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THE
RAILWAY AGENTS were important in the town’s life. Charles Redpath was
the CPR agent from 1896 until 1905 when he was transferred to the
Souris station. His place was taken by A.W. Riddell, who with his wife
and two children occupied the living quarters in the station building.
In the prairie town when passengers, mail and freight were handled
exclusively by the railways, the railway stations were centres of
activity. There the grain buyers of the elevator companies received
telegrams advising them of the daily grain prices. There the farmers
came to collect their freight and express parcels. There the draymen
loaded the boxes and parcels for delivery to the local merchants.
As time for the arrival of east-bound or west-bund express drew near, a
crowd gathered slowly on the platform and in the station waiting rooms.
The mail-carrier arrived with his locked mail sacks, the editor with
his notebook to record departures and arrivals, the commercial traveler
with his rain coat over his arm and a cigar in his mouth was followed
by the hotel porter with his bags on a hand cart. From the office of
the livery stable opposite the station a few farmers, weary with
waiting for their wives to complete their shopping, strolled to the
station to see who was going or coming.
A businessman or two with leisure and curiosity joined the group. The
grain elevator man, seeing the gathering, felt it a good time to
inquire for an incoming telegram. The hotel proprietor arrived to
welcome transient travelers. Perhaps a group of giggling school girls
whose parents were unaware of their whereabouts came to see the crews
and flirt mildly with the trainmen. As the train whistled to announce
its approach, a citizen, late with his letters, dashed to the station
and thrust them into the mail carrier’s hand for late posting.
The train slowed to a stop. The conductor swung to the platform. The
passengers alighted and were watched by the idle observer as they were
greeted by their friends. The departing travelers climbed in the
coaches. The express baggage and mail were disposed of, the train
pulled out and the crowd dispersed to form again when the next train
was due to arrive.
“Connie’ Riddell, as he was familiarly called was not only an obliging
station agent but he was a great sports organizer and during the 10
years that he was in charge of the Hartney station he managed and
coached the baseball and hockey teams.
The year the “Connie” Riddell arrived, the interest formerly shown to
lacrosse was transferred to the newly organized baseball team. Under
Connie’s management the team in 1906 won first place in the South
Western baseball league with Harvey and Charlie Woodhull and various
others and Connie himself as players. In 1913 an outside pitcher and
catcher were hired to assist the club but such a practice was deplored
by local baseball supporters.
Under Connie Riddell’s management the hockey team also achieved many
noteworthy successes with various players. A.W. Riddell also played a
cornet in the Hartney band and took an active part in the affairs of
the Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Riddell also took an interest in young people and in the
Presbyterian Sunday School taught an organized class of girls, the
“Queen Esthers,” who were considerably influenced by her personality
and guidance.
Mr. and Mrs. Riddell and their girls left Hartney for Deloraine in 1915
and subsequently moved to Keewatin where Mrs. Riddell was killed a few
years later while crossing the train track to save her small daughter
from an approaching train.
Adapted from The Mere
Living, page 210.
Connie Riddell, centre, and a Hartney hockey team.
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