St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-09
4 GIGANTIC SCHEME.
One Of the Wonders of the
World Nearly Located in
Minneapolis.
An Eastern Syndicate That
Wanted TO Donate a
Bridge.
Property Would Have. Adj
vanced in Price ON Hem
nepin.
The Idea Was Broached Too
Late--The Mammoth
Bridge.

Minneapolis has Just escaped being
the theater of one of the great engineer
ing enterprises of the century, but by
turn of fate it has been thrust aside,
and the promoters Of the scheme will
look elsewhere for place to attempt
what they had intended to do. For
some time there has been a pair of
Eastern gentlemen in the city who
have been supposed to be gentlemen of
leisure, in Minneapolis for the purpose
of pleasure only, but 1t has finally
leaked out that they are the representa-
tives Of an Eastern syndicate that has
had mammoth project in view.
To make sure that there was some
thing in the rumOr, GLOBE reporter
haunted the corridors of the West hotel,
and finally succeeded in corraling Don
aid Craig aud w. Ii. Mitchell, of Roch-
ester. N. Y, in the billiard room. Mr..
Craig is typical Scot in build, with the
massive features of his race. There is
something pleasing, however. In his
mi d gray eyes, and the evidence Of
energy displayed i'll hiSevery movement.
Mr.. Mitchell is almost the opposite OF
his companion, being slight Of form,
and rather under the medinm height.
He wears gold trimmed spertacles, d
would pass for college professor W
it not for the smile that is forever lie E.
ing up his features, showing that Q
knows how TO appreciate the humorous
side OF life.
81 don't know as | have anything to
say that would interest your readers"
said Mr.. Craig in answer to a question
from the reporter. eff my friend and
myself have been in Minneapolis for any
particular purpose, the thing is dished
now and il is useless to talk about It.
| wonder that the papers have not had
hold of this matter before, as we spoke
to few of your large capitalists upon
the matter shortly after our arrival.
You may talk with my friend about it,
however, it you wish. You will find him
more talhatiVe over the matter than
am |.
There's nothing would like better
than to talk the matter over" said MIR.
Mitchell. IL have been fearfully dis
appointed, and would like the chance
to give vent to my feelings, for Craig
don't seem TO sympathiZe with me.
versy being held here over the plan to
do away with the suspension bridge,
and build a steel arch over the Mis-
siSsippi. We understood that the bridge
crossed the river on the principal bust
ness street, and we at once set about our
plan. We read the newspaper accounts
Of the objection to the new bridge on
account of its cost to the city. and felt
certain that our plan would be accept
able to the city. And why not?
minneapolis was making kick at
the expense connected with the erection
of the new bridge, and we proposed to
build the city bridge for nothing. Now
l suppose that statement makes you set
US down as couple of cranks, for how
could we, living away off in Rochester,
afford to make minneapolis the present
of a bridge, without cent of expense
to that town? And such d bridge. A
solid stone arch that would continue the
street 10 the same width clear across to
the island, and then again from the
island to the east side.
Here is the offer we were prepared
to make. To build the bridge as de-
scribed over the river, the full width of
the street, with water and gas mains if
desired, and also sewer system, we to
stand all the expense, keep the street
over the river paved and cleaned. ask
ing only in return, that We be allowed a
space on each side of ninety feet, TO
which we were to have permanent
right. OF course the plan was mighty
one, and would have cost a vast amount
of money: but see the frontage we
would have on Hennepin avenue.
"On this ninety feet we intended to
build business blocks. and lease out
part Of the sites to factoriesaor whatever
business firms might wish that location.
1t was grand idea, and we had unlinl-
tied money back of us. just see how it
Would have raised the price of property
on the 9th side of the river. ] would
not be surprised if it would eventually
double its value.
whats the reason Of tho failure of
the plan? Oh, just like many another,
we were too late upon the scene. The
contract for the second half of the steel
arch bridge had been let, the old suspen-
sion bridge was being torn away,
and though we spoke to one or two
Minneapolis capitalists upon the mat
ter, they gave us little encouragement,
and said that the bridge was too far
under way and advised US to hunt up
some other city in which to locate our
huge enterprise. We will go down to
st. Paul TO see how things are there,
but from what we have learned the
other side of the river in that city is not
thickly enough populated to warrant
such large outlay, besides the river
is too wide there.
"What gave US the idea for the plan?
Why our own bridge over the Genessee
river at Rochester. You might drive or
walk over it, look up at the buildings on
either side, and never know that the
river rushed directly beneath your feet
Well, Minneapolis has lost much, but
so has our syndicate-sO the loss is mu-
tual," and with sigh of resignation he
chalked his cue and missed a simple
carom shot.
"You see, it rather upsets him." said
Mr.. Craig. with smile; "he hasn't my
nerves, for confess to You my diSap
pointment is as keen as his: and. more
over, | think that if your capitalists had
made an effort it might not have been
too late, LATTER all, and would have been a
saving to the city"
The gentlemen will leave for st. Paul
shortly, and from there return to their
home, unless they receive some encour-
aging answers To letters they have writ
ten to cities where the plan might pos
sibly be carried out.
The Crusaders Entertainments.