Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-10
Wednesday, March 10, 1897.

water and wind, the ferry boat was una
BILE to cross, he had walked across the
railroad bridge on narrow plank. Or
dinarily he would not have attempted
such thing for any amount Of money {;
but his errand being on account of soul
trembling on the brink Of eternity, he
was, of course, willing to take any and all
risks. He did not ask the bridge as a
matter Of favor, but thought it belonged
to the people of Fort Mill and those on
this side as matter of right. The ques-
ton of money, he said, did not enter into
the matter. The people should have the
bridge let it cost what it would. He was
satisfied that it could be put up for 5000,
however. He was not there to quarrel
about location. The first thing to do was
to decide upon building the bridge, and
then the location question could be settled
ON the basis of the greatest convenience
to the greatest number. He desired to
60 on record, however, as believing that
the best and most desirable location was
at Harris's ferry. Though in many of its
passages beautifully eloquent, the doc
tors argument was strong and practical
throughout, and evidently made pro-
found impression.
Messrs. T. F. Mellow and w. j. Wa
ters each had a few remarks in favor OF
the bridge, and Mr.. J. E. Lowry said that
so far as he was able to judge, the senti.
ment of the people of Yorkville was
strongly in favor of the erection Of the
structure. The people here, however,
were not interested in the matter Of loca.
ton. That question they preferred to
leave entirely to the discretion Of the
board.
Among the other members of the Fort
Mill committee who arrived later during
the day, about 1890 o'clock, were Messrs
J. W. Ardrey, John M. Spratt and Fred
Minis. Mr.. Ardrey made few remarks
in which he went over much OF the
ground that had already been covered by
DR.. Thornwell., He explained the delay
of the committee in getting to Yorkville
by the fact that they found it impossible
to cross the river at any Of the usual
ferries, and were forced to 60 all the way
up to Wrights. During the morning
they had travelled % miles, and he thought
that this of itself was good reason why
the bridge should be built. He also re.
cited the fact that Fort Mill township had
never before requested favor Of the
county, and inasmuch as Fort Mill and
Ebenezer-the two townships especially
interested-had never received back any
thing like the taxes they had paid out, he
thought it was nothing but right that this
request should be granted.
The discussion was continued to
O'Clock p. M, when the board adjourned
one hour for dinner.
Mr., C. T. Crook was present at the after,
noon session. He had also been delayed
on account of the ferry. He took no part
in the discussion, except to explain why
the people of his section desired the loca-
ton of the bridge at Neely's ferry.
There was petition from public meet
ing held at Rock Hill asking the board t.
defer action on the bridge question for one
month. The petition was signed by A.
E. Smith, chairman, and A. w. Fewell,
secretary.
Mr.. D. E. Finley appeared before the
board and gave it as his opinion that the
board, if it saw fit, could build the bridge
out Of the ordinary county fund. That Is
the board could make contracts then
get permission from the Legislature TO pay
the debt. If desirable, payment could be
extended over a period Of say four years
in which event the extra levy necessary
to pay principal and interest of the pro-
posed $4,000, would amount to only forty
two hundredths Of mill.
After the arguments for the bridge were
all in, the members of the board dis
cussed the matter at length. Messrs
Wilkerson, Miller, Gwin and White
seemed to be opposed to immediate ac
ton. The reporter was present and made
notes of the arguments Of the different
commissioners; but is unable to prepare
an outline of them in time for this issue
of THE ENQUIRER. Upon motion, the
whole matter was finally deferred to the
next regular meeting of the board, to be
held on Monday, April 5.