Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1888-12-27
The BRIDGE COMPLETED.
BOARD OF FREEEf0LDEEsS
MEET.
Viewing the New Bridge at
NauricefOwn and Have
Meeting.

NeeLInS.
The new iron bridge at Maurice
town is practically completed, and
Friday the Board of Freeholders
drove to that village in carriages to
inspect the structure and hold special
meeting. 1t was long and somewhat
cold drive but the Freeholders are a
jolly set and all had good time on
the road. Jacob Slough from the
Second ward, was very observant, and
when nearing Mauricetown he caught
sight of the high iron beams of the
bridge and remarked to his compan-
ions, 'Thare's a fellow putting up a
fine grape arbor."
The members of the Board arrived
at Camps Hotel about ten o'clock,
and proceeded directly to the bridge,
for the purpose of inspecting it. In
going toward it, one is struck with the
solidity of the structure, and, too, it
is very graceful in its proportions. In
fact, it is one of the handsomest in the
county. AS one gets nearer, a huge
iron name plate is seen, upon which
are these words: Built by Dean s.
Westbrook. Bridge Engineers and
Contractors, n. Y. Committee, A
Harris, B. B. Elwell, J. b. Anderson,
Thos. Hand. T. S. Shaw Some Of
the members remarked that this was
a sort of monument in memory of the
gentlemen whose names are stared at
by the world. There were several
prominent men of the county down to
that village yesterday. Among them
was iona. Elmer, of this city, who,
away back in the sixties, was Director
OF the Board, and after a long and
bitter struggle, bought the old wooden
bridge of the stock company.
The new bridge is draw set upon
pivot, and vessels can go through on
either side. 1t is 361 ] feet long, and
upon either end are strong abutments.
The draw works easn,-,-ona y11s,,>
turning it readily. Dean & Westcott,
the contractors, came to Maurice5own
on the West Jersey train, and spent
the day with the Freeholders. After
the inspection had been made the
Board proceeded to one of the ROOMS
of the hotel, where they held their
meeting. Little was done before din
ner. ALI the members answered to
the roll call but Birkinshaw, of Vine
land. The bridge was talked about,
but as the committee did not have a
written report prepared, the Board
adjourned for dinner, which had been
ordered by the contractors of the
bridge. The menu was turkey, duck,
roast beef, oysters. vegetables, fruit
and pie, and there was not a member
of the Board gathered around the
tables that did not do full justice to
the excellent bill of fare,
After dinner the Board reconvened,
and the Bridge committee made their
report. In it, it was stated the con-
tract price was $44,SO0 Extra for ac-
tual changes $110O, and with the en-
gineer and committees services, the
total cost of the bridge was given as
| $4S, ,719,SS. On motion this report was
received, The committee were author
lied to do some add itional work about
the Bridge for the benefit of the struc-
ture. The Collector was authorized to
settle with Dean s. Westbrook, keep.
ng back 800, until Their work is fin
ally finished.
As no meeting of the Board would
be official without the payment Of
bills, these were ordered paid
| Frazeur & Rice lime, 5 $50
| Ayres Il milford, clothing, $50
! Hiraim Paullin mason work. 29.95
| T. H. Theis, supplies, 34.46
| Joseph Loder, 1900
| Charles Bailey, 600
| After this amount of business was
done the Board adjourned to meet at
the bridge, so that Mr.. Dean, one of
the contractors, might photograph
the group standing upon the bridge.
Four views We're taken, and no damage
was done the machine. After the
Board did some minor business at the
hotel, the most of it relating to the
Mauricetown bridge, an adjournment
was effected to meet at the call of the
Director.