The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1922-03-17

from far and near in satins and home
opened by the baliff. who read
proclamation which began. "Oh. YES
and that's e'e time. Oh. yes and that's
twa times. Oh. yesl and that's the
theird and last time; come all manner
of persons" whereupon he stated what
must not be done by the people on the
day under penalty of punishment. and
II ended with land I'll mann to my
Danner."
In 1869 the race track was opened
in conjunction with the fair, with
gentlemnnly betting II is said o.
George Washington that he attende,
the races. bet moderately. and gen
orally subscribed to the purses. Tht
old fairs were gay and festive occa-
sions. statesmen and private citizen
gathering together for pleasant recre-
alton.
Key House Is Now Store.
On the spot where now is helm"
built the north approach of the new
bridge stands little shop. HoplinS
Hardware store. 1t is all that is LEFT
of the Francis Scott Key man ion.
From this house went forth his TIVE
sons who were killed. one in duel.
One bright morning. the 4th of Jul.
i'm 1923. to the accompaniment of the
marine band, little party of people
set out from the Union hotel on Bridge
street and proceeded TO the spot where
John Quincy Adams. then president of
the United States, turned tile first
spadeful of earth for the new water
way 10 the west, the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal, which was completed III
October, 1850 A few days after the
canal was opened the Freeman Raw
don came down from Cumberland
where she had started with the Eliza
beth, Southampton. Delaware and
Ohio. all bearing coal. and was the
first 10 round bend half mile above
the spot where the new bridge now
stands. AS the boat passed the old
Columbia foundry at the bend a salute
was fired. Near the end of the canal
a bridge was built long ago over ROCK
creek, but one stormy night, while
bearing the weight OF stage it gave
way, and driver and horses were
drowned. This gave rise TO the tradi
ton still talked of in Georgetown of
''The Headless Man of X Street
Bridge"
There also IS told the story OF "The
Drummer Boy of Little Falls Who
| tried to cross the river at that point
so that he might muster into the army
in Virginia during the Revolutionary
war. He was drowned. and there are
those who say that they have heard
the brave little roll of his drum wher
night and morning meet.
New Bridge Done This Year.
The new structure il of re-enfOrce'
| concrete, having seven graceful span
| rhe work il leing carried on undcl
| the supervision Of the army englnees
1t was begun in 1917 and it is eX
| pecred that the late fall of 1922 vii
see its completion. The deck of the
bridge is to be of ample width To carr.
foot passengers. vehicles and trolleys
| and i'm the center il rises eighry-foui
feet above the water at luy tide.
What would Maj. L'Enf;lnt have said
| when he stood on the heights anG
| looked down at the "Potomack" had
he seen this majestic structure bridg
| ing the river? Would he have written
his survey, as he did. thar from ''those
heights the view was cOmmendable"
| 1t was from those same heights thai
Mrs. 4. d. +. y. SOuthwOrth viewed
the winding Potomac and watched The
Virginia palisades change from young
and shivering green. through russei
gold, TO silver white as the seasons
passed There in Prospect cottage
which still stands, she watched the
| growth of Georgetown and Washing
ton, writing her many vivid stories
around their historic personalities and
points Of interest.
| During the early days In Georgetown
il was necessary to take the ferry II
one was of a mind TO cross TO the
neighboring state, or else ride 10 the
| Chain bridge at Little Falls and there
cross three miles above. Later the
aqueduct bridge was built on the old
| foundation which was constructed to
| carry a canal across to Virginia
Tbe times are passed now and the
old residents of Georgetown are but
memories homes have gone TO ruin and
gardens struggled off TO weeds; still Is
| always the Potomac must be bridged
| and now. in place of the old and
patient ferry, the swinging Chain
bridge and the now condemned Aque-
duct is being erected this stately white
concrete structure. The grand and
solemn procession which carries the
nations hero dead 10 their last rest
| ing place at Arlington will pass over
this new Georgetown bridge. The west
ern gateway 10 the south.