Evening journal., 1895-05-31

able that craft take the former every time
How can this be reached? Already the
city has a street opened to the Delaware
river. Fourth street from the Brandywine
out has been raised to eight feet, far above
the highest tide, even were the protecting
levees removed. II Is 100 feet in width
ans lacks but one connection with
the city proper This street has cost the
city $4,000, and opens mp. not only the
lower Delaware front, but the Chrlstiana
front as we'll. The connecting link already
exists in the shape of a road which runs
through the yards Of the Jackson and
Sharp Company The men who are most
interested in Greater wilmington want
this road opened not made wider, nor
improved at any great expense. They say
that it would require little to make it all
that would be required. for at least a de-
cade to come. All that is asked for the
present is a road equal u that which now
runs through Harlan and Hollingsworth
Company's property and leads to the Jes-
sup and Moore property
The city has also a means Of communi-
cation with the northern part of the river
front in Twelfth street, which, however. Is
filled in virtually only to what IS known
as the Twelfth street sluioe. It is laid out.
however, clear to the river, at point mid
way between Edge Moor and the foot Of
Fourth street. To open this street a tres
tie bridge would have TO be erected over
the mouth Of the Shellp0t The directors
Of the Cherry Island Marsh Company.
which owns all this land. agree to deed
to the city the land required for this street,
only asking the city to dump its ashes on
the bed, as it has on The part already filled
IN. They also guarantee to build the bridge
for $780, The part CT this street already
filled in is five feet hign and above ordi-
nary flood tide Along the river front the
city has surveyed a street laid down on
the map as Duncan avenue. and for this
the Marsh Company directors stand ready
t3 deed the land. The wharves at the foot
Of these streets would belong to the city
ana would be Of an intrinsic value that
would more than cover all expenses in
CURED in opening up this 'front.'
Now word as to the "marsh" itself II
has been the general impression that this
thousand acres Of land. or a major part Of
it, is practically bottomess. ana no matter
what improvements might be made would
remain worthless for any use in the indus
trial or commercial world.
With a view Of gaining some informa-
ton on this point an Evening Journal re-
porter visited William Lawton. who owns
part OF this section and who is president
Of the Board of Directors Of the Cherry
Island Marsh Company. He was asked
relative to the statement that no bottom
was, to be found there. He said
mo bottom? why fcan show you white
gravel bottom in various places at dis
tanees ranging from eight 70 eighteen feet
below the surface. and l can show you
inatural gas there, too, at a distance OF
| twelve feet from the surface. Why, the
/ very worst part Of the entire marsh is at
the spot where the Pennsylvania railroad
has its big bridge. They had to 90 ninety
feet 10 get bottom there. and they got IT,
| They could have found good enough bot
tom for any other purpose nearer the top
have a machine for testing this ma..e-
ana if any one doubts my statement as t-
| finding bottom ] can prove by practical eN-
pertinent the truth Of what / say.
"Another impression which has gone out
is that the owners Of this land are onls
looking out for their own interests, and q
a business industry was to apply fol
ground It would have TO pay exhorbitani
prices for the land! This is not SO. i mas
have been in days gone by. but now thl
holders Of this land propose to make some
thing Of it. They have confidence in Z
Greater Wilmington. and they want to SCI