The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-11
FIX 1T NOW.
North Topeka Demands Repair
of Melan Bridge.
Want Another Arch in Place Of
North Approach.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE.
People We're Afraid Approach
Would Be Washed Out.
Much Expense Would Have Been
Saved, Says Otto Kuehne.

The people of North Topeka want the
wooden approach on the north side to
the Melan bridge replaced with a per-
manent structure either of cement con-
struction in keeping with the remain
DER OF the bridge or else a structure of
steel, anything which will be of a per-
manent nature. They want il too be-
fore the next spring rise will come.
Mr.. Otto Kuehne, OF the Kuehne
Pickle works, stated this afternoon
that the exodus from North Topeka
would have been considerably less than
1t was if a means to escape to the
South side had been assured. Continu-
ing Mr.. Kuehne said: IF a permanent
approach had been in place instead OF
that light wooden structure a great
many more of us would have waited a
while longer before moving our house
hold effects and possessions. As it was,
the business men of this side and also
the private families were put to heavy
expense moving their stocks either to
the other side of the river or to places
of safety on this side. This would not
have occurred had we the assurance
that our means of access to the Melan
bridge was as staunch as the bridge it
self. We would have waited and con-
sequently with the reduction in the
danger, which happened, the expense
which we incurred now would have not
existed AS it was the people of North
Topeka were compelled to fee at the
first signs of danger. With the light
wooden approach to the Melan bridge
swept away all avenues of escape
would have been entirely cut off. The
Rock Island span on this side was out
on account of its rebuilding and thus
we could not have availed ourselves Of
the safety afforded by it. We want the
matter agitated of rebuilding. substan-
TALLY by all means, the north approach
of the Melan bridge. We feel that it is
nomical feature for the city and coun-
ty. We are ready to take hold of the
project on this side of the river but we
need the encouragement and aid of the
people on the south side of the river
and over the county as WE'LL
Mr.. Kuehne is in favor of diking the
river from the Updegraf farm east TO
the Rock Island railroad bridge and also
diking Soldier creek from near the vi
cinity of the Reform school to it's
mouth. The river is gradually swing
ing in Immediately to the west of the
old stockyards in North Topeka and
cutting across the foot of Tyler and
Polk joining Soldier. The ground in this
vicinity has been cut down about from
three to five feet and each succeeding
flood eats out a greater belt of earth
work. The current is setting in more
strongly at this point because of the
filling in of the ground on the south
construction of its railroad yards. 1t
will apparently be only a question of
years until this portion of North To-
peka will be isolated as an island the
river, cutting in its course through Ty-
Ter and thence flowing northeasterly
towards the direction taken by the Sol
dier.
The banking up by the Rock Island
and Santa Fe railroad tracks of some
of the food water is causing serious
trouble in the vicinity of Shorey and
near the junction of the Union Pacific
and Santa Fe tracks. The tracks are
elevated in both instances to a conSid-
cradle height above the surrounding
lands forming a species of dixie hold
ing the flood water from draining
away as rapidly as it should. Just
this side of Shorey and about a half
mile west of the large grain elevator
the water is standing at about a
depth of three feet over the truck
gardens. There are not a sufficient
number of drains under the Rock Is
land tracks at this point to take away
the surplus water and as a result the
farmers are fearful lest their crops
will be destroyed An appeal was
made to the railroad company to take
measures looking to the relief of the
condition. If the railroad company
fails to act this afternoon the farmers
have expressed determination to act
on their own behalf and cut through
the railroad track themselves. The
same status appears to be in force at
the junction of the Union Pacific and
Santa Fe tracks. The Santa Fe at
this point has its tracks elevated sew
eral feet above the surrounding coun-
try and considerable water has back
ed up. The crops can stand the flood
all right provided the water is not
permitted to remain standing a length
of time.