Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-04

HE LITTLE ROCK ROAD BRIDGE-Iu
aeoordaneqwith a polite invitation, wetook a TIN
10 Madison, Ark. To see the bridge over the St
Francis, which has just been completed. We
found the journey a very agreeable one, espe-
eialiy, as by the courtesy Of Superintendent
feger we were allowed TO take our seat on the
front Of the locomotive. Trom thence we could
peer into the reeesscs of the foresi as ge rer-
carried along, and view the beautiful effects Of
Light and shade among the trees. Plants. sedee
and moss offered many forms OF beauty to ths
eye, and tufts Of autumn flowers we've scattered
in beautiful variety among the green herbs and
grass. Nov and then the long-lcgged crane
few mp from The thickly growing weeds IN the
swamp and stretching their large white wings,
measuring twelve feet from tip 10 ZIP, fed rapidly
before the thunder of ths approaching r,in,
while overhaad the m~rkey-buzzanl scared with
lazy wing 70 one immuol from day to day
in dusty streets, shut ia with rows Of brick and
mortar, these sights Of nature and her wild deni-
zens. and the influence Of the inspiring breeze
created by the rush Of the train, were fall Of en-
joymenf. Under the careful and industrious
superintendency Of Mr. Fceer tie track has been
greatly improved Ia many places injured by
fhe overflow Of the water in the time Of flood,
iron has been taken up and relaid on new cross
ties, and hundreds Of eross-des lying along the
road show that stil more extensive improve
ments are in progress. when the track is
thus renovated few roads win be smoother
and more agreeable 70 travel on, as the
curves are very few, and for miles and miles
az time, IN one portion as much as tyenty-one
miles, the track Is rs dIect as the flight Of the
bee. Soon after passing the tLi1y-eighth mile
post we reached the St. Francis and crossed the
bridge. The completion Of this structure marks
an era in the construction Of the road. aud con
sideing the troublous times we 1--we in and the
dihicultes the road has had to contend with, we
cannot regard its completion in any other light
than as a wonderful feat. It is no make shift
affair, but a good, wen buili, substantial bridge.
There are six staunch brick piers; one of thOsein
tie center IS round and of considerable diameter.
The superstructare consists Of three span. max
ing a length Of SIX hundred feet. The center
span, two hundred feet in length, is a draw
bridge, revolving on the large circular pier so as
10 admit the passage Of steamboats,. The first
train crossed 1t last Monday, September 30. So
stout and ample are the timbers and so wen
hraced that the detection on the passage Of the
trains Is almost impereeptible. The iron track
terminates at present just beyond the bridge
On the right Of it win be built a depot,
the work on which viii commence this week,
and near It win be a turn table. On the
opposite side Of the road is a handsome
and convenient hotcl, kept by J. p. Healthy,
ESD a courteous gentleman, who VIII supply
travellers with a good dinner Between Madison
and White river, at Clarendon, six miles Of the
road are graded, at a point known as Crowley.
Ridge. 4 considerable portion of the distance
between these two places is level prairie, where
scarcely any grading viii be required. When
the work is commenced, with a full force, its pro
g1ess win be rapid. Prudential reasons. however
have caused the company to leave this portion
until tie last On the portion Of the road lying
between White river and Little Rock, grading i.
progressing, and seventeen miles Of the ront,
has the iron upon It. Locomotives and cars ar
running lW4H anu lutiAtatlAp Lt Work. I'm
portion viii be completed by New Years day
1862. When that is done, travellers will leav
Memphis in the morning, and travel to Madison
say forty miles; there they viii take stage an
ride to Clarendon, on White river, forty mile
more; from thence they win cross in a ferry
Duvaps Bluff, on the other side, and 60 by Gal
way to Little Rock, f~orty-fye miles more, maxim
the Trip from Memphis to Little Rock in te
hours. The Little Rock railroad has progress
slowly, bnt surely, and Notwithstanding Il
troubles that now derange all undertaking
Of a public character, such is the indol
table perseverance, Of the men who ha
the direction of this road, that the work viii Il
be stopped. Whether II be much or little, SON
thing win be done until the road is completed
patient, untiring energy, The president Of
road is r. C. Brinkley, who never gives up {
ship The superintendent is D. H. Feger, W
Knows no such word as fail" Pm Patti
son is The treasurer, assisted by J. r. Harro
Ono essential requisite toward completing
road the company already P~ossess-they ha.
iron for every foot Of the road, and as fast as {
grading csn be completed the rails vii be J
down.