According to the CPR website, http://www.cpr.ca/en/about-cp/our-history, the CPR railroad was founded in 1881 to link Canada's population from coast to coast. Canada's confederation July 1, 1867 was just a start of its massive growths over the next few years. In order to connect the new provinces several Scottish-Canadian businessmen led by the first president of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, George Stephen set forth to build a railroad. The construction started slowly in 1881 but finally met at Craigellachie, British Columbia where the western and eastern portions of the tracks met November 7, 1885 where the last spike was driven. The construction almost broke the company, but soon the transcontinental trains brought success. The first transcontinental train ran from Montreal, Toronto and on to Port Moody, June 28, 1886.
A decision was made to add a short line of the CPR from Mission, British Columbia to Sumas, Washington in order to connect to the United State's rail system. The importance of this particular hookup of the two railroads was recognized in New Whatcom 25 miles south of the border which is now Bellingham, WA. The railroad was expected to bring economic prestige to all involved. The railroad would connect Sumas to Vancouver where the trans-pacific ships and luxury liners connected to Asia. To the east the railroad would connect to with the eastern seaboard and again to the trans-atlantics ships. New Whatcom and Sumas was certain to be a part of a world wide economy.
The following accounts are excepts: are from the book, Boundary Town, by Roy Franklin Jones:
Philip S. Van Wyck, one time BB & BC fireman and later rail historian, contributed an article for Bulletin NO. 84, published by the Railroad and Locomotive Society, in which he said: "On March 1, 1891, the line extended to Sumas, 23 miles from Bellingham Bay. Several Weeks later the Canadian Pacific reached Sumas and the junction was made. Cornwall (Pres. of BB&BC) had negotiated an agreement with Pres. William Van Horne of the Canadian Pacific with the result that on May 28, 1891, the first Canadian Pacific train entered New Whatcom over tracks of the BB & BC, making New Whatcom the Canadian Pacific's American Terminus. "
Picture 1
Canadian Pacific engine #377
First train in Sumas City, Washington on the Canadian Pacific Railway, May 1891.
Posted with permission from the Jim West collection.
The following is written in Roy Franklin Jones's book Boundary Town:
"Event followed event in the spring of '91 and the rip-roaring celebrations initiated on March 1st with the arrival of the BB & BC was to be repeated again and again; at the completion of the SLS & E to its depot; at the joint track hookup and the passage of the first CPR train over the BB & BC on May 28th; at the arrival of the first regular scheduled CPR passenger train en route to New Whatcom on June 22nd; and at the junction of the SLS & E with tracks of the CPR a little later.
At the first of these celebrations the townsite people were jubilant. Lots were selling like hotcakes. Some of the early settlers left their claims for a time and constructed board and tent shelters and hung out a "Hotel" sign to help take care of the fast arriving populace. Saloons and gambling houses mushroomed. There were plenty of partners at two bits a swing for the men at the dance halls and nearby rooming houses flourished.
The townsite men set the pattern. They organized a brass band and furnished free beer at their offices. With the construction crews from three railroad and newcomers arriving every day, by work train and stage, money flowed freely, accommodations were short but headaches were plentiful.
By the time May 28th arrived with he celebration o driving the golden spike for the joint hookup, the saloons joined the free beer parade. They released the pressure on beer kegs in front of their locations and opened the ends so that celebrators would cup the beer at will as they thronged from one dispensary to another.
Marpole, of the CPR, and Stangroom of the BB & BC made speeches and these were followed by rosy predictions from two members of the Canadian Parliament just before the golden spike was driven. A guest dignitary, who declined to speak since his railroad was not involved, was a most interesting personality in that he captured the admiration of rank and file westerners, none other than the Great Northern's James J. Hill.. Most of the official representatives wore Prince Albert coats and tall hats. The Canadian's had come in a special car of the directors, which was hooked on behind a baggage car used as a service unit and was hauled by Engine No. 306."
