The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-28
CABIN JOHN BRIDGE.
Noted Structure and the Origin of It's
Queer Name.

Queer Name.
Seven miles from West Washington,
upon what is called the Conduit Road,
which carries the water supply OF the
capital from the Great Falls OF the poto.
mae 10 Washington, is one of the most
noted structures of modern times. This
structure il II bridge OF single span
called the Cabin John BRIDGE built by
the United States Government for the pur-
pose of carving the water main across Il
raviue. Flowing through this ravine, in
it's rocky bed. is a small stream called
Cabin John Creek from which the
bridge takes its panie. The stream has
its origin at Roclvl lie, Nd. and its out
let ut the Potomac, not far away, says the
Washington Post.
In constructing the Washington Aquc-
duct the first serious difficulty was en-
countered ut Cabin John Greek Here Il
deep ravine INSTRUCTED the way. The
genius of man surmounted this obstruc-
tion, and the result was IL model of engi-
neering skill.
4 fine stone arch, 220 feet in width and
| 10 feet in height, spans the ravine and
the creek and has the distinction Of being
the largest single arch in the world. 1t
is built of brown sandstone brought from
the quarries of Seneca, about fifteen
miles above this point and is of solid
masonry. Its construction was begun in
1858 under the supervision of the War
Department., during the official term of
Jefferson Davis, by its architect and en-
gineer, Gen. NJ. c. Mcigs. ----
In 1862, owing to pressure of, work in
this department. the work of construc-
ton was transferred to the Interior De
partmcnt-CalebB. Smith, Secretary-and
remained there until 1867, about the
=; -. 4.
cess of building the names of Presidents,
Franklin Pierce and Abraham Lincolnand
of Secretaries of War Jefferson. Davis and
Edwin Nj. Stanton were inscribed on one
of the large stones OH the west end of the
bridge. After the secession OF the South.
the name of Jefferson Davis was cut out
by an official order, it is said-and only
blank space remains to tell of the oil
Iteration.
This celebrated bridge and the stream
it spans derive their names from soil
tary settler, who, tradition says, appear
ed on this spot some time before the war
of the revolution, and built near the
banks of the beautiful Potomac n rude
log cabin. For Il number of years he oc-
cnpied these quarters, and was known
only by the name of John, or Cabin
John" His only companions were three
.crce hunting dogs, which were sheltered
among the rocks near their masters
abode.
These dogs always accom- panied John
on his excursions about the country and
served to protect him from the too curious
lntrusions of visitors, and also from sus-
picious strangers who might appear i'm
that section The settler spent most of
his time hunting and fishing, which were
his chief means of support. His gar
ments were made from the skins of wild
animals and his general appearance was
not attractive. He seemed to avoid com
partnership with man, although possess.
ing qualities fitting him for such nssocia-
tons.
ssThose that visited his cabin said that
he was Il musician, and that he PLAYED
skillfully upon VIOLIN singing songs,
the words of which seemed to recall mem
cries and friends of other days. Tradi-
ton throws no other light upon tslis
strange being, whence. he came or whittier
he went. ~
He disappeared suddenly one day, as
mysterious as he bad appeared. y search
was made for him, but no trace could be
found. His dogs deserted their rock
bound kennel, and mis- cabin crumbled to
the ground. Little did John of the Cabin
think that a wonderful work of man
would one day bear his humble name and
hand it down to future generatious
Cabin John Bridge has nevcs been of
easy access to the public until recently
The Great Falls Electric Railway having
completed its line to this point. it has
become IL popular place For an afternoons
outing and great many people visit it
daily. -. This road is wild and picturesque,
running across ravines and through
beautiful wooded tracts. 1t overlOoks
the gorge OF the Potomac and the Virginia
Heights beyond