The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-02-17
Cabin John Bridge.

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 Po-
tomac TO Washington, is one Of the
most noted structures of modern times.
This structure Is a bridge of single
span, called the ''Cabin John bridge, "
built by the United States Government
for the purpose of carrying the water
main across ravine. Flowing through
this ravine, in its rocky bed, is a small
stream called "Cabin John Creek, y
from which the bridge takes its name.
The stream has its origin in Rockville,
Nd, and its outlet at the Potomac, not
far away.
In constructing the Washington
aqueduct the first serious difficulty was
encountered at Cabin John Creek.
Here a deep ravine obstructed the way.
The genius of man surmounted this
obstruction, and the result was model
of engineering skill.
y fine stone arch, 22O feet in width
and 10 feet in height, spans the rayine
and the creek, and has the distinction
of being the largest single arch in the
world. II is built of brown sandstone
brought from the quarries of Seneca,
about fifteen miles above this point,
and is of solid masonry. Its construct
ion was begun in 1858, under the su-
pervision of the War Department, dur
ing .he official term Of jefferson Davis,
by its architect and engineer, Gen. NJ.
G. Meigs.
In 1852, owing to pressure of work in
this department, the work of construc-
tion was transferred to the Interior De-
partment-Caleb b. Smith, Secretary
and remained there until 1867, about
the time fits completion. During the
process of building the names of Presi
dents Franklin Pierce and Abra-
ham Lincoln and of Secretaries Of
War jefferson Davis and Edwin NJ.
Stanton were inscribed on one of the
large stones on the west end of the
bridge. After the secession of the
South, the name of Jefferson Davis
was cut out-and only a blank space
remains to tell of the obliteratiOn.
This celebrated bridge and the stream
that it spans derive their names from
a solitary settler, who, tradition says,
on this spot some time before
the war of the revolution, and built
near the banks of the beautiful Potomac
a rude log cabin. For a number Of
years he occupied these quarters, and
was known only by the name of John,
or ''Cabin John" His only cOmpan
panions were three fierce hunting dogs,
which were sheltered among the rocks
near their masters abode.
These dogs always accompanied John
on his excursions about the country and
served to protect him from the too Gu
rious intrusion of visitors, and also
from suspicious strangers who might
appear in that section. The settler
spent most of his time hunting and
fishing, which were his chief means of
support. His garments were made
from the skins of wild animals, and his
general appearance was not attractive.
He seemed to avoid companionship
with man, although possessing quail
ties fitting him for such associations.
Those who visited his cabin said that
he was musician, that he played skill
fully upon violin, singing songs, the
words of which seemed To recall menu
ories and friends of other days. Ira
dition throws no other light upon this
strange being, whence he came or
whittier he went.
He disappeared suddenly one day, as
as he had appeared. y
search was ma lie for him, but no trace
could be found. His dogs deserted
their rockbound kennel, and his cabin
crumbled to the ground. Little did
John of the Cabin think that Won
derful work of man would one day
bear his humble name and hand 1t
down II future generations.
Cabin John bridge has never been of
easy access to the public untihrecently.
The Great Falls Electric Railway hav-
iny completed its line to this point, it
has become popular place for an af-
outing and great many peo-
pie visit it daily. This road is wild and
running across ravines aud
throu sh beautiful wooded tracts. Ii
overloll1s tbs gorge of the Potomac and
the Virginia heights beyond.