Farmer wins case against Grand Trunk Railway
Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth July 16, 2013
In the early days of railroading, the 1850s, the Buffalo, Brantford and Goderich (BB&G) line later came under the control of the Grand Trunk Railway Company in 1864, passing through Moulton township.
The Grand Heritage history of Dunnville, edited by Cheryl MacDonald, explained how a Moulton township farmer in those early days dealt with the powerful railway of the time.
Railways brought prosperity to communities, yet livelihoods connected to water transportation, such as the Grand River Navigation System, brought bad feelings, too. Caledonia was certainly in that position for many years when it struggled with debt because of payments to have a railroad go through its community. Farmers weren't happy either when they felt they were being taken advantage of with their land invaded by the tracks.
Nevertheless railroads were big business with very powerful men in control. A fight against them was a lost cause, until a Moulton Township farmer named Bredt fought the fight and won, not once but twice.
It had to do with Bredt's cattle, who had wandered onto the railroad tracks and were killed by a passing train. Bredt sued the railway company for damages and won his case; however, the railway officials ignored the court order and refused to pay.
J.C. Currie was the Member of Parliament for Welland at the time, and he was also a lawyer. When he heard of Bredt's situation, Currie asked him to bring a logging chain to Welland first thing Monday morning and he would get the money for him.
Bredt, Sherriff Hobson and Currie went to the railway station just south of town. The westbound train from Buffalo arrived. Sherriff Hobson took the logging chain, wound it around the drive wheel of the engine, padlocked it and produced a legal document.
The conductor and engineer were told that the train was being impounded for unpaid damages.
Needless to say, the crew and passengers were furious. After all people had come to rely on the train.
Railroad officials were informed by telegraph at head office in St. Thomas. Finally, officials agreed to pay the money following many messages back and forth across the wires. But how would the money get back to Mr. Bredt in Welland?
The sheriff consented to let only the engine proceed to St. Thomas while the remaining passenger cars stayed in custody in Welland.
Several hours later, the engine returned with the money. Bredt's damages were paid and the passengers continued on their way to Dunnville, Caledonia, Brantford and beyond.
One can only imagine the favourable publicity that was bestowed on Member of Parliament J.C. Currie. According to Welland history, the next election was another win. Sherriff Hobson held his position for many years, too.
