Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-18
ALSO A BIG VIADUCT.
Ninth Streets Historic Old Wooden
Bridge to be Torn Down,
GIVING WAY TO A GREAT IRON ONE
Pleasant Valley Railroads Reorganization
and Transformation.
TOLLS CHARGED TO THE BIRMINGHAM

VI uoHsioimdtiou, Us IL may Dt DtIttr Cdileu,
took on a mighty positive aspect yesterday.
The old horse car line practically went
through the throes of dissolution, and its
death is now only matter of two or three
months. Its President for q years, William
McCreery, retired, and his successor and a
new Board of Directors were elected. These
gentlemen, with D. F. Henry as their
executive head, will have control of the
first extension electric railway plant in
operation in these two cities, will shape its
undoubtedly progressive policy and do
much to add toward helping on that era of
rapid transit for which the people have all
been hoping.
But the Federal Street and Pleasant VAL
ley Railway metamorphosis means more
than the simple change from horse car line
to an electric one with the most rapid of all
rapid transit facilities in city railroad. 1t
means a magnificent new iron bridge from
Ninth street, Pittsburg, to Anderson street,
Allegheny-a different, and, in many re-
spects, a superior bridge to any between the
two cities. 1t will be remembered that the
Pleasant Valley Company bought a con-
trolling interest in Ninth streets old
wooden bridge, a few days since; and every
body then wondered what for. because it
was only last year the company abandoned
that dismal old structure, largely ceased
running cars across it under the lease, and
went to the nice, open Seventh street iron
bridge. care they going back
to the historic olt barn that spanned the
river?" asked many patron of the line, as
he read of the Ninth street purchase. Well,
hardly; and by this answer hangs tale, as
a DISPATCH reporter learned from Secre-
tary William 81. Graham, of the Pleasant
Valley Railroad Company, last evening.
ALL ABOUT THE vIADUCr.
"what will the Company do with the old
bridge?" asked the reporter.
"Make a new one of it, was the reply.
"An electric railway bridge?"
Certainly, and wagon bridge, and a
foot bridge. too
"Of iron?"
"Yes, and big, handsome one, at that"
"How much will it cost?"
Cant tell, yet; haven't let the contract;
that's all little bit further along"
What will it be like, then?''
"Well, there will be a double-track
wagon road in the middle inclosure, so that
the horses going through can't see or be
scared by what goes on outside. Then, on
either side of the inclosure, will be an cleo
tric railway track, on which we will run
cars very rapidly. In addition to that, q
single footbridge will be useful as well as
ornamental, and the whole structure will be
an ornament tothe Allegheny river, as much
SO as either of the other iron bridges. We
shall be able to run oui electric cars so fast
over that bridge that we can more than
make up the difference in the distance up
the river along Duquesne way from the
Seventh street bridge. Moreover, we shall
have our electric cars on the other side of
the river in operation by Thanksgiving Day.
Here, by the way, is my official report Of an
important meeting we held to-day, and you
can print it."
THE MEETING REPORTED.
At meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Federal Street and Pleasant Valley Passenger
Railway Company, held Saturday afternoon,
resignation, stating that it was not caused by
any disagreement with or ill feeling toward
any of his associates in the board; but, on ac-
count of his advanced age and multiplicity of
other interests requiring his time and atten-
tention, he felt that he must unload some Of
the burdens His resignation was accepted
and the following resolutions passed unani-
mously:
WHEREAS. William McCreery has resigned
the Presidency of this road, after having held
the office for over 21 years; therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That this board part with Mr.. Nc
Creery with great regret, and hereby attest
our hearty appreciation of the able and sue
cessful manner in which he has managed the
affairs of this company from its organization,
January 2, 1858 down to the present time.
d. F. Henry was then elected President, and
Arthur Kennedy, ESQ.,, as new member of
the boara IN Mr.. Henry's place. The board, as
now constituted, is as follows: President, D.
F. Henry; Directors. r. H. King, William
Roseburg, James Andrews. William A. Stone,
William II. Graham, o. P. Scaifo, Samuel c.
Grier, Arthur Kennedy; Treasurer, r. F.
Ramsey; Secretary, William II. Graham; Su-
perintendent, William Crozier.
So the historic old Hand street bridge has
to go-one of the oldest and best-known
landmarks in all this region-a pioneer
bridge between Pittsburg and Allegheny,
ON whose roof there used to be promenades
and orchestras at evening, and along whose
elevated walks lovers were wont to prom
enade and drink in the moonshinel But in
its place-well, progress and pretty iron