Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-30

F, maIntenon Aqueduct, stone. .......... 49, 6I
| Harlem Aqueduct, stone. ......... 1 ,45(
| Montpelier AqUeduct, stone. ........,.. 1924
| Parkesburg, w. Va, IRON. ............. 7,O4t
| Potomac. ........ $500
! Quincy cover the Mississippi River) iron 5000
| Omaha lover the Missouri River). ..... $500
| Stockport, stone. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. LIZ
| Strasburg stone ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1890
! ST. Charles, Mo-, iron. $3.50
| Susquehanna, stone. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $500
| Albany. N. Y. extreme length. ...-.... 4.SG0
| Albany, N. Y. double track railway
bridge Largest draw span in the world) 1 400
Vistula River. Germany. iron. -.......,. 1850
| Firth of Tay. length nearly two miles or 10, 321
A prominent feature of the even
ing was the reception given by Col.
Washington A. Roebling, the chief en-
gineer of the bridge, at his residence,
No. 10 Columbia Heights. Colonel
| Roebling, who has been for several
years an invalid, suffering from the
effects of ''caisson disease" contracted
during the early stages of the great
work, was not physically able to stand
the fatigue of attendance at the exer-
| cises, but viewed the scene with
a telescope from his library win
dow, where he has kept scientific vigil
for years past, watching the progress of
each important detail of the work upon
the towers and the superstructure. At
the completion of the exercises at the
bridge, the mayor, President and gov
ernor, and other invited guests pro-
| ceeded to Mr.. Roebling's residence,
where they extended their congratula-
lions to the successful engineer and
honored invalid, who, with his
accomplished wife, Mrs. Roebling
| (sister of the late Major General
G. K. Warren), received their dis
tinguished visitors. John A. Roebling,
father Of the present engineer, was the
first engineer in charge of the construc-
tion. In 1869 the elder Roebling was
standing on a string piece Of the dock
next to the Fulton Ferry slip, fixing a
location for the Brooklyn tower. A
ferryboat, in entering the slip, drove the
tenders against the dock so as to crush
the engineers foot. He had his
own notions of treating an injury.
He believed in hydropathy, and
on going to his hotel he put his injured
| foot beneath faucet running cold
water, and allowed it to remain there
until it was overchilled. He died six
teen days later with lockjaw. Washing
ton Roebling then took up his father
work and carried it to completion. One
spring afternoon in 1872 Col. Roebling
was brought up out of the New York
caisson almost insensible. Long ex-
posture to abnormal conditions had
wasted his strength. All that night
his death was hourly expected; but in q
few days he rallied, and against the
physicians advice he went back to the
caisson, the work upon which
| formed part of his delirium and his
work as before beneath the tides, but he
remained at his post until July, 1872,
when the foundation of the New York
pier was completed. He rested for two
or three weeks, but his health was only
partly mended. His physicians in the
spring of 1873 told him that his one
| chance of life was to go away from his
work. His strong eyes that had served
the army so well had grown weak by
constant writing, and he was afflicted
with double vision. He consented
TO go TO Germany, and for
six months he rested at Weis-
baden. Before leaving he held series
of short conferences with his assistants,
for his strength did not permit him to
| tBlk long at time. He knew the quail
| tiles and talents of his assistants so well
that he effected an admirable organiza-
ton cf the corps, giving to each member
q special department. His own self.
| sacrifice inspired the most devoted 10y
atty In the corps of engineers about
him, and they directed all of their en-
ergies to carry out his plans and wishes.
Not the slightest advantage was ever
taken of his illness to deviate from
the letter and spirit of his plans. Mr..
Rcebling, a weak invalid, away from the
work, remained complete master of the
enterprise. His return from Weisbaden
was followed by his residence III Trenton.
His prostration was most acute, and his
ailment was an elaboration of the caisson
disease which puzzled the physicians.
The impression that he is a hopeless
paralytic is common. His mind has not
abated in vigor, and is brighter after q
period of rest. He has full control OF
every part of his body, and can walk
about his house, but he is unable to
talk or to listen save for a short time.
| When he exerts himself he has sudden
attack of weakness that smites him just
below the diaphragm, and he is then
FRUSTRATED. He has kept familiar with
the minutest details of the bridge. He
has had an easy chair at the window OF
the top story OF the bay window exten-
sion Of his house, which commands g
view of nearly the whole Of the struc-
ture. Col. Roebling is the builder Of
the whole work from the first course Of
stone at the piers to the flagstaff al
their top, and his sick room has for ten
years been the headquarters Of the corps
Of engineers.
| PecuIiaritins Of The Garrnan Pnnnnntor