The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-11-07
FROMAN'S FERRY BEST
FOR RIVER BRIDGES
D. G. RUBY PRESENTS STRONG
ARGUMENTS FAVORING
THAT SITE.

For some time past there has been
different articles appearing in diff
ferent papers trying to leave the inn
preston that there are few people
obstructing the construction of the
Snake River bridge. AS it is certain
ly very wrong fer anyone to stand in
the way of legitimate public improve
ments, and as the construction of this
very important bridge is being delayed,
I think it is nothing more than right
that the public should know who the
obstructionists are. However, it must
be plain to the thinking people that
there is something very wrong or
there could be no cause for delay and
especially no cause for bluffing.
Now as to facts, there has been as
the public in general knows, means
provided for bridge at or near the
Froman Ferry. At or near the Fro
man Ferry could mean nothing more
than if there was not more feasible
site near than the bridge would be
built at the Ferry. A more feasible
site would mean a location where the
bridge would accommodate the great
err number of people, cost of construc-
ton taken into consideration. Some
two years ago, the State Engineers
selected three sites. One at the Fro-
man Ferry, one due east from Clay
tonia and one at the Nampa Ferry or
meas the Nampa Ferry known as
Pickle Butte. The estimated cost Of
the bridges at that time are as follows
The Froman Ferry site 100000.
the middle site due east from Clay
tonia between '$54,0O000 and $55. CO.,
90, and the Nampa Ferry site or the
Pickle Butte Sos, 10000. However.
there must have been mistake made
in the estimate of the Pickle Butte
site of $65,OO0O0 for the distance
across the river is something like $50
feet more than it is at the Froman
Ferry, which would evidently eau for
an estimated cost of the Pickle Butte
site around 100000. More proof Of
this fact is that the bridge being con
structed at Homedale at the present
time is costing 500, 10000, a distance
across the river of less than 700 feet,
while the Pickle Butte is something
hike 1000 feet, and the estimated cost
OF the bridge at the present time is
almost $i52,00000, and Understand
there has been bid submitted for the
construction of the bridge at $16I.-
The law calls for this bridge site to
be selected by the Highway Commits
sioners within the bounds hereinbe-
fore specified at or near Fronaan
Ferry, and as there has been nothing,
done in determining upon the site nm
til Mr.. w. ]. Hall, Commissioner of
Public Works. took charge, except
that our County C Commissioners took
it upon themselves to locate the
bridge. About the first OF Tune, Mr..
Hall called meeting to be held at
Pickle Butte. supposed to be for the
purpose of determining upon the loca-
tion of the bridge Nampa people. Of
course feeling interested closed their
stores. shops, and offices, secured ev-
cry available passenger carrying We.
hicle and all went to Pickle Butte
dressed in their Sunday clothes to
root for the Pickle Butte site. with
them it was Pickle Butte or nothing.
While the majority of the taxpayers Of
the Gem district, Huston, +GreenIeaf:
Sunny Slope, Natus and Lower Deer
Flat looked after the. irrigation of
their crops that they might. be more