Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-10
rHe PARh AND rHE BRIDGE.
Tho Commissioners Think Van Buren,
Street the Best CrosslnE.

rooms lue-uaE AFTERNOON loI tilc lttIpOac
OF discussing the advisability Of building
a bridge across the Brandywine and con-
sidering at what point along the Brandy
wine such q bridge could be most suitably
located. The members present were:
William NJ. Candy. president; William p.
Bancroft, George W. Bush, +. d. Cotton,
Nathaniel Il. Benson, SALISBURY J. Wiley.
George II. Bates. Francis n. Buck. George
II. Boughman. D. J. Mention, William
Candy and Joseph 4. Richardson, sccre-
tary. The three ahsentets were Hon.
Thomas r. Bayard. J. Taylor Cause and
Colonel II. A. du Point, who sent commun-
ications to the board stating that pressing
engagements prevented their attendance.
Before Mr.. Candy called the meeting to
order the board examined large map of
the park. while Park Engineer Candy ex
planned the different points where 1t was
suggested the bridge might cross. The
board made q thorough examination of
the Broome street site, and discovered that
with bridge 20 feet aoove the water level
a crt Of about 81 feet through the park
would be rendered necessary. The board
thought this would be a serious objection
10 the Broome street site. The least objec-
| ton on the part Of the board was attached
to the Van Buren, street site.
When the hoard was called together, at
2.45 o'clock, President Candy read the fol
lowing communication from Mr.. BAyard:
WILMINGTON, DEL, Dec. 4 1881 William
W. Candy. Esq. Prsstolent Of the Pdrk Coni-
niissi9a-DEAR SIR: An engagement which
! cannot abandon will prevent my attend
ing the meeting Of the Park Commission
tomorrow. and | beg, therefore, to Law
before you and my associates oil the board
some comments upon the proposal to open
streets through the park for the purpose
Of reaching bridge or bridges over the
Brandy wine
have just received letter from George
A. Elliott. in which he advocates the ex-
tension of Broonc street all the way across
the park and the construction of bridge
at that terminus across the Braudywine-
The purpose for which the Park Com
mission was created, and land condemned
and appropriated to park purposes, was
the identification of our growing city. and
the creation of pleasure ground for the
people. where a respite from toll and the
enjoyment of natural scenery could be had
by any citizen on equal terms of good be-
havior.
The park is a reservation for such public
uses anu il not to be made a scene Of traffic
and travel intersected by business high
ways II it can be invaded by highways
whenever personal interests or concur
renee may dictate. its preservation for en-
joyment as park will be gradually so
impaired as to defeat the wise and whole
some purpose for which it was intended.
Mr. Elliott's desire is 10 enter the park
and, without regard toits picturesque slope
and gradual contours to cut it down to a
level street in order To reach the site OF .
bridge hereafter to be constructed across
the Brandywine.
No private owner desiring to secure and
maintain the scenery and vistas Of the
Brandywine would dream of permitting
such a roadway, and do not see why the
| people should not be protected in equal en-
| ioyment of the natural beauties Of the
| ground as fully AS any private proprietor.
Concerning the utility and convenience
Of a bridge across the Brandywinc near the
c"ntre of the city 1t seems 10 inc that either
A ans or Van liuren stree ould be prop
eriy developed as avenues of access to such
a convenient point Of crossing. Van
| Buren, street is the third street easterly
/ from Broome, and | have been informed
/ that the park would not be seriously cur
tailed by extending that street TO the pro
| posed point on the crock. Adams street Is
the second east Of Van Buren, and is opened
down TO the site of the old Barley Mill
| dam, where a crossing is equally practica-
| BILE and at no increase Of expense.
| should be very glad TO see 4 new bridge
across the Brandywine, and believe that it
can be done with great public convenience
and without the invasion OF the park i'm
| pairment of its symmetry and serious in
| be reserved.
Private interests and the development of
| private real estate and promotion of build
| ing schemes should not be allowed to de-
feat the benefcent object which the Park
| Commission was expressly created to pro-
| tect and foster.
We are fortunate TO possess such a spot
as the Brandywine and its wooded banks
| and there is but one Brandvwine Tiled
| with its local traditions and charming
| associations, Nature has bcautificd and
man should not be suffered to despoi it.
| Therefore, | trust the Park Commission
may be successful in keeping it now and
always us reservation apart from bust
| ness-the resort of our people for health
| and innocent recreation
| Very truly and respectfully yours,
r. i. BAYARD
The board then discussed the different
sites in q general way. Mr.. Bates called
the attention of the board to the Park
Commission act prohibiting the cutting of
road or street through the park without
the consent Of the commission.
N. r. Benson was in favor Of visiting
the different sites proposed for the erection
| of the bridge.
President Candy thought the park was
| intended to be kept apart from the bust
ness portion of the city and away from
| travel.
Mr.. Buck thought the further west of
Market street the bridge was located the
better, as the city might then build up to
ii on all sides. Mayor Wiley was in favor
Of the Van Buren, street site
| Mr.. Bancroft thought the Van Buren,
| street site n good one and also was of the
| opinion that the Park Commission would
be willing to put up with little incon-
venience in order TO accommodate the
| people.
President Candy spoke in favor of a
suspension bridge.
Mr.. Mention here moved that the Levy
| Courts invitation to the board to attend
| the hearing of the claims for bridges at
| different sites be accepted and committee
be appointed to confer with the Levy
Court. The committee appointed is:
William NJ. Candy, George H. Bates,
William Candy, Dennis ]. Mention and
George W, Bush.
The commission then adjourned and
proceeded to the park grounds to view the
sites most advantageous for the construc-
ton of bridge The first point visited
was Broome street. The majority of the
board thought that the erection of bridge
at this point might mar the beauty Of the
park. The board then visited Clayton and
Adams streets sites, and lastly Van Buren,
street was examined. The board then
decided that in case bridge should be
erected, Van Buren, street is the best and
cheapest site in the park.
| -.-
Miss lizzie Mutt to He Married.
UHIoNrowa. Pa, Dec. s.--Nliss Lizzie
Mutt will DO married tomorrow to Mr..
Samuel Krepns Of Brownsville. One day
nine years sago, Captain William Mutt
cashier of the state treasury. was shot and
killed by Lyman Dukes amember-elect OF
the state Legislature Mr.. Dukes, who was
| eurnppd To marry Capfain Nutt'e dau,htar