The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-05
SPAWNED BY STEEL.
The Completion Of the Bridge
at Ellington,
W Sections of EIarnel Linked Together
Bya Structure Of Which She Is
Proud.

TO the Eitor How very much has
been added to our holiday joy, relief and
satisfaction by the completion of the
long-talked of bridge at Ellington.
There it stands strong, majestic, SYM
metrical, beautiful and proud. Yes, in
deed--proud
There is a something in it's very mai
estv that compels, one who beholds the
grand structure to feel that this mani
mate but beautiful work stands proud it
self as lasting link and bond, holding
stately grin the two heretofore di-
ided sections CT Harnett county.
United now and
Forever, and forever,
AS long as the river flows,
AS long as the heart has passions,
AS long as life has woes.
To hold blessed union firm and united
as il should be. 1t stands nigh above the
turbid waters of the Cape Fear, ana
seems to look down with Satisfaction at
its own mrrored form beneath, Comment
of it's strength and Indifferent to the an
ery threats of the roaring waters De
meath that against their will can but cast
back the beautiful picture of their victor
above
This bridge is of steel except the ap-
rroaches which are each OF three
spans Of equal length, one nun
dred and sixty feet long, and from lano
to land the length is seven hundred ana
thirteen feet. From the average water
height. the top of the frame work OF
the bridge is a distance OF hfty-six 1eet.
The floor of the bridge, standing twenty
nine feet above the average line and four
feet above the highest freshet ever
known in this age, or at any time mere
tofore chronicled by tradition.
From these facts ct will be seen that
every inch of additional rise will have to
cover so vast a space on the fiat lands
next the river that it is barely possible
that the water can ever reach the bridge
floor.
The great superintendent weight OF the
steel frame work will hold down the
bridge against tons of pressure applied
by the current.
1t was constructed by the Converse
Bridge Company, of Chattanooga, Ten
nessee, an enterprising and successful
corporation of Southern men, Southern
organization and Southern location OF its
plant and shop.
The people of Ellington are pleased to
commend this company
The gentleman in charge OF the work
of construction, Capt James Hawthorne,
and later, Capt. j. H. Wilson, with their
most exsellent foreman, Claud S. Terry.
and his assistant, Olan Clark, have shown
themselves most competent, honest and
courteous.
They have employed our own local Ia
hor and have thus been of great benefit
to our community, with the exception
only in the case of Capt. ]. H. Wilson,
who has been so unreasonable as to dis
charge every single one of our people
whom he had engaged except our beauti-
full and accomplished friend and teacher,
Miss Emma Kivett, whom he has mar
ried and is to take away from us soon
whittier we know not, for he is ever en-
gagged in bridge building here and yonder.
Well, everyone likes Capt Jack, and we
! suppose Miss Emma caut help it herself.
Wherever they go, they will carry with
them the blessings of every soul in Lii
lington, for we feel they are ours, and
we will follow them with our wishes and
prayers.
1t was early on Tuesday morning, the
oath instant that Capt. Wilson announced
that the last bolts had been frightened
and rods adjusted and the bridge safe
to cross.
Immediately our popular and most ex-
cellent Register of Deeds and Clerk to the
Board of County Commissioners. who has
worked so much and labored so inces-
sanity for the bridge, Mr.. A. c. Holloway,
with the beautiful and charming Miss
Fannie Reid Mackay, drove first across
tire bridge and back again.
The representatives of the company
properly conferred upon him this honor.
and he manifested very fine taste in
choosing as his companion on this famous
ride the social queen of the upper Cape
Fear
1t was expected that the Commissioners
would be in Ellington on Thursday, th'
18th ult TO receive the bridge, The chair
man. Mr.. Young did not get here, an(
it seems that there was no regular
meeting called for that day, so as tc
make the action of the board, if any had
been attempted valid Messrs. Smith
and Harrington were present and highly
pleased. Mr. Harrington was especially
delighted. and said he would then vote
for receiving it and paying the contract
price. In this he voiced the sentiments OF
every man and woman whom we have
heard express themselves about IT,
Capt. Wilson had a large crowd two
hundred or more, on the bridge Thursday
and had Mr.. Keen, the photographer o
Dunn to photograph the crowd and bridge
Later at the court house, he rendered The
bridge to the two commissioners present
and requested them to accept the same
if they thought ii made according to con
tract specifications. If they did not sc
think. he invited a thorough examination
by competent engineer and stated tina
if not according to contract, the Converse