The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-03-03
Nj i.rseilles bridge Gone

We lie ern with proft und regret that the
fine new bridge at Marseilles was taken off
by the ic i and food on Saturday morning of
last week. A portion of the bridge passed
Ottawa during the break up here on Thurs
day. The following, from q friend at Mar
settles, gives the particulars of the calamity.
We are pleased to note that the people 81
that stirring young town are by no means
daunted by the misfortune, but mean to have
another bridge up by the lst of May.
MARsEILLEs, Feb. IS, 1866.
.UcssrS. Edttors-l am sorry to inform you
of the destruction of our new bridge. In Jan.
last there was a partial breaking up of the
ice in this portion of the river, and much ice
fioated down to a point about a mile below
the rapids and there gorged, large cakes
being piled one above another until 1t had
formed Il dam of ice the entire width of the
river. The weather becoming suddenly cold,
consolidated the whole gorge into a solid
barrier, and thus remained until the night of
Feb. 23d, when a warm spell again set in and
unlocked the myrads of springs and rivuets,
which poured their contents into the river,
and soon the water came rushing down until
it reached the gorge below. OF course it
soon flooded back, and raised the river about
I feet in few hours, detaching a large field
Of ice above the dam, as wide as the river,
about mile 10 length and nearly feet thick.
Soon it began to float, and moved slowly
down until arrested by the piers of the bridge,
and remained resting against the piers from
III o'clock that night until 8 the following
morning, the water continuing to accumulate
until the ice was within 4 feet of the top of
ha 6a To,
way, the water running down in few mo.
ments, thus leaving the whole weight of this
entire mass of ice pressing against the piers.
The cement not having hardened, about one
half of each pier was pushed over, precipi-
tating the superstructure INTO the river. 1t
loated down about four miles, where it LAYS
in q gorge of ice. There has been large
force at work, to save as much of the wreck
as possible. About one half has been re-
moved to the shore; but to-day they were
compelled to abandon it, as the river is again
raising, rendering 1t too dangerous to work.
1t is hoped it will swing out of the current
and get stranded on the flats below. where
the balance nay Be secured. Ii is a heavy
blow to our little town, and for few hours
all felt rather blue. However, it will not
retard business long, for it is understood that
there will be n bridge finished ready for tray
ell about the first of May, and it will require
until that time for the roads to become set
tied. The dam was not in urea, and not a
piece of ice passed into the BAYOU and, as
this is the worst gorge which has occurred
for IL years, | should think the water works
might be considered secure.
Building has commenced in earnest, and
so eager are the new corners to get their
buildings erected, they are having their lun-
Der brought from Chicago by rail, not being
willing to wait until the canal opens. We
shall have busy summer here Building
lots continue to sell freely, and everything
looks hopeful. ENTERPRISE.