The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-11-20
EVANSVILLE BRIDGE DEFY
ING TIME AND ELEMENTS
Stately Arch That Spans The Cassie.
man Nearly Century Old.
BY SARAH ROBERTA GETTY.

near GrantSVllle should have won
prize in recent Photographic contest
IN the Better Roads" magazine re-
fleets credit upon the photographer, l.
+. Gilbert of Frostburg, and is source
OF congratulation to the people of
Grantsville, even while occasioning no
surprise. as the picture of this beautiful
landmark has graced not only the pages
of all the county papers at different
times, but also several of the leading
magazines as well. There is no more
imposing structure along the old
National Pike than this historic old
stone bridge, (which has been the delight
of both tourist and native tor nearly
century.
The bridge was begun in 1912 and
completed in 1878, with an immense ex-
pendlture of time and labor. The
beautiful arch. semi-circle in shape,
with radius of 3S feet was built of
stone upon frame work of wood which
when complete, could be torn down
merely by the removal of key in the
frame work.
SO little faith had the people of that
day in this gigantic undertaking that
the impression prevailed that when the
woodwork was taken away the collapse
of the structure would be inevitable.
History tells us that these .oft-repeated
suspicious so preyed upon the mind of
David Shriver, 1.-The young superinten-
dent, that his anxiety became unen-
durable and he and his men secretly, in
the dead of night, turned the kew and
unlocked the frame work to ascertain
beyond doubt whether or not the
massive arch was safe. Their fears,
or rather those of the natives, were
groundleSs however, and as it stood the
test then, so, bravelY. it has stood while
the storms and tempests of nearly a
hundred years has beaten upon its walls
yet the work of the masters hand that
builded it remains undistnrbed bv the
elements.
Occasionally though, vandal hand
would deface the beautiful structure by
destroying parts of the .side walls on
top of the bridge, which acted as a
protection to the travellers, and as the
years went by small trees and shrubs
sprung up at the base and summit and
in the crevices along the walls, greatly
marring the beauty and splendor of the
massive arch.
In 1911, the late Governor Crothers
became so interested in the matter
through the solicitations of the towns
men of Grantsville and others. that he
used his influence in securing the an
preparation of sum of money for the
purpose OF repairing the bridge, and
one of the first steps in the Good Roads
movement was to restore it to its original
beauty. The side walls were restored.
new cement coping was laid on top of
the walls, stones were replaced here
and there, and after months of labor
the bridge stood completely restored
and even more imposing looking than in
the days when it first lowered proudly
above the classic Casselman
The old bridge is of great historical
interest being built within few yards
of the spot where Gen. BraddOck and
George Washington. then a youth of
twenty but colonel of regim ent forded
the river on their Inflated journey to-
ward Fort Duquense in 1855. In the
early days when the stage coach was
the only means of progress many
distinguished !personages passed over
this famous bridge. Jackson, Harrison,
Polk, Taylor. all crossed here .on their
way to Washington to take the oath of
President of the United States. and
many other famous statesmen passed
over it long before the little village of
Grantsville came into existence.
No less beautiful than the bridge is
the Casselmen river which flows so
peacefully beneath it. The surrounding
scenery is picture that would delight
any artist and is much. frequented by
both tourist and native. In warm
summer days picnic luncheons are held
on the river bank where the ripping
waters sparkling in the sunlight, rest
and delight the eye of the pleasure
seeker. Enthusiastic .anglers sit for
hours casting their lines in its placid
depth waiting for a bite from the
elusive bass and suckers or the tempting
speckled.trout. Barefoot children wade
in its cooling waters or disport them
selves in the ''old swimmin' hole" near
by.
Lovers find the seclusion of the old
arch an ideal trusting place. Weary
business men and tired housewives stroll
down in the summer evenings and find
in this peaceful spot rest from the
days anXieties and cares. In the cold
winter days the rivers broad expan Sc
of ice is crowded with merry skaters,
and the air is filled with the laughter of
happy youth.
For nearly century the bridge has
stood, an object of interest to all who
come to see. To all old Grantsville
people it has fond and tenderjassocia-
tions. Both young and old carry in
their hearts picture of this beautiful,