, 1865-01-10
FROM CLINTON, IOWA.
Tho Bridge eEytuFn10n-An Entire Sue

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune]
CLINTON. Iowa, Jan. Q.
The excursion from Chicago to Clinton to-
day On the occasion Of the opening Of the
new zailroad bridge across the Mississippi
river at this point, has been an entire SUCCESS
up to tlis hour, which includes the delightful
ride Of 80 miles, the grand banquet at the
Iowa Central House, in this city-the ball
nov in progress. The train WAS made up Of
seven splendid cars OF the Chicago md
Northwestern Railroad Company, filled
with party Of $50 ladies and gentle
men Of Chicago, representing the mer
cantilc and railroad interests, the
professions and The press. Nothing occurred
TO mar the pleasure Of the day. The river
was reached early in the afternoon, and the
train crossed Immediately TO the Iowa shore.
The ladies were left at tho Iowa Central
House, and the gentlemen required at once
to careful investigation Of the great struc-
ture, which is now solid and permanent
roadway between the two shores. Its loca-
and eki1lful study Of the currents and habits
OF the Father Of Wutcrs, as little us possible
to interfere with its dignitics and cmoluments.
So well has this been done, that the steam
boat interest, sensitive US it has ever been to
projets Of this class Is !well nigh disarmcd
Of lis prejudices BY the 1nanncr iu which the
Ohio and Northwestern road managers have
executed this great work. The track ap-
7,roaching the river at Fulton turns to the
southwark and strikes the river bank oppo-
site the broad, sandy expanse known as Lit
lie Rock Island, which for several years has
been the point reached By the railroad. Over
. series Of five spans west Of this land runs
the main channels Of the river, at this point
very deep and about 200 feet in width this
channel has always been crossed by the tedious
\ r ID r.. Il
upon which the cars have been run, three at
a time, slow and troublesome link In the
great artery Of travel md traffic. In the cen
ter of this channel solid pier is built; its
foundation 40 feet below the surEaee Of the
river, and on this has been erected bcautl.
dul iron drawbridgc, ono Of the finest struc..
ture of its class In the United States, and
destined always to bca thing Of mark to trav-
elers, either BY railroad or river. The draw
leaves 130 feet of channel on each side, and
is 20 located that the current will take
the most carclcss, or eTen the most
unwilling river captain or raftsman through
unharmed. Again and again has the expert
!nent been tried while the bridge was build
ing, and in every instance the barge left to
1oat nhEuarded, the steamboat without steam
of tnc pnnu safe, hare found their way
through %ltnont striking. The bridge was
ouns W r.i ~ asrs tas Kellogg, Of Detroit, who
This is their first swing bridge Of the Hind.
and is destined TO be the piopcer nf nanT
others. i cost $1,000; Il is to be worked c
BY small steam engine, kept constantly dred
The Chicago d Northwestern railroad mr.
fully congratulated on the achievement
Among the officers Of the company present
and The hosts On this occasion, are Henry Il.
Smith, Vice President Of the company, Geo.
1: DUNLAP. COT. Howe and other Rromi
Among the guests is Adjutant Gen
cral n. B. Baker Of Iowa at the banquet
Hon. John B. Turner. Of Chicago, presided
when toasts and specch-making came IN or.
der. Responses were made by Dr. McVickar
Rev. Dr.. Evarts. Writ Dexter, Esq, Col
Of Chicago. Nothing dragged; there wers
no heavy speeches, aud the floor Was spccdi
y cleared for the dance, which vii, bt
Terminated by summons tc rc-cmbark on the
sMendidly appointed night train for CHI