Evening Review, Sat., July 22, 1882

     The Clarksville picnic excursion left   Cuba on the B., E. & C.  road at 10:45 this morning. The Cuba Band   was in attendance in full uniform. About 150 people went on this trip,   occupying three flat cars. Another trip was made at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Cuba Evening Review, Monday, July 24, 1882

     The narrow gauge roads are laying a   platform for landing passengers, south of the Erie depot.

Cuba Evening Review, Aug. 3, 1882

    Track laying on the B., E. & C. road is   progressing finely. There are about three and one-half miles to lay yet   before the connection can be made between the Cuba and Little Genesee ends of   the road. The two gangs will probably meet within a week.

Cuba Evening Review, Aug. 4, 1882

    Three flat cars for the B., E. & C.   road arrived last evening.

Cuba Evening Review, Tues., Aug. 8, 1882

     A ride over the T.V. & C. or the   B., E. & C. roads make a very pleasant trip. The scenery along both lines   is fine as the roads pass through the best farming country in this section.

Cuba Evening Review, Wed., Aug. 9, 1882

    The B., E. & C. road will furnish a   platform at Johnson's Grove for the convenience for those who attend the camp   meeting.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, Aug. 11, 1882

                   Narrow Escape on the B., E. & C.

     Some human brute attempted to wreck a   small excursion train composed of flat cars and engine No. 4, on the B., E.   & C. road Monday. The car was occupied by a number of ladies who were   being favored with a pleasure ride to Clarksville. On the return trip the   train encountered a tie laid across the track next to the trestle on the   flats south of Cuba.

     The flat car occupied by the ladies   was ahead and struck the tie, fortunately knocking it off the track. A run   off at the place where the tie was laid on the track would have   undoubtedly  resulted in a serious accident, and it is fortunate that   such did not occur.

     The rascal who is so reckless in what   he does should be hunted down and made to suffer. Such occurrences are becoming   to be altogether too frequent for public safety.

Cuba Evening Review, Aug. 12, 1882

   

     Engine No. 1, of the Tonawanda Valley   & Cuba, and engine No. 4 of the B., E. and C. were off the track   yesterday. Open switch.

Cuba Evening Review, Wed., Aug. 16, 1882

     B., E. & C. Railroad Notes

     Track laying will be finished   tomorrow afternoon and the connection made between the Cuba and Genesee ends   at about five miles south of Obi.

     A "Y" will be constructed   at Cuba as soon as the track laying is finished.

     Dances are in order at Tiptop summit   on the road, between Obi and Little Genesee, every Wednesday and Thursday   evenings.

     Engine No. 2 has been used in the   construction of the Little Genesee end of the road.

     When just south of Obi, on the return   this morning, the rear truck of the tender of engine No. 4 jumped the track,   but did no damage. The train was delayed about twenty minutes.

     Rollin Gordon narrow escaped a   serious accident this morning. He was riding the pilot of engine No. 4, James   France, engineer, when he jumped off to let down a fence. In some way he   slipped and fell directly across the track. Meanwhile the engine had been   started and came within about two feet of him before it could be stopped. A   narrower escape one would not wish to have.

Aug. 17, 1882

     Track laying on   the B., E. & C. from Cuba to Little Genesee is to be finished today, the   junction being made about five miles south of Obi, in the town of   Clarksville.

     The general   offices of the B., E. & C. R.R. Co. have been moved from Eldred to Little   Genesee  temporarily. That is the point most central to their main line   and the branch to Cuba.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, Aug. 18, 1882

     Track laying on the B., E. & C.   road is now finished between Little Genesee and Cuba. The connection was made   yesterday and engine 4 went to the former place at noon, returning to Cuba   road last evening. All that remains to be done to place the road in running   order is ballasting an a few finishing touches to the track. A baggage car   and one coach will be run next week for the accommodation of the camp   meeting.

Cuba Evening Review, Monday, Aug. 21, 1882

       Accident on the B., E.   & C.

     Engine 4, James France, engineer,   started from Cuba on the B., E. & C. road for Little Genesee, pulling an   excursion car and two loaded flats, at 12:30  Saturday afternoon.

    The engine was running backwards and   pulling the cars. When the train reached point opposite the Bartle    farm, southeast from Cuba, from some unaccountable reason the tender left the   track,  followed by the engine.

     They ploughed over the track to the   top of the embankment, which is high and steep at this point, where they were   stopped. As soon as a man could be sent to Cuba, aid was telegraphed for from   Little Genesee.

     With undaunted pluck the engineer and   workmen on the train proceeded to do what they could to replace the engine   and tender upon the track. After using jack screws a short time the engine   was raised and run down on the rails.

     The men then attached a chain to the   tender and after coupling to the engine it was also hauled onto the track   again. The engine and tender were both on the rails again at 6:30, no aid   from Little Genesee having at that arrived.

     No damage was done except to the   track and breaking the coupling between engine and tender. At about seven   o'clock engine 1, of the T.V. & C. went over to the scene of the accident   and accompanied the train back to Cuba, as the track was in such bad   condition  that it could not proceed to Little to Genesee.

Cuba Evening Review, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1882

     The platform for the convenience of   those who take the cars to the camp meeting ground is being constructed   opposite the grove on the B., E. & C. road. It will be a very substantial   structure.

Cuba Evening Review, Thurs., Aug. 24, 1882

     The coach and baggage car for the   train to be run from the depot to the camp grounds on the B., E. & C.,   arrived last night. The train will run to the grounds and through to   Clarksville at 6:30 in the morning and throughout the day back and forth as   needed. The train will leave the Erie depot at 4:30 in the afternoon and go   through to Clarksville after the laborers on the road. O.W. Warren will act in   the capacity of conductor during the camp meeting. The fare will be 10 cents   each way

Cuba Evening Review, Tues., Sept. 19, 1882

      The B., E. & C. road will   sell round trip tickets from the stations on the road to the Cuba fair, which   will include admission to the fair grounds. A round trip ticket of this kind   from Clarksville and return costs only 50 cents. this is owing to an error in   making out the rates, as that price is just the admission to the grounds   here. We are informed that the road will stick to the rate, however, as   advertised.


   

Cuba Evening Review, Sept. 29, 1882

      A number of new oil wells are   projected at Salt Rising, the first station of Little Genesee on the B., E.   & C. Road.

