Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-05

maoy OF the new end larger ears
which passed over the c., X. Il Z.
railroad company's tracks. Besides
the Rock Island was increasing the
tonnage of its locomotives, and it
wanted double track anyway, SO
the government Joined hands with it
in rebuilding the bridge of original
joint ownership. Ralph Modjeska
vas appointed chief engineer OF The
sork on the part OF the government
AID railroad company. The prelim-
mary matters occupied some months,
,yGt Dec. l, 1885, the active opera
tons commenced. 1t was hoped and
planned by Col. Buiiiaston at
irst to keep the lower, as well as
the upper deck open as lar as posi-
bic throughout the progress of con-
struction, but this was soon found
impracticable, aud Dec. % it was
closed to street cars aud general use.
The Phoenix Bridge company's ac-
tive operations have for the most
part been in direct control OF Gen.
Supt. Milliken, and q more thorough
ly practical malone who, despite the
responsibility resting upon him, and
in the face of the obstacles that have
confronted him, including the disas-
ter to the draw, has never failed to
he courteous to, and considerable o.
all-has not had charge Of public
work in the three cities before.
He has proven himself general in
the field and gentleman always.
Bridge Supt. F. E. Robbins has acted
with great acceptability in the dis
charge of important duties while the
reconstruction operations have been
going on. The work, as said, be-
gan Dec. l, and progressed
steadily, but from the start the
forces here were handicapped by de-
isy in the arrival of material.
The Destruction Of the Draw.
However, by the middle Of FEB
ruary. 1896, the draw was nearing
completion. But on Feb. IS. when 9
few hours would have sufliced &c
make the western arm of the span
secure, the ice began to move, and
crashing against the false work OF
the insecure span. swept the first
double panel, including the tower.
into the river. This was a loss oil
$50, 600, and delayed the work for u
month, to say nothing of the loss &
the Rock Island road by the inter.
ruption of its main line business.
The company though, soon had 8
temporary trestle in, and shortly
thereafter the Rock leland road sub
stituted lift span which served al
purposes OF navigation, traffic. etc
while the draw was built, it being
necessary on this account to erect
the draw span open on the draw pier
and it was swung three month later
The work on the other spans theu
went forward and the las. three
were put in with remarkable expedi
ton under Gen. Supt. Milliken's di
rec.ion. The estimated cost Of the
bridge as it stands today, is $40 700
of which the c., X. l. & p. railroad
pays 40 per cent. Inc government
through congress, pays the remain
ling so per cent besides LAYING it.
own flooring and railing on the low
or deck, the railroad putting in III
own tracks, ETC., on the upper deck
and the Tri-City Railway comPaDy
its on the lower deck.
The first appropriation on the par
Of the government for the present
bridge was made March s, 1895
and aggregated 100000. The sec
and appropriation Of $4,000 wa.
made March %, aud the third june
II, of $40. 600. TIE latter was il tn,
nature OF q gratuity to remuners,t
the company fer lite losses BY the col
.apse of the draw span. caused BY