The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1890-06-21
THE WOOD RIVER ROADS.
All the Roads and Bridges are
Being Repaired.
THE NEW BRIDGE CONTRACT.

uAASCIo d1 uu1SIldIAOu "a tAC 1C6A
dents of the Upper Wood Rivel
country this spring over the appar
ent apathy and neglect of the boaro
of county commissioners regarding
the wretched condition OF the pub
lie highways and bridges through
this section. The cause was attrib.
utable largely to the fact that since
the SHOWS began to fall during the
winter the county has had but one
commissioner steadily at his post
of duty, thereby throwing most OF
the examinations of the roads, the
responsibility of their repair, and
disbursement Of expenses upon q
single official. The damage, incon-
venience and vexations occasioned
by this delay can hardly be over
estimated. Happily this miserable
condition of affairs is about to ter
inmate; the bridges and roads will
be speedily restored wheels will
again revolve uninterrupted by the
loud. resounding blasphemies of
travellers, teamsters, freighters, WIS.,
itors and business men generally.
On Wednesday last contract
was completed by the chairman of
the board and II. NJ. Stewart, of
Ketchum, providing for the imme-
date construction Of a new bridge
at point near the present wreck,
about two miles below Ketchum-
the present structure being now i'm
passable for wagons. Mr.. Stewart
will proceed to construct Howe
truss bridge 100 feet long and IA
feet wide. We have seen the plans
and specifications, and they require
a bridge of the modern style with
all the improvements, substantial
in all its equipments; one that is
likely to stand as long as this gen.
Grafton needs a safe crossing 1t
will be passable for light wagons
by the I'd Of July, and will be fully
completed and ready for acceptance
and paid for by the second Monday
of July. Hence there will be no
difficulty in reaching this place by
the old road in time for the Ketch-
UNI celebration. While the bridge
is going up, for few days the cross
ing will not be available, but the
interruption Will be brief. The work
viii be done by mechanics drawn
from this locality, and most of the
material of the structure will be
supplied by or through the bust
ness houses of ketchum. Thus the
work itself by furnishing employ
ment and disbursing some money
will be of considerable advantage
to this town, outside of the advan-
tages accruing from al easy access
to and from all the mining districts
of the surrounding country.
In regard to the road up the river
to Galena, Mr.. Stewart has already
put on a force at work repairing
the road and demonstrating all the
bridges. This force will be enlarged
in a few days. Very soon there
will be little cause for complaint in
that direction.
The Warm Springs bridge and
road is in fair condition up to the
spring and for many miles above it,
as we know by personal observa-
ton. \ number of men are now at
work on that road.
The contractor is well known for
his energy and practical experience.
and the public have now some as
surance that the annoying obstruc
tions which have lately discouraged
the business life and development
Of this part of the country will come
10 All end and if this section of
Alturas does not show good cause
for it's good name it viii not be for
lack of smooth roads and rapid
transportation.