Cuba Patriot, Friday, Oct. 13, 1882

      ACCIDENT ON THE B.E. & CUBA

                            ______

      A Gondola and a Hand Car   Collide -

         One Man Badly   Injured.

                           _____

     Saturday evening last, before   Superintendent Ross, who is in charge of the fence and bridge gang on the B.,   E. & C., near Salt Rising got ready to quit his labors for the week and   repair with his men to Little Genesee where they boarded, he sent word down   the road to clear the track and he would stop and take them in his gondola,   as they also boarded at Little Genesee.

     The men it appears paid little   attention to the orders of the Superintendent, and foolish enough after   delaying beyond the time specified in the Superintendent's order, got aboard   their hand car and attempted to run into Little Genesee ahead of the gondola.  

     They had not fairly got under full   headway and while passing around a sharp curve in the road when the gondola   swooped down upon the hand car tossing it over in the ditch upon the body of   a son of the Emerald isle who still clung to it, and it is thought fatally   injured him. The hand car was occupied by six persons, five of whom jumped   from the car before the final crash and were preserved entire.

Cuba Evening Review, Oct. 19, 1882

      Paymaster L. F. Chew gladdened   the hearts of the B., E. & C . employees yesterday. he makes a trip over   the T.V. & C. road today.

Cuba Evening Review, Oct. 20, 1882

     The train dispatcher of the B., E.   & C. road will soon locate in Cuba.

Oct. 25, 1882

                        A Railroad Superintendent Pinned Up.

                                    ____

     The ordinary   routine of  railroad life at Bolivar was disturbed a little by an   occurrence at Bolivar last evening. Superintendent C.  D. Williams was   summoned by the telegraph to that station last night. He found a large number   of employees of the B., E. & C. company assembled there, and whether it   was a strike or other trouble in prospect he had not the slightest   intimation,

     The mystery was   finally explained by Clarence A. Farnum of this village, the attorney of the   road, stepping foreward and presenting the astonished official, with few but   appropriate words, a handsome solitaire diamond pin. Mr. Williams managed to   dig a suitable response  out from under his surprise.

     The gift is   valued at $150, and nearly all the boys on the road participated in   contributing for it, in testimony to the respect and esteem in which this   popular official is held.

CUBA EVENING REVIEW- Nov. 13, 1882

OVER A TRESTLE

A fatal wreck on the B. E. & C. Road   North of Clarksville

Engineer France killed and others injured.

Wonderful escape of the passengers. Notes   on the disaster.

    Train No. 70, going   north, on the Bradford, Eldred and Cuba Narrow gauge, composed of a   combination passenger and baggage car, and engine No. 4, James France   engineer, and Chas. Cressy Fireman, left Clarksville 25 minutes late Saturday   afternoon. The train is due at Cuba at 4:05 and is allowed 50 minutes to run   from Clarksville. The engineer was endeavoring to make up lost time and the   too great speed combined with a defect in the track, threw the passenger car   from the track at the curve just before reaching the trestle on the Congdon   farm about two miles from Clarksville.

    The train ran out upon   the trestle some distance before the car went over, pulling the tender and   engine after it. The trestle at this point is about fifteen feet high, and is   straight the entire length. When the engine went over there were four riding   in the cab, A.W. Smith, of Cuba, O.J. Warren, brakeman, and the engineer and   fireman. Mr. Smith saw the car go over and yelled to the others in the cab to   jump for their lives. Just as the engine toppled over all except the   engineer, jumped and for the trestle and Mr. Smith saved himself in that way.   Creesy and Warren fell through and were badly injured. Engineer France went   down at his post and was instantly killed.

    The passenger car   struck on its side and the passengers made their escape through the windows.   What is very wonderful is the escape of the passengers. None were seriously   hurt, but some were quite badly bruised. The injured were taken to the house   of N.P. Learn, near the scene of the disaster, and A.W. Smith immediately set   out for Cuba with a borrowed rig and made all possible speed, changing his   horse for a fresh animal on the way. Upon arriving at Cuba he secured the   services of physicians, who immediately set out for the scene of the wreck.

     The remains of James   France were taken to Bolivar, his home, Sat. night.

     The list of the   injured is as follows: Chas. Cressy, Fireman back injured and other serious   injuries; O.J. Warren, seriously injured; F. Townsend, ankle and foot   crushed; R. Rosa hurt in back and side; Mrs. T.F. Rude, cut on head. Some   others were more or less bruised. The following is a list of those who were   on the unlucky train, besides the engineer, fireman, brakeman and conductor   Mulchy; A.W. Smith, Cuba; Frank Townsend; Michael Collins, Allegany; R. Rosa,   Obi; George Hoyle, Cuba; Allen Peckham, Clarksville; Mrs. T.F. Rude and two   children, Cuba; C.A. DeKay, Cuba; John Strait, Lyndon.

    This is the first   serious accident on the road. It is conceded that it was caused by too fast   running and it is to be hoped that this wreck will prove a warning against   its repetition. Considering the speed of the train and the distance of the   fall it is considered one of the most fortunate endings of a disaster that   have been reported. It is a wonder the death list was not increased tenfold.   (Congdon trestle 40 ft. above the ground at highest point).

Wellsville Daily Reporter, Monday, Nov.   13, 1882

                        TUMBLE FROM A TRESTLE

                                        ____

      First   Serious Accident on the Narrow Gauge

                                        ____

      Saturday   afternoon the train due at Cuba at 4 o'clock on the B., E. & C. R.R. was   thrown from a trestle about five miles south of that place. The trestle is   built on a curve and is forty feet high. The train consisted of a combination   car and locomotive and was running at a high rate of speed for the lay of the   road at that point.

     When the entire   train was on the trestle the coach swung off into the gorge below, pulling   the rest of the train after it. One of the coaches and engine are a total   wreck, while the others came out moderately well, considering  their   fall.

     The engine was in   charge of James France,  with fireman Charles Cressy. Mr. A.W. Smith   of  Cuba was also riding on the engine. The latter as he saw that   the  engine  must go over jumped from the cab and caught upon the   projecting  timber of the trestle, escaping  serious injury.    The fireman also jumped but did not have as good luck and fell on top of the   cab. he as insensible when found and is badly hurt.

