The following is a collection of articles from the Bolivar Breeze newspaper in Bolivar, NY about the Central New York and Western Railroad, a predecessor of the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern Railroad.
January 6, 1893
Engine 4, of the C.N.Y. & W. snapped a drive wheel tire in the yards here yesterday noon, and as No. 5 was in the shops no trains moved over that line yesterday afternoon. Trains are running on schedule time today.
January 13, 1893
A party of surveyors were in town, Tuesday. They were working on the line of the C.N.Y. & W. R.R
March 3, 1893
The C.N.Y. & W. Railroad
It is thought probable that the shops of the Central New York & Western railroad will be located at Angelica and that all the machine work and repairs will be done thee. The old shop at that place where the work was formerly done will be reopened. The matter of locating the shops has not been fully decided and may possible be located in this city. – Hornellsville Press.
March 17, 1893
High water in the Allegany near Portville compelled the C.N.Y. & W. trains to abandon a through run on Monday and Tuesday, and a connection was made with the Western New York & Pennsylvania trains at White House.
March 24, 1893
It was rumored yesterday that the C.N.Y. & W. would purchase the defunct B.E. & C., and operate the spur between Bolivar and Wellsville. The rumor lacks confirmation.
March 31, 1893
A special train will be run over the C.N.Y. & W.., on Sunday to accommodate those wishing to attend Easter services in Olean. The train will leave Bolivar at 9 a.m., and the round trip will be 50 cents. Returning, train will leave Olean at 1 p.m.
General Superintendent Blair of the C.N.Y. & W. was in town Saturday. In conversation with a reporter he stated that the company now owns nine standard gauge engines, and that a few days ago he purchased a string of new boxcars and three new standard gauge passenger coaches. Over 100,000 new ties have been contracted for and all indications point to a broad gauge railroad. Supt. Blair stated that the new rolling stock was purchased for cash and that everything pointed to the fact that the present owners of the C.N.Y. & W. mean business. The gauge cannot be widened too soon to suit the shippers and the rest of the folks along the line.
April 14, 1893
The east bound passenger train on the C.N.Y. & W. was derailed at Main Settlement Saturday evening. A boxcar jumped the track, spreading the rails and allowing the baggage car and coach to leave the track. The engine and one boxcar remained on the rails. None of the 20 passengers were injured. They were transferred to the remaining boxcar and the train resumed its journey to Bolivar. The derailed cars were placed on the track late Saturday night and Monday morning trains were moving as usual. It was a lucky accident.
C.N.Y. & W. engine 5 came out of the shop yesterday looking as bright and trim as a Columbian souvenir coin. For three weeks Engineer Saeger and his assistants have been busy making repairs, and the result of their work is plainly apparent. No. 5 hauled a freight train extra over the road yesterday and helped clear the blockade in the Ceres yards caused by the recent flood in the Allegany near Portville.
May 5, 1893
Burglars visited Ceres Thursday night. The C.N.Y.& W. depot was entered through a window and the American Express office and the freighthouse were ransacked for plunder. Several express packages and perhaps a dollar in pennies were secured in the express office. The money drawer was torn from its place and left on the floor. Several large sample trunks belonging to C.M. Cummings, a Rochester dry-goods salesman, were in the freight house. These were pried open with a bar and their contents scattered about the depot.
One trunk was carried several hundred feet down the track and left in a lumber yard. Cummings lost over $50 worth of underwear and furnishing goods. The thieves then stole C.H. Gleason’s speeder and started toward Olean. Mr. Gleason found his speeder at White House on Friday morning. One wheel was broken. The thieves secured in all perhaps $100 worth of plunder. Two suspicious characters lounged about town on Thursday. They disappeared on Thursday night and are supposed to be the thieves.
May 12, 1893
You would have a hard time of it if you tried to convince Station Agent Dunn of the C.N.Y. & W. that 13 is not an unlucky number. He remarked yesterday that No. 13 was the unluckiest car that ever ran over the road. “If a consignment of freight is stolen, delayed, or lost or cannot be accounted for, it is always sure to be billed in car 13, and I have known,” he went on to say, “of instances where the freight was by mistake not shipped at all, but strange to say the waybills located it in car 13.
“Do I believe that 13 is an unlucky number? Well I should say I did at least as far as car 13 is concerned, but of course you know I am not superstitious,” and with a knowing wink he turned to the ticket window and informed an inquisitive old lady that the 7:05 train would leave at five minutes past seven.
May 19, 1893
Supt. Blair of the C.N.Y. & W., informed a reporter on Wednesday that two reliable contractors would go over the road in a few days, preparatory to making a bid for doing all the grading for the standard gauge line. Four more new passenger coaches have been ordered and just now it looks as though the line would be widened this season.
