Smyrna times., 1866-10-24
SCELLAN NEOUS.
Written for the "Smyrna Times"
SMYRNA, Oct. 18th, 1866.

SMYRNA, Oct. 18th, 1866.
hope I may be excused for asking
your local subscribers to turn for moment
from the exciting topics ofpolitics and the elec-
ton, to the humble and less-important one of
bridge-making. | will merely state the facts
as briefly as possible, and sincerely hope the
matter will be attended to.
| There is, on the road leading from Duck
Greek to- Prices Corner, a delapidated old
house and few sheds, neither useful nor or
namental, called, from the flock of pigeons
which there do congregate, Pigeon Hill -
just below this hill, is one of the frailest, most
1nsu6stantlal bridges that ever mortal was
forced to risk neck upon. 1t was evidently put
there many years ago, and was, doubt not, a
very good bridge when it was new. But for
more than year it has been unsafe for car
riagcs or teams to attempt going over it.
The immense forests of Appoquinimink sup
ply the whole country around with wood and
railroad ties, and in a little while now these
wood teams will be running constantly. And
it is of the utmost Importance that this bridge
should be mended-with new one in my hum
bic opinion.
L think we all pay tax enough to have at least
decent roads to ride over, and if the overseer
pockets the money and lets the bridges 90, why
can't another be put in?
| have nothing to say against the overseer of
that road, however. For he is not only very
tine man, but that is certainly the hardest road
to keep In passable condition, in this part of
| the country
Last summer, this old bridge at Pigeon
hill broke away at one corner, so that if one
ventured unguardedly upon it, there was great
danger OF the whole concern tumbling into the
water. In few weeks, however, it was stitch
n hat a uh0s scr of af4lso
ed with nerves or who is prepared to sunder all
earthly ties ut any moment, may at this time
venture over it. The poor old creature groans
and creaks terribly though even at the weight
OF one horse vehicle and it makes me shud-
der to think of those poor skeletons drawing q
heavy wagon and two cords of wood apiece over
the rotten timbers and boards full of holes as
| saw them last Winter. After the bridge
broke away, as | mentioned, some months ago
inquired of several men whom met on the
road, who the overseer was; but no one seem
. ed to know. And after it was mended (thi:
r was probably done by some of the teamsters)
kept lnquiring, until last Sunday. was told
that Ingram Tor lngraham perhaps) had tn,
6ridges. l asked why he didn't do somethip.
to that old bridge. The man said he didn'
know, but remarked that he didn't suppose
would be touched until somebody fell through
There is quite large stream there, and i
;, Winter it would be dreadful place to driv
!. even a carriage through; and l really don
believe, that the poor shadows of horses drive
to some of these wood wagons would be able
go through the water and sand up to the hu
= of the wheel, and draw load of wood up tn,
steep hill Therefore, for the sake of thec
poor horses, | hope somebody will take til
+, matter in hand, and let us have good bridg
- Immediately.
am Sir,
Respectfully yours,
APPOQUINIMINK.