The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-22
Written for The Spirit of Democracy
From Malaga Township.
HEAD OF SHELL Run ROAD

Be it known to the public, that l, the
undersigned, on the 18th day Of May,
went to the Board Of Commissioners, to
see and hear what they would do toward
repairing bridge, which broke down
on said road; the reply was. they would
be there next day, and wished me to
meet them there in the evening went
to the place, after some time they came,
got off and hitched their horses. So
far as can remember, !Cehrs was the
first man to commence talking about the
job He appeared SO unreasonable to
me that I talked back to him, which
cooled him down. He then asked me
what would take and put stone cul-
vert there; said, perhaps you know
better than l, the worth to do it. He
then said man can do it for twenty
five dollars, and said would not haul
the stone for that price. Armstrong
came and whispered to Cehrs, both then
said, we will give you fifty dollars, il
YOU will not do it for that, we will sell
it; all right, l said l would not bid any
man down. Then saiG ! there is pile Of
ground TO throw out. Cchrs explained
how that would do to fill in again, logs
you can leave, and showed me how to
lay the bottom fagstone, they need not
be very thick he said. Armstrong ther
measured how long, wide and high il
would have to be. We then went down
the road to examine another bridge
They allowed that would stand longer
Armstrong then asked me whether ]
was willing to do that job up there =
Studying little | said ] would HI
then out with his note book, commen1
ced writing: Contracted with v. Ulrict
to put in stone culvert twenty-five fee
long, two feet wide at the bottom, and
two feet high, dagstone at the bottom
covered with aagstone on top, five OF
six inches thick, and to do the necessa
ry filing, for fifty dollars. He dated
it; and then asked whether I would have
it done about the time Of their mex
meeting. Said / think l can. Well
you can get your money then; but, said
he, we will have to inspect it first.
said when done let you know. Yes
but don't like to condemn it by my
SELF And those words / ought to hav,
taken as hint that he would condemn
it. On Convention day l met him, sait
that job was done. Well ! will 60 dow
this evening and see it said he. l ask
ed whether shall come on Monday
No, he said, better come on Tuesday
On Tuesday, the Sth of June, | wen
up to the Auditors Office; after inquir
ing, Mr.. Hoeffier said they have gon
to where they are building new bridge
Waiting until / saw them coming,
started up to the Hotel, and met then
there. Armstrong shook hands wit
me, and exclaimed, your work is al
right, only it is not in the right place.
Surprised at such expressions aske,
how SOP Well, it is to high up. We'll
you did not tell me how high, or low
was to put it He said it was expecte
to be in the bed cf the run. We wi
be out there this evening or tomorrow
Next day Arm strong and Cehrs came t
the field where l was working and Gale
me up. Cehrs said the culvert is to
high, it is three feet above the bed Q
the run. Well, said l, did not measure
but the culvert would not ascend on
inch, nor would it, if lower down, bu
, would fill with mud scorer, be harde
to purify, by the general rule Of super
visors, for its body is over three feet o
, top already.
Gentlemen, could not work, wher
there were no specifications, contrary t
my opinion. Cehrs said we can't pa
you that price for three or four day
/ of work; we will pay you twenty do
s lars. What? said /, we worked twent
: days, 80 hard as we were able wit
;, hauling and all, and if you don't war
s to pay me in full, keep all, l can d
: without it. / expected to have dealing
1 with honest men, and not with Jews, {
: such unsound heads that could not sc
e more than three or four days of wor
e there. Yours,
0 VALENTINE ULRICH.
An Iowa father recently gave b