On June 22, 1891, New Whatcom greeted the first CPR passenger train with great ceremony which which ended up in chaos. Sehome and Whatcom arranged their fire departments on each side of the track to greet the train with a water arch in which the train was to go under. The pressurized fire hoses was new at this time and very much a source of pride for New Whatcom. The Whatcom firefighters got their water pressure first and gave their rival, Sehome firefighters a drenching. When the Sehome firefighters finally got their pressure in their fire hose they returned the favor by giving the Whatcom firefighters a soaking. This ended up in a full blown water fight between the two departments. Some of the passenger coaches windows were already opened and others were actually blown out due to the water pressure from the hoses. About 200 passengers got soaked due to the water fight. There was about six thousand people at the event to witness the arrival of the CPR Train and many got soaked.
The event is described in Roy Franklin Jones's book Boundary Town:
"On the arrival of the first regular CPR passenger train at New Whatcom on June 22nd a tremendous welcome had been arranged. The whole station area there was crowded with people eager to see the first transcontinental train over the American line. Flags flew throughout the cities of New Whatcom and Fairhaven. Bands were assembled, prepared to play the Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, and God Save the Queen. The long and spirited rivalry of Seahome and Whatcom had been composed in a plan to unite the two adjacent towns into New Whatcom.
In a burst of inventiveness, Major Jenkins' committee, headed by Joshua A. Baker. approved a plan for the Whatcom and Seahome fire departments to put a dazzling display by providing columns of water from the new pump engines, which were to trained in the air from either side of the track , the cascading water forming a triumphal entering arch under which the Canadian Train would enter.
As the train pulled in, loaded with officials and two hundred passengers, whistles blowing, bells ringing, two bands playing, cannon firing, the engine passed under the water arch. As the coaches pulled under the arch, a nozzle dropped, just far enough to deliver its full force into the windows were eager Canadian officials stood watching. One silk hat was seen flying out of an opposite window.
The triumphal entrance was turned immediately into an indignation meeting. The fiery tempers of the Canadian visitors reach calamitous heights. The day was ruined. The banquet, scheduled at the Purdy Opera House was carried out after much apology and diplomacy but the feast was chilled. There was also an unfortunate flag incident, too. Subsequent actions showed there was little doubt but the C.P.R. began soon to consider the abandonment of the joint use of track agreement.
But this was the doing of the Bellingham Bay community, twenty-three miles down the new road from Sumas. Snuggled up against the border we tried to be good neighbors to our Canadian friends and we found they were doing the same."
Also shared in The Fourth Corner by Lelah Jackson Edson:
To welcome the first overland Canadian Pacific train, due June 22, 1891, New Whatcom staged an elaborate celebration. This mis-fired so badly it almost an international incident. Two bands, patriotic organizations, all in uniform, awaited the visitors at Holly Street and Railroad Avenue where a great arch had been erected, carrying British and American colors on separate pillars.
The Donald Farquharson family, arriving that day from Michigan, have told how the fire companies of Sehome and Whatcom lined up on opposite sides of the tracks, it being planned that the train should arrive beneath an arch of water. Unfortunately the rival companies started a water fight, and the train rolled in between opposing columns of water delivered with force sufficient to break the coach windows and drench the guests. Roth reports, that after abject apologies been accepted , the distinguished guests sat down to a banquet at the Purdy Opera House-C and Thirteenth Street (West Holly).
During the interval certain excitable youth noted that the British flag on the arch was a few inches higher that the American. In attempting to equalize the height of the two flags the British emblem was dropped, trampled under foot and left, as the prime movers of the act fled. The Canadians naturally were highly incensed and the insult was discussed in the Chancelleries of Canada, Great Britain and the United States, but responsibility was not fixed.
In spite of the embarrassing situations which almost created an international incident, a connection was made. Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad beat out the competition and made the all important connection. Finally, Sumas had access to all of Canada and the United States.
Picture 2
Canadian Pacific Engine 356
A standard 4-4-0 wood burning steam locomotive and tender pulling coaches. This photograph of Engine number 356 is identified in Roy Franklin Jone's Book, Boundary Town, as the First Canadian train on B.B. & B.C. tracks taken May 28th, 1891.
