The Van Buren press., 1860-02-24


ton that it is the design of the :. Van Bu-
rem Directory" to give their city the go
bv,'' we have obtained, for publication, the
following communication from the Engi-
! neer TO the President of L. II. & F.S. II. r.
Co., the subject of bridge at this place.
/ The action of the Board, we learn. leaves
the matter to the discretion Of their Engi-
neer.
I EsersElK's OFFICE. L. r. 4 F. 5. RR.l
! VAN BuRES, Feb. l6. 1S5o. !
JESSE Turner, Esq, PRESIDENT
Dear Sir The commencement of oper-
ations under the contract of Messrs. Wad-
dell, Black & Co., on Sections / and = ex-
/ tending from Van Buren, to Flat Rock Creek
has been delayed for the reason that the
precise location of this part OF the road
will depend upon the character of the bridge
over the Arkansas river at this place. The
present condition Of the company will pre-
vent me from deciding upon any particular
plan, and as the carly commencement OF
the work from this place to Flat Rock is
desirable, request meeting OF your Board
of Directors as soon as convenient, for the
purpose of considering the matter in its f.
/ naaciai aspects.
| For your information herewith submit
statement Of the different plans that have
been contemplated for bridge at this point.
| Although can entertain but one view of
the subject, have deemed it proper to
submit the question Of cost to the julg
meat Of the Board.
The plan adopted by your former Chief
Engineer, Capt. Barney, provides for a
bridge 1,500 feet in length, composed OF
10 spans of 136 feet, and balance draw,
occupying space of 140 feet, leaving open
,ings Of 60 feet on each side of the center
! pier for the passage of boats, DC. For a
draw bridge, would slightly increase the
length, making spans Of 210 feet, with
a span'of $50 feet at each end, and a draw
turning upon a center pier, and allowing
spaces of l20 feet for the passage OF boats,
Sc.
I Two lines of approach have been survey
cd on the north side; one, the lower line,
making a sharp curve Of 40 feet radius
after leaving the bridge and following along
the side of the hill upon which Wallace
! Institute Is situated, crossing Main street,
just above DIR. Columns store, and enter
ing DR.. McGee's land, few rods north of
the Seminary. The upper line is more di-
rect, following up small branch west OF
Mr. Scott's residence, crossing the Fayette-
vile road at its lowest point OF eleYation
north of Mr. Bostick's Hotel, and entering
DIR. McGee's Land few rods south OF
| Mrs. Davis's residence. With draw
bridge the lower line would have the ad
vantage OF better grades and less expen-
sive grading the upper line the advantage
of superior alignment and less expensive
fright of way" Should your Beard pre-
| fer, from financial considerations, the cree
ton of a draw bridge, more detailed com
parlson of the two lines will then be neces
| sary Should You have no objections to a
high bridge, the upper line Will be alone
practicable
There are many objections TO the cree
tlon Of draw bridge upon any line of rail
road, the most obvious of which are great
danger. and increased liability to accident
from carelessncss and other causes, and its
Inconvenience to navigation. No matter
how great the care On the part of employ
ees, or how perfect the mechanism OF the
structure, experience in all parts of the
country attests that they are attended with
considerable risks to human life and prop
erty- 1t needs no argument to show that
such structure would receive the united
opposition Of those whose interests are
synonymous with the interests of river nav
isation. For these and many other reasons
l recommend the adoption of a continuous
bridge of sufficient elevation to allow the
passage Of the largest boats at high water
The question will then present itself as
to the particular plan of construction and
the character of material to be employed
The cost of the several descriptions Of
bridges is approximately estimated as fol-
lows:
We here give in a condensed form, the
statement of the character and cost of each
kind of bridge, emitting the details.-ED. I
l. Draw Bridge, McCallum Truss, 1929, $40
2. High Bridge, McCallum Truss 227, ,7so
B. Iron-Bridge, Long Truss, 297 ,420
L. Wire Susnension Bridge, per
innate Of John A. Roebling, C. E. 500, ,O0O
Bridges, .. 3, and would admit the pass
age of boats at high water.
Under ordinary circumstances I should
proceed without hesitation to prepare the
work for an iron bridge, (3).' Next to that
would prefer wooden bridge, (2,) ad-
mitting the free passage of steamboats, at
cept in case of absolute necessity, would
l give my sanction, professionally, to the
adoption of a draw bridge, but for obvi-
Gus reasons, l leave the determination of
the question to the Board of Directors--and
for the reasons mentioned in the outset. |
desire as early an expression on the sub
ject as may be convenient
1t may be proper, in this place, to state
that the amount of lands selected and at
tached to that portion of the road from
Van Buren, to Fort Smith, is, in Crawford
county, 9,1194O acres in Sebastian coun-
ty. 1,455. 10 acres. making total of lO.-
514:o0 acres. The quantity to which this
part of the road is entitled is about l9, 700
acres, leaving a deficiency of 9,l25 acres
yet to be selected by the State
! am, very respectfully.
Your ob't serv't,
j. II. HANEY, Chief Engineer.