Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-06-16
COMPLETION OF The
BRIDGEPORT bridge.

On Wednesday, the 18th inst, the new
iron bridge at Bridgeport, that has been in
course of construction the past two months,
was finally inspected and opened to travel
The committee under whose supervision
the bridge was constructed, consisting Of
Elwood Usinger, chairman; Chas. Wilson,
H. G. Bender, A. G. Silvers and E. G..
Miller, and the representatives of The New
Jersey Bridgebuilding Co., of Manasquan,
the builders, inspected it and pronounced
it complete. The bridge is an iron truss
structure, with centre span that reyolves on
centre pier. 123 feet long, and "a feet
shore span; the drive way is 18 feet wide.
In honor of the event Freeholder Usin-
ger invited the Board of FreehoIders,
County officers, representatives Of the county
press, and prominent citizens of Logan
township to join in the inspection and dine
with him at Eureka Hotel, Bridgeport's
excellent hostlery.
In response to this invitation a party
numbering fifty gathered and after thor
oughly inspecting the staunch structure,
adjourned to Mine Host Sharpss dining
hall and partook of a most substantial re-
past, after which adjournment was taken
to the spacious hotel porch where Capt. J.
F. Truitt acted as toast-master and well
coined the Board of Freeholders to Bridge
port. In the name of the people OF tlls
township he thanked the Chosen Free
holders and people of the county for so
substantially supplying the need OF a safe
passageway across Raceoon river. He also
complimented Freeholder Usinger for the
satisfactory completion of the great task
Mr.. Usinger replied in brief speech,
and was followed by Hon. D. o. Watkins,
| ]. D. Carpenter, S. n. Richards, Esq,
DR.. T. E. Oliphant and Others.
Mr.. Richards in his remarks gaves the
history Of the Bridgeport bridge. The
bridge was first erecteG in 1864 under act
of the legislature of the Province Of New
Jersey, by voluntary contributions, Con-
stine Wilkins, VIM. Key, VIM. Brown
and John Kille, being empowered to re-
ceive same. 1t was rebuilt in 1906 and
1910.
Following were present.
| G. 81. Platt, E. 7. Oliphant, William
H. Springer, John F. Truitt, H. ]. Rich
ards, John Kirby, T. w. Sheets, Thos J.
Gaskill, Bridgeport; Andrew ]. Nichol,
jefferson; Mr.. E. L. Sturgess, Mr.. Dudley
Whitney, Glassboro; A. S. Silyers, G.
Frank Fisler, Clayton; Thomas Munyany
Mulliea Hill; Charles Wolferth, Clarksboro;
Henry G. Bender, Mantua; E. G. Miller,
Paulsboro; Edmund Jones, Sheriff JONES'
Franklinville; George G. Tonkin, Frank
B. Ridgway, Mullica Hill; R. G. Clarky
Hurfville; Joshua S. Joyce, John Rachor,
VIM. M. Carter, James D. Carpenter, Louis
W Albright, W. S. Conner, Hon. David
O. Watkins William Duffeld, George f.
Pierson, Woodbury.; Charles Wilson, Jos
r. Black, J. c. Rulon, G. H. Pither,
Lewis S. Stanger, Swedesboro; A. c.
Dalton, Newfeld; William M. Burk,
Pedricktown; Robert Burk, Frank Hold !
croft, NJ B. Robinson, Isaac Derrinkaen.
Hugh McGlency, William P. JusSSaeS
George S. Sharpe, Bridgeport; John N.
Casswell, Wilmington, Del
The bridge was decorated with flags by
T. W. Sheets and with beautiful flowers
by Miss Eva May Truitt and Miss Daisey
Smith, of Bridgeport.