Morning journal and courier., 1890-08-01
NIANTIO,s NEW BRIDGE.

Mr.. Brooks of Meriden, Mrs. Fletcher of New
Bedford, Mrs. Moore of Detroit, ex-Alder-
man Platt and family, John Deming and
family and others.
NIANTIC,s NEW BRIDGE.
Work ON 1t Begun by the Consoli.
dated Road-To Cost Two Hundred
Thousand Dollars.
Work has been begun by the Consolidated
road on the new drawbridge at Mantle. An
entire now structure is to be built, involving
an outlay of about 100000. This is part of
the plan of double tracking the Shore Line
division. The present bridge over the Mantle
river is single track affair consisting of two
spans. of fifty feet each, with openings on
either side of thirty feet, giving clear water
way exclusive of its substructure of 100 feet,
the total length of the bridge being 100 feet.
The new bridge will be a much larger
structure. 1t will be located 225 feet south
of the present bridge, and will consist of four
spans If fifty feet each and draw span of
1876 feet. its total length will be 1856 feet,
and the clear water way will be $50 feet,
nearly double the width of the present draw.
The bridge Will be double-tracked. The
draw, like other modern draws, will be
worked by steam power.
It is probable that the old railroad bridge
will be bought by East Lyme and Waterford
and made free passenger bridge.
Fresh Air Fund.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER.
For a number of years past the City Mis-
sionary society has included in Its work of
the year the receiving and expanding of a
"Fresh Air fund" during the summer sea-
son. Commencing this department of it's
work in a small way in the form of an ex-
pertinent, with a number of women and
children sent for few weeks into the coun-
try for needed change of air and scene, 1t has
gradually added to it's funds, and thereby to
its facilities for doing this agreeable service
| to others, until last years invitations were
given to about 800 persons, most of whom
were able to make use of this opportunity of
adding to their limited means of summer en-
| joyment and rest. In all about 81, 600 has
been expended in connection with the city
| mission fresh air work during the several
years past. and up to the present time, and
| it is now one of the most popular ways of
| giving to others a helping hand over the hot
| summer months.
The purpose in view in the fresh air ser.
vice is to make use of the knowledge at the
| city mission headquarters of the needs of
| the different families and persons under lis
| care, and to see that their varying needs are
| met. So far as the funds will permit, 1t ia
desirable that all connected with the mission
| work, or known to its workers in any part of
| cursions and outings that are arranged for
the hot season, but there are always some
who need it more than others. The old peo-
pie, the weak people, the half sick people,
| the tired working women, and sometimes the
workingmen who can spare a day, from
| work and be able to do all the more work
with less fatigue afterwards-these are the
ones to be first provided for. Mothers with
their little children are not only taken out on
| one or more of the steamer excursions dur
| ing the summer, but are given an additional
| day or two at the west shore, the Thimble
| Islands or at Pawson park, whenever most
convenient to them.
| This latter form of outing has to consid-
cradle extent taken the place In the city mis-
sion fresh air plans of the weeks stay in
the country, as it allows days absence from
home cares, several times repeated if desired,
but enables the family to get together again
at the close of the day without the incon-
venience of an entire breakup, which itself
would in some cases prevent going at all if
the absence was to be an extended ono. In
special cases, however, arrangements are
still made for country board, with it's re-
freshment by entire change of life for a
time, and the relief from the home cares that
| sometimes become q burden almost too
heavy to be borne.
The City Missions have always included in
| the benefits of their fresh air fund others be-
i
work of the society. At first only enough
funds were received to provide for families
and individuals among the very poor. After
ward this list was enlarged, and finally an
| nual excursions for some of the charitable
Institutions of the city were included. But
the children of the day nursery were soon
provided for in this respect by the generous
contributors to their own society; so also
were the inmates of the home for the friend
less for whom several yearly excursions had
previously been arranged. But there still
remain the children of the county home, the
members of the families at the old ladies'
home, the sick at the hospital, who are able
to be out little, and the old and inirm
people at the almshouse who appreciate a
remembrance of this kind all the more be.
cause they would otherwise feel almost for
| gotten in life. For each and for all of these
1t is hoped that some sort of excursions or
carriage rides to the park or to the shore
may be provided this year as heretofore.
The sultry summer weather now upon us
recalls the need of keeping this fresh air
fund well supplied with the means for con-
tinuing and also extending it's usefulness.
Some subscriptions have already been sent in
without waiting for request, and all that are
received can be Immediately put to good use.
The managers of the mission work are now
preparing for an excursion..of several hundred,
mostly children, to 60 to Pawson park by the
steamer Margaret next week Wednesday.
| Money in any amount will be acceptable, and
may be sent to the general superintendent,
No. 7475 Orange street, or left at the City
Mission hall, corner of Court and State
streets, any afternoon or evening. If more
convenient funds may be left at Klock &
Mix's drug store, corner of Church and
Chapel streets, or with the treasurer of the
| City Missionary society, Mr.. G.. W. Curtis,
president of the City bank.
Respectfully yours,
| w. D. MossMAN,
| General Superintendent New Haven