The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-12-11

bridge was held in City Engineer
Haynes office this afternoon, and was
well attended. Those present were
all of the city aldermen except Aid.
Andrews the Belgrade committee
and few other north side property
owners, County Commissioner Roberts,
Engineer Haynes, President Burgess,
Surveyor Thompson, two members Of
the Belgrade town board, Messrs.
Johnson and Hedges, representing ST.
Paul and Minneapolis bridge COM
panies, and reporters of The city
dailies.
A long discussion followed, without
any very definite understanding being
arrived at until toward the last. The
north side raised the limit of their
proposed donation to $500, which they
estimated would be one-tifth of the
expense. They held that they should
only pay for the walk as far as the
county line, which was over the CEN
ter of the river, which is one-tifth of
the way from the Belgrade end of the
bridge. They maintained that an
expensive approach would have to be
constructed On their end, which
would cost them $500, while the city
would have very little approach to
build.
The bridge men made statements,
and the others present took part in the
consideration of the matter.
Commissioner Roberts, in reply to a
question, said that the cOunty's road
and bridge fund is $1,000 overdrawn
and no levy is made for next year, SO
the county could give no immediate
assistance.
In reply to question, A. L..
Wheeler said that be did not think
that Belgrade would vote half the eX-
pense of the walks. Mr.. Hodapp
took the same ground, and said that
the only way would be for the town
board to advance the money, expect
ing that the town would vote it in
the spring, and if it was not voted,
the guarantors would have to Shout
der the amount. I'D
Aid. Zimmerman suggested that a
special election be held in Belgrade at
once to settle the matter.
Mr.. Hodapp thought the PROPOSE
tion would be voted down, as there
are $50 voters in the township and
only l20 on the bottom. The farmers
would not take the same interest in
walks as the people of North Man ka-
to would.
The ownership of the bridge was
discussed. and it was held that in case
OF accidents the city would be liable
for accidents south of the county line,
and Belgrade for those on the north
side.
The question of whether there
should be one or two walks came up,
and the sentiment was unanimously
ia favor of two walks, each to be four
and half feet wide.
Four of the aldermen retired and
caucused, and on their return, Aid.
Peterson said that donation of only
$500 on the part of Belgrade was out
Of the question. He proposed that
the city, Blue Earth county and town
of Belgrade each pay one-6hird of the
expense of two walks, which would
be about 81, 1900, OF $500 for each to
pay.
Commissioner Roberts said that
this seemed to be fair share of the
burden all around.
Mr. HOdapp, Of the town board,
said that special election would be
called, but he was afraid that the pro-
position would be defeated [ iii-
viduals would not care to guarantee
more than one-ffth of the ex-
pense, and five or six men
would have 10 bear all OF this burden
1t was suggested that a temporary
apprOa ch could be made on the north
side at little expense, to do for year
or two.
The discussion continued for two
hours or more. ~.
The council committee afterwards
made proposition that the city aud
Blue Earth county pay $1,000, and
Belgrade the balance.
The North Mankato committee left
without giving: definite answer.
Aids. Himmelman and Bradley were
appointed a committee to ask the
county board next Wednesday to ap-
propriate $500
The aldermen advocated advertising
for plans and bids, TO be submitted TO
the council. 1t is understood that
MankatO parties desire to bid
Judge Mead yesterday made an
order confirming the sale of land in
the matter of the estate Of Anna b.
Pdh, deceased; an order to hear petit
ton for extension Of time to hear
claims in the matter OF tie estate of