     The engineer,   sitting on his seat behind the reverse lever, had no chance to make even an   effort to save himself and went over with the locomotive. He was found under   the boiler with hand and shoulders  nearly burned off. He had been   killed by the fall and mercifully spared the agony of burning to death.

     There were a   large number  of passengers on the train, but strange to say none of   them were killed or dangerously hurt. This is the first serious accident on   the B.E. & C., in spite of the short curves and numerous trestles , which   are abundant on the Cuba branch.

     Great regret is   expressed among the railroad employees here over the fate of the engineer. He   has run on this portion of the road until a few months ago, and made his home   in this village for a portion of the time. The fireman also left this end of   the road at the same time. Mulcahey was the conductor of the train, he having   been transferred from here about two weeks ago.

    A special train was run   from this station to the scene of the accident yesterday, with a force of men   to help pick up the shattered train.

Cuba Evening Review, Wed., Nov. 15, 1882

      The late James France, the   engineer who was killed in the B., E. & C. wreck, Saturday, had an insurance   of $4,000 on his life.

Cuba Evening Review, Friday, Nov . 17, 1882

      The latest report from O.J.   Warren, injured in the B., E. & C. wreck is to the effect that if no new   complication sets in he may  be expected to get well. The other man,   Chas. Cressy, is reported as improving.

     Trains commenced running on the Cuba   division of the B., E. & C. road today.

      The wrecked engine No. 4 of the   B., E. 7 C. road will be taken to Dunkirk for repairs.

Cuba Evening Review, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 1882

                    A Runaway Car.

     A carload of fence posts was being   distributed along the line of the B., E. & C. road near the summit   yesterday. While the workmen were engaged in this work the car in some manner   got started towards Cuba. The brakes wouldn't work and the men were obliged   to get out of the way and let it go. The car ran down to a short curve near   Mr. Coon's place and there jumped the track and shot out into the valley over   fifty feet. When it struck the platform left the trucks and the two parts   were considerably damaged. Luckily no one was on the car at the time.

Cuba Patriot, Nov. 24, 1882


   

     Sketch of the B., E.   & C. Wreck

   We were shown yesterday a   sketch, or sketches, of the recent wreck on the B., E. & C. road near this   village. It was made by Mr. A.F. Poole, the artist who had been recently   canvassing our town for a view of Cuba. It shows the car and engine   leaving  the track, also after they made the plunge into the gully   below.

    The dead engineer is shown as   he lay pinned in the earth by the rim of the boiler  across his neck,   his head underneath and the rest of his body free from incumbrance. Also Mr.   A.W. Smith is pictured as he jumped from the tender. The high trestle and the   deep gorge are all accurately pictured, and the eye can at once take to the   wonderful escape of all board the ill-fated train.

Allegany County   Democrat, Angelica, Jan. 3, 1883
 
 
The B., E. & C . railroad company are   reducing both the salaries and working force of their employees. Numerous   changes have been made at the stations along the route. Mr. Luce will assume   charge of this and Richburg stations, now held by J.W. and H. Clark, Jan.   1st. The salaries of engineers and conductors on passenger trains have been   reduced $2o, and those of freight engineers $15 while conductors of freights   receive the same as before - Bolivar Leader.

Hornellsville Weekly Tribune, Jan. 12, 1883

    The B., E. & C. railroad reports that   for the year ending with September, its receipts were $153,000 and expenses   $138,000.

    B.C. Williams,  superintendent of the   Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua and C.D. Williams, superintendent of the B.,   E. & C., have resigned, and the superintendency has been assumed b y R.G.   Taylor, formerly general manager. The wages of several classes of employees   will be reduced. 

Cuba Patriot, Jan. 12, 1883

      The Bradford, Bordcell &   Kinzua, the Bordell and Smethport and the Rew City and Eldred railroad   companies held their elections in Bradford Monday. Of all of the   corporations, R.G. Taylor was chosen Vice President and General Manager. J.E.   Ransom, Auditor, and B.W. Spencer, Treasurer, and nearly similar boards of   directors were chosen by all. With this action it was also decided to   consolidate the management of the above named roads and the Tonawanda Valley   and Cuba, and the Bradford, Eldred and Cuba at Bradford. Of all these, Mr.   Taylor will be the managing head.

     The official headquarters of the two   latter roads had  been at Cuba for the past few months, and their   removal, and that of the officials connected with them will be regretted. It   is brought about by the resignation of Messna,, B.C. and C.D. Williams from   their respective superintendency of the B.B. & K. and B., E. & C.,   and the propriety of having all of the roads united in interests, and united   in a central and convenient management.

Cuba Patriot, Jan. 26, 1883
      Among the Oil Wells.
                       ____
      Allentown, Jan. 16, 1883
       Editor, Patriot. - We send the following to let the   readers of your excellent paper know what is being done in this part of the   Allegany Oil Field.
       Allentown is well situated on the line of the   Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad. It has a population of nearly 400, and   has the credit of being one of the most orderly and best managed of oil   towns. It has three oil supply stores and three hotels, with stores,   groceries, boarding houses, liveries, barber shops, and all the mechanical   trades. The post office is kept by Mrs. C. W. Furnwald, the right lady in the   right place. The citizens are now building a commodious school house.
      Allentown is blessed with a smart, active set of men, who   had an opportunity of showing their good qualities at the recent fire.   Without a fire company, and with a scarcity of water, which had to be brought   from a distance with pails, their heroic efforts were rewarded by the saving   of the village.
       Among the businessmen the Phillips Brothers take   active part. They have put down four wells in the past few months at a cost   of $7,480 on their own territory. The depth of the wells are No. 1, 1,085,   No. 2, 1,274, No. 3, 1,286, No. 4, 1,264 feet. The last two are on top of one   of the highest hills in the vicinity.
      We visited these wells, which are all good flowing ones, yielding   from 10 to 15 barrels each. From the top of the hill we saw 100 wells, all   said to be paying ones.
      Two miles east of the village we visited White's Hill,   which is thickly dotted with derricks and wells. We stopped with Mr. Spencer   White, an oil operator who informed us that the cold weather and scarcity of   water had stopped work for the present, but large supplies of lumber and   material indicate business in the spring.
       Duke & Norton have a 34,000 barrel tank on the   hill filled with oil, awaiting a higher market. Phillips Bros. have stopped   drilling on their own territory, but are helping others. M. Phillips is   helping Riley Allen put down a well a few rods north of the village, and they   are preparing to  put down a well for Frank Fox a few rods east of the   village.
       A serious accident happened to Charley Sweet, a   grandson of Mrs. Phillips. While playing with another boy with a   double-barrel shotgun, one barrel was discharged, inflicting a serious wound   in the right thigh. Another instance of folly of boys playing with firearms.
     Please receive this from an office boy of Thurlow Weed in the   year 1815.       D.P. Fitch

