Codex Lethbridge
Transcription: 7
Transcription:
{[Left page]
But notwithstanding this encrease [sic] it was observed that this would never be satisfactory, and that some other means of transportation must be thought of.
It was about that time that the C.P.R. offered the company a contract for a large quantity of coal and for a term of years, if they would build a railway to connect the mines of Coalbanks with the C.P.R.
Accordingly, the company at once applied to the Dominion Parliament for a Charter to build a narrow guage line of railway, which was granted.
The Dominion Government gave the Company a railroad_land_ grant of 3840 acres per mile, at the rate of 10cts per acre.
In consequence the Company had to encrease [sic] its capital, and bonds were issued at once, for £160.000 sterling, to build this railway from Coalbanks to Dunmore, a distance of 109 miles.
The contract for this railway was let in April 1885. This is the year of the Halfbreed rebellion on the North-branch of the Saskatchewan. But the Indiens of Southern Alberta remained peaceful and did not interfere with the construction of this road, which was terminated on August 28th 1885.
It was the good luck of the Company to be able to transfer their fleet of steamers and Barges to the Government, which needed them for the immediate conveyance of their troops to different places on both branches of the Saskatchewan, the scene of the rebellion. It was well for the Government also, thus saving an immense expense, unavoidable if everything had to be taken over by land; as also gaining much time in moving their troops from place
[End page]
[Right page]
to place as required.
With this new railway Coalbank became a place of importance. The old name was thought too insignificant, the New name of Lethbridge was proposed seconded and adopted. CoalBanks [underlined] became a thing of the past…. doomed to the fate of oblivion Lethbridge was the name of the president of the new railway… the town was baptised.
X [blue cross in the margin] It was in the year 1884 [underlined in blue] that Holy Mass was for the first time celebrated at CoalBanks.
A priest residing in MacLeod, thirty miles West of this place, Father VanTighem [underlined in blue], of the order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was called to administer the last Sacraments to Mr Sheran, brother of late Nicholaus Sheran.
Being aware of the presence of a priest, some Twenty coal miners employed by the North West Coal and Navigation Comp. Irish Catholics, immediately crossed the river, in order to see the Father, to go to their Confession and fulfil their Easter duty.
The Father heard their Confession during the silence of the Midnight hour. And early in the morning, in a log hut or chantier, near the bed of the almost dying man, surrounded by his sister the only relative, but by many friends and a crowd of miners, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass was now for
[End page]}
But notwithstanding this encrease [sic] it was observed that this would never be satisfactory, and that some other means of transportation must be thought of.
It was about that time that the C.P.R. offered the company a contract for a large quantity of coal and for a term of years, if they would build a railway to connect the mines of Coalbanks with the C.P.R.
Accordingly, the company at once applied to the Dominion Parliament for a Charter to build a narrow guage line of railway, which was granted.
The Dominion Government gave the Company a railroad_land_ grant of 3840 acres per mile, at the rate of 10cts per acre.
In consequence the Company had to encrease [sic] its capital, and bonds were issued at once, for £160.000 sterling, to build this railway from Coalbanks to Dunmore, a distance of 109 miles.
The contract for this railway was let in April 1885. This is the year of the Halfbreed rebellion on the North-branch of the Saskatchewan. But the Indiens of Southern Alberta remained peaceful and did not interfere with the construction of this road, which was terminated on August 28th 1885.
It was the good luck of the Company to be able to transfer their fleet of steamers and Barges to the Government, which needed them for the immediate conveyance of their troops to different places on both branches of the Saskatchewan, the scene of the rebellion. It was well for the Government also, thus saving an immense expense, unavoidable if everything had to be taken over by land; as also gaining much time in moving their troops from place
[End page]
[Right page]
to place as required.
With this new railway Coalbank became a place of importance. The old name was thought too insignificant, the New name of Lethbridge was proposed seconded and adopted. CoalBanks [underlined] became a thing of the past…. doomed to the fate of oblivion Lethbridge was the name of the president of the new railway… the town was baptised.
X [blue cross in the margin] It was in the year 1884 [underlined in blue] that Holy Mass was for the first time celebrated at CoalBanks.
A priest residing in MacLeod, thirty miles West of this place, Father VanTighem [underlined in blue], of the order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was called to administer the last Sacraments to Mr Sheran, brother of late Nicholaus Sheran.
Being aware of the presence of a priest, some Twenty coal miners employed by the North West Coal and Navigation Comp. Irish Catholics, immediately crossed the river, in order to see the Father, to go to their Confession and fulfil their Easter duty.
The Father heard their Confession during the silence of the Midnight hour. And early in the morning, in a log hut or chantier, near the bed of the almost dying man, surrounded by his sister the only relative, but by many friends and a crowd of miners, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass was now for
[End page]}
