The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-08
CABIN JOHN BRIDGE.
A Remarkable Structure and the Origin
of Its Name.

of Its Name.
Seven miles from West Washington
unon 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 tunes.
This structure is 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 small
stream called "Cabin John Greek"
from which the bridge takes its name.
The stream has it's origin in Rockville,
Md, 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 DISTRACTED the way
The genius of man surrounded this OBJ
struction, and the result was a model
of engineering skill.
A fine stone arch, 22O 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 IS miles above this point, and is
of solid masonry. It's construction was
begun in 1853, under the supervision OF
the war department, during the otli-
cial term of Jefferson Davis, by its arch
itect and engineer, Gen. M. c. Meigs.
In 1868, owing to pressure of work in
this department, the work of construc-
ton was transferred to the interior de-
partment-Caleb B. Smith, secretary
and remained there until 1867, about
the time of its completion. During the
process of building the names of Pres
idents Franklin Pierce and Abraham
Lincoln and Of Secretaries of War JEFF
ferson Davis and Edwin M. 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 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, APP
peared 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 number of years
he occupied these quarters, and was
known only by the name of John, or
cabin John" His only companions
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
curious intrusion of visitors, and also
from suspicious strangers who might
appear in that section. The settler
spent most Of his time bunting and
fishing, which were his chief means of
support. His garments were made from
the skins of wild animals, and his gen.
eral appearance was not attractive. lie
seemed to avoid ompanionship with
man, although possessing qualities fit
ting him for such associations.
Those who visited his cabin said that
he was musician, and that he played
skillfully upon a violin, singing songs,
the words of which seemed to recall
memories and friends of other days.
Tradition throws no other light upon
this strange being, whence he came or
whittier he went.
lie disappeared suddenly one day, as
mysteriously as he had appeared. A
search was made 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 wonder
full work of man would one day bear his
humble name and hand it down to fu-
ture generations.--Was Post.