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November, 1981 The Castor Review 5 by Tom Van Dusen In the rugged days before paved highways and fast cars, travelling from Metcalfe to Ottawa was a four-hour challenge. The first form of' public transportation between the two centres was James Simpson's horse-drawn stage, shown here with son Orton in a buffalo coat at the reins. Frances Iveson, 82, now living in Ottawa, recalls riding the stage to get to the city's big, bright stores on Sparks and Rideau Streets. "Tt was a big deal in those days. We sometimes stayed overnight at the little hotel on the market." Z Getting there was half the fun -- and half the day The stage, which could carry six or eight passengers, left Metcalfe six days a week at 7 a.m., arriving in Ottawa at 11. The return trip was at 2 p.m. the same day, with arrival at Metcalfe about 6 p.m. There were three toll booths along the way, Miss Iveson says, at Greely, Leitim, and Billings Bridge. The toll at each station was 20 cents for one horse, 40 cents for a team and 60 cents for a horseless carriage. The money was used to upkeep the hard-packed, gravel road. By about 1907, Charlie Brad- shaw had introduced his motoriz- ed bus: nicknamed the "Nancy Hanx." Charlie is shown at the wheel of his old rig, side flaps pulled up and ready to go. Miss Iveson says the bus provid- ed service for about 10 years until personal automobiles became the rage. Not only did the Simpsons and Bradshaw ferry passengers, they also carried mail and parcels, she recalls. Metcalfe residents also travelled back and forth on the New York Central Railway, getting off at Russell and hiring the hotel livery to take them back home. Young Orton Simpson is all set to haul 'er into Ottawa in his father's wagon. Orton wasn't leaving his buffalo coat behind in Metcalfe because there was a lot of open country between here and Ottawa. It was a four hour ride. A RURAL LEGACY The History of the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario This book is now available for -- $10. per copy 300-page book Call Martin Reichert 445-3056 Once, the stage was the only way to get to the city's bright lights. METCALFE PHARMACY LTD. Metcalfe -- 821-1224 REGULAR HOURS Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |LaCo-operative Agricole RUE NOTRE DAME EMBRUN Office 443-2833 IGA 443-3064 Hardware 443-2833 Feed Dept. 443-2946 Petroleum Dept. 443-2892 Fertilizer 443-3333 scotiabanks THE BANK OF NOVASCOTIA RUSSELL 445-2880 'Grow With Us' 3 Scotia Bank 330 Church St., Box 513, Russell 445-3183 © Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday -- 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Evenings: _ ' Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday -- 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. £ Guy Brasseur Ltd. Flooring Contractor Ceramics, Carpets. . Corlon, Drapes FREE ESTIMATES 584 Notre Dame St. Box 278, Embrun 443-2155