The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-10
THE WORK begun AT LAST'
The Union Railway Bridge Under
Way at North Wheeling
AND THE TERMINAL SYSTEM
Commemorative First Lick Struck
Yesterday on the East Abutmcnt
of tho Big Bridge and the
Track in East Wheeling.

Track In East Wheeling.
The big Union railroad bridge which
is to span the Ohio river at North
Wheeling was commenced yesterday.
Since this project was first broached the
people OF Wheeling who saw in it an
important addition to the city's facilities
for communication with the outside
world, have alternately hoped and de-
SPARED. Often the bridge seemed on the
eve Of construction, but something has
always interyencd to interfere with the
realization Of the plan. Yesterday work
was commenced in very business like
way. There was no ceremony, no blow
ing OF trumpets, no speeches, but the
dirt flew.
Work was also commenced on the
track OF the terminal system at n point
Just south of the Whitaker sheet iron
mill, and between the mill and the hill.
So far the force OF men at work employ
cd is not large. About half dozen carts
are at work, Crowds OF people visited
the localities yesterday to see If work
was actually begun. The authentic re-
port that it was actually under way
caused a general feeling OF rejoicing.
Dodgers were thrown about yesterday
signed by Paige, Carey & Co., contrac-
tors, advertising for 300 men to work on
the contract, wages to be 81 so a day,
and thirty teams, carts and wagons.
This inspired people with more conf.
dence than they had before felt.
Easement 4 Co. are also interested in
the contracts. These two firms arc the
best known bridge builders in the coun.
try. Mr.. Carey, Of the former firm, will
remain here. Mr.. lie Duke, of Case.
ment & Co., represents that firm, whose
head is Gen. Jack Easement. The
names OF these firms show what weight
is behind the project.
THE BRIDGE.
Work began OIL the east abutmcnt OF
the bridge, which is located on the hill
side east OF the Top mill. 1t is hoped
that the weather will be good long
enough to allow the work on the abut-
ments AMI land piers 10 be well under
way before cold weather. The river
work cannot OF course be done in win.
ter, but it is believed, rs stated ycster-
day, that the bridge and termipal tracks
will be completed by January l, 1890. II
it is, what n New Years celebration
Wheeling will have!
The bridge is to he 2,100 feet long,
double tracked, with n foot walk. The
river spans will all be through spans
that is, the iron structure is above the
track. The channel span is TO be 500
feet at low water mark, and 5S5 feet
at the track, and will be the heaviest
single span in the United States.
The first considerable portion OF the
work completed will probably be the
bridge over Wheeling creek east OF the
hill, which is TO be Of stone piers with
iron superstruCture, double track, ana 81
feet above the creek. 1t is aimed to get
this finished go rs TO get at the east end
OF the tunnel. The grading will be con-
tinued all along the line us far as the
right OF way has been settled.
Yesterday the contractors made pur-
chase Of 800 carloads OF stone to be used
on this bridge over the creek. The stone
was bought out the Cleveland, Lorain &
Wheeling railroad, and TO deliver it
where wanted it will be necessary to lay
TEMPORARY TRACKS
connecting the Wheeling & Elm Grove
railroad with the Baltimore 4 Ohio road
near the East Wheeling stock yards.
Stone will be hauled on the Cleveland,
Lorain & Wheeling road 10 Bellaile, and
from Bellaire to East Wheeling on the
Baltimore 4 Ohio. Tho Elm Grove road
passes the site Of the bridge. The
roundabout manner in which material
must DO delivered there, is in itself
strong illustration OF the real necessity
for the bridge and its connections.
Arrangements are being made with the
East Wheeling stock yard people to
stable the teams employed by the con-
tractors on the stock yard premises.
There will be brisk times when the work
is in progress in its entirety, and the
force required cannot be employed in
Wheeling. So far as Wheeling labor
can supply the demand, it will be given
the preference.
The company, and especially Judge
r. II. Cochran, Mr.. Bissell and Mr.. w.
A, Iinch, Of Canton, the last named OF
whom returned to the city yesterday,
expressed their qualification with the
liberal spirit in which they had been
met by some OF the people with whom
they contracted for right OF way. Mr..
Anton Reymann, in addition to making
liberal arrangements for the connection
with the Elm Grove road, gave the COM
pany the free right of way through his
own property south OF the creek and
also through that OF the Andrew Lang
estate: Mr.. N. L. Whitaker, the Cen.
trail Glass Company and tho Top Mill
Company also gave it the right OF way
free, II more citizens meet the com.
pany in the same liberal spirit it will be
as advantageous to Wheeling MS to the
company, The representatives OF the
company also expressed their pleasure
at the liberal spirit shown by the Cham.
her OF Commerce Monday night.
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