The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-03-22

Oatmanvllle-For prohibition 81,
against 1856.
Merrilltown For prohibition 81,
against 8. The gentleman who brought
this return reported that the people of
Merfilltown precinct will at once have
an election of Their own. Half the
county will no doubt do the same.
THE BRIDGE AND THE CITY's BEN
EFACToRs.-The completion of the
bridge across the Colorado at this
place was properly celebrated Thurs
day. Many gentlemen were present,
who drank toasts in honor of the event,
and asserted popular gratitude for tho
enterprise and energy of the few gen
tlemen who undertook and accom-
plished the great task. The people
have been asked for nothing; the city
has invested not dollar; the county
court has not been roped in to be
squeezed out" as COMMONLY happens
when public is inveigled into pri-
vate corporation. There were toasts
and brief, good-humored speeches
made, and many absurd and jocular
illusions to the question now absorb
ing popular attention. 1t was q sand
bank on which the guests of the bridge
company stood, and it was hardly
more porous than they who drank the
wine and poured forth wit and good
humor, and congratulation that the
great work was done and a highway
opened for trade and travel from the
South to be obstructed never more by
the flooded Colorado. A city, the
counterpart of Austin, will speedily
spring into existence on the heights
south Of the river. They will be crowned
with pretty homes and bright gardens,
and jewellers there will ever have be-
fore them in the city and river and
plains and mountains beyond the pref
test picture ever painted, and when
springtlme dawns spread upon the
prettiest canvas and more beautifully
framed ttan any work OF art that
graced a painters easel or blest a poets
dreams.
Those present at the dedication were
ex Governor Pesse, Judge Terrell, May
or Wheeler, c. Baker, Col. Desha Bun
ton, G. Grow, VIM. Brueggerhoff, Wal
ter Tips, J. W. Hannig, G. B. Zimpel-
man, Frank Hamilton, Capt. Mather,
Major Mabry, Nat Q. Henderson. Col.
Ludlow, Mr.. Daniels, Mr.. Crow, jr.,
and representatives of the press of
Austin. Arriving by omnibuses and
hacks at the Bunton bridge, the
party came to halt and alighted,
when basket of champagne was open
cd, and many toasts were offered, most
of which were in honor of the build
ers OF the bridge, the erection of
which was commenced about one year
ago, and the completion of which, liz
elusive of the approaches and the
bridge over Bunton creek, cost $780,
900. The bridge is chartered under
the name of the Travis County Road
and Bridge Company. the officers of
which are, E. NJ. Pease, president;
]. H. Raymond, vice president; Wal
ter Tips, secretary, and Frank Hamil-
ton, treasurer. The directors are ].
II. Raymond, Col. Ludlow, J. W. Han
mig, G. Crow, F. W. Chandler, Robert
Smith, G. Baker, Walter Tips and E.
NJ. Pease. Mr.. G. Baker, of St. DO
seph, Missouri, who built the bridge,
represents one-half the stock, and the
other half is owned by citizens of this
county, and Mr.. Baker. in his toast,
stated that $40, 900 of the Travis coun-
ty stock had already been paid up. aud
that it had been paid with more
freedom and promptness than had the
stock in any public enterprise with
which he had ever been connected.
Considering the stringency of the times,
and the fact that the people of this
county have In the past three years in
vested literally III the State Fair Asso-
citation, the street railway, ice manu-
factories, ETC., Mr.. Bakers remarks
were decidedly complimentary to our
citizens.
MONROE MMLER's STABLEs.-The
travelling correspondent of Rilkes's
Spirit Of the Times thus speaks of the
Eclipse Livery and Sale Stables of Mr..