The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-06-01
THE PONTOON BRIDGE.
From the Sioux City Tribune.


The pontoon bridge between Sioux
City and the Nebraska shore, which a
short time ago was a nebulous scheme
in the brains of a few wide awake pro-
ssressive men, was formally opened to
Iife public to-day.
The excellence of its construction and
the brief time in which it was accom-
plished would be wonderful in any
other section of the country than the
energetic, enterprising northwest The
bridge was built in but little more than
thirty days, but good workmanship was
required in every foot OF it, and il is
~ well constructed as if months were
required to build it. The details of the
work, dimensions, etc. have been given
in the Tribune from time TO time, and
II is not necessary to recapitulate them.
The bridge is anchored by heavy iron
cables to large stones in the river, is
provided with wire fences OH both sides
and one separating the sixteen-ioot
roadway from the four foot sidewa ak.
The draw is located on the Nebraska
side and is operated by capstan.
THE FORMAL OPENING.
At O'clock the bridge was ready for
the opening, and before that hour large
r0wds had congregated on both the
Iowa and Nebraska banks of the river.
People from all oyer Dakota county
came TO the other shore in all sorts of
vehicles and people from all over Sioux
City assembled on this side. AT 1880
the X. p. band marched down Fourth
street TO the front of The Peavey Grand
opera house where the Sioux CITY pro-
cession formed.
The band came first, OF course, and
was followed by representatives, of the
press, members of the city council and
citizens in carriages. There were about
thirty carriages in line, several OF them
with four horses and one with six. The
iiue of march was on Fourth to Pearl
rearl TO Second and thence TO the
bridge. AS the procession passed on
to the bridge the Old ferry boat Andrew
5. Bennett attracted a great deal of at =
tention. 1t was at the Covington land,
ing and had about 200 pounds of steam
with tramp on the safety valve. This
head of steam was turned into the old
piston whistle and the result was the
most lugubrious and heart rending
| series OF unearthly sounds Imaginable.
| The ferry boats day was over and The
artist at the whistle realizing this fact
evidently threw his whole soul and en-.
tire strength into this song of the dying
swan. Hereafter the boat will only be
! uSed in case of accidents to the bridge
| End at times when floating ice prevent
it from being used.
AGOoD TEST.
When the Sioux City delegation pass
ed on to the bridge it was followed by
many more vehicles and foot passen
gers, and from the bank the bridge ap
peared to be entirely covered with peo
pie from one end to the other. There
must have been hundreds of vehicle,
and three or four thousand people OF
foot on the bridge at one time, but i
stood the test well and demonstrated
the fact that it was well constructed
and perfectly safe for any weight tha
it will ever have to bear On the othel
side Governor Thayer, OF Nebraska
was to make an address. He insrecleC
the bridge yesterday and to-day, anC
was much pleased with it.
THE BRIDGE COMPANY.
The bridge is owned by the SiOu,
City and Nebraska Pontoon Bridge
Company, which is composed of Sioux
City and South Sioux City people ant
has the following officers ID. NJ. Moan
president; A. l.. Sietson, vice-presi
dent; f. G. Palmer, secretary ant
treasurer; VIM. Luther. manager.