June 16, 1893
Beginning next Sunday, the C.N.Y.& W. will run a Sunday train between Bolivar and Olean. Train will leave Bolivar at 9 a.m. and arrive in Olean at 10:20, stopping at all stations along the line. Returning, the train will leave Olean at 2 p.m. and arrive in Bolivar at 3 p.m. The round trip from Bolivar will cost 75 cents.
July 14, 1893
NO BROAD GAUGE THIS YEAR
So Says General Supt. Mitchell S. Blair
Perhaps the C.N.Y. & W. Will be Standard Gauged Next Year, But Not This Year.
It is given out on good authority that the C.N.Y. & W. will not be standard gauged this year. The road will continue to operate as it has been since Supt. M. S. Blair took charge of it.
Arrangements were completed, so we are told, to begin the work of widening the gauge and pushing the line through from Olean to Angelica when the money panic came on.
Capital at once became shy and the officials of the road decided to delay the contemplated improvements until next spring at least. The mill men and other heavy shippers along the line will regret that this step was necessary, but the fact is the railroad people could not do otherwise. Wind may jolly a sailing vessel along but it won’t build and equip railroads in these panicky times.
July 14, 1893
The running time of the Sunday train on the C.N.Y. & W. will next Sunday, July 16. The train will leave Bolivar at 9 a.m. arriving at Olean at 10:20 and connecting with the W.N.Y. & P. train for Rock City and Bradford. Returning, the train will leave Olean at 7 p.m. arriving in Bolivar at 8:20. Those who desire can spend the day either at Millgrove, Olean, Rock City, or Bradford. Returning, the train will leave Olean at 7 p.m. arriving in Bolivar at 8:20. Those who desire can spend the day either at Millgrove, Olean, Rock City or Bradford. Under the new schedule, the Sunday train ought to become popular.
August 25, 1893
General passenger and freight agent, C.H. Hammond of the C.N.Y. & W. has been compelled by continued ill health to cease work and go to southern mineral springs to rest and recuperate. This move has caused quite a change in the station agents on the line.
B.D. Dunn, of Bolivar, has been called to Hornellsville to fill Mr. Hammond’s position. Agent Lathrop of Angelica, has charge of the Bolivar office and C.H. Gleason, of Ceres, formerly agent for the B.E. & C. has charge of the Angelica office. The change is but temporary. Mr. Hammond is troubled with nervous prostration and has been ill for two or three months. He is popular as he is competent, and his legion of friends all along the line hope for his speedy recovery.
September 8, 1893
It would be hard to find a more accommodating corps of railroad men than the employees of the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge. From Conductor McLaughlin to Brakeman Laffin, they are courteous and considerate and that is the principal reason why the road is so well patronized.
October 13, 1893
Next week the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge will sport a gaudy passenger train. Two coaches and a baggage car have been completely overhauled. New floors have been put in and the cars have been painted and lettered in an artistic manner. The interior of the baggage car has been remodeled, and it is as handy now as a pocket in shirt.
The work has been done by Engineer Seager, Casper Weiler and D.J. Stull, and reflects much credit.
October 20, 1893
The depots along the line of the C.N.Y. & W. are now being repaired by the carpenter gang. The target house at White House has been newly roofed and sided.
October 27, 1893
The work of ripping up the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge between Bolivar and Nile will begin this morning. A gang of about 20 men will be employed, the majority of whom are already here. An engine and a train of flat cars will aid in the work, and the old iron will be shipped from Olean. It will take two weeks or more to complete the job.
November 10, 1893
The morning train on the C.N.Y. & W. came into the city Monday morning with a string of elegant new passenger coaches. This road is one of Olean’s best feeders, and under the efficient management of Supt. M.S. Blair, it is doing a large and paying business. – Olean Times.
December 15, 1893
There is more travel on the C.N. Y & W. between Bolivar and Olean than many people suppose. Conductor “Jack” McLaughlin’s cash fares average about $400 a month, and the receipts of the ticket offices and the sales of mileage books must amount to as much more. It is doubtful if there is a more accommodating or gentlemanly set of employees in the employ of any road in the country than the C.N.Y. & W. can boast of. From General Supt. Blair to Brakeman Laffin they are courteous and accommodating. it is simply another illustration of the value of civility in business.
January 25, 1895
A new ice house has been erected in the C.N.Y.& W. yards in Bolivar. It holds 50 tons and was filled last week brought from the Allegany river, below Portville. It is a standard gauge ice house.
February 1, 1895
The Bolivar bound train on the C.N.Y.& W. due in Ceres at 6:55 p.m. did not reach here until 2 a.m. Sunday morning. The down run in the afternoon was made on time. The track was drifted in several places but engine 5 went through the piles of snow lie a hot knife through oleomargerine.
