Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-14
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
me Facilities Enjoyed I'm These Particulars
by the Early Residents of Georgetown.

by the Early Residents of Georvetovr
such inland trade as Georgetown en- ed In
i's carry Gays with the country Immediately
surrounding her. writes Mr.. Hugh 7. Taegart.
came over the following roads. viz: The main
road, leading from the town to Bladensburg.
which crossed at the ford Of Rock creek-tbis
lord was at the cid paper mill and near the
present street bridge; the road to Frederick
toUn, the road to Watts branch. the road from
Rock creek ford to Rock Greek Church and the
road across the river IN Fairfax county leading
to Mason's ferry. There was . road to the
Washington side OF Rock creek. opposite Bridge
street. which was not much used prior to the
construction of a bridge across the creek by
the iowa in l7ss. the water being too deep to
ford Robert Peter. Thomas Bell Of George,
and VII! am Deaklns. lr-. commissioners for
ths construction Of this bridge. invited propo-
sals for tbs work by the following advertise
meat: IL be let. 20 the lowest bidder, on
Monday, the 18th instant 81. Mr.. John Suffers.
in Georgetown. the building of bridge over
Rock creek. rear said town. As this is a build
ing OF some consequence. II Il expected that no
person will apply but those who are well quail
lied to execute the work in the neatest manner
and to give ample security for the perform
ance."
DISASTROUS BRIDGE ACCIDENT.
Georgetown intended evidently In this in
stance to build well. but after some years Of
useful service this bridge the scene Of a
melancholy accident; it gave way one stormy
night and precipitated into the creek, then a
considerable body of water. as we have seen, a
stage coach which was crossing IL and the driver
and ho-ses were drowned. After this occur
renee and the repair of the bridge a lively
fancy, aided by a little superstition on the part
Of the denizens OF the vicinity, had no diff
Guilty in outlining stormy nights the ghostly
figure of the driver with his coach and horses
crossing il as he had been wont to do in the
DAYS of the flesh. The traditions of the town
are particularly rich in stories of ghosts and
hobgOblins. Among them may be mentioned
the Drummer Boy of the Little Falls and the
.'Headless Man of K Street Bridge" Although
the former has never been actually seen since
his death, it may be asserted upon the
authority of several veracious persons
that the roll Of his drum can be dis
tinctly heard at the gruesome hour when
night and morning meet" when churchyards
are supposed to yavn and graves give up their
dead The tradition in regard TO the drummer
is that during the early part of the revolution
AIRY war h was drowned in crossing the
river while proceeding to a muster upon the
Virginia sic. What caused the appearance of
the keeGlsss man Of 4 street bridge / have not
heard and whether his forbearance has been
due to q moral pe-ceptio: Of the improperly Of
taking what did not belong to him. OF the
utility to a spook of such az appendage as the
head, il seems that he has never made an efc.t
10 supply himself with that article at the eX-
pense of those who have had occasion to pass
the locality. The only losses of heads which he
has been known 20 have caused have been of a
purely hgurativs character.