Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-10
MAY0'S BRIDGE SOLD.
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
THE PRICE TO BE PAID.
rTr. Ware ~. GAY, OF Boston. the Pur-
chaser-A Scheme of improvements
Involved.

A decree from Judge Fitzhugh confirm
ing the sale of Mayo's bridge was entered
Of record in the Cbancery Court yesterday.
The purchaser is Ware y. Gay, Of Boston,
and the price agreed upon is S1OO0OO-one
fifth Of which is to be paid in cash and the
balance in one, two, and three years.
THE BRIDGE.
Mavo's bridge is about century old;
that is. the name and franchises are.
The first structure was built upon wood
en- piers, or caissons. and disappeared ages
ago.
Then came stone piers and wooden su-
perstructurc.
At the evacuation Of Richmond by the
Confederate troops the bridge was de-
stroycd by fire, but was speedily rebuilt by
the United States troops and was called
Kings bridge after the engineer IN charge
Of the work. That bridge was rebuilt by
the Mavos and in turn was succeeded by
the present iron-bridge.
MayO's bridge has been the victim Of
damaging floods in the James, but ~ now
built. on piers higher than ever before and
upon a level more elevated than any water
has reached in 100 years. may be considered
fairly safe from the incursions and eXcur-
sions of the james.
Before tho dav of the Free bridge Mayo's
was the ONLY highway between Richmond
and Manchester. and the property at ITS
onds i'm Richmond and Manchester 5
very valuable indeed, and Fourteenth
street was a great thorOughtare, but most
of the travel now goes over the free
bridge. Only pedestrians and transfers
who desire TO make a short cut now
prefer the tOll-bridge 10 the Free bridge.
but 1T is understood that Mr.. Gays pur-
chase is a part and parcel of an enterprise
which viii be very beneficial 20 Richmond
and Manchester and from which the mn
proycmeut Of this particular section Of the
city may be expected TO derive great Ocnc-
fits.
Is COURT.
Mayo's bridge has never been ont Of the
ownership Of the MaVo family. lut OF late
years has been under the charge otJ Ihomp-
son Brown, Esq, the receiver appointed
by the Chancery Court oi Idcninoh9.
Much Of the sum collected % the proceeds
of tolls has been paid i'm interest 10 mold
ers of liens, bat the income of the bridge
has been considerably larger than the pub
lie supposes.
If. rs seems probable. the Free bridge IS
destined 10 be closed while its iron work Is
being replaced by new and heavier mate
rial. Mayo's VIII come in for an amount Of
tolls that viii 90 pretty far towards helping
Mr.. trdN ID pay tine purcndSc-houcN.
1t has been the hope and expectation of
many intelligent citizens that at no distant
day a free bridge would stand where Mayo
now is Such a thing would be vastly bcne-
fetal 90 the contiguous business street, on
both sides Of the river. but Richmond and
Manchester have been $50 slow IN their
movements that more cuterpri ing parties
have stepped iu and secured the prize.
Receiver j. Thompson Brown NEGOTIATED
the sale Of the bridge, and las for some
time been working the matter mp. lie has
gotten the endorsement of the sale from aii
the heirs of the Aavo estate, in whose pos
session the property has been for a CEN
tUry.
Mr. Gay. the purchaser, represents sgd
dicate of wealthy gentlemen who have ue-
come interested IN our city and viii develop
the property they have purchased.
When asked last night about the plans
of the syndicate Mr.. Brown did not feel at
liberty to talk further about tine matter
than to say that if the contemplated move
mcut is carried out 10 Will bc greater
factor % the material progress of the clty
than the Electric Line, of which he was
the originator and first president. The
sale. he Is confident, VIII bee big thing for
the city.