Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-19

) of KsnneEee Journal,

gdtfo,s of Ksnnetee Journal:
AUGUSTA, April Is, 1853.
The day Is not far distant when the citizen,
NJ Augusta must decide this question. The
n,s.ent bridge will before long need
: large outlay 70 thoroughly repair
!, and make it absolutely safe for the
great amount Of travel which passes
over it, or else it must give way for q ne v
structure. The original bridge vas con-
,truc,ed in pursuance Of an &C. Of incorpora-
ZION granted by the Msssachusetts Legisla-
ture in February, 1876. and the charter
extended for seven.y-fve year, from the day
The bridge should be opened To public travel.
n, erection was commenced May. 5, 1897,
nnder the superintendence of Captain Boyn-
rn. This work vas regarded as one Of great
magnitude. In speaking Of il Mr.. North in
his history says: 1T could not have been
accomplished by the unsided efforts OF the
community in which it originated. When it
vas completed it had cost sZ7 900 and il vas
not until eight years had expired that a
dividend was received by it, stockholders -
The completion Of the bridge on the twenty
frs, Of November, 1891, Mr.. North says was
..the most important event which had occur
red since the settlement of the town. IL vas
duly observed by a dinner in Mr.. Cony's store
a, which the proprietors, workmen and citizens
sat down. It was doubtless joyous occasion
accompanied with the usual hiiarity attend
ing such obseryances at that day. Cannons
we're fred and responses to toasts given. At
hi. time the bridge was not only the only
one acfoss the kennebec but il vas the
greatest enterprise Of the kind yet under
taken in the District Of Maine and roads, a.
they were constructed in the surrounding
70, . a. Il
ing This gave To Augusta a central posi-
non ana laid the foundation of much of her
,absequent prosperity.
This bridge was an open bridge. In 1916
a bad become so decayed as 10 be unsafe to
cross With carriages. The eastern arch had
,et,led on the south side, no persons passing on
foot ill Sunday June %, when as part Of the
congregation had assembled in the afternoon
for public worship, some of whom had Just
crossed the bridge, and as others were about
stepping on il, it suddenly fell with loud
crash which brought many in the meeting
house 10 their feet and some to the windows
from which the bridge could be seen.
ferry was then put in operation at the town
landing and continued until the bridge was
rebuilt in 1878, upon an improved model"
We find in the history of Augusta that
the receipts from toll furnished so little
encouragement for the rebuilding of the
bridge that the Legislature authorized the
proprierors to raise by lottery the sum of
sl2 900, which however, was no, productive
from the little encouragement given at the
time 10 such enterprises. The western arch
Of the old bridge was removed in March by
cutting most of the leading ,imbers at the
abutments which gradually became weakened
until the arch fell with loud crash upon the
ice" 1t was completed late in August and
vas covered bridge. In 1927 that bridge
vas burned and the present structure was re-
built. The late Alexander kincaid in 1926
was appointed toll-gatherer and he continued
to superintend the bridge until 1867. forty
one consecutive years. The present bridge
was built under the direct eye and manage
ment of the late Ruel Williams. Most of
the timber of which it was constructed IVA,
standing in the forest on the ifih day of
June yet the bridge was made psssable for
foot passengers on the third of August and
for carriages on the eighteenth of said month,
enc hundred and thirty eight days from the
day on which it was destroyed and seventy
four days from the time when most of the
timber was standing in the woods.
No one can deny but that this bridge has
stood for more than sixty years. IAN endur
ing monument of faithful workmanship"
On the first day Of July, 1867, twenty-five
years ago. this bridge was made free bridge
aud since that time it has been maintained by
the city as public highway. 1t is useless to
deny that under the care and management of
the city the bridge has not had that care and
attention that it did when it was owned and
cared for by a private corporation. The
travel across it has increased yearly and time
hs, had its effect upon the structure.
1t is learned that an examination of the
bridge has shown that parts of it are decayed
and that d large sum of money must be ex
pended TO make the bridge safe and put it in
TO condition to remain safe for the next few
years OF course Augusta, with its present.
indebtedness cannot construct a new bridge
and run in debt for it but the day of covered
wooden bridges has gone by. This bridge
has served its purposes. II has rendered in
valuable service To Augusta. Is IL not time
thet the citizens should be agitstng the qucs
ton whether we can not have erected across
the river, uniting the two parts OF the city,
an open iron bridge, one that will be slightly
to the eye, strong and substantial and endur
ing We believe that such a structure would
add to the value of real estate
more than its cost We believe
II is true economy to build such
structure rather than to expend large sum
in repairing the present bridge and then in
few years have the same question staring rs
in the face whether we shall build new
bridge or make another large outlay on this:
A handsome iron bridge could be construct
ed for $40, 600 and it is believed that any one
Of the large bridge companies of the country
would build this bridge and take the notes of
che city, payable in one, two, three, four or
Ave years. This could be done and the
snonnt necessary to be paid each year raised
by taxation without increasing the present
rate of taxation or incurrinQ any permanent
debt, and be of immense value to the city
and all its citizens. Why will not the present
city government render valuable assistance
to the prosperity and growth of the city by
moving in this matter Before they
MAKE an appropriation OF Two or three
thousand dollars for repairing this bridge,
would ii not be well to hear from the citizens
upon the question, whether II IS not bet
ter economy To build an open iron bridge
rather than to spend any large sum in repair
ing this BRIDGE This bridge must go. II
has 0utlived its usefulness; 1t is going to Dc
cay the business of the city demands 4 new
open IRON bridge When shall it b. builtf
j. II. MANtEr.