Hornellsville  Weekly Tribune, March 23, 1883

      Erie narrow gauges - Some two   months ago the Erie began negotiating with the officers of the B., E. &   C., and T.V. & C. narrow gauge roads, looking to a lease of the latter to   the Erie. On account of the death of ex-Governor Morgan negotiations were   dropped and have not yet been resumed. The negotiations are far enough advanced,   however, to give details of the lease.

     One and one-half million dollars in   bonds will be issued which have been guaranteed by the Erie. The leased lines   which have a total length of 157 miles, connect with the Erie at Attica,   Cuba, Wellsville and Bradford, and touch some of the most important towns in   the section through which they run. The Erie has displayed considerable   shrewdness in thus securing these roads, as it insures to the Erie the   control of the immense traffic which might have been diverted to other roads.   The present  earnings of the roads will more than pay the interest on   the bonds. 
   

Utica Morning Herald, Wed., April 5, 1883

    The Bradford, Eldred   & Cuba Railroad company has finished its independent construction between   Ceres and Bolivar. About 15 trains run daily. The distance is only seven   miles, but it is an important adjunct to the immense oil territory in that   region. The grading, bridging and ballasting were done in two weeks.

Cuba Patriot, Friday, April 6, 1883
 
  The B., E. & C. had a car off the track on Saturday, a short distance
  south of this village, which interfered with regular trips.

Cuba Patriot, Friday, Aug. 3, 1883
 
  Changes in Narrow Gauge Management
  _____
  On the 16th of July R.G. Taylor resigned his position of the
  "Taylor Narrow Gauges" and B.C. Williams, formerly of the Bradford,  
  Bordell and Kinzua took his place.
  On August 1st the B., E. & C. and T.V. & C. were taken more
  directly under the control of the Erie. The auditing department of
  these roads was abolished, and reports will now be made directly to
  the Erie officers in New York. The Erie some time ago guaranteed the
  bonds of these companies and are therefore intimately interested in
  their financial success.
  Mr. J.E. Ransom, well known in Cuba, who has filled the
  position as Auditor since the building of the roads, is therefore
  retired from duty in that capacity, but still retains his position as
  Secretary.

Rushford Spectator, March 6, 1884

     The Cuba branch of the B.E. & C.   has not been open since January 1st.

Wellsville Daily Reporter, Tues., Sept. 29,  1885

                     GAS EXPLOSION

                             ___

Two Men Seriously Burned at the Narrow Gauge Shops.

                             ___

     Wm. Schrieber, watchman, and Andrew   Lynch, blacksmith, employed at the narrow gauge shops in this city were very   seriously burned about the face, hands and arms by a gas explosion about 5   p.m. yesterday.

     Inside the building is a well or pit   about 16 feet deep, required for certain uses. Into this pit runs a gas pipe,   and part way down is a jet for lighting it when work is being done. One of   the men descended to the bottom to make some repairs, and the other stopped   at the gas jet.

    Evidently to them there was a small leak of   gas in the well, but it was not deemed to be dangerous. The one at the bottom   said it was all right, and the other struck a light. Instantly there was an   explosion of the gas which had escaped from the leaking pipe, and both men   were severely burned and stunned by its force. Neither one knows just how   they got out.

     The injured men were competently   cared for by Drs. Nye and Witter, and made as comfortable as possible.    Lynch had no coat on, and is therefore the worst burned about the arms.

     It was a narrow escape from death,   and both men will necessarily be laid up for repairs for some time to come.

Cuba Patriot, April   10, 1884

        Trains commenced regular trips over the Cuba branch of the B., E. & C. on   the 1st of April. The Cuba and Bradford Express, commencing last   Monday, now makes trips only to the Big Bridge and returns each day, instead   of to Johnsonburg as formerly. The day’s work is still hard enough.

Rushford Spectator, Thurs., April 17, 1884

      The Clarksville end of the B.E.   & C. road is again running regular trains.

Allegany County Democrat,  Wellsville, Wed., June 25,   1884

                         JUMPED THE TRACK.

                                 _____

     THE TRAIN  ON THE B., E. & C.   R.R., which left Cuba Friday afternoon, Conductor Mulcahy, met with a serious   accident in a rock near Merritt Hollow, the engine and solitary coach jumping   the track. As the car jumped over the ties Archie McCauley, boss carpenter of   the road, who was standing on the rear platform of the coach jumped and   received severe injury of the spine, resulting in partial paralysis.

     A young man named Hall sustained an   ugly cut to the head. F. Carpenter of Bolivar, was cut about the head and   breast. "Doc" Reed, of Bolivar, was cut about the head and chest. A   passenger named Alexander was slightly injured, as was also Tom Love of   Bradford.

     Had the accident occurred a short   distance beyond the rock cut it would probably have resulted still more   seriously, as the car might have rolled down a steep hill. The wounded were   well cared for, and all, with the except of McCauley, who is very badly   injured, are doing well.

Allegany County Democrat, Wed., Dec. 24, 1884

    The Bradford, Eldred and Cuba railroad branch,   between Cuba and Genesee was run for the last time during the winter on   Saturday. The time comes when the "great gridiron" of narrow gauges   thoroughly roasts the stockholder. This seems to be the case in Allegany.

Allegany County Democrat,  Wed., Jan. 14, 1885

Why an Excited Bolivar Citizen Stopped an Express Train.

                          _____

    BOLIVAR, N.Y.,  JAN. 10. - Three weeks   ago, "Bob" Mower, a one-tikme conductor on the "dinkey"   that ran between here and Richburg, took a "lay-off."  Such   occurrences are common among conductors, and "Bob's" good   reputation caused no suspicion as from day to day he walked up and down Main   street as if anxious about something, and his looks were that of a man with   an eye to business.

