Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-02-25

Louis company, being the lowest bidder
| claimed the right to make any further prop
| ositions to building said bridge that the,
thought proper without a further letting
and so did /, as one OF the court; and Mr.
| Sebastian, who was the foreman Of that com.
pany, wrote me that he would build oll
bridge ut cost, as it would be good adver.
| Using for said company. then directed
him to begin his propositions. and on the
third proposition concluded, II my asso-
ciate Judge was willing, We would, as the
county had on hands considerable means,
build bridge as we now have it. The Sd
proposition was as follows: that for 81 100 he
would build the bridge complete on the
piers, or he would build piers and all fo,
$3.50. As soon as saw Judge GARRISON, ]
| made known to him Sebastian's offer, and
said to him, was willing, if he was, to close
the bargain with him. Judge Clarkson said,
"Yes," and we entered into the writings.
And, by the grace of the Great Ruler of all
things, we have as bridge what we have.
And your correspondent, T. c., says it is q
good one; why don't the dads have it cush-
Toned? would say that it would not hurt
the looks of the bridge if the ladies' side on
the east were cushioned. Now, Mr.. Editor,
we have bridge that is builded after the
most approved style now known, and is of
square foot of floor, beside the static weight,
which is equal to 25 or 80 pounds more. But
Notwithstanding the enormous strength of
our wrought iron bridge, which is with care
almost indestructible, and should last for so
years, or more, it could by heavy loads and
reckless driving be ruined in half that time.
horse and buggy driven across the bridge
in full speed, are equally as hard on the
bridge as two-h horse wagon heavily loaded
gently driven across. Now, will gentlemen
think of that? l have noticed myself two
horse wagons heavily loaded driven across
the bridge at fast trot, and when they struck
the floor the horses were further urged on
by lash of the whip. This last was, gen.
orally, by young Americas of both colors.
And now will ask, in the name and behalf
of the commonwealth of Iron county. that
hereafter more kindness be shown our bridge
by the crossers thereon: q check at the
threshold Of the bridge, and loss of ten
seconds would be a great saving to Iron
county.
And, Mr.. Editor, in your last article on
the bridge question you ask the County
Commissioner to cast about and see where
the next bridge should be builded in the
bounds Of Iron County. Now, with a
thought of five seconds I can say, (being well
acquainted with all the crossings of creeks
In Iron county,, the French Ford, on Mar
BILE Creek, as the road is now located, is the !
next place for bridge. This ford is mar
row, with high banks; would require but |
piers and span of IS or 80 feet; would cost |
about $500, complete. The next ford on |
his creek is Signer's, about half mile |
south of French Ford; wrought iron |
bridge across this ford would cost some
S2500. The next is Campbell's ford, about |
70 chains south Of Signer's ford; bridge |
lcross this ford will cost about $500. The |
,ext ford Is Folks ford, about 90 chains |
outh of Campbell's; bridge here Will cost |
bout $4,000. These four crossings, inside OF
me mile. on this creek, would cost the coun-
y to bridge them with good wrought iron
ay, SlO,OO0-perhaps g little more. Now,
ir. Editor, permit me to suggest the follow
ng as panacea and avoidance of the build
ng of any of those four bridges: Turn off
# the present road about two hundred
ards north of the French ford; take the
Dad down on the west margin of the creek
o Mr.. Boswell's house, or near there.
Thence south through his land, and on the
vest side of the creek, to the intersection of
he road az lin at Charles X. Polka, I have
lever made survey Of this route, and do
lot kHaW what it would cost the county; but
think, surely, less than one Of those
bridges. And another little turn on said
ireenville road would avoid the six cross
ngs of Marble Creek. Leave the present
Dad at the south end =. Twomey's farm:
make the road on west side OF said creek,
again at the southwest side OF
he Sutton ford-a distance Of less than
nile. The whole expense of both changes
N said road would not exceed the building
f one bridge.
A few words more about our present
ridge. The guard at the south gate will
Don be placed there. SO that the most In
ox;eated driver can't get off the approach;
nd little moro filling up at the north side.
And when John Begley tries bis German
and In smoothing up sad approaches, 1t is
ny opinion that the most fastidious about
Dads can but be pleased. Yours,
A. w. H.
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