Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-25
THE NEW BRIDGE.
ALITTLB TALK WITH CAPT. JOHN MLURB
ABOUTIT
BE Thinks There VIII baPlsniy Of Business for Two
Bridges and Talks About the Increased Pros
psrty Another Bridge Will Bring the City.

A REGISTER reporter ran across Capt.
John Mcclure, President of the Wheeling
Bridge Company, yesterday, and asked
him what be though of the editorial in yes
terday's REGISTER in reference to the new
bridge and the connections it will make,
along with the electric motor line, with
the cities over the river. In response,
Capt. McLure said:
That idea Of running over to BellaiTe
has been mentioned to me, and think it
a good one. The probabilities are that in
the not distant future that side Of the
river may be well built up, and street
car line down that way would be a great
thing However, i believe il would be
a good scheme now, though hardly think
il will be carried out at an early day.
81 am glad of what you say about the
Suspension bridge, because We are not
building this bridge to take away the
business of the Suspension bridge. There
is, undoubtedly, a necessity for two
bridges across the river and / know there
will be ample trade for two. The electric
line must have way across and you, l
see, say the present bridge will not carry
it, There is nothing like competition. or
else what would be the use Of two rail
-oads running to the same place? In
creased facilities brings increased bust
ness, and that is Whist we propose TO bring.
"The new bridges and the electric
motor line will bring, as You say, vastly
increased prosperity to Wheeling, and AZ
the same time be q mutual advantage to
the sections reached by it. A business
man living on the leland will have almost
the same advantages as man living in the
heart Of the city, because the cars will
afford him means to reach his business 10
a very short time, and Of coarse the value
Of real estate over this way and over the
river will be increased"
"What about the C.. L. e W. running
across to the Islsnd?"
well, the President of the road said to
me about three years ago, that if there
was another bridge across the river from
the Island to the city, tkey wonld run
bridge right ncrOss the river from Kirk
wood to the Island, and in this way they
could distribute their freight from the
east side of the Island into the city at
much less expense than they can now. In
fact he said the coat of getting the freight
from their depot over into the city st pres
ent is nearly as much as they get Tor 1t
from Cleveland to Bridgeport. For this
reason they nave never made much bid for
Wheeling freight. So the probabilities
are that when our bridge comes theirs
will come. too, but I haven't spoken to
the President on the matter since that
time. When We get matters in proper
shape I shall.
"Now 1 want to say that the back river
bridge will be uD about as sOon as the
other, so that through travel could at once
be had A passenger can then get on a
car on the Island, get transfer check on
either side Of the river. and 90 either to
Benwood or Martins Ferry for the sum Of
a nickel. You can imagine what large
number Of people such cheap riding will
bring to the city,
81 do not suppose there is any doubt
bat that the bridge will be built2"
well, l haven't the least know
that the gentlemen who have already sub
.cribed about 500, 600 ard this amount IL
divided among a very few are all anxious
to double their subscriptions. 1 have no
doubt but that stock will 20 off at lively
rate. 1t will bs a good investment and
business men can see that for themselves.
I am glad to see you take up the matter
in such manner, because it is a projec.
that means much additional prosperity to
Wheeling and her surroundings when
completed"