The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-05-23
Charleston Correspondence.

Charleston Correspondence.
On Monday last we had very heavy fall of rain,
which gave abundant supply Of fresh water, and
which served largely to improve the condition othngs
in the vegetable kingdom. 1t is hoped our friends in
the country have been favored also.
Passing along the other day we saw cart load Of
watermelons in the street. They are from Havana,
but don't compare with our up country melon in any
way except that they may be larger they are far in
ferior in point of flavor which to man of taste is
very important desideratum.
The Charleston Bridge Company have determined
to reconstruct bridge the Ashley, at the New
Bridge Ferry soon as the necessary means can be
procured. The proposition is to make Pile Bridge,
on the following PLAN The bridge, thirty feet wide
to be rested piers, twenty feet apart, extending
across the river Each pier to consist Of five piles,
covered with zinc, from high water mark to the bed of
the river and driven at least twenty feet the piles to
be firmly united at the top by cap, the piers to be
connected ongtudnaly by string pieces on each side
of the bridge, boted into the end of each cap. ALI
this lumber to be twelve inches square, The oists for
the flooring, five on each pier, to be eight by twelve
nches and the flooring plank to be three inches thick
The cost of construction it is estimated will be short
of one hundred thousand dollars which they propose
to raise by subscription Of four thousand shares at
25 dollars EACH The Committee on the part of the
Company are confident that bridge will add greatly
to the convenience comfort and profits Of the Compa
NY Some Of the reasons are given as follows: Con-
venience, and safety and expedition will add to the
number ofravelers over the bridge. Many will cross
it for recreation and excursions Of pleasure The
Committee informed that the South Carolina Jock
ey Club, might be induced by the convenience Of a
bridge, to exchange the Washington Race Course,
(Which be sold for large sum) for one over the
river. Such change would greatly increase the re-
ceipts of the Bridge. The convenience to market by
bridge will convert large tract Of land in St. An.
drew's Parish into farms They would be much near
er to the market than the farms this side of the rv-
er, and will have the protection Of the river against
disordery persons and petty larcenies At the cost
even of one hundred thousand dollars the stock will
be good investment.
We do not suppose that majority of our readers
will be particularly interested in this part Of our cor
respondence but as the construction Of bridge
across the Ashley is matter ofno small consequence
to tho citizens of Charleston we have devoted little
more space than we otherwise should have done, to
the project which we hope, and have no doubt will
succeed.
The State Bank are erecting magnificent Banking
House on the corner of Broad and East Bay streets,
splendid cdifce for that purpose, four stories high
and made of Brown stone.
The new Custom House, we are pleased to see, is
"makug haste sloaOly." The walls arc now six feet
above the surface Of the ground The exterior portion
is of granite finely dressed and presents an unusually
fine appearance. The outline and structure Of this
building when completed, will be unexceptionabe.
The Engineers lately on the route Of the Railroad
in contemplation between this city and Savannah,
have completed their surveys and now in this city,
engaged in making profles and estimates. The nfor.
nation they have procured may be expected soon,
and the question Of its location will be determined.
Mr.. Edward c. Council, an esteemed citizen, and
for some years old memberof the Typographical fra
terny Of this city, died suddenly on Monday evening
last. We regret also to see the death of Mr. Isaac
Mazyck a young and promising member Of the bar Of
this city, announced as having taken place on Monday
morning He was elected at tn. last session of the
General Assembly of this State, reading clerk of the
Senate, which Office he held at the time of his death.
How very uncertain is life: how very certain is
death. We may bloom to-day, but tomorrow die
We learn by the Standard that Col A. E. Mills, late
President Of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
tI,o
night of the 10th instant. He is supposed to have
been stricken with apoplexy. Col. Mills has been
known for several years to the citizens Of Charleston
He was one Of those-Gov. Jones of Tennessee being
another-who came on in 1851, and induced from the
city Of Charleston subscription Of $2500O0 to the
road, OF which afterwards he became President
At the estate sale Of the late Hon. Ker Boyce, at
auction On Tuesday, onefourth part of the property
known as Boyce & Co.'s wharf was sold for $32, 400.
Also that four story store and lot No. south side of
Hayne street, now occupied by E. H. Lane, esq, for
$4,000.
That four story brick store and lot, No. II, south
side of Hayne street, now occupied by Simonds Ruff
& Co., S6,5oo.
That vacant lot Of land, No. 25, south side ofHayne
street, and formerly occupied by the store of Havand
Harral Co., $3,400.
That vacant lot of land on the north side Of Hayne
street. marked No. 9, in a plat made by R. Z Payne
Of the City Land Companys Lands, running through
to Pinckney street. $4,000.
Other real estate in the city sold at proportion
al rates. by which it will be seen that property IN
Charleston, at all desirable in location or otherwise
very high prices. Rents are enormously
high, and houses just in great demand for res
is drawing close at hand for the time, When
persons leave their winter seats and return to the city