Part 15 (1/2)

Ponce-de-Leon had visited the sh.o.r.es of Florida, but it was not until 1539 that Hermando-de-Soto, heading an expedition from the Island, established the first permanent occupation upon the mainland for the Spanish nation.

A settlement was formed and a fortress built at Ste. Augustine. Spanish influence thereafter gradually extended around the northern sh.o.r.es of the Gulf of Mexico toward the Mississippi and inland through the intervening Indian country which was then called the _Chicora Country_--”_The land of pretty flowers_.”

Beyond this and on the other side of the far sh.o.r.es of the Mississippi lay the widespread grazing territories where the Spanish adventurers conceived would be opportunity for further exploits.

Somewhere about the year 1580 a coterie of these venturesome ones carried over with them to Spain a party of the native Indians including among them the princ.i.p.al Chief of the Chicora Indians, the occupants of the country between Florida and the river. These they presented at their sovereign's court as visible evidences of their travellings and enterprises.

In those early days of discovery on this Western hemisphere, and for long years afterwards, it is noticeable in how lordly a manner the Sovereigns and Magnates of Europe parcelled out the new found territories, making wholesale grants of land to their own followers with or out the leave of the original Indian occupants. In this case the representative Chief was present. The King created him ”Don Francisco de Chicora,” and a grant was confirmed to his introducers of all the country lying adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, on the far side of the Mississippi.

Returning with this authority the Spaniards extended their enterprises to their new opportunities. As they advanced westward they found on the terraces of the great plains, and on the foothills of the mountain ranges, the countless ”Cibolos,” or Buffalo, ranging in mighty bands over the nature pastures.

It was in consequence of this that when giving a name to the new Province which was being added to their previous domain, they named it ”_Cibola_,”

”the Buffalo coun_try_.” This name is still preserved by a ranching hamlet in a part of that territory now in the State of Texas.

As another steamer was to be added in partners.h.i.+p with _Chicora_ ”the pretty flower,” what more appropriate name could we give to her than that of ”Cibola,” ”the Buffalo,” in reminiscence of the old time territorial expansion.

So _Cibola_ it was to be. There was also a further propriety in the selection that this ”Buffalo boat” was to be one of the line of steamers which were to form the greatly improved connection between Toronto, and the great and modern city of Buffalo.

On 1st of November the steamer was successfully launched in the presence of a large party brought down by special train from Toronto, the name _Cibola_ being given, and the traditional bottle of champagne smas.h.i.+ngly broken on the bow, by Miss Constance c.u.mberland, the youngest sister of the Vice-President, and who subsequently married Mr. A. Foy, a brother of the Manager.

The firms engaged on the construction were:--Designer, Robert Morton, Glasgow; steel hull, Dalzell Co., Dalzell, Scotland; erection of hull, W.

White & Co., Montreal; marine engines, Rankin Blackmore & Co., Greenock; wood-work, Rathbun Co., Deseronto; interior mahogany and decoration, Wm.

Wright & Co., Detroit; electric lighting, Edison Co., New York.

The _Chicora_ season of 1887 had been exceedingly active. The opening of the New York Central to the bank of the river largely increased the facilities and the movement of traffic.

The steamer _Hastings_ was chartered to make the early trips from Niagara and late from Toronto, and to carry the increasing fruit business. We had acquired the rights of the International Ferry between Queenston and Lewiston and chartered the small steamer _Kathleen_ to perform the service and to transfer pa.s.sengers to the main line steamers.

A new excursion feature in connection with the extension of their line was introduced by the New York Central by ”shuttle trains” with _observation cars_ run frequently between the Falls and Lewiston. These cars were open on the side next the river and the pa.s.senger seats set length-wise, facing the view, were raised in tiers one above the other, securing an unimpeded view of the scenery of the wonderful rapids and Niagara Gorge.

The Kathleen ran in connection with these trains, giving the tourists the full length of the Lower River to Niagara and also calling at Youngstown for the Fort and Town pa.s.sengers.

Business at Queenston, where we had improved the dock, was much increased, due to our working up the excursions which were rendered more attractive by the great improvements made by the Queen Victoria Niagara Park Commissioners in the park upon the Queenston Heights and around Brock's Monument.

An excellent season closed without further incident.

During the winter of 1887-88 the cabin work had proceeded a.s.siduously on _Cibola_. During this period we came much into personal contact with Mr. E.

W. Rathbun, the head of the Rathbun Co., and, one might say, the physical embodiment of Deseronto and of everything within its borders. In the prime of life, genial, incisive, he was the focus centre of vibrant energies.

It seemed to be his ambition that no by-product in his enterprises should escape undeveloped.

He was interested in every public and benevolent project in the vicinity and although not himself entering into parliamentary duties, his opinion was much sought and valued in political development. With intense devotion to his work, and much continuous strain on his energies it was not to be wondered that his years were not many.

At length the spring of 1888 had come. The work was well advanced but, as usual, the carpenters and painters lingered on in possession.

_Chicora_ had opened the season and it was absolutely necessary that _Cibola_ should be on hand to take part in moving the troops to Niagara Camp on 10th June.