    

all was explained Monday morning, when he rushed out on the   track near Main street crossing, in front of the express train and with both   hands up yelled to the top of his voice: "Stop this train!" He   turned a double somersault, lit square on his feet, and with had in hand   screamed a second time: "Stop this train!" The conductor and   passengers rushed out to see what the trouble was, when "Bob"   whispered to the conductor, "It's a girl, and she's a daisy!  Come   in and have something, everybody."

Rushford Spectator, March 18, 1886

        A Narrow Gauge   Sleeping Car

     The B., E. & C., under the   efficient management of Mr. John C. McKenna, has become one of the best   narrow gauge lines in the country. The way the road has been kept open and time   made during the past winter speaks well for its officials.

     Important improvements are soon to be   made on the road, among them, being a hoist at this place, and a through   train for Pittsburg with sleeping car attached. A narrow gauge sleeping would   be a great curiosity in this section, but there is no doubt that such a train   would soon become exceedingly popular, as this is the only route by which   changes would not have to be made. [Wellsville Free Press]

Cuba Patriot, Oct. 18, 1888

    The iron of the Bradford,   Eldred & Cuba between Cuba and Little Genesee is being taken    up.  Near Obi about a mile of the track is gone, having been stolen.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle,  Sat., Sept. 13, 1890

                    The Floods at Bradford.

      Bradford, Pa., Sept. 12. - Rain   has been falling steadily all the  week, and although no serious   damage  has been done, both branches of the Tuna River are overflowing   many of the lower streets. No mail or freight came from the east has come over   the Erie  since Tuesday. The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroad is   washed out at Wellsville, as are also the Wellsville & Coudersport and   the Erie roads. Should the rain continue, serious damage will result in this   vicinity.

Buffalo Express,  Oct. 23, 1890.

             Two Important Decisions

    The Court of Appeals on   Tuesday (Oct. 21) decided two important suits under the titles of "The   Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad Company and Thomas C. Platt as receiver,   against the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company,   appellant," and "the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba Railroad Company   and Bird W. Spencer as receiver, against the New York, Lake Erie &   Western Railroad Company, appellant."

     Thee cases are   identical in principle, and contracts between the parties being the same,   with the exception of the name of the railroad company plaintiffs. The facts   are also the same, except as to the amount of the bonded indebtedness of the   plaintiffs and their deficiencies as to earnings. The cases were tried together.

     The suits were   brought to compel specific performance of an alleged agreement by defendant   to loan money. Each case had been twice tried. Both the roads plaintiff   penetrated into the oil region and were used by the Erie as feeders.

     To  render   them permanently tributary, the Erie, in march, 1883, made contracts with   them whereby they were to turn over all business to the Erie and to promote   the Erie's interests, and to surrender to the Erie the majority of the   capital stock as a protection against the latter. The Erie bound itself to   make good any deficiencies in the earnings of these roads to meet the   interest on their bonds from time to time.

     The bonded debt   of the Tonawanda road amounted to $490,000, that of the Bradford, Eldred   & Cuba Road was $560,000. The defense was that the contract was void, not   having been ratified by defendants' stockholders, and fraudulent against the   plaintiffs' non-assenting shareholders, and that in any event the defendants'   liability was terminated by the appointment of receivers.

     The appeal in   each case was from the affirmance of the New York Special Term judgment in   favor of the plaintiff. The Court of Appeales reversed this judgment and   orders a new trial.

Ceres Mail, Jan. 14, 1892

   Timetable on the B. E. & C. taking effect   Dec. 29, 1890. Stations: Wellsville, Allentown, Bolivar, Little Genesee,   Ceres, Eldred. Two trains each way daily. Running time, two hours.

Ceres Mail,  Feb. 4, 1892

     We found time the other day to take a   trip over to Bradford via the B. E. & C. and the B.B. & K. The grade   of the latter road from Eldred to Bradford is something wonderful even for a   narrow gauge. Kinzua Junction is the highest point on the road, and is 1050   feet above Eldred. Between Rixford and Rew City, the grade averages 156 feet   to the mile. From Kinzua Junction to Bradford the descent is rapid. The   distance is 10 miles and the grade is 100 feet to the mile. The little road   winds around the mountain tops in a dizzy fashion. In the spring the view   from the car windows is grand and inspiring.

Allegany County Democrat, June 15, 1892

                   B.E. & C. R.R.

                            _____

                     T. Platt, Receiver

Leave Wellsville......................................8 a.m.

    "         "..............................................1:45 p.m.

Arrive at Wellsville.................................12:15 p.m   .

      "        ..............................................6   p.m.

      "      "...............................................8:55   .m.

   Connecting at Wellsville with Erie trains both   ways, and at Eldred with W.N.Y. & P. and B.B. & K. trains.

       W.W. Atwood, Supt.,   Wellsville, N.Y.

N. Baker, Agt. Receiver

Ceres Mail,  Oct. 6, 1892

     The Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua   has been abandoned between Eldred and Kinzua Junction. The last train passed   over this line Thursday. The B.E. & C . will make connections with the   Kendall & Eldred and the mail car will run over that line. The B.    E. & C. is advertised to be sold next month.

Ceres Mail, Oct. 13, 1892

     The B. E. & C. station at Eldred   was closed on Thursday. From now on trains will arrive at and depart from the   Western New York & Pennsylvania depot.

BOLIVAR BREEZE

Sat., Oct. 8, 1892


   

    The B.B. & K. road has   been abandoned between Eldred and Kinzua Junction. The last through train   passed over the line Tuesday. The iron will be ripped up and dumped on the   scrap pile. The glory of that portion of Israel has departed. The B.E. &   C. trains will make connections with the K.& E. and the mail car will run   over that line. The B.E.& C. is advertised to be sold next month and some   new developments regarding the future of that road will probably be brought   to light soon after the sale.

Ceres Mail, Oct. 13, 1892

     The W. N.Y. & P. engine now pulls   the passenger train over the B.E. & C. The engines of the latter road are   in the shops for repair.


   

Sat., Oct. 15, 1892


   

     The B.E. & C.   station at this place was closed on Tuesday and from now on trains will   arrive and depart from  the W.N.Y. & P. depot. Agent Holmes  will   be transferred to Allentown. Agent Heath will  go from Allentown to the   W.C. & P.C.  office at Wellsville.