While in the yards at Olean two flues were blown out and No. 5 was disabled. A message was sent to Bolivar for No. 4, and a start was promptly made. Near Main Settlement a big drift stalled the engine and it was after midnight before Olean was reached. No. 5 was repaired on Sunday and returned to Bolivar. Monday morning the passenger train was pulled through by both engines and the run was made on time. – Ceres Mail.
February 15, 1895
Portville Pointers.
A genuine Dakota blizzard struck Portville Thursday night and lasted until Sunday. Trains on the W.N.Y. & P. were nearly all abandoned Saturday, the only ones to pass Portville were the Clermont short line, in the morning, over an hour late, from Olean, and the Express from Buffalo due Friday evening at 6:26 which arrived late Saturday evening.
The C.N.Y. & W. train which passed Portville Friday p.m. one hour late, got stalled in a snow drift this side of Gordon’s and did not get out until Monday. The passengers engaged Trenkle’s trolley to convey them to Olean. On the return trip the wind blew the trolley over but hurt no one. Road are in a fearful state. Much extra work will have to be done to clear them. It is by far the most severe storm ever known in Western New York.
March 1, 1895
Railroad News.
An Angelica special to the Buffalo Express says: The Central New York & Western Railroad Company is making arrangements to open their shops in Angelica with a full force of men about March 1st, and work will soon be commenced to broad gauge the road between Angelica and Olean, via Friendship and Bolivar.
C.N.Y. & W. engine 5 blew out a flue in the yards at Bolivar Monday morning and the down train was two hours late in reaching Ceres. The master mechanic L.B. Heers, came over from Angelica yesterday and repaired the damage. Engine 4 has been disabled for several days.
March 8, 1895
Frank Decker of Angelica, was greeting old friends in Bolivar this week. Mr. Decker formerly was a conductor on the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gauge, and now yanks the bell cord on the standard gauge division. The most exciting event in Mr. Decker’s life took place on May 10, 1891, in the woods near Austin. He had charge of the ill-fated train which was surrounded by a forest fire that day and narrowly escaped death.
He was terribly burned and for 14 months was unable to do a stroke of work. It will be remembered that Supt. W.H. Badger who was with Mr. Decker that day, was burned to death, after a gallant struggle for life. Though compelled to remain idle for more than a year, Mr. Decker never received a nickel from the millionaire, F.H. Goodyear, in whose employ he was when he faced the sea of fire.
March 8, 1895
Charles Young of Birdsall, has been appointed section fireman on the C.N.Y. & W. narrow gage line to succeed Anthony Dougherty.
April 12, 1895
The Allegany river at Portville is on the rampage. Tuesday morning the water was six inches over the track and still rising. The C.N.Y. & W. trains were unable to reach Portville and connection was made with the W.N.Y.& P. trains at White House. The water has begun to fall and it is thought that through trains will be running again today. The damage to the track is slight.
April 19, 1895
Better Railroad Facilities
During the past two weeks the freight tonnage on the Central New York & Western railroad has been greatly increased by the revival in the oil business. Oil at $2 or better means that several hundred wells will be drilled in the Allegany field this summer and that hundreds of old rigs will be torn down and rebuilt. The demand for oil supplies and lumber will be large and nearly all the supplies must necessarily come in over the C.N.Y. & W. Added to this is the stimulus that trade in Bolivar, Richburg and Allentown will receive, means a heavy increase of freight receipts in all branches of trade.
With a standard gauge road through Bolivar the freight and passenger traffic would be even larger than we have outlined. The oil boom will, we trust, hurry along the widening of the gauge from Olean to Angelica. Bolivar needs better railroad facilities and ought to have them right away.
April 26, 1895
M.S. Blair, the always-the-same Superintendent of the CNY&W was in Bolivar on official business, Wednesday. Mr. Blair believes that business is improving all over the country, that the tide has turned at last, and that brighter days are not far away.
May 3, 1895
The CNY&W narrow gauge railroad has not cars enough to handle all the freight offered at present. New switches have been put in at Slade’s crossing and at the Tidewater pump station.
May 17, 1895
No one was surprised last Friday when Supt. M.S. Blair tendered a free special train to the family of Robert Laffin and friends. Mr. Laffin has been a faithful employee of the road for several years and the policy of the CNY&W has always been one of courtesy and liberality toward its employees. We doubt if there is a railroad in the country where the relations between employees and officials are more cordial. If more men of Blair’s stamp were placed at the head of great enterprises, strikes and lockouts would be few and far between.
May 17, 1895
BROAD GAUGE ROAD.
The Central New York and Western to Be Broad Gauged Right Away.
The Question Settled Wednesday.
The Work of Widening The Gauge Between Olean and Bolivar Will Begin at Once. Welcome News.
The question of widening the gauge of the C.N.Y. & W. was settled Wednesday and the verdict of the owners of the property is a favorable one.
