The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-12-27
For the EAGLE.
Is the North Ninnsscah to be Bridgsd SO as to
Benefit the Psopls,or to Increase the Value
of the Property Of Few individuals?

|
EDITOR EAGLE When this coun-
try, west of the Minnesota, was first
settled it was frequently stated, and
believed by the new settlers that the
North Minnesota never raised so as to
be past fording, but the floods Of last
May and June settled that question.
There were weeks at time when it
was impossible and dangerous to
cross. The land being nearly all taken
and pretty well settled, the people,
thinking they had some claim to a
share of the public funds, presented
their petition to the Board of County
Commissioners at their regular meet
ing in October. Two petitions were
signed and presented by the people
living west of the river mostly, and
directly interested in crossing the
river TO obtain their supplies from
Wichita. a third petition was got
ten up by few land owners living
east of the river and in Wichila, hop
ing thereby to make a travelled road
by their farms to increase their yalu
alton. don't think said petition had
a name on it Of settler living west of
the river, as there is not one living
west of the river in Sedgwick county
who could cross at that point without
travelling one mile directly out Of his
way.
But, as madam runner says the
bridge is located there, myself and
three other men went to view the To-
cation, which we found a very bad
one, for several reasons. 1t is in the
corner of the county, being one mile
from the north line and one fourth of
a mile from the west line of the
county. The west bank is good. The
east bank is loose sand, covered with
plum bushes, which would be almost
impossible for a road as soon as it
is Travelled little. The sand is about
fifty yards wide, then comes low
DOltOiH dDOut tuicc HuHuiCu NaiVS
wide that not only overfows from the
river, but is formed by creek losing
its channel short distance above and
Speeding out, making it impossible in
a wet time without great deal Of
work. | don't think there is aworse
location in the county, taking every
section line into consideration. 1t is
not near any travelled road, nor does
it lead to any settlement that would
justify such an outlay Of the public
funds. The stream at this point, be-
tween sections six and seven, by act
ual measurment, is three hundred
feet wide A few rods below, where
there was a board set up, it measured
two hundred and fifty feet.
The other points petitioned for are
much better. The one on the line be-
tween sections twsnty-eight and thir-
ty-three is only two hundred feet
wide and solid banks on both sides.
On the west side it is a little low for
two hundred feet. and will want to
filled, but it is solid and the neigh
bors would do all Of that work with
out any help from the county. This
point is on main travelled road lead
ing from Wichita to Kingman, Medi-
cine Lodge and Sun City, and those
places whose trade Wichita and Hutch
inson are competing for and accom-
modates large majority OF the peo-
pie living west of the river in this
county, and the north and east of
Kingman county. The bridge should
be built where it can be built for the
least money and accommodate the peo-
pie the best.
ii. L. Jackson, the County Survey !
or, says the last named place is the |
best and the cheapest place to bridge |
the North Minnesota in the county. |
Had there been bridge across the
stream during the foods of last sum-
mer there was no time but teams
could have crossed without any fill on
the west side. The commissioners
may think the bridge below the forks