   

   A  W.Y. & P. engine   now pulls the passenger trains over the B.E. &C. The engines of the   latter  road  are in the shops for repairs.

     
 

Oct. 22, 1892


   

Paymaster Baker and Supt. Atwood passed over   the B.E. & C. Wednesday and distributed the monthly allowances among the   employees.

Oct. 29, 1892

    All of the unused switches and   side tracks along the line of the B.E. & C. are being ripped up and the   iron sold for junk.


   

Nov. 19, 1892

     A gang of workmen are   engaged in tearing up the B.B.& K. track from Eldred to Rixford.


   

BOLIVAR BREEZE

Sat.,   Nov. 12, 1892
 
 
A Wellsville correspondent   says that some cowardly cur entered the coaches of the B.E. & C. railroad   company at this place Wednesday afternoon, and cut the cushions of three or   four coaches in a shameful manner. If caught an example will be made of the   outlaw.
 
The rear coach on the   westbound B.E. & C. passenger train jumped the track about a mile below   Ceres, Tuesday afternoon, and rolled down the bank, clear of the track. The   passengers wee badly shaken up and conductor Charles Frank had his hands and   legs bruised.Just what caused the accident is a bit of a mystery. The roadbed   is in exceedingly poor shape and will need to be renewed right away if trains   continue to move.
 
 
 
Friday, Nov. 25, 1892
 
 
The B. E. & C.   roundhouse at Wellsville was destroyed by fire one day this week.


 
Friday, Dec. 23, 1892
 
 
Joe Morris, of Wellsville,   was in town yesterday. He has resigned his position of engineer on the B.E.   & C. and expects to locate in booming Niagara Falls right away.John J.   Bannister is no longer mail clerk on the B.E.& C. C. D. Pelton, of New   Jersey, now has charge of the run. Mr. Bannister will report for duty on the   Chicago & Western run, the first of January.

Ceres Mail, Jan. 5, 1893

     The mail car has been taken off the   B.E. & C. and the post offices along the line now receive their mail in   locked pouches from Wellsville and Eldred.


 
 
Friday, Jan. 6, 1893
 
 
The mail car has been   taken off the B.E. & C. and the post offices along the line now receive   the mail in locked pouches sent from Wellsville and Eldred. During the first   few days after the change, the service was very rank, but it is better now.   It still takes three days to send a letter to Olean and get an answer. What   the people here want the most is a daily mail to and from Olean over the   C.N.Y & W., and they want it bad.
 
The B.E. & C.   passenger train has been running very irregularly this week owing to crippled   engineers. They hope to be in line again in a day or two.

Friday,   Jan. 13, 1893
 
 
Frank M. Baker, agent for   the receiver of the B.E. & C., was a pleasant caller at the BREEZE   office, yesterday. He says the courts ordered the road shut down. No more   trains will run over that road after today.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Friday, Jan. 13, 1893

                            A Railway Closed

Special dispatch to the Democrat and Chronicle.

     Wellsville, N.Y., Jan. 12. - Frank M.   Baker, of Addison, the agent for Receiver Thomas C. Platt, of the Bradford,   Eldred & Cuba railroad, ran the last trip over the road this morning, and   the road will be closed hereafter. The courts issued an order last Friday to   close the road, owing to the fact that business has not been sufficient to   pay expenses. Superintendent W.W. Atwood left Wellsville Wednesday for   Syracuse, where he will enter the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna &   Western railroad. The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroad will probably be   sold on January 25th. What disposition will be made of it is unknown.

Weekly Auburnian, Auburn, N.Y. , Jan. 19,   1893

                   A Railroad Shuts Up Shop.

     The Bradford,   Eldred and Cuba railroad that runs from Wellsville, N.Y. to Allentown, NY has   been closed and traffic will be abandoned. The court issued an order last   week closing the road as the business has not been sufficient to keep it in   operation. The road will probably be sold to the highest bidder Jan. 25.

BOLIVAR BREEZE

Friday, Jan. 20, 1893
 
 
"LAID DOWN AT LAST"
 
_____
 
The B. E. & C. Railroad Finally Gives Up The Ghost.
 
_____
 
The Bradford, Eldred & Cuba Railroad has finally "laid   down."
 
The last regular passenger train passed over the road on Saturday. The   offices were checked up, the agents paid off and released, and the depots   closed on Saturday. A few train hands were retained and a freight train will   be run over the line long enough to clear up the freight and get the rolling   stock gathered in.

The shut down movement was a case of force. The roadbed needed   extensive repairs and the rolling stock was practically worthless, and there   was no money to make the necessary repairs.

The property is advertised to be sold on the 25th of the coming month,   and the sale
 
will decide the future of the road.
 
The general opinion among those in a position to know is that the rails   will be ripped up and the line abandoned. Ceres is the most important   shipping point on the line and furnished nearly 75 percent of the freight   carried over the road. As the Bell's Run Belows would say, "future   developments will be watched with interest."
 
W.C.Bean, who for some time has had charge of the B.E. & C. station   at this place, departed for his home in Dansville, Wednesday. During Mr.   Bean's stay in Bolivar, he has made many friends who are sorry to have him   leave.

Wellsville Reporter, Jan. 25, 1893
 
 
The B. E. & C. road was sold today in Belmont. August Stein, a New   York capitalist, who holds $45,000 of receiver's script, bid the road in for   $15,000. Nothing is known of the road's future.

Friday, March 17, 1893
 
 
Frank M. Baker,   late receiver of the defunct B.E. & C. railroad is in town this morning.   He informed a reporter that unless the present owners of the road sold the   property before next Tuesday that
 
he would on that   day begin to rip up the iron. he will begin at the Wellsville end and load   all the junk at Eldred.
 
 
March 24, 1893
 
 
Allentown - The   BE&C Railroad is soon to be torn up and Allentown is going to be left in   the "shade" as it were. Our people will then be compelled either to   invest in a bicycle or a horse and carriage. The rumor of a daily balloon   between our city and Wellsville was a fake.
 
 
Friday, March 31,   1893
 
 
The two streaks of   rust which mark the line of the defunct B.E. & C. are still visible. The   "ripping up" process has not yet begun. There is considerable   freight in the Ceres yards to be hauled to Wellsville before the spikes are   pulled.
 
