The Columbia evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-05
GET PLANSOF
BRIDGE MADE
Is YEARS AGO
s. NJ. Ravenel of Boonville
Gives Old Trails Bridge
Committee, Previous
Estimates.
ARE WORTH $4,000 NOW
Maps Were Drawn in 1896 for
Howard County Company,
But Lack of Funds
Stopped Work.

BOOnNlllc members Ot the recently ap
pointed bridge committee Of the Old
Trails Association have obtained the
plans made for 4 bridge more than fiji.
teen years ago. They are the property
o, :. NJ Rayenc Of Howard County. for.
merly city engineer of Boonville. Cap
tain Rav-nel has always been an enthusi.
asiic booster to keep the Old Trails route
over its present course. lie makes an
offer Of plans and drawings for the
bridge estimated al a cost Of 100000.
These plans could not be duplicated for
5000. and would take months TO obtain
If gotten after a present survey.
Captain Bavcnel's letter concerning the
bridge movement follows:
Il am glad indeed to see such men Of
nlfairs as Colonel Cosgroye, Colonel John
s,on. Dr.. William Mittlebach. and others.
again agitaling the bridge question at
BOouyillc.
1T is an old subject and one nearly
worn Out by good resolutions, much as
our mud roads we're for years and years
But resolutions as to GOOD roads, which
blOomed out every March when the roads
became hub-deep in mud and impossible.
have finally blossomed out in our S60.-
100000 bond issue for good roads; so
maybe the time has come when our bridge
problem will be solyed under the push
Of the men behind it.
While many may not know it. such
men as ] have mentioned need only to
be reminded that Boonyille has gone a
little further in the matter than any Of
her competitors for bridge on the Old
Trails road.
In the spring Of 1896 they went so
far as 10 incorporate the Boonville g
Howard County Bridge company. and in
NAV. 1890. nearly twenty-five years ago,
they had the river surveyed, sounded and
measured so as 10 meet every require
ment Of the government.
After this preliminary work was com
pleted, A. J. Tulloch Of the Missouri
Valley Bridge 6 Iron Company, Leayen-
worth. Nan. vas invited to go over the
surveys which we're made by 5. 5. Stur-
diyant. who was in charge Of the bridge
company fleet. He made plans and es,
Inmates for highway bridge here, which
are still in existence, think
This plan fell through because they
lacked about. $4,000 Of raising enough
money for the project
~All this preliminary work was done
under the act of congress of May l3,
1896. public document number l57. and
@hether the provisions Of this act have
1pirod Colonel Cosgroye will know.
Again in June. 1917. this company
had the Kansas City Bridge company
rake these same current maps and pro-
Zee Of soundings and make a modified /.
.cPersiruciure. adopting the most ap-
I.:oyed and feasible low-bridge with lift /.
pan. so as TO save cost. II. X Webb. the 4
contracting agent for Kansas City Bridge /
Company, represented them here and 4
probably can find them among his esti-
mates and plans.
"Now, what | wish to bring out is that
] have a copy Of all Of Mr.. TulIoch's
work, as well as my own, which am
ready to let any bridge company organ
izel here have the use Of. Such pre-
liminary work is absolutely necessary and
is demanded by the government before
charter can be granted.
~It will cost any other place at least
5000 and several months work TO &c.
what BoonvilIe already has for the ask
ing profile is included in the work,
showing the water, mud and rock eleya-
iions.ionc current map and one channel
map, as demanded by the government, to-
geiher with Mr.. Tulloch's plans for the
supersiruciure.
IF the men behind the project are
now in earnest, they should have this act
iepassed b. Congress. il necessary, and
get their bridge started while others are
waiting on weather and working mater
ial, for remember !: is no small Job TO
measure and sound the Missouri River.
"A good bridge should be constructed
for 100000, possibly a little less. and
with day and night auto travel over il.
not mentioning other traffic, safe inter
osi on the amount could be assured. So.
instead Of asking men to donate outright.
why not organize a stock company and
cell subscriptions 20 the stock Of a bridge
II any appropriation is made
Or subscription offered by the state. or {
citizens. or clubs Of St. Louis. Kansas
City and other towns along the road, LET
i be in the shape Of bonus to the bridge
company.
Both Boonyille and Cooper Couriy. |
e well as Howard CoUaty should make
, substantial bonus to the work. As ,
soon as proper organization is effected. !
hey are welcome to have all the plans / ,
nave for the mere asking.
Forever and everlasringly for the ,
bridge.
SAMuEL ". RAvENEL" !