September 13, 1873 Joining the Rails

There are several diary collections at the Interlaken Historical Society. One of those collections is from Wheeler A. Bassett. These volumes, part diaries and part farm journals, have come to the society from various family members.

Born on 24 July 1858, in 1873, Wheeler was 15 years old. In the single volume from that year, he records the comings and goings of family members and events within the community.

On August 28, 1873 he recorded, and later expanded on, the first train trip from Farmer to Ithaca. At that time, the rails ended north of the village.

The founders and sponsors of the Geneva and Ithaca Railroad planned a celebration to mark the joining of the rails at Romulus.

Morrison, in his Town of Covert volume on page 33, reproduced the program for the day. It lists the activities of the day, music, processions and the driving of the spike to connect the rails from North to South.

Wheeler Bassett was fascinated with the construction and potential of the trains. His diary entry for that day notes their trip to Romulus.

September 13, 1873 Diary page, Wheeler A. Bassett
Bassett Family Papers collection, Interlaken Historical Society

Uncle Murray and I went to the village in morning. Went to Leflers and got the horse shod.

Came home and father and I went to the vill. Took the first train for Romulusville and saw C. M. Titus drive the last spike on the I & G RR. Rained some. Had a fine dinner and free ride.

Came home middle P.M. Julia went to Aunt Fern‘s and brought Aunt Nelia home. Alice whet to choir meeting.

Dewitt’s Diary, Thursday, September 13, 1973

Temperature 50, clear and clouding up fast.

Worked over the wheat ground and Art Horton drilled it for me. 8 ½ acres.

Bob Akins and Ed Hayward thrashed my marrow beans. Maybe 30 bushel.

Lem and Alice were in this evening.

Special thanks to Wheeler’s grandchildren for sharing the many diaries and farm journals with the Historical Society. The 1873 volume was scanned and captioned by his grandson, Ray S. Bassett, several years ago.