Norwich bulletin., 1922-08-12
sPRINoFIBLp,s NEW BRIDGE.


 Dear Editor and Corner Sisters: The celeb<ating of the new Hampden county memorial bridge in Springfield last week shows great marvel in modern ma chinery and achievement in progress. This takes the place of travel across the Connecticut river at the center of the city between this city and West Springfield and towns on both sides of the stream. which for the past century has been by the old toll bridge which has now passed its long years of faithful service.
 This bridge was built first in 1905, but was washed away in 1914 by flood and ice. It was claimed that the heavily laden army wagons, rushing down to the bridge and across in the war of 1872 did much to weaken the bridge
 The second bridge was then built and opened Oct. 1, 1S16. But in spite of skill in building it could not stand the freshet of March, ISIS, the ice wrecking all but three spans.
 The bridge was restored in 1920 and has survived numerous floods, including the greatest of them all in 1854s Many of the timbers today are as sound as when put in. Some of these being hewn by hand and floated down the river from the White mountains. This cost about s24,000, while the one just dedicated the past week was in the millions.
 If there is anything that the present
 generation has to be proud of. it is the craftsmanship of the old toll bridge. They knew nothing of the automobile or other modern modes of transportation when that was built They were familiar
 with the OK cart, the cumbersome farm
 wagon. Over 1t the farmers of West Springfield and Agawam drove their
 loads of hay and other farm products.
 The children went to school and their elders to store and church. Over it went the merchants, by coach or horseback.
 Tho army wagons of 1872: President Monroe rode over it on horseback on his
 visit to New England in 1871; also President John Quincy Adams rode over 1t 10. years later Over it went horse
 cars, bicycles and finally automobiles
 When it was first built Spriigfield- was only small town Of 2,312 inhabitants. l Only a commercial village At that time West Springfield was. the larger of the two.
 But after the building of the bridge that being so much more convenient than ! the ferry. industry grew apace so in a few years it outgCew it's neighbor in size There are few industries in Hampder county today that existed when the old 1 NO4A DA AhSO was SulUI0cE ana WlQ- ter, year in and year out, + withstood storm. tempest and ice, Without com pIaint it bore it's burdens and though a; times it bent under it's strain, 1t did its work so well that. there is no one. living 1 who remembers its beginning The one 1 built in 1865 was open while the one 1 built in 1S16 and now to be taken down Is covered, except where repaired in the 1 middle few ye"fs ago. Tolls were l abolished in 1872.
 I wonder If any of the sisters remem. Der paying toll as they rode along. I re. l member of my uncle telling of coming 1 home late one night and the tollgate ! keeper was asleep and of having diff culty in arousing him so as to pay the
 toll and go on.
 |. I have not said much about the, new
 bridge and It's massive arches and abut
 ments of concrete are built to serv,
 many years.
 1 It shows how much can be accom-
 plished when men work for the benef
 and good of the state, town, nation anC | for humanity, not thinking of their owl 1 lime or. money. hut in love give them | selves in service where most needed
 this will not be done for naught bu , Aring joy and prosperity and happines l to others, rehecting back giadness t ! themselves
 l God made ITS for companion to Hin and to help one another.
 Best wishes to all.
 | S2Ry ENID.