 
Friday, April 7,   1893
 
 
The B.E. & C.   rip up train is now in motion and the sidetracks are being torn up   preliminary to tackling the main line. The freight, principally bark, which   was stored in the Ceres yards since the shut down, was hauled to Wellsville   this week.
 
 
 
Friday, April 21,   1893
 
 
The ripping up of   the defunct B.E. & C. railroad has begun in earnest. Two crews are at   work. The work was divided at Sawyer's, and the iron west of there will be   hauled to Eldred and shipped over the
 
W.N.Y. & P.,   and the eastern section will be loaded on the Erie at Wellsville.
 
The work is being   done under the supervision of George H. Baker, son of Ex-Auditor Frank M.   Baker. Mr. Baker makes his headquarters at the Newton House and when asked by   a reporter last evening how long the ripping up job will last, replied it all   depended on the weather. If yesterday's weather continued it would take a   year, but if he was favored with pleasant weather the work would be completed   in a few weeks.

Ceres Mail, May 11, 1893

    A special train on the B. E. & C.   conveyed a large party of Maccabees to Eldred on Saturday evening.

Ceres Mail, May 18, 1893

    The work of ripping up the B.E. & C.   goes steadily on. The line is already taken  up between Allentown and   Case's, one mile east of Ceres. The ripping up crew expect to complete the   job before the middle of July.


 
Friday, May 19,   1893
 
 
The work of   ripping up the B.E. & C. railroad goes steadily on.
 
The iron is   already taken up between Allentown and Cases, one mile east of Ceres. If they   are favored with good weather, the ripping up crew, expect to complete the   entire job before the middle of July.


 
Friday, June 2,   1893
 
 
The B.E. & C.   right of way has passed into the hands of the former owners once more. Nearly   all of the farmers along the line have fenced in the railroad land, many of   them are plowing it up and
 
seeding it down.   In two or three years, the only vestiges remaining will be the culverts and   cuts.

Ceres Mail, June 8, 1893

     The B.E. & C. right of way has   passed into the hands of the former owners once more. Nearly all the farmers   along the line have fenced in the railroad land, many of them plowing it up   and seeding it down. In two or three years the only vestiges will be culverts   and cuts.

Wellsville   Daily Reporter, June 17, 1893

Italian “Joe” the   Gang Boss, Loses Both Legs and Dies From the Injury

About 7 o’clock this   morning the gang of  Italian laborers which is engaged in taking up the   iron on the abandoned B E & C R R left this station for their work near   Allentown.  When the work train was nearing the Main Street crossing   near the Healy lot, the Italian boss “Joe” got off to scare some cattle from   the track.  Whole doing so he slipped and fell with both legs under the   wheels, crushing the thigh bones and mangling the flesh.

The injured man was   picked up and taken back to the station and laid on a cot under the trees in   Geo. McKenzies yard.  Geo. Baker, of Addison, who is superintending the   work, sent for Dr. Witter and Dr. Crandall and it was decided that the only   chance to save the man’s life was to amputate both legs and this was   accordingly done.  “Joe” was unable to stand the shock of the injuries   and died about 10:30 o’clock.

The unfortunate man   has a wife and four children in Italy, but no relatives in this country.

Mr. Baker will have   the remains cared for till it is known what his friends wish done with   them.  The man had several hundred dollars saved up and was the foreman   of the gang.

June 19, 1893 - Wellsville Daily Reporter

Italian Joe Buried

The Italian foreman,   Joe, whose other name is not known, was buried from the Catholic church this   morning a 9 o’clcok.  Interment was held in the Catholic Cemetery.

June 19, 1893 -   Wellsville Daily Reporter

Taking up the Last   Rails

Frank M. Baker, of   Addison, was in the city Friday looking after the work on the B E & C.   The gang of Italians are now taking up the rails this side of Allentown and   the work of tearing up the rest will be soon completed.  The trucks of   the old flat cars have been sold to a lumbering firm in the South and the   wooden parts will be burned.


 
Friday, June 23,   1893
 
 
Italian   "Joe," boss of the gang of workmen engaged in ripping up the   abandoned B.E. & C. track, met with an accident in Wellsville Saturday   morning, which cost him his life. The work train started for
 
Allentown, and   when near the Main street crossing, "Joe" got off the pilot of the   engine to drive some cattle off the track.
 
Directly in front   of the engine, he slipped and fell, and the truck wheels passed over both   thighs, crushing them in a horrible manner. Physicians were at once summoned   and decided that amputation
 
was necessary.Poor   "Joe" could not survive the shock and died two hours later. A wife   and four children are left in faraway Italy. He had no relatives in this   country. Sewed up in his trousers leg was $300 in greenbacks. Supt. George   Baker will have the remains cared for until the dead man's friends state what   they wish to do with them. "Joe" was a fine harp player, spoke   English very well, and was a
 
favorite with the   gang over which he was boss.

June 23, 1893

     Barney Dunn and George   Andrews now put their spare time into farming. They have rented the B.E.   & C. terminal and planted  about two acres of Irish lemon, alias   "Murphies." Barney has been reading up on farming and has it down   fine as far as theory goes, but he finds practical farming different, quite   different. He has hired a slave to do his share of he work and he is   satisfied to sit in the shade and do the boss act.

Friday, July 14, 1893
 
 
E.L. Nicholson has   purchased the old B.E. & C. depot and will convert it into a grist mill.   Mr. Nicholson is entitled to reasonable encouragement in his effort to   establish a new and needed industry in the town.
 
 
Friday, July 28,   1893
 
 
The job of ripping   up the iron of the defunct B.E. & C. railroad is completed. The job was   finished yesterday when the iron that covered the terminals at Eldred and   Wellsville was ripped up
 
and loaded for   shipment. Most of the iron was shipped to Florida. The B.E. & C. is only   a memory now. To the stockholders who still possess neatly engraved   certificates to the amount of several hundred
 
thousand dollars,   the memory is a sad one. The certificates are pretty to look at, but of no   real use to anyone but the rag man.
 
 
 
 
Friday, Sept. 29,   1893
 
 
Joe Morris of   Buffalo, formerly of Little Genesee, who was seriously injured in a wreck at   East Aurora a few months ago is still lame and unable to go to work. He told   a Genesee Citizen the other day that he expected to get a lump of cash as   damages from the railroad company. "Joe" was for several years a   trusted engineer on the now defunct B.E. & C. railroad.

