St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1897-02-27
CABIN. JOHN ERipaS.
a Remarkable Structure and tie Czs*..s
OF Its Eame. "

Seven miles from West Wash is1etor
upon what is cal. Il the Conduit roae
which carries the water supply ot til
capital from the Great Falls OF the 70
tomac to Washington, is clle of tn
most noted structures OF modern times
This structure is. q bridge OF singl
span, called the Cabin John bridge,
huiit by the United States governmen
for the purpose of carrying the waite
main across rayine. Flowing through
this ravine, in it's rocky bed, is small
stream called Cabin John Creek,
| from which the bridge takes its name
/ The stream has its origin in Rockville
Nd, and it's outlet at the Potomac, no
far away. .3gtzs=.
In constructing the Washington
faGueduct the first serious difficulty was
encountered at Cabin John creek
Here deep raFine obstrteted the way
The genius Of man surmounted this OBJ
struction, and the result was mode
Of engineering skill. s st
A fine stone arch, 220 feet in width
and 110 feet III height, spans the ravine
of being the largest single arch in the
world. It is 5ialilt 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 Cd
| the war department., during the Off
cial term Of Jefferson Davis, by its arch
itect and engineer, Gen. NJ. C. Meigs.
In 1868, owing to pressure of work III
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
ldents Franklin Pierce and Abraham
Lincoln and of Secretaries of War JEFF.
ferson 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 blank space remains to tell
of the obliteration.
This celebrated bridge and th! stream
that it spans derive their names from a
solitary settler, who, tradition says, ap-
peared on this spot some time Before
the war of the revolution, ard built near
the banks Of the beautiful Potomac c
rude log cabin. For number of years
he occupied these quarters, and was
known only by the name of John, or
s"Cabin John" His only companions
We're three force 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 ard
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. He
seemed to avoid companionsh;p with
mans4although possessing qualities fitc.
ting him for such associations.
Those who visited his cabin said that
he was a musician, and that he played
skillfully upon q. violin, singing. songs,
the words of which seemed TO recall
memories and friends of other days.
throws no other. light upon
this strange being, whence he came or
whittier he went.
He disappeared suddenly one day, as
mysteriopsly rs he had appeared. A
search was made for Elm, but 4 o trace
could be found. His dogs deserted their
rockbound kennel, and lis cabin
crumbled to the ground. Little did
John of the Cabin think that a wonder
full work oftman would one day bear his
humble name and hand il down tofu-
ture Observation-Disclosures Post.