The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-04-27
THE BLOOMSBURY
BRIDGE.
JOHN A. WILSON'S REPORT, AND THE
ACTION OF THE COUNTY COM
MIsSIONERS THEREON.

1t was our intention TO publish last
week the report of John A. Wilson on
the river bridge at this place, and the
action of the commissioners, but it
was unavoidably crowded out, and we
therefore issue an enlarged paper this
week in order to make room for it.
Mr. Wilson is civil engineer of
wide experience and high reputation,
and his services are sought for all over
the country
The present board of commissioners
on assuming their official duties, found
that they had resting upon them the
responsibility of building a bridge
across the Susquehanna River at
Boomsburg, under contract made
by their predecessors in Office, involv-
ing the expenditure of about seventy
thousand dollars.
When the first abutment on the
other side of the river was completed
the commissioners inspected it, and
were not satisfied with it, and refused
TO pay the bills according 10 the esti
mates furnished.
In the dispute that followed with
Joseph Hendler, the contractor for the
stone work, the latter told the com
missioners that they knew nothing
about such work, but if they would
employ a competent person, naming
several and among them John A. vii
son, he, Hendler, would listen to
him.
Accordingly, Mr.. Wilson was sent
for, and after examining the masonry
he made the report which is printed
below.
The commissioners assert that they
have no intention or desire to do any
thing to hinder or delay the erection
OF the bridge, and they could not
annu the contract if they had such
desire, but they are anxious to have
the work done properly, and accord
ing to the specifications, hence their
action in the matter
Warren Eyer has been employed by
them as assistant engineer, and is pre-
sent at the work constantly and super
yises it for them as it progresses.
1t is probable that matters are now
satisfactorily adjusted, and the bridge
will be completed without delay.
To one who does not pretend TO
know anything about masonry 1t looks
as though the workmanship in the
abutment on this side of the river is
quite an improvement on that on the
other side.
MR.. WILSON'S REPORT.
w. H. RHAwN, ESQ,
Solicitor for Commissioners of Co
lumbia County, Penna.
DEAR SIR AT your request, l
spent March goth and 3 Ist at Blooms
burg confering with yourself and the
Commissioners relative to the con-
struction of the new county bridge
across the North Branch of the Sus-
quehanna river at Bloom Ferry.
went to the site of the bridge, exam
ined the work that had been done,
conferred with Mr. James c. Brown
who is acting as Engineer of the work,
and examined sundry contracts, draw
ings, papers, &c. l now have the hon
or to report the results of my investi-
cations.
The bridge is intended to cross the
river square, i. e. practically at right
angles with the current of the river,
and, as am informed, will consist of
six spans Of iron superstructure sup
ported on masonry piers and abut-
ments.
The spans are each about I8o feet
in length giving total length of 1850
feet for the bridge exclusive of APP
proaches.
There will be two abutments loca-
ted at the river banks and five piers
in the river.
have been shown two contracts,
viz: one dated November IS, 1893,
with Joseph Hendler, of Wilkes Barre,
Pa, for the masonry the other dated
November "a, 1898, with the King
Bridge Company, of Cleveland, Ohio,
for the superstructure.
When visited the site, l found
that piece of masonry had been con-
structed on the South side of the river
for an abutment, and that excavation
was in progress for the North abut-
ment, also considerable quantity of
iron work for the superstructure had
been delivered and stored on the
ground adjacent to the N. & w. B.
X. X. south of the river and a short
distance east of the Bloom Ferry
Station on that railroad.
l had been informed by you that
the Acts of Assembly relative to the
construction of county bridges, require
that before the construction of such a
bridge can be authorized, plans and