The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-05-03

OPENING OF THE ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE.
This event is justly regarded as q great
epoch in the history of Western Railroad
building. The bridge is a splendid and sub
stantial structure, but the way the steam
boat men curse it is a caution to delicate
nerves.
A correspondent of the Chicago Democrat
&c Press, who was present at the first cross
ing of the cars, goes soff in the following
"highfalutin" style in describing the event.
1t will be seen that he either forgets, or ia
ignorant of the fact, that this Rock Island
bridget is not the first permanent bridge that
spanned the Mississippi by long shot.
DAVENPORT, Iowa, April 22-9A. NJ.
When Cezar with his legions crossed the
Rubicon, which divides Cisalpine Gaul from
Italy, he was well aware of the greatness Of
the work he was engaged in; and although
many attempted to dissuade him from such
an undertaking, yet nothing daunted he land
ed his army on the plains Of Italy, astonished
the world by his deeds-and left mankind
an instance of bravery and enterprise worthy
of record.
We, too, however, have crossed the &c Ru-
bicon"--the great "Father of Waters" which
for centuries has rolled on into the bosom Of
the mighty ocean without pier to mar its
progress. To-day has the mighty deed been
accomplished at which the world has so often
smiled in derision. Yes, the Mississippi is
practically no more. 1t is spanned by the
mighty artery of commerce and enterprise
the railroad. Science has stretched its
arm across the ever-fowing Mississippi-and
| along its finely-knit muscles has the "iron
horse" bounded with heavy snort as it
scents from afar the slugish waters of the
Missouri. The mission of Cazar was to con-
quer; /; so is that of the Caezar of the nine
teenth century but the latter is one of
peace and plenty. The "war horse" Of civil
lization may have fiery nostrils, but it has
also an olive branch, the seeds from which
it scatters as it flies.
That such an event should have occurred
without an assemblage ofspectators from all
quarters of the globe to witness it, i. only
another instance of the mighty progress that
has been made within the last fifty years in
the science of bridge building. As we ap-
preached Rock Island, there were rumors
afoat that we would cross to Iowa on the fcw
bridge. "Cross the Mississippi on bridget
cried an intelligent-looking gentleman "On
q bridge?" simpered femenine voice from
q young lady to her parents, bound for Coun-
Gil Bluffs; "why, Pa, I thought the Missis-
sippi was great river larger than the Hud-
soni"
So silently has this work progressed, shat
while half the world has been asleep, genius
has been spanning the mightiest river on the
globe, and connecting two as magnificent
sections of territory as the sun ever shone
on.
Swiftly we sped along the iron track
Rock Island appeared in sight-the whistle
sounded, and the conductor cried out, s"Pas-
sengers for losca Keep their seats!' There was
pause hush, as it were, preparatory to
the fierceness off tornado. The cars moved
on-the bridge was reached-"We're on the
bridge-see the mighty Mississippi rolling on
beneath"-and all eyes were fastened on the
mighty parapets of the magnificent bridge,
over which we glided in solemn silence. A
few minutes and the suspended breath was
let loose, "We're over!' was the cry, 'swe
have crossed the Mississippi in railroad
car" "This is glory enough for one day."
said passenger, as he hustled his carpet
bag and himself out of the cars. We follow
ed to view the mighty structure.
The bridge was built for the Railroad
Bridge Company, of which HENRY FARNAM,
ESQ.,, is President and Chief Engineer, and
N. B. JUDD, Esq, Secretary.
The bridge connects the Chiogo and Rock
Island and the Mississippi and Missouri
Railroads, of which Mr.. Farnam and Gen.
John A. Dix are the respective Presidents,
and John F. Tracy, ESQ.,, and John Henry,
ESQ.,, are the respective Secretaries.
The honor of having been first to erect
railroad bridge across the Mississippi is no
light one; and when that mighty river is
spanned at numerous points, the name of
Henry Farnam and the enterprising and en-
ergetic officers of the Chicago and Rock Is
land and Mississippi and Missouri Railroads,
will illuminate history as among the pioneers
of engineering in the Great West
The bridge was erected by Messrs. Stone
and Boomer, of Chicago, and Mr.. Boyington
of the firm of Stone, Boomer and Boyington,
of fDavenportlsuperintended the erection. Tie
masonry was built by John Warner, ESQ.,,
of Rock Island, the stone Of which the piers
and abutments were built was brought from
Rock River, LIE Clair and Hampton.
The timber came partly from the Upper
Mississippi and partly from Chicago and Buf-
falo, and the iron and castings from the
works of Stone, Boomer and Bouton, of
Chicago.