The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-25
Extension Contractor Says He
Was Ignorant OF 1t.
MONTHS EXTRA WORK
Caused by Sinking Pier Pit
Through Debris.
Other Items of Interest in the
First Ward.

A. D. Johnson, contractor in charge
of the extension of Melan bridge, says
that the old bridge pier which was
below the ground and which was not
mentioned in the contract or specific
| atoms leaving him ignorant of its
existence is partly responsible for the
tardiness in the work. He makes this
statement in reply to Commissioners
Tandy's remarks about the slowness
of the operations However, Mr..
johnson stated this morning that he
expected to have the undertaking
completed by October, the time limit
of the contract, for constructing the
south spans.
The top of the pier of the first iron
bridge across the Kaw in 1870, which
superseded the pontoon bridge, was
buried under the ground about six
feet and is now several yards Inland
Mr.. johnson says that he knew moth
ing of its existence until the work.
men uncovered the stones when they
| were excavating for the pier pit. And
this was not all. 1t has been learned
that the fall after the pier was built
| it was discovered that the native stone
used therein, was crum bling through
| the action of the winters frost. 1t
was replaced with Cottonwood stone.
and the debris left from the substitu-
| ton was thrown on a fill which is
| now IN the pdID Ol ID0 pit nc cA-
| cavators had to go through this layer
of rock. According to Mr.. Johnson
this took an extra month.
| However, he says that the driving
of the 10 piles for the foundation will
| be completed this week, over 10 al
ready being in place. The censtruc-
ton of the pier, he thinks will not
! occupy much over a week.
1.-The north abutment is completed"
said Mr.. Johnson this morning. THE
pier is the keystone of the whole
work, as the rest of the work must
wait upon its completion. We are
pushing things as fast as possible.
The extension of the bridge was
voted at a special election last spring.
1t was proposed as a measure to make
enough waterway to prevent flood
like that OF 1903.
E. r. Crouch, manager of the To-
peka Creamery company said this
morning that the firm had sold out
its milk business to the Producers
company, but still retains the butter
business to itself. and that the con-
Germ will not be under one manage
ment, as incorrectly reported in a
Imorning paper, but the butter business
will be conducted as before.
/ Notes and Personals.
visiting Mrs. Given's mother, Mrs. T.
Pasta, north of Topeka.
Miss Edith Ruffner of Hoyt, is WIS.,
iting her aunt, Mrs. w. T. Pence OF
1875 Topeka avenue.
Clarence Churchman. fireman at
station No. is taking a vacation. He
is visiting relatives at ST. Marys.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. F. Adams of 935
Kansas avenue went to Usage City in
their auto Sunday. They were &C
companied by Mr.. and Mrs. Will JOS
lin of the South side.
/ Miss Ellen Holiday will leave to-
morrow to spend few weeks camping
near Manitou, Colo.
Ed Holman and family of 140 Eve
lyn street departed today for a visit
in Colorado.
Mrs. W. Paramore of Mission Cen
ter is spending the week with her
daughters. Mrs. Ray Diffenderfer and
Mrs. Will Swartz.
Il Mrs. Grin Layton is visiting at the
home of J. w. Priddy of Elmont.
The j. D. Skinner farm of 485
acres, near Belvue, was sold Saturday
to Phillip Provost of Clyde, for $35,-
1000. Mr.. Skinner bought the Provost
farm in Cloud county for $4,000.
Amity Lodge 231, will confer work
in the Third Degree tonight.
w. r. Colvin of 915 Van Buren,
street spent today in Kansas City.
| Francis Sipes of st. Marys is visit
ing Arthur Sipes.
Amity 231 K. of P. work in third
degree Monday, July %. All taking
part in work urged to- be present
Banquet.