Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-07-25


NIGHT AT Firemens Hall, on College street, for the
n7rDose of organizing. Speeches were made by
" E WgrrrHoRSE, DR.. c. K. WINSTON, S L. finley,
and JNo. A. FISHER. It was a regular Democratic
Jubilee The spirit of the people is being fully
aroused to the Importance of trumphing over Black
Republicanism and maintaining the rights Of the
States and the equality of the States.
The CuxBERI.AND RIVER BmDGE.-The Memphis,
GAINESVILLE and Louisville Railroad Company have
just completed of the finest bridges in the coun-
try The bridge referred to crosses the Cumber-
land River at this place. Its extreme length is 692
feet divided into two stationary and one draw span.
IL is built upon three massive piers and two abut-
ments aud has besides two piers up and down the
river from the center pier, upon which the ends of
the draw span rest. when the draw is open, making
altogether five piers and two abutments. The river
piers IS feet long, and the height from low water
mark 70 the grade line of the road is IS feet
The span next to town is 1913 feet in length. The
span next to the other shore feet and the draw
span 26 feet The openings of the draw are l2O feet
between the piers. There two other spans of
40 feet each connecting the bridge with the embank
ment on the-C larksvile side.
The plan of the bridge is that known as AcCul-
lums lnfexible Arch Truss, which is regarded as
of the very best wooden bridges now known.
The draw span is constructed upon entirely new
principle l. is self sustaining and dispenses with
the tower and hog chains usually employed and it is
believed 70 be very great Improvement upon all
other draw bridges. The plan is novel; and the
draw of the bridge here is the first ever constructed
upon this plan. Its success must be source of
great satisfaction to the inventor as well as to Mr.
Freeze, the Engineer Of our road, who upon exhibit
ton of the plan did hesitate to adopt it as am i'm
prOvement though vet entirely untried. The advan-
tage in the self sustaining draw those in which
the hog chains are employed is that the one IL always
in its true place while the other is very materially
influenced by the temperature Of the atmosphere,
which by expanding contracting the chains eiSher
lowers elevates the ends of the draw, requiring
constant watchfulness and labor in lengtheniug or
shortening chains TO keep the bridge incorrect posi-
ton.
The Company have very wisely had all the tim
Der used in the bridge smoothly planed which adds
very much to its appearance over those IN which
The timber is put up rough. and wlllot course rem
der it much more durable. The whole structure
will also be painted
The dealings Of the Company in the contracting
for and constructing of the bridge have been with
Mr. Bristol partner of the inventor OF the bridge.
We believe the company are entirely satisfied with
the energy and fidelity with which he pushed and
executed his contract, and are well pleased with tie
bridge.
We must not forget in this connection, to make
mention Of Mr.. Hiram Jenkins, principal foreman
of the contractors and Mr. L. S. Main, his assistant
The bridge from the rough tmbers. to its final COM
petion, was under their supervision. They have
worked ntelligently and ndustriously, and the COM
pany owe as much to these two qualities in these
two for the early completion of the bridge, as
to any other cause.
The bridge is now ready for the track layers who
we are informed, will be put at work at once and
the track laying South of the river is pushed with
vigor.
The cost of the whole structure embracing the |
masonry, bridge and treste work approaches, of |
800 feet is SlO3 OOO-C arIsUile JeferSOniaa July
20