Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-04-16
The Bridges.

Nv OltuSNSs
We reproduce here for the benefit
of our readers an extract from
booklet published some time in the
year 1894. The committee in charge
of the Rl,erton Bridges Celebration
issued the publication as "a souvenir.
1t Is therefore authentic. and can be
relied upon:
These magnificent iron structures,
which span the North and South
branches of the Shenandoah River,
at RlvertOn, Va, the formal opening
OF which we celebrate today, stanu
monuments, first, to the Bridge Com
mlttee, MesSrS. Samuel Carson. II. II.
Downing and Robert Brockett: sec
ond, TO the Board of Supervisors,
whose names and photographs are to
toe found elsewhere in this book; and
third, TO an appreciatiye public,
whose co operation aud assistance
made the great undertaking posi-
bilitv.
Upon exactly the same sites on
which these bridges stand, the Front
ROYAL y Winchester Turnpike Co.
In the year 1884 >, built two wooden
bridges, which were in use until
1862.
On May 2S. 1862. Stonewall Jack
son. then, as now. SO well known to
all residents Of the valley, was
camped at Winchester. Va. His
scouts reported the Federal Army.
under Shields. approaching rapidly
from the South by way Of Chester's
Gap, and Fremont from the North
west 10y way of Hardy County. with
the evident intention of trapping
jackson in the lower valley.
Couriers were promptly dispatched
from Jackson'S headquarters bearing
orders to Major James II. Richards
TO prepare finder, oil, etc, and hold
himself IN readiness TO burn the
bridges at the first appearance OF
Shields. OF such Importance, how
ever, was this order, that the company
of calvary arrived from Strasburg
during the evening to assist him. and
10y MALT past nIne that night the
bridges were In flames. Since then.
a number Of attempts have been
made 20 rebuild the bridges. but to
such an impoverished condition WAS
this County reduced by the armies
passing and repasSiug, that it was an
lmposSibility.
Bridge agitation started with great
energy in 1887. led by the lamented
Luther II. Steele, assisted by John
W. Morgan. and until the bridges
were erected. this constant agitation
continued
In 1899, number of citizens
bought the bridge piers and turnpike
from Edward Purcell, ST.. and soon
afterwards secured charter from
the Legislature 10 incorporate the
Riverton Bridge Company, empower
ing them 10 build the bridges and
collect toll thereon.
SO anxious were they, however, to
have free bridges. that they agreed
TO turn over to the County, free of
charge, all their rights and titles 10
the property upon promise of the
County that it would build free
bridges The County then entered
INTO contract with the Wrought Iron
Bridge Co., of Canton, Ohio, for the
construction of two handsome bridges
at the cost of $4,000.
To secure them from any possible
damage from high water, that one
fault of the lovely Shenandoah, it
was necessary to build them very
nigh, and the distance from the water
to the hoor Of the bridge was made
forty five feet.
So great an elevation added much
to the expense, and the approaches
alone cost in addition nearly $4,000
The approaches were constructed
by Messrs. Breen & Feely, of Alex
andria. Virginia, and the excellent
character Of the work gives evidence
of the personal supervision of Mr.
b. +. Feely.
The length of the North River
Bridge with its approaches is go
feet, and the South River and it's
approaches 1860 feet.
The entire work was under the
charge of Henry A. Turner, G. f..
and reflects great credit upon his
ability az am Pnpineer