Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-09-29
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
Inspect the Union Railroad Bridge Dur
ing Yesterday.

Ing Yesterday.
The courteous invitation TO the pub
lie given by President Cochran, Of the
Wheeling Bridge and Terminal Railroad
Company, and Baird Bros, the con-
tractors, to inspect the new bridge
across the river at the upper end Of the
city, was accepted by from ten 10 twelve
thousand people yesterday, and at times,
and especially during the afternoon,
the footwalk and the stairways leading
10 il were so thrOnged that the crowd
was forced to come to a standStill until
employees and police could Strighten the
blockade out and once more get the
Sight-seerS in motion.
The day was a pleasant one, being
bright and sunny, with a crisp wind
blowing, and pedeStrianiSm was a thing
to be enjoyed The street railway
company put couple OF extra cars on
the North Wheeling line early in the
day. anticipating a rush OF buSines, but
the transportation facilities were still
very far short Of accommodating the
crowd, and thousands who would have
preferred 10 ride were compelled TO
walk.
Not only did the citizens of Wheeling
turn out i'm large numbers, but the resi-
dents Of Martins Ferry were there al
most ca mdSsc, while scores OF people
from Bcnwood and even from Bcllaire,
came up town to see the big bridge and
enjoy the splendid view from its deck.
During the morning the number OF yiS-
itors, although large, was still not SO
great as TO make walking across the
bridge incOnvcnicnt, and the trip over
it was then very enjoyable. Soon after
noon. however, the crowd grew In num-
berS, and at three o'clock the sidewalk
Of the bridge was literally black, while
the Stairways were chOkod up with
ladies and gentlemen. Everybody was
good natured, however, and in course OF
time all found their way 10 the level OF
the bridge, and managed to get across
to the Ohio side and back again. Many
descended the stairway on the Ohio
side. and took stroll through Martins
Ferry, many thus visiting the town for
the first time in years. while hundreds
had never been through It's streets be-
fore. other hundreds. after an inSpec-
tson Of the bridge. climbed the hillside
and walked through one or both the
tunnels, and quite a number, mostly
gentlemen, crossed the creek onto the
Peninsula, and came around into the
city again by way Of East Wheeling.
The visitors could scarcely find words
to express their admiration Of the
bridge, and all pertaining to it. The
massive masonry and immensely heavy
steel Superstructure in turn brought
forth praise, and il was the universal
opinion that the bridge would compare
In 4 most favorable manner with any
similar structure in this or any other
country. There was also much praise
for the Railroad Company and the con-
tractors. in throwing the bridge open
for insUectiOn at a time when IL was not
quite finished, and when the advent Of
so many people must result in great in
convenience, and Judge Cochran, Col.
BiSsell and Baird Bros. were in turn
complimented.
A. will be seen by an advertisement
elsewhere IN this issue. the bridge will
becloscd to the public this morning and
remain 50 until further notice. \ good
deal Of work yet remains 10 be done,
and IL will be couple Of weeks,
at least, before it will be open
for regular travel. The rate oi toll
has not been fixed upon. but it will be
at a figure entirely reasonable. Toll
houses will be built at either end Of the
bridge, and a watchman kept there day
and night. There are already a mum.
Der OF applications for the position oil
toll-keeper, among them being Mr..
Isaac Sadlcr, who has long petition
recommending him for the place.
Among those who visited the bridge
yesterday, were many members Of the
Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly.
Ii was the action Of this Assembly which
argcl aided in having the footwalk
placed upon the bridge. and the mem,
bers Of the body were very happy yes
terday.