Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-02-06
A GRO WI.

EDITOR CHRONICLE-Permit one of
the many who are suffering from the
cause of which l complain, to utter a
complaint through the columns of your
paper. The only outlet for the trade
of this, the northeastern corner of the
county, and also for that portion OF
Jefferson county Immediately adjoin-
ing is the road following the river
from Steubenville to Bellaire. Between
the county limit and Martins Ferry
this road crosses Deep Run and Glenn's
Run, and It is of the bridges at these
points of which write. These bridges
were OF wood, resting upon cut stone
masonry About three years ago the
Deep Run bridge, stone work and all,
was washed out by an unusual freshet,
the like of which was unknown to the
Oldest resident. The Commissioners,
after considering the matter of rebuild
ing, concluded to erect q wooden struc-
ture directly over the stream and build
cribs from either end to the banks in
which to make fills for approaches.
This was done, and since then it has
become chronic TO hear that the Deep
Run bridge is not safe to cross.
The conclusion arrived al, at the time
II WAS necessary to replace the bridge,
Was-so the writer understands-that
wooden structure could be placed
there for perhaps a fourth of the sum
a 10 ht,s
as that which had been destroyed
that three or four wooden bridges
could be built to cost no more than one
stone one; and that, although the
wooden bridge was more liable to be
washed away, yet their combined time
would most l,Kely be great deal
longer than the stone one. This kind
of reasoning may have suited the Com
missiOners, but II was very unsatisfac-
tory to the farmers, since the question
occurred to them, what would they do
when the bridge could not be crossed?
Their course may have saved money to
the county treasury, but 1t lost money
to the people here.
Two years ago the Glen's Run bridge
was washed out, and after the delay
usual in such cases, whs rebuilt after d
manner. A few weeks ago, and with
out any apparent cause, except that
back water from the river stood up d
few feet from the base of the stone
work, it tumbled down, and yet re-
mains there, an eye-sore to the COM
munity. The stone, piled in heap in
the water, and the wood work hanging
by one end upon natural abutment,
the other end resting down in the
creek among the stones, are just await
ing the spring breakup to be swept
out into the river, thereby causing
further loss of several hundred dollars
to the county. This can all be saved
by erecting a derrick and lifting the
stone and wood work from their pres
ent position. 1t will cost something,
it is true, but why not spend something
now,in order to save great deal when
the bridge is rebuilt?-yet there seems
to be no intention OF doing this.
When the bridge " as down before,
miserable substitute was provided by
the construction of a road along the
hillside, by which another bridge fur
ther up the run was reached. When
the bridge fell this time travel was
again turned over this road, which
being in very bad condition the road su-
pervisor was instructed to repair it.
but when he went TO work the owner
of the land instructed him to go about
his business, although he did not for
bid travel. So the matter rests. The
road has been used To the risk of load,
horse, and life of driver, since part of
it is very steep and, during the cold
weather, icy. Travel has in part ceased,
and every body is in a fer:nent of ds-
satisfaction.
II this article will in the least cause
our County Commissioners to feel an
interest in this portion of the county
shall feel il WIS not written in vain.
Keep the Court IL 'use where it is,
Mr.. Editor. We don't want to be tax
ed for a new one, when the old one is
good enough 1t is also accessible
enough to us. II wa are To have an
additional tax let 1t be for the purpose
OF building roads and Lridges; and fur
ther, when the bridges are building,
let the work be done in such a manner
that it will not begin To fall down be-
fore II is completed.
n. +. CORNER.
Burlington, Feb. 3, 1878.