Transcribed for the LCGS website by Eileen Bashak.
The Free Press Ottawa
Monday, April 7, 1879
Page 1 Lanark County (From Almonte Gazette)
Owing to the great rush of emigration to Manitoba and Dakotah, land property has fallen far below par in various parts of the country. Valuable farms can be purchased now for a mere trifle compared to what one would have to pay some years back.
The Ottawa Daily Free Press
Wednesday, April 9, 1879
Page 4 Second Manitoba Party
Westward the Star of Empire Takes Its Way
The second party for Manitoba from the Ottawa District left yesterday. The train was made up at Brockville, about fifty started from the Ottawa station, and Kemptville added a dozen more, with additional “emigrants” at one or two stations. The largest section of the party was from the Lanark County locality. Almonte gave twenty-five, Renfrew thirty-six, Arnprior half a dozen, Perth a similar number; Smith’s Falls about twenty, etc., making a total of about 175 persons in the party. The following are the names of some of those who have departed from this section.
Ottawa and Vicinity — William Mitchell North Wakefield; A. Bradley, Hazledean; William Hobbs, Bell’s Corners; Robert Armstrong, Kinburn; James Leonard, Dwyre Hill; John G. Craig, Russell; John Logan, South March; Peter McLaren, Russell; James Scott, William Carey, Metcalfe; John Downey, Thomas Moore, Dunrobin; James Cregan, Chelsea; F. Atkinson, Manotick; C.B. Graham, Norton’s Creek; Carl Rappish, Brudenell; Robert Blair, Ross; R. James, Rockingham; Hugh Dennis, City; Stewart McNut, D. Parker, George Hanrahan, Geo. Hinch, Gordon Henderson, John Saul, New Edinburgh. A large number of the above — the married men — were accompanied by their wives and families.
Almonte — Felix Lalonde, wife, and family of five; James Driscoll, wife and family of four; Annie Fora, Michael O’Brien, Wm. Ritchie, wife and family of five.
Renfrew — Alexander Tait, R. Squires, wife and family of eight; Samuel Forest, wife and family of five; W.O. Palmer, G.B. Bell, F. Dougall, W. Dougall, R. Jamieson, J. Jamieson, G. Corcoran, John Mitchell, S. Tait, Miss Tait, Mrs. D.S. Stewart and family of five; Mrs. Traynor, Miss Mayhew.
Arnprior — James and George McLaughlin.
Perth — James Allen, with car-load of horses; R. McLenihan, ditto.
Brockville — A. Connor, wife and family.
When the train was made up at Brockville, under the superintendence of Mr. A.H. Taylor, it consisted of twenty-two cars, four being passenger coaches and eighteen freight cars. The farmers took with them a good deal of stock and farm implements. The parties from each section were seen off by friends, who wished them a safe journey and every success in the western land. At Renfrew, the whole village was out, along with the brass band and a good many country people. The farewell demonstration was a grand one at this point.