The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-11-23
Sale of the Old Main Street
Structure Decided Upon
GOES TO HIGHEST BIDDER
Cash Obtained to Be Put Into
Another Crossing of
Minnesota
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
Action taken by the Mankato city
council at a special meeting held late
yesterday afternoon will result in the
sale of the metal in the old Main
street bridge The material will be Of
~fered at public auction, and the pro-
oeeds of the sale will be placed in a
bridge fund, to be used toward the
erection of any Mankato bridge neces-
sary in the future.
Shortly after the meeting was called
to order the resolution was read,
which provided for the sale of the
metal of the old bridge, the spans To
be offered for sale separately, and the
city to reserve the right to reject any
OF all bids 1t was the general wish of
the council, voiced by Mayor L. l..
Champlin, that the auction sale be de-
ferred for several weeks, and Council
man Mic Petersen made a motion that
the auction be held in three weeks,
which would make the date of sale
come on December 10, in the after
noon. The motion was seconded and
passed.
Money to Go Into New Bridge.
Councilman A. G. Lack moved that
if the old bridge was sold the money
should be put in fund for new
bridge to be placed near Sibley park.
Councilman Petersen seconded the
motion, which was unanimously
passed.
Attorney c. J. Laurisch, acting for
the Chicago and Northwestern Rail-
council, and asked for reading OF the
ordinance proposed by him, to allow
the railroad company to continue their
spur tracks from Exchange street over
the property which they had recently
purchased, to the Main street line.
Councilman Lack was of the opini-
on that the matter ought to be settled
at once, and considerable discussion
ensued. Mr.. Laurisch made a strong
plea for the reading Of the ordinance.
Councilman Steiner moved that the
ordinance be given it's first formal
reading, and the second reading be
held next Monday morning. Owing to
a deadlock Of opinion among the
councilmen there was no second to
the motion at first and more discussion
took place, after which Councilman
Petersen seconded the motion. The
ordinance which would give the COM
pany authority to operate their spur
tracks from Exchange street to Main
street was then read.
Report of Health Officer.
A report from the health commits
sioner was read, in which it was stat
ed that Mankato was quite free from
infectious diseases. Two cases of
smallpox, three of typhoid, and several
cases of measles were reported. 1t was
explained that a card over door an
inouncing the disease was in compli-
ance with the law. and to prevent the
spread of disease, and was not to be
dreaded. 1t was stated in the report
that some people looked upon such
cards as a disgrace. The report stated
that the health department had found
that the city dump ground was in
tested with rats, and the department
advised that they be exterminated be-
fore cold weather drove them into the
residence districts.
The ordinance fixing the time of the
Z opening and closing of pool and dance
halls was read. The ordinance pro-
vides that all public pool billiard and
dance halls remain closed on Sundays
and on other days of the week close
at ten o'clock and remain closed until
8 a. m. Public places are classed as
those to which admission is had by
paying certai su of money. Viola
tors of the ordinance will be JUDGED
guilty of misdemeanor, and fined 500
or Imprisonment, not to exceed ninety
days, or both.
Henry Robel, ST., of North MankatC
appeared before the council, and com
plimented them on the proposed for.
nation of a fund for a new bridge
'You have taken the right STEP" sale
he, "and have done something to bt
proud Of"
Councilman Lack asked Mr.. Robe
If the new bridge was built would
North Mankato help, and Mr.. Robe
replied: 81 can assure you that NORTH
Mankato will aid in any movement
for bridge across the Minnesota
river
Before council adjourned the matter
of lighting the new Main street bridge
was discussed. The cost of lighting thu
bridge at this season of the year i.
$40 a month, and of this amount it il
expected that North Mankato will pa,
half.
This matter may be presented t,
the North Mankato council when i
meets tonight to consider the projec
of sewage for the village.
Congressman +. F. Ellsworth
will deliver a patriotic address at