Evening journal., 1890-03-14
BRlDGE-MAKER MORRISON.
HE HAS CONTRACTED TO OPEN
KlRKWooD PARK.
a Suggestion Of Vocation for BOYS to
Consider Many Bridges Baiit and all Or
Them in Use-The Park to be Opened
c.m4a,,har


Consider Many Bridges Baiit and all Of
Them in Use-The Park to be Opened
September 1.
The contract between the Public Park
and Alvin r. Morrison,
for the construction Of concrete wharf,
about three acres and enclos-
ing some eight acres in Kirkwood Park,
has been signed The completed park it |
is estimated. will cost some 81, 600 to |
So, 600, besides the value of the land.
Il is called concrete wharf because |
the water front wall, feet thick at the |
bottom, as founded on solid rock, IA feet |
high and feet thick at the top, is built
Of concrete blocks, composed of broken
stone, sand and cement, its length being
396 feet.
Kirkwood Park is so called from Kirk
wood street. 1t is bounded by Kirkwood
and Bennett streets, and Eleventh street
and the Brandywine river.
The work Is to begin by April an d be
completed by September 1t will re-
quire Golfer dams, pumping out the water
and dredging the mud of the solid ledge
of rock for firm foundation.
AS so many of our public works have
been constructed by Mr., Morrison, the
contracts having been captured by him in
honorable public competition, it has in
terested us to gather some information
which, though not intended to be too
personally intrusive, so far as he is con-
cerned is Of public interest when his
works are considered. The thousands of
boys who annually choose their respec.
tive vocations for life should carefully
tH,t4 ha - htfI Iosah hTf
One glance at the vast numbers of
bridges and the immense capitol aggre-
gated in them, is sufficient to emphasize
the statement that it is great industry.
These considerations and recent events
have called our attention to a singularly
successful Delawarean who only fourteen
years ago secured his first employment
away from home. Bridges by the score
now stand as monuments TO his substan-
tial and honorable success, as well attest
| ing his popular usefulness
One of the finest bridges In this state
that gives pleasing impression
to the mind Of all persons passing
over il, the Brandy wine Market street
bridge. The abutments are of Brandy
wine granite. The iron span is 155 feet
long. The cost, $26, 500 90. Had there
not been an injunction as to the old city
mill (which was an affair between the
Water d partment and the county, which
was amicably settled in two weeks) the
bridge could have been completed one
week sooner. 1t is a remarkable feat that,
as it was. the time between starting to
take down the old bridge and pass ing
travel over the new was only five weeks
This is only one of the many proofs OF
the achievement in the science, art
skillful and successful experience il
bridge building Of our own well-knowT
fellow citizen. Like many Delawar,
boy, who has grown to success as a bust
ness man in our midst his record Is pub
iicly written In his public works and il
the knowledge of his friends. neighb orr
and fellow citizens, who have done b usi-
ness with him. 1t is therefore easily at
tainable and has enlisted public interest
: Mr.. Morrison was born In st. George
: hundred, New Castle county. State 0
I Delaware, December 1S, 1859. Wha
r may encourage all boys is to kno'
that, Notwithstanding his phenomen,
success, his education has been mainly |
the public, county schools and HON
study.
At 16 years Of age Alvin went to wor
for an excellent man, Hugh e. Steele
r president of the New Castle Iron an
D Steel Company, now called the Riversid
! Rolling Mill. In about a year he ha
; charge of the whole mill-some sevent
- men, OF whom not few were old hand
of q successful experience, and, at frs
e did not like to have boy II years oil
o rule over them. Old rolling mill work
ers are known to be men of position
character and prejudices. Some Of then
| Lad 20 Hn To- hna taI ~
con nsidered to be able to act pretty rouRhl
Here is the oRs great secret of u
young mans success, which has markg
his whole career and attaches frien,
b continually. 1t was and is his unassumiT
r manners and conversation. His qui
Ie and unpretentious conduct. His dai
! associations with rolling mill men sol
le became and continued mutual pleasu
( to himself and every employe.
IS After some two years, Alvin, at the q
Of Is years, went into partnership wi
his father, Robert R. Morrison, in t
bridge and wharf contracting busine
During this partnership of seven yes
\, they built a large bridge, some 900 fl
long, with an iron draw, over Back rive
4, At Chesapeake City; one of wood, 2, |
y feet long, at st. Augustine, st. Geore
y hundred. the longest IN the state; TIN
= y iron bridges over smyrna creek, a
:. many others.
= In March 1886 this partnership was d
- solved by mutual consent and both me
= bers of the firm have fer the past f
years been severally engaged In tn
N life long occupation Of bridge and whs
building.
y The iron bridge over Morris river. Gu
- berlaud county, NJ j., cost $44, 800, a
I. was built by Alvin r. Morrison. I
y draw is i60 feet long, each span, 1872 fe
y Length $40 feet The abutments are
We iron and Port Deposit granite The pi
N, under this bridge are cut off 30 fe
~ under water The piers are 30 feet hil
~ He built two bridges Of iron over I
aa Passaic river, Essex county, N. j.; q
~ or iron at Avondale, 100 feet draw, t
~ ~ fixed spans, so feet each; length.
'as feet; cost, $26, 000 The other ha
" draw Of 1872 feet, two spans of 81 +,
each; whole length, 1854 feet; &C
$40 500. He built very nice bridge
iron over Duck creek in this state A
a double track, floating bridge, at Jer
by CITY, for the Central railroad of N
the costing 811 900 and many others.
rst Mr. Morrison is now engaged In bui
eer ing an iron bridge at Bombay Hook,
ute piling for New Jersey boat club. in
ny pairing two bridges on the Hackens
as river, New Jersey, and other VIC
llly Steam derricks, pile drivers etc
ov- among the working tools of his prot
est sion.
mp He has Offices In Newark, N. j., anC