Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-03
THE HLNsDALE BRIDGE.

Tuesday Of this week, May 3lst, was the
day fixed for the hearing, before the commits
toner's Of Cheshire county, on the question
Of laying n highway across the Hinsdale toll
bridge. The commissioners, ]. b. Abbott
and DR.. q. G. Hill of Keene and L. A. Fuller
of Marlboro. met at the dollhouse in the
morning, ID. II. Woodward of Keene and
Davenport & Eddy Of Brattleboro appearing
for the petitioners, and Faulkner a Batchei-
der and F. F. Lane Of Keene for the remon-
strants. An organization was effected and
the property carefully examined. After din
ner the company tool carriages and looked
over the country which is tributary 10 the
travel across the bridge on the New Hamp-
shire side, Deacon Estey Of this village ap-
pearing by request to represent the interests
which would be benefited by the freeing OF
the bridge and G. ]. Amidon of HinsdaIe
appearing to represent the remonstrants The
country in Chesterfield and North Hinsdale
was looked over, and also the river road on
the Hinsdale side. By mutual consent tho
hearing was adjourned TO Tuesday, July 8, at
the dollhouse. We are informed that the pc.
tition for the freeing of the bridge bears the
names Of "a Hinsdale voters, who represent
property valuation of $50, 600 No petition
on the part Of the remonstrants has yet been
presented, but one is said to be in circulation
which has been signed by $50 Hinsdale voters,
who represent 5000, 600 of taxable property.
II Is evident that strong effort to kill the
project is to be made by interested Hinsdale
parties, whose real or supposed interests are
averse to the freeing of the bridge. These
parties claim that they should favor having
the bridge freed, were it not for the hazard
Gus character Of the property-referring Of
course, TO the danger that the bridge may be
swept away. The bridge, they say, has been
carried of on an average Of about once in
eight years since 1912, and TO undertake to
buy and maintain the property would
constitute too great q tax on the town
The commissioners were shown a place on the
river, known as Cooper's Point where the
Hinsdale people say they have for some
time had in contemplation the building
of bridge. The site offers great natural adj.
vantages for bridge, there being ledge of
rock ON either side and a rock in the middle
of the river suitable for the foundation Of
pier. They admit however, il Is said, that
the cost of the bridge would not be less than
$4,000 and the construction of necessary
new highway and approaches would raise the
total cost to S25,OOO This location Is about
five miles down the river, and nearly midway
between the Burroughs stand and Whithed's.
The distance between this place and Hins-
dale village by that route would be about
one-half mile greater than the present one.
out the hinsdale people would save the long
sandy bill this side of their village. On the
part Of Brattleboro the commissioners and re-
monstrants are assured that this town will
pay one-half the assessed cost of the bridge
and one-half the cost Of its future mainte-
nance also, in case of Judgment for damage
for insufheiency of highway, this town will
bear one-hah the burden. The petitioners
are advised that the general Vermont law.
passed with special reference to the West
minister free bridge, gives the town authority
to promise this under the vote passed at the
special town meeting. Under such liberal
action on the part Of Brattleboro il is difi-
cult to see how Hinsdale people can oppose
the freeing OF the bridge on the score OF pos
sible or probable future expense or damage.
The day for toll-bridges has gone by, and
neither trade nor any property interest can
be held or hedged in by any such means