Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-16

was burning an attempt was made to fire
the Niagara engine house in Pittsburg.
Benches were piled up in the room in the
second floor, and a lighted candle placed
under them. The fire was discovered and
eItineuished. The members the company
offered 800 reward for detection of the fire.
bugs. the bridge was rebuilt the same
year.
The Sharpsburg bridge was built in 1856.
It was destroyed by fire in 1864, was rebuilt
the following year, and again destroyed by
the great oil confagration in 1870. The
present handsome iron bridge was built in
1871.
The Union bridge was opened for travel
in 1876. Everybody is familiar with the
history of the Hand street bridge, and it
need not be repeated here.
FREE BRIDGE DISCUSSION.
A lawyer by the name of Fox Alden,
catching upon point of law in connection
with the first bridge charter, entered in
court some sort Of paper to compel the st.
Clair street bridge to say why the bridge
should not be declared free. 1t was not
labor of love. Alden was not that kind OF
a man. He brought the matter to the at
tention OF some OF the leading citizens OF
Allegheny with an estimate OF costs, q big
fee included. But it was that character Of
a scheme that they did not care to be associ-
ated with. Alden carried the matter from
court to court, still hoping for q response
from the citizens, and II Is said he conferred
with parties friendly to the bridge company.
General William Robinson, after making
some arrangements in Harrisburg, returned
home, and the injunction which Alden had
succeeded In getting was quietly removed,
and in about FIVE minutes alter midnight on
o Sunday several wagon
LOADS OF LUMBER
were driven on the bridge. Carpenters were
there, and the rough boards were nailed TO
the inside Of tho old covered bridge, and
the company were the viotors. The people
suffered. Such IL the story that comes down
10 us, and IL IL given for what II ls worth.
The first poorhouse, used by Pittsburg
and Allegheny conjoIntly, was located not
far from the present Ft Wayne shop yards,
on Pennsyl lvania avenue, which was then
known as Poorhouse lane. Allegheny In
1874 bought from Mr.. Sample o farm at the
mouth Of Girty's run, now Bonnetts' station,
on the West Penn Railroad. The city poor.
house was built the following year. This
farm and building was sold at auction In
1873, the balance OF the lots remaining al
private sale, some still being undispossd OF.
coNsoLIDATIoN AN OLD SUBJECT.
The first agitation Of tho question Of con-
solidation OF Allegheny and Plttsburg was
In 1850. Il was discussed or several months,
and was finally brought before Allegheny
Councils on the night Of September II,
1850, but went quickly under the table. II |
was again agitatrd In 1867, and put 10 u vote
Of the people, resulting In 1877 Tor consolI- |
dation aud 1889 against It, Tl2 subject |
was again talked about In 1873, Ind an act
of Assembly was passed authorizing the |
vote Of the people again ut the coming
slection, but there were no tickets plinted,
and consequently no vote was taken at that |
lime. Never since tnen has the subject |
come before the people In q formal manner,
the press frequently breaches the |
results that would follow con-
solidation.
Manchester and Duquesne boroughs be-
,ame part Of Allegheny City on March II,
1867, and about the same time Mcclure
ownship and . part Of Reserve township
we're absorbed by the growing metropolis
In 1870 bonds were issued to raise money
% improve the commons, and turn them
nto public parks. The parks are now
powers Of beauty, and the last OF the bonds |
we're paid of several years ago.