Ceres Mail, Dec. 7. 1893

    Train service on the Kendall & Eldred   narrow gauge between Bradford and Eldred  was abandoned Tuesday and   chances are the iron will be ripped up. This leaves Duke Center and Rixford   without a railroad.

March 9, 1894
   

     The old B.E. & C.   trestle located just above the wagon bridge which spans the Genesee Creek at   Case's, on the Bolivar road, was ripped up last week and the spiles which   supported it  were sawed off. The trestle had turned the channel of the   creek  so as to undermine the bridge abutments and threatened to   seriously damage the bridge.

Aug. 30, 1895


   

    Wellsville Reporter: Frank M.   Baker, of Owego,  was in  town Thursday looking after his interest   in the defunct B.E.& C. railroad. There are still several engines and   coaches stored here that have  not yet been sold. 


   

Bolivar Breeze, Jan. 24, 1896
 
       Frank M. Baker of Addison, N.Y., offers for   sale the old B. E. & C. railroad right of way. This would make it   appear that the old narrow gauge company still owns the land over which   their rails once guided the well filled trains to the busy oil fields of   Allegany county. The farm owners also have an idea that they own the   said land, and the outcome will be watched by the interested public.

Bolivar Breeze, March 13, 1896

    The old B., E. & C.   round house near the Erie station at Wellsville, went up in smoke Saturday   night. four old engines and a quantity of junk was stored in the building and   the loss will amount to several thousand dollars. The round house was a   favorite hobo resort and the fire was probably started by a shivering   wanderer.

 March 7, 1896

      The Round   House Burned.

                   _____

    The Last of   Wellsville's Narrow Gauge Railroad Goes Up In Smoke.

 

     About half-past   eleven  o'clock  last night the old building  used as a   roundhouse for the B. E. & C. engines,  was discovered on fire. An   alarm was sounded by the Erie locomotives and the companies responded, but   their services were hardly needed, for the building was burning in all parts   and there was no adjoining property in danger.

    The building contained   four locomotives, besides a quantity of junk that had been collected in from   the defunct road. The loss on the engines will be considerable.

     The building for   the past few years has been a great nesting place for tramps and the people   in that vicinity feel relieved to know the place has been cleaned out. The   fire is supposed to have originated from a fire started by tramps in the   building.

Cuba Patriot, Dec. 1, 1898

      J.A. Lanning Recalls to the   People of Cuba

         The Time When   We Had Four Railroads

                          _____

     In watching Dunham & Harris break   ground for their new cold storage, recall to my mind the time when trains on   the B.E. & C. passed over this site, and cars were hoisted from narrow   gauge trucks to standard gauge trucks to pass their destination on the Erie   Railway.

  The men in excavating for the cellar are exhuming   timbers, plank and other material that formed the "Erie Narrow   Gauge" hoisting and truck turning tables. To explain this, so that all   may understand the simplicity of this arrangement and how easily a 12 ton   Erie car was changed from standard trucks to narrow trucks in about 20   minutes) this may seem a broad statement to make. But I have personally   assisted two other men to do this work, which consisted of two small turn   tables placed side by side is necessary.

    Over each one ran two tracks, one standard   and one narrow gauge. The tracks over one table were connected at one end   with the standard and narrow gauge switches. The tracks over the other table   were for storing the extra truck, six pair of standard trucks and the same of   narrow gauge being sent here before any hoisting was done.

    To hoist an Erie car, the switch engine   placed the car with one end just over one of these tables. Two 20-ton jacks   were placed on each side of the car under the sills, and two men worked the   levers until the end of the car was raised high enough to let the center pin   out of the truck frame. Two men then turned this truck half way around and   passed it to the storage tracks.

    A narrow gauge truck was then passed to the   table and went through the same process until it was under the car. The jacks   were then lowered until the car rested on the narrow gauge truck and the work   was half done.

     This may seem to many a slow way of   doing this work, but it was far better than transferring the cars, which   would take four times as long, as cars of grain could be transferred in 20   minutes, where it would take two men a whole day to shovel the contents into   another car.

Bolivar Breeze,  Thurs., Sept. 13, 1906

                       GOES TO JUNK PILE

                                 _____

Famous Narrow Gauge Railroad From Bradford to Smethport is a   Dead One

Now; Train Service Discontinued.

                                 _____

     Bradford Era:  After an   existence of 26 years the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad, the narrow   gauge line over the hill to Kane and Smethport - passed into a  thing of   history Sunday evening at 5:10 o'clock, when the last passenger train, a   locomotive, combination car, and a passenger coach, left the Erie station.   The departure of the train was witnessed by many people who had gathered at   the station to see the last train leave, and quite a number rode to the top   of the hill and walked back to town.

     The last  train was in charge of   Engineer John Donahue, Fireman Chas. Swanson, and Conductor Frank Richmond. A   few minutes before the train departed, G. S. Burdick, a resident of Aiken,   purchased a ticket for Aiken.  It was the last ticket sold and was   numbered 6,441. A few minutes before, M.G. Dennis purchased a ticket for   Tarport.

    Among those who took the farewell    ride were Ticket Agent Wells, of the Erie, and A. R. Campbell, who is now   connected with the Buffalo & Susquehanna in Buffalo. He happened to be in   the city and rode to the top of the hill. Mr. Campbell was formerly a general   manager of the B., B. & K. As the train appeared on the side hill many   people watched its flight. Much attention was attracted to the constant   tooting of the whistle.

     The Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua   railroad has been one of the most picturesque lines in the country. it was   opened for traffic in June, 188-. During the busy oil times it was a money-maker   and had much to do.

     It has been patronized extensively by   Bradford people who have business at the county seat. People living along the   line will miss it keenly. It was their chief means of reaching the outside   world. The road for several years past has had a checkered financial   career.  It went into a receiver's hands a long time ago, and has since   been sold out on mortgage proceedings.

     S.S. Bullis, its last owner, bought   it at a bargain and sold it to the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh company   at a fair profit.  Among  those who have had financial interests in   the B., B. & K. was the famous Grover Cleveland, ex-president of the   United States.