The Holly chieftain., 1897-07-09

glow of the rancid oil cast flickering
and uncertain light over the dark WA
ters Of the river.
The bridge was not then. as it is now.
free bridge, but the act of congress
provided that tolls should be taken as
follows: Each foot passenger had To
pay Ga cents to cross. A person on
horseback lsa4 cents. Persons in
chaise, sulky or riding chair had to
pay 17h cents. For each coach.
eoachee, stage-wagon, chariot, phaeton,
curricle or other riding carriage. 100
cents must be collected; and the fur
ther sum of l2H cents for each horse,
more than two, by which such coach,
coachee, chariot, phaeton or curricie
should be drawn. For each sled, or
sleigh, 37k cents must be collected, and
the further sum of 12E cents for each
horse or other beast more than two
by which said sled or sleigh should be
drawn. For each fourwheeled wagon,
cart, dray, or other two-wheeled car
riage of burthen lsA cents must be
collected; and the further sum of 1917
cents for each hoIse or other beast
more than one by which the same
should be drawn. For each pig or sheep
the toll was three cents. and a toll of
Ga cents each was levied on horses and
meat cattle, other than those in teams
drawing sleds, sleighs, or carriages, or
with riders, and one person only to
each drove or team was allowed to pass
free of charge.
The government. however. was ex-
l,,&t
the following: Provided. that no toll
shall be exacted a, said bridge for the
passage of any wagon or carriage laden
with the property of the United States.
or for the drivers thereof, OF for the
passage of any troops of the United
States. or the militia Of any state or the
District OF Columbia. marching in
body; or any cannon or military equip
ments belonging to the United States"
The company, by the powers of this
act, had five years in which to finish the
bridge, but it was in successful running
operation the next year (ls09). II was
built with two draws, one at the east
ern and one at the western end. there
being two channels to the Potomac. one
near the Virginia shore and one near
the District shore.
The bridge was operated successful
ly by the Washington Bridge company
until lsl4. when by order of the govern
nent the southwestern end of il was
destroyed, on account of the presence
of the British in the vicinity of Wash
ington. for which damage caused by the
government, congress, in 1916 (act of
April 81, appropriated Sl.sOO to reiin-
burse the company. The bridge was re-
paired and was soon again in operation.
In 1889 (act of July 14) congress. at
the request of the company, purcha asei
the bridge for $4,000. and, in 1884 APP
propriated 100000 to rebuild ii. This
was accordingly done, but the new
structure did not last long. being
washed away by the ice gorge of 1896.
Congress again authorized its recon-
struction on new lines. The new bridge
was to be one mile long and contain,
two draws, one in the southern end of
the bridge to be &C feet in width, and
another in the northern end to be sc
feet. This was accordingly done. aud iu
1898 Andrew Jackson laid the corner
stone of the new bridge, which was to
| SoHhSSs thS Sity Vi NusuIuStOu WIN
the dream of his life. the city named
after him. on the opposite shore. He
expected Jackson City to some day
rival Washington.
In the year 1880 congress passed an
act to extend the limits of the city OF
Washington beyond the Potomac. SO ms
to include the Long bridge. Thi,
bridge has existed in more or less state
of repair or preservation up to the pres
ent date.
4, In 1861 the war department ordered
Maj. Beggs, the celebrated military
railway constructor. to repair the
railroad between the south end OF
Long bridge and Alexandria in et
days. He completed the work in !;
days. The Long bridge was then test
ed. tracks were laid and in 1861 the frs
railroad engine ran across to the vir
ginia shore. II was over this bridg,
that the armies of the United State.
marched into Virginia during the wal
Of the rebellion.
I By act Of congress dated June Fl
1870. the government turned over tn,
Long bridge to the Baltimore & Poto
mac Railroad company with permis
! sion 70 run their tracks across II to thu