The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-07-14
VOX POPULI.
BLUFF SPRINGS PUTS IN A
CLAIM FOR THE BRIDGE

| Editor Pensacola Journal
We have noticed that McDavid, Mo-
| limo, the upper bluff and clear down
the Escambia river to Escambia bay
and-faith, 1 believe a bridge across
the bay, by one writer mentioned. He
is impressed with the idea that bond
| issues are all that we need in the
! future as would be the case by three
mile bridge and then the longer the
| bridge the less 1t can be used by the
general public.
We are glad to see the views of all
sections aired. It is like submitting
the question to the public as jurors to
decide.
Now, while the conditions that may
exist in one stage of water when in
vestigatfon is made may be changed
under other stages.
It will be necessary that men who
had experience in the swamp are the
ores that know the best route, as
some of our Santa Rosa and Escambia
county citizens who have for years
raised stock in the swamps can tell
where the highest points are.
In regard to the highest land ridge
in Santa Rosa through the swamp to
the river. one that is travelled when
the McDavid route is hub deep in wa
ter and inaccessible and we all know
that the lower down the swamp we go
the greater difficulty in finding high
lands to maintain roads upon. Hen &c
we have known people to have to so
this route when it was impossible to
cross below.
This point has not over one and one
half miles of swamp by following the
| high ridge which is on the Santa Rosa
| side and for the Escambia side the
high pine land extends to the river
bank. with f1rst-class road within one
| hundred yards of same. Opposite the
| Ter ciI 1o Sc hi
and the length Of bridge would not
exceed three hundred feet, including
| approaches, and 1t would not require
over two hundred feet of bridging in
waterways to the high land on the
| Santa Rosa side. At this time the
ferry road is in fair condition.
| Again, the location for the first
| bridge at this point would open the
best farming lands in both counties to
| easy access. Any posted man on the
agricultural conditions knows that the
| best lands from an agricultural stand
point are located in the northern por-
ton of both counties.
| While we do not say that other sec
tions of both counties have fair lands
yet on a whole the northern section
has the lead, as anyone can see by a
| trip through these sections. say from
| Perdido river, through by Walnut Hill
thence on through Bluff Springs by Jay
| in santa Rosa county.
Again, these lands from the Escam-
bia county side of the question already
have first class roads that lead to this
point, and a bridge could be built
| cheaper than elsewhere, the road beinR
| accessible through the swamps at al
times, and at the same time would dc
the greatest good to the greatest mum
Der.
It would certainly show poor execu-
tive business in our commissioners II
both counties to place a bridge at {
point on Escambia river that, durinG
high water. the travelling public could
not reach, but would have to come Il
Bluff Springs and cross at the ole
Markley ferry. 1t would be far mor'
in keeping with the spirit of improve
ment to put up a bridge that could b
/ available at-an. times of the year.
| It was proposed several years ago
and an offer made to put up and main
tain a bridge, also put the road il
good passable condition for $4,000 a
this point, the bridge to be Of hear
pine material and kept up for fiv
; years.
Now, we would suggest that befor
arv definite action is taken that thi
point be investigated, if it is to be
; public bridge. If an automobile bridg
and they only are to receive considera
ton, we have nothing more to say.
, We should go slow and sure upo
! this matter and not get into a finan
cial muddle as we have lately, for W
would hate to see a bridge bond issu
, saddled on the old public steed. for tn
] old horse may be patient and willin
but may buck at some moment whe
least expected.
]. w. CRARY.