Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-03-08
BRIDGE FACTS.

We copy the following article from
the last Free Press. There is truth in
wha; is said in regard to the legal
charges which are allowed to be made
upon a bridge or ferry, and the deduc-
lions in consequence Of loss of expends-
lures by the government, and attraction
of trade to other points, more than war
rant what is said relative 10 probable
per cert on expenditures for building a
bridge. We are disposed to doubt it
being bonanza
The Spirit says: "The stock Of the
old Shenandoah Bridge Company, we
are informed, paid as high as % per
cent. dividend, aud averaged II per
cent, and new bridge, it is confident
ly expected, will pay equally as well. "
We believe the Spirit has been misin-
formed and it may be Of public interest
to correct the error. Mr.. Isaac Fouke,
of Charlestown, the Secretary and Treas
urer of the old Company, has preserved
a few of it's records which show its bust
ness for three Years and three months;
the rest of the records have been lost.
The net earnings for the G months end
ing July 81, 1915, were - S72S.
Net earnings months, ending Oct. 81
Net earnings 8 months ending Jan, 81,
lS30, S22l.
Net earnings of one year sl,42O.
Net earnings 3 months ending April
80, 1919, SZ2U.
N. 8. The papers do not show the
expenses; the above being the net pro.
ceeds distributed as dividends, viz: the
Bridge yielded about $llO month.
Gross receipts for year ending October
81, 1855, were l,550.l2.
Expcnses $305, OF.
Net earnings I,245, 10.
Gross receipts for year ending October
81, 1855, were Sl,413,U.
Expenses 1888.
Net earnings N,O9S,44.
Hence during these two years the
Bridge yielded the stockholders an
average of s97.65 per month.
The stock was 400 shares at $25 $40, 900.
There was an additional ass mt of SO 400.
Making amount invested $l3,I6O.
The company paid its dividends every
three months. There is much more
travel during certain portions OF the
year, than during other portions, hence,
the dividend for one quarter might be
at the rate Of IA per cent for the year,
and the next quarter it might be at the
rate Of only sper cent.
1t will be recollected that before the
war, the Government expended in Hair
per's Ferry from $4,000 to $l75,O0o,
a year. This made the town and a
large territory in Loudoun very pros
porous. 1t will also be remembered The
building of the railroad to Hamilton, has
diverted to that point, large trade
which formerly crossed the river. 1t
would seem reasonable, therefore, 10 sup.
pose the loss OF the $4,000 year. the
loss of population, and the loss of the
Hamilton trade, has reduced the travel
about one half Hence, if bridge took
in $500 a year, before the war, it
could not take in, during the present
condition Of business, much over $3.50.
If there be any question about the
earnings of the old Bridge the papers
now in the hands of Mr. Fouke may be
examined.
The experience of the ferry, since the
railroad was finished 10 Hamilton, fully
sustains the above result. Ferry-,olls
are about double the rates fixed for q
bridge. Thus,
Toll on B.& Bridge. Toll at Ferry.
Footman, 3 cents. scents.
Horseman, 8 " 10"
Horse & Buggy,lo IS
4 4 Horses :. q =. wagon ~ as" ~ KS"
1 q" &" with wood, % c. IS 4"
Hence, the same travel which yields
tie ferry 81, 200 year, would yield a
Bridge only 5000.
Harper's Ferry lost the Loudoun
trade, because the arrnory was removed
and because the road was built to Ham,
ilton. The. only way to bring that trade
back, is to start manufactures and re-
store the town, TO its former prosperity.
100000 in factory will bring more
trade than a million in bridge.
1t is true. bridge will increase the
travel, but it will take more than three
times the present travel to pay even 6
per cent. on the cos. of the cheapest
bridge that will be safe from high water.
The dilemma Is this. a chean hridoe