Posted with permission from the Jim West collection.
On June 22, 1891, New Whatcom greeted the first CPR passenger train with great ceremony which which ended up in chaos. Sehome and Whatcom arranged their fire departments on each side of the track to greet the train with a water arch in which the train was to go under. The pressurized fire hoses was new at this time and very much a source of pride for New Whatcom. The Whatcom firefighters got their water pressure first and gave their rival, Sehome firefighters a drenching. When the Sehome firefighters finally got their pressure in their fire hose they returned the favor by giving the Whatcom firefighters a soaking. This ended up in a full blown water fight between the two departments. Some of the passenger coaches windows were already opened and others were actually blown out due to the water pressure from the hoses. About 200 passengers got soaked due to the water fight. There was about six thousand people at the event to witness the arrival of the CPR Train and many got soaked.
The event is described in Roy Franklin Jones's book Boundary Town:
"On the arrival of the first regular CPR passenger train at New Whatcom on June 22nd a tremendous welcome had been arranged. The whole station area there was crowded with people eager to see the first transcontinental train over the American line. Flags flew throughout the cities of New Whatcom and Fairhaven. Bands were assembled, prepared to play the Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, and God Save the Queen. The long and spirited rivalry of Seahome and Whatcom had been composed in a plan to unite the two adjacent towns into New Whatcom.
In a burst of inventiveness, Major Jenkins' committee, headed by Joshua A. Baker. approved a plan for the Whatcom and Seahome fire departments to put a dazzling display by providing columns of water from the new pump engines, which were to trained in the air from either side of the track , the cascading water forming a triumphal entering arch under which the Canadian Train would enter.
As the train pulled in, loaded with officials and two hundred passengers, whistles blowing, bells ringing, two bands playing, cannon firing, the engine passed under the water arch. As the coaches pulled under the arch, a nozzle dropped, just far enough to deliver its full force into the windows were eager Canadian officials stood watching. One silk hat was seen flying out of an opposite window.
The triumphal entrance was turned immediately into an indignation meeting. The fiery tempers of the Canadian visitors reach calamitous heights. The day was ruined. The banquet, scheduled at the Purdy Opera House was carried out after much apology and diplomacy but the feast was chilled. There was also an unfortunate flag incident, too. Subsequent actions showed there was little doubt but the C.P.R. began soon to consider the abandonment of the joint use of track agreement.
But this was the doing of the Bellingham Bay community, twenty-three miles down the new road from Sumas. Snuggled up against the border we tried to be good neighbors to our Canadian friends and we found they were doing the same."
Also shared in The Fourth Corner by Lelah Jackson Edson:
To welcome the first overland Canadian Pacific train, due June 22, 1891, New Whatcom staged an elaborate celebration. This mis-fired so badly it almost an international incident. Two bands, patriotic organizations, all in uniform, awaited the visitors at Holly Street and Railroad Avenue where a great arch had been erected, carrying British and American colors on separate pillars.
The Donald Farquharson family, arriving that day from Michigan, have told how the fire companies of Sehome and Whatcom lined up on opposite sides of the tracks, it being planned that the train should arrive beneath an arch of water. Unfortunately the rival companies started a water fight, and the train rolled in between opposing columns of water delivered with force sufficient to break the coach windows and drench the guests. Roth reports, that after abject apologies been accepted , the distinguished guests sat down to a banquet at the Purdy Opera House-C and Thirteenth Street (West Holly).
During the interval certain excitable youth noted that the British flag on the arch was a few inches higher that the American. In attempting to equalize the height of the two flags the British emblem was dropped, trampled under foot and left, as the prime movers of the act fled. The Canadians naturally were highly incensed and the insult was discussed in the Chancelleries of Canada, Great Britain and the United States, but responsibility was not fixed.
In spite of the embarrassing situations which almost created an international incident, a connection was made. Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad beat out the competition and made the all important connection. Finally, Sumas had access to all of Canada and the United States.
This could be great movie
ReplyDeleteYou bet it would!
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