“Precisely how early a stage-coach line was established between Halifax and Kentville we do not know,” Arthur W. H. Eaton writes in his history of Kings County. “But in 1829,” Eaton continues, “it is said (that) Mr. John Whidden was instrumental in having the stage line extended from Kentville westward to Annapolis Royal.”

The above quotes are taken from page 130. Later in the history, on page 180, Eaton writes that it “must have been shortly before 1816 that a stage coach line was established between Halifax and Windsor.” Eaton then adds that it “was not until 1829, as we have seen, that the line was extended to Kentville.”

That fine old scholar, to whom we are deeply indebted for compiling the Kings County history, appears to contradict himself regarding coach-line dates. On page 130 he wasn’t sure of the date but on page 180 he appears to be positive that the coach started running to Kentville in 1829.

However, contradictions or not, what’s important is that Eaton records the old time modes of transportation in Hants, Kings and Annapolis County. Early in the 19^th century, stagecoaches began running daily (most of the time) up and down the Annapolis Valley, connecting all the major towns and villages along the way.

As I said, Eaton mentions John Whidden as connected with establishing the stage-coach line. Whidden’s name doesn’t appear in early government records on the line. In the Statues of Nova Scotia a page dated 13 January, 1828, deals with an act granting funds to encourage setting up a coach line “between Halifax and Kentville, and Annapolis and Kentville by James D. Harris, Caleb H. Rand, James Tobin and George N. Russell.” Internet historian Ivan Smith, who sent me this information and the link to it, wrote that besides naming the above principals, there are “lots of details” in the Statues about the proposed line.

The “Act for supplying certain Monies” for the proposed line does indeed go into details, stipulating that the coaches “must run with, at least, four horses each, three times a week, from Halifax to Kentville, through Windsor, and so in return, and from Annapolis to Kentville and back again, each three times weekly.”

The Act also stipulated that each run (“the time employed in performing the Journies”) from Halifax to Kentville and from Kentville to Annapolis was “not to exceed, in general, sixteen hours for each respectively,” The coach line was also required to carry mail.

Thanks to Ivan Smith for providing this insight into the early coach line, which once established would run for about 40 years until the railroad’s arrival killed it. You can read the document referred to by going to the following link: http://books.google.ca/books?id=WMQvAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA21.

In a scrapbook at the Kings County Museum is a clipping from an 1899 issue of The Advertiser reading, “After a year’s absence, Josiah Bordon, son of George Bordon, Church Street, has returned from the Klondike gold fields.”

No mention is made of Josiah’s success or lack of it in the Klondike. Like more than a few Kings County men, Josiah must have been tempted by stories of easy riches in the Klondike; and like most men who made the long, arduous trip to the Yukon, he probably came home empty handed. Between 1896 and 1899, the community newspapers of Kings County reported that local men of various occupations left home heading for the gold fields. Those newspaper reports never mentioned that the local boys found gold, and from this omission we can assume they didn’t.

However, one man who did strike it rich in the Klondike was North Alton born Everett Ward. A Northwest Mounted Police corporal at the time gold was discovered in the Yukon, Ward quickly retired from the force and headed for the gold fields. His obituary, published in The Advertiser on his death in 1934, says he returned to Kings County a rich man. Apparently Ward’s proximity to the gold fields allowed him to get there early and stake a good claim. Latecomers to the Klondike, such as the Kings County locals, found that the various creeks and rivers with potential already were claimed.

Klondike Ward, as he was known, left his mark on Kentville. Most of the 10 or 12 houses and two or three stores he constructed in the town are still standing. Klondyke Street in Kentville, even though the spelling is slightly different, is believed to have been named for him, but it isn’t known why.

As for the Kings County men – and possibly women – who ventured to the Klondike, I mentioned above that their missions for gold were often recorded in community newspapers such as the Register and Advertiser. Here are a few typical excerpts from those papers, taken with his permission from a website created by Phillip Vogler of Berwick:

“February 2^nd 1898. Sheffield Mill. Mr. Will Borden, who returned from British Columbia last autumn, intends going to the Klondike next week. To the Klondike. A party of five, one of whom is Ralph Crichton of Woodville, purpose leaving Halifax today for Edmonton, en route to the Yukon.

“February 23rd, 1898. Hantsport – The western fever has struck our town. One of our boys left last Monday for the Klondike. March 2^nd 1898. Gaspereau – On Monday Mr. Mariner Davison started for the Klondike. It is hoped that he will be successful. March 8^th 1898. Canning – Dr. G. L. Foster left last Friday for Ottawa, where he expects to join a party for the Klondike. Canning will have quite a showing in the western country before long. There will be quite a number start from here next week.”