Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-17
LOOKING ron 4 BRIDeE SITE.
Levy Court, n Crowd of Real Estate Men
and Farmers Visit the Brandywine.


Blackbird hundred, accompanied by
large number of real estate men, citi-
zens and farmers, visited the banks of
the Brandywine on Monday for the
purpose Of inspecting the proposed sites
for bridging that stream.
The members met at the county court
house at 10 o'clock. There were also
| present President of the Park Commits
sion William M. Candy, William Il.
Hawkins, J. Cloud Elliott, Milo w.
Locke, Water Commissioner H. f.
Pickles, George A. Elliot, ESQ.,, Charles
E. Fritz, General ]. Parke Postles,
| Allen Speakman, John p. Doughten,
Park Engineer Samuel Candy, DIR. L.
G. Shortlidge, ]. j. Gallaher, Thomas
Tatnall, William p. Derrickson, w. A.
Husbands, Thomas Lee, William C.
Mier, George Lodge, Esq, Elihu D.
Talley, Alvin r. Morrison.
The party was driven in carriages to
the Washington street site on the north
side of the Brandywine. Here at
Eighteenth street number of Brandy
wine farmers, including John W. Day,
William A. Talley, Atwood Weldon,
George w. ITalley, Joined the party.
The fields on the heights back of
TatnalIs quarry were entered. This is
LAND through which the northern ap-
| proach to the Washington street site
would pass. A good view Of the loca-
ton of the bridge is seen from above the
| quarry looking exactly across the river
to the Delaware Hospital by the south
front of which the city approach to the
bridge would be.
No definite opinion as TO the eligi-
bility of the site was expressed by the
members of the Levy Court. Some
thought well of it, but qualified their
ideas with the remark that it was per
haps too close to Market street bridge.
1t was stated that the Water Depart
ment would be willing to aid this site
to the extent of $4,000, as 1t would
save them that amount In supplying
| future water facilities TO that section of
the city. 1t was stated also that Wash
ington street was laid out 10 feet wider
than the other streets of the city, in
view of the future proposition of con
structing bridge at this point The
north approach of this site runs con-
terminously with the fence line of the
park property. South of it the field is
already broken up into small building
lots owned by about so different parties.
There was very definite opinion that
if bridge be built here it should be a
double decker.
George A. Elliott, Esq, read letter
from the Edge Moor Iron Company,
giving the following figures: A bridge
55 feet high and 610 feet long, at Wash
ington street, would cost $50,000 one So
feet high and 900 feet long, at Broome
street, would cost about $4,000.
| All deliberations were confined to the
two subjects-site and cost. There
seemed TO be no question at all upon
the idea of building bridge at some
point or other. 1t seemed generally
understood that that would be done
under any circumstances.
Engineer Alvan Morrison estimated
the cost of the Washington street site to
be $4,000 less than at Broome street.
This is of course to be qualified by ele-
walton figures.
VAN buren, STREET SITE.
The main criticism upon the Van
Buren, street site was that 1t being al
most at grade bridge some 20 feet or SO
would be regarded over the Jessup rail-
road. This would throw the graded APP
proaches long way out on either side,
thus increasing expenses. The north
approach would pass up the valley at
the ford where the old Kings Highway
passed.
The bed of Van Buren, street on south
side is owned by city. 1t is park land
on the north side.
BRooME STREET SITE.
The Broome street site will cross the
river a few feet below the third dam.
On either side of the river the land rises
high very quickly.
1t was stated that the Lea & Sons
Company have no rights on the north
side of this approach.
President w. NJ. Candy of the Park
Commission gave due notice, in very
plain terms of the emphatic objection
existing against any intrusion or spolia-
ton of park property.
Mr.. Elliott stated that legislative
powers had been granted the Levy
Court to condemn park lands for this
purpose.
Mr.. Candy denied this, adding that
on the contrary, special legislation had
been passed at the last session opposing
any such action. The bill had been
drawn up by City Solicitor Lyman.
Mr.. Candy added, I'VE will fight any
such action as long as we live" He
also straightly contradicted Mr.. Elliott's
statement that the majority Of the Park
Commission are in favor Of the Broome
street site.
Representative Day, speaking on
invitation es representing the Brandy
wine hundred farmers, was in favor of
bridge at Broome street, but thought
perhaps that the Van Buren, street site
might be more convenient.
Mr.. Candy said that the new road
passing Rosendale Park would lead near
TO the suspension bridge.
Mr.. Elliott conceded that there would
be little difference between the cost of
the Washington and Broome streets
sites.
DR.. Shortlidge claimed that the Wash
ington street site means large revenue
and that Broome street would not, as it
stands now, affect half II dozen houses.
II leads out to large extent Of open
fields.
]. J. Gallagher said that in Justice to
those who have bought property years
ago in the neighborhood of Washington
street on the northern approach, the
Levy Court ought to keep its promise of
several years standing.
After further investigation Of the APP
proaches to sites along the northern
bank, the party crossed the suspension
bridge and investigated the approaches
of the sites ON the southern side.
The members of the court will give
no definite opinion until the regular
meeting and report is made.
The bridge question was the all-ab-
sorbing topic among the members of
the Levy Court during the short hour
previous to the opening of the morn
ing session Tuesday.