66 A Bridge To The Past

south it passed through Kelvin Grove. Here the people of Wilmot Valley had a station conveniently near as well as one at nearby New Annan.

When the railway opened in 1875 the mail travelled by rail and was picked up at the railway station by mail contractors who hauled it to the outlying post offices. From New Annan Railway Station to Wilmot Valley Post Office the names of the men who hauled the mail twice each week and the distance they travelled is found in the following account:

1876 ......... Daniel Dickieson ...... 3 miles 1879 ......... Daniel Dickieson ...... 3 miles 1881 ......... R. Walker ........... 31/2 miles 1885 ......... GP. Walker ......... 31/2 miles 1886 ......... G.P. Walker ......... 3V2 miles 1888 ......... W.B. Bowness ........ 31/2 miles 1890 ......... W.B. Bowness ........ 41/2 miles 1891 ......... W.B. Bowness ........ 41/: miles 1893 ......... W.B. Bowness ........ 41/2 miles 1894-1899 ..... W.B. Bowness ........ 4% miles 1900-1912 ..... John Hugh Baker ..... 4V2 miles

It is interesting to note that the distance from Wilmot Valley to New Annan grew progressively longer. This is probably because the early custom was to have the Post Office located in the home of the Postmaster.

The first Post Office opened in Wilmot Valley in 1871. This was five years before the regular rail service was in effect and it is assumed that during this time the mail was picked up at Traveller's Rest or Summerside. Briefly the history of Wilmot Valley Post Office and its Post Masters is told in the following:

Wilmot Valley opened 1871. Name changed to Kelvin Grove July 1, 1900.

Post Masters:

D. Dickieson ........... 1871 - May 22, 1886 Percy Gay ............. March 1, 1887 - July 27, 1890 Flora Gay ............. O ctober 1, 1891 — April 26, 1894 Chas. A. Pickett ........ July 2, 1894 - May 1, 1908 James Jardine .......... June 1, l908-May31, 1912

(office closed)

Clark‘s Mills opened June 1, 1890. Name changed to Wilmot Valley July 1, 1900.

Post Masters:

John Matthews ......... June 1, 1890 - April 1, 1896 George Easter .......... July 1, 1896 - May 6, 1913 Chas. Edgar Sobey ...... July 15, 1913 - April 22, 1959

Miss Lillian Mae Sobey . .. Nov. 1,1959 — Jan. 31, 1969