The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-01-20
NOT 50 PROUD
Fairmont Wants The 3. & ID.
Bridge TAX Away.
Reason Why Boats Cannot 1et Under
It-Tip Of Florence belle Recalled
Swan Could Not Make the Trip
Jargie Over the Matter.


Jangie Over the Matter.
tAIRMoST, W. Va, Jan. Is - The
old Fairmont, Morgantown d Pitts
burg Railroad Company bridge, a
mass oil structural iron which spans
the Monongahcla rissr one mile
north OF the city, which in 1886 was
the pride of the village because OF
its being the most modern structure
OF its KIND in West Virginia, and
which now carries the trains from
the Pittsburg branch into the main
Baltimore & Ohio yards here, is GU
the receiving end of much censure
because it blocks effectively the
stream which has been Stacked to
this point and prevents boats from
reaching Fairmont.
The average Fairmonter untll re-
Gently supposed that the heavy ice
on the river was the cause of boats
coming part OF the distance up from
Morgantown, then turning their
noses northward. 1t was first sap
posed that while the bridge would
be hindrance it would not be a
block to the steamers, for enc boat,
the Florence Bell, made the trip from
Morgantown to Fairmont during
high water five years ago AS the
Belle neared the bridge her com.
mander ut first feared that she could
not get under, but alter Lowering her
stacks and tearing away the wheel
house she shaved through.
Now the stage 10 changed and II
feet of water lies directly under the
bridge, while at the time of the
Bellies visit there were but four.
Now the bridge is but II feet above
the stream, which will not permit
even the smaller packets stripped to
their main deck to pass.
Three weeks ago the new Govern
ment snagboat had work to do at
several of the upper locks and after
this was completed her commander
arranged to run to Fairmont. The
trip was thoroughly advertised
Two days previous to the date SET
for the trip the Swans commander
came here to investigate the bridge
He found that, stripped to her entire
upper structure, the Swan could not
get through, and Immediately the
trip was abandoned.
Local officials of the railroad com
panv say the present bridge cannot
be removed till the new one, planned
land surveyed to cross the river al
jCatawba, seven miles north is con
structed Nothing has been done
toward this construction but IT, run
the preliminary lines. Contractors
engaged in that sort of work claim
that it will take from six months tc
a yeag to build the structure.
1t is true that boats can Low reach
a point mile distant from the city
but no road or street reaches neal
this spot, The nearest point where
traffic could be carried on is al
Rivcsville. four miles north.
The f. M. Il p. structure was al
first huilt under protest, and on &C
count of this Col. Merrill, who il
1886 was the engineer in charge o
the Monongahela river, had aspecia
agreement with the company to thu
effect that the structure would b,
removed upon the slightest notice
from the Government. Col. Merrill
has long since been assigned to othel
work.
"Fairmont is ready to give grant
ovation in honor of the opening o
the river just as soon as the stream
is freed of obstacles, but as it now i!
it is CT no more use to the city thar
it was rs years ago" said Secretary
Sam r. Nuzum of the local Board o
Trade today, and he voiced :thl
sentiment of all business men of this
community, who are anxiously await
ing the time when the packets will
offer cheaper freight rates to Pitts
burg and the south.