The log cabin Democrat., 1908-10-08

saving to the county in the way of record and vault space, furnished heater wood for all the courts, paid out for examination and care of in- sane patients SI7o. co, paid for all records used by the county, paid the expenses of holding all general elections, and some other small amounts, all of the above aggre- gating the sum of $2333.o5, as shown in the above statement.
 Financial Condition of County.
 For detailed showing as to the financial condition of the county l refer you to the statement of the county clerk. The clerks report should be particularly gratifying to our taxpayers, in that 1t shows that the indebtedness of Faulkner coun- ty is less than 1t has been for many years, being at the present time only S29497. IA, and when l entered upon the duties of my office it was S42,2I2.45. The fact that in the time I have served you as county judge, little less than two years, the indebtedness of the county has been reduced something like SI2, 7I5.3I, as I am advised by the county clerk, is a feature of my administration that 1 am very thankful for; and this reduction has not been made by the curtail ment of the work of public inn provements, nor by any marked increase in our assessments. These figures show us what can be done, and I believe that with careful management-and the finances of the people should never have any other kind-our county can be brought out of debt and placed upon cash basis in four more years.
 Bridges.
 On January 3rd, 1907, little more than two months after l en- tered upon the duties of my office, an unprecedented flood visited our county and washed out many bridges and culverts. and other wise did much damage in the county. Travel on some of the public roads had to be stopped un til bridges and culverts could be built and repairs made on others. Owing to the large number of w. oden bridges that were washed away and had to be replaced, it was impossible to replace these bridges with steel ones. It was necessary tor some way to be provided for crossing the streams and there would have been too much delay in waiting for the steel bridges to be constructed, even if the county had been able to build them.
 During my administration bridges have been built by the county at the following places: One across Palarm Creek, southeast of May flower, Io8 feet long; one across Bridge Creek, on Little Rock road, 5I feet long; one across Muddy Bayou Creek, at Hinson ford. 100 feet long; one across Bull Creek, on Little Rock road, 6I feet long; one across Palarm Creek, at Rus sell place, v feet long; one across Muddy Bayou, north of Holland, on Little Rock and Clinton road, HIS feet; one rebuilt across Muddy Bayou, on Holland and Enola road, 72 feet long; addition to bridge across North Cadron, near Springfield, 60 feet long; one across Blackfork creek, o2 feet long; one across Palarm Creek at "The Narrows, 456 feet long; and all of the bridges throughout the county, with a few exceptions, have been repaired and are now in reasonably good condition. The King" brid, e across the Cadron has just been repaired and strength ened. However, this bridge will soon be torn away and replaced with a steel one, for which l have already let the contract.
 I am pleased to report that my entire bridge work has cost the county only S3479 9S.
 I have let the contract to the Moravi Construction Company for five steel bridges, for the sum ot $6725 co, hauling and flooring ex- cepted. These steel bridges, under the contract I have made are to be completed by Feb. IS, 1909, and will be located at the following places:
 One across East Cadron Creek at Kings bridge" $40 feet long; one across North Cadron Creek at HardWick's mill, I5O feet long;