The road will be widened between Olean and Bolivar right away, and the road will in all probability be extended from Bolivar to Angelica before snow flies.
On Monday Supt. Blair purchased 10,000 standard gauge cedar ties at Buffalo, to be delivered at White House at once. The abandoned standard gauge line from Belfast Junction to Angelica is being ripped up and the iron will be used between Olean and Bolivar.
The C.N.Y. & W. already has plenty of standard gauge engines and cars and there will be no delay on that score. The news that the C.N.Y. & W. is to be standard gauged will be hailed with delight by every shipper along the the line of the road. “Its a good thing; push it along.”
May 24, 1895
The CNY&W narrow gauge is doing a big business these days. The volume of freight and passenger traffic is extremely pleasing to the officials of the line.
May 31, 1895
Looks Like Business
C.N.Y. & W. Standard Gauge Ties Arriving at White House
The laugh is very likely to be on the pessimists this time. Two weeks ago this paper announced one day in advance of any other newspaper, that the CNY&W was to be broad gauged from Olean to Bolivar. The news was authorized by officials of the road. A few pessimistic individuals promptly declared that the road would never be broad gauged a rod. On Monday five carloads of new cedar ties arrived at Olean, and yesterday they were transferred and dumped at White House. This certainly looks like business. – Ceres Mail
June 7, 1895
Ties are arriving all the time for the CNY&W railroad and are being put in as fast as possible. The standard gauge rails from the Belfast division are being taken up and the prospects look very bright for a standard gauge road to Bolivar. – Olean Tramp.
July 5, 1895
A new ice water tank has been placed in the CNY&W station. Ice is received every morning from the railroad company’s big ice house in Bolivar, and cool water is always on tap.
August 30, 1895
There is nothing to indicate that the CNY&W will be broad gauged this season.
September 20, 1895
The news comes from Angelica that a force of men is engaged in tearing up the track of the old Lackawanna & Pittsburg railroad between Angelica and Belfast. The rails are to be shipped to Olean and White House and are to be used on the narrow gauge division of the CNY&W.
October 4, 1895
The CNY&W carried 15,000 passengers to Riverhurst Park this season. The CNY&W crew are building a new drawbridge across Dodge’s Creek just above Portville.
November 1, 1895
The CNY&W railroad have graded up and lengthened out their sharp curve at Baxter’s mill, and put in heavy iron all the way across the bridge. This is a much needed job well done and the boys can now slide around with “her in a Hornellsville notch” as John Aylesworth, the veteran engineer, used to say. – Olean Tramp.
December 20, 1895
The CNY&W depot at Rogersville was destroyed by fire a few days ago. There was an insurance of $600 on the building and contents. It will be rebuilt.
January 10, 1896
Hornellsville people believe that the C.N.Y. & W. will be running standard gauge trains to Olean within a year. The big trestles between Hornellsville and Angelica are to be filled in, and the contracts have already been let. It will require 250,000 cubic yards of earth to fill the three trestles, at an expense of over $35,000.
Three steel bridges have been contracted for. The grading for the extension of the road from the present terminal at Hornellsville to the heart of the city is completed and the rails will soon be down. The workmen in the shops at Angelica are busy repairing and overhauling engines and cars.
Men as bright as Major John Byrne and Frank S. Smith are not likely to be spending such large sums of money for permanent improvements on a line that they are about to abandon. It looks very much as though they meant business.
January 31, 1896
When the C.N.Y. & W. train stopped at Little Genesee the other day, there were quite a number of cripples at the station and a passenger asked Express Messenger Palmer if the place was Cripple Creek.
August 28, 1896
The C.N.Y. & W. employees received their monthly checks last Friday. The total monthly pay roll of the narrow gauge division is very close to $1,700, and $800 of it is paid to employees who reside in Bolivar.
November 10, 1898
C.N.Y. & W. Train Derailed.
Passenger Train Ran Into an Open Switch at at Gordon’s Mills.
Passengers Were Shaken Up.
The C.N.Y. & W. passenger train from Olean for Bolivar ran into an open switch just this side of the station at Gordon’s Mills, Monday evening. The carpenter crew had run their hand car on the switch and forgotten to throw the switch back. The engine, baggage car and the forward trucks of the passenger coach were derailed. There were about 20 passengers aboard and one of them, J.H. Chapman, a Chicago drummer, was well shaken up but was all right the next day.
The train was running slow and the accident happened on a straight piece of track. On the left side of the track the embankment is about four feet high but the engine did not topple over. After five hours of work, the train crew, with the assistance of an engine from Bolivar, had the derailed engine and cars back on the track and speeding toward Bolivar.
There was no damage done to the rolling stock and a few dozen new ties made the roadbed as good as ever. The train reached Bolivar at 2 o’clock, Tuesday morning.