In 1892 a scheme was proposed to build the Lanark County Electric Railway Company Perth, Lanark, Oliver’s Ferry, Smith’s Falls, Carleton Place, Almonte. Outside companies could help finance the venture and own a part of it. Riley and Wendler were the Americans from New York proposing the venture and locals included: Alexander H. Edwards and James Fowler from Carleton Place. In 1896 talks fell dead and as the Perth Courier said,“the whole scheme had a faraway look to it”. ..
Alexander H. Edwards
Mayor of Carleton Place – 1897 – Lumber Manufacturer.
In 1898 and much back and forth it was defeated and Mr. Fowler formerly of Carleton Place and now of Arnprior was promoting a million dollar beet root project for sugar– and by the looks of the clipping below–water plants.
Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 09 May 1898, Mon, Page 7
Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 30 Aug 1897, Mon, Page 8
Carleton Place 1897
Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 30 Aug 1897, Mon, Page 8
May 7, 1898-Mr. Jas. Fowler, the promoter of an electric railway in this county now proposes to run it from Lanark Village to Smith’s Falls via Oliver’s Ferry and Perth. He wants the corporation of Perth to give a cash bonus of $10,000 or to purchase $25,000 first mortgage 5 per cent. 20-year bonds.
May 28,1898-The promoters of the Lanark County Electric Railway are again on the warpath. They want $10,000 each from Lanark, Perth and Smith’s Falls, and promise the people of the latter .place a belt line in their town.
April 12, 1898 – Ground breaking for the County of Lanark Electric Railway was accomplished by Mr. James Doyle, of Perth, and the ground was broken on his farm at Armstrong’s Corners, near Perth. He used his road grader for the purpose, and turned up the sod for about two acres along the proposed route. The object was to save the company’s charter, although little else was achieved, and the line was never opened to traffic.
Clipped from– Local Railway Newspaper Items.. the complete rise and fall is documented here. December 8,1898
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)
Related reading:
So Which William Built the Carleton Place Railway Bridge?
The trial of W. H. S. Simpson the Railway Mail Clerk
The Titanic of a Railway Disaster — Dr. Allan McLellan of Carleton Place
Did You Know About These Local Train Wrecks?
The Glen Tay Train Wrecks of Lanark County
55 years ago–One of the Most Tragic Accidents in the History of Almonte
The Kick and Push Town of Folger
Train Accident? Five Bucks and a Free Lunch in Carleton Place Should Settle it
The Glen Tay Train Wrecks of Lanark County
The Men That Road the Rails
Tragedy and Suffering in Lanark County-Trains and Cellar Stairs
The Mystery Streets of Carleton Place– Where was the First Train Station?
Memories of When Rail was King- Carleton Place
Linda’s Dreadful Dark Tales – When Irish Eyes Aren’t Smiling — Our Haunted Heritage
I was Born a Boxcar Child- Tales of the Railroad
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