A $6,000 Performance

 Marietta Daily Times, October 9, 1913

Admitting that it is unkind to call attention to the city's experience with the late lamented pontoon bridge when the city administration, particularly Director Meisenhelder, is trying so hard to let the public forget it, our excuse is that it cost the people $6,000 and they are interested in it to that extent.

The bridge disappeared almost before the public had become familiar with it. In the first place, the apron at the west approach was so arranged that when a heavy rain came, water ran down the approach and into the boats, sinking a section of the bridge. Then a real storm came during the night. For three or four hours after daylight the following morning there was opportunity for making the bridge secure, for the water came up gradually. But nothing was done until the river was a raging torrent Then there was no use in attempting to do anything. The bridge was carried out and dashed to pieces.

If there was any other responsibility for this than his own, Director Meisenhelder has never taken the public into his confidence, and consequently the people hold him responsible, for he is the head of the department.

This is a sample of the sort of management the city has had for the past three years. The men who have been performing such $6,000 disappearing "stunts" for the people are working energetically for the election of Col. Riley. They seem to think they know where they will be after the election if he is elected. If the people want a change they can get it by defeating Riley by voting for David Okey.

Following the destruction of Marietta's Putnam Street Bridge during the Flood of 1913, a temporary pontoon bridge was built across the Muskingum.

The First Freight Train

 The Marietta Register, November 13, 1873

Tuesday morning [November 11], about 11 o'clock, the Marietta and Pittsburgh Railroad sent the first train of freight cars over the new bridge. It consisted of five carloads of coal from the Ohio Coal Company for the Rolling Mill, one box car, band of music, and about one hundred passengers, anxious to take the first ride. (All freight.) No timidity was felt about the bridge, and indeed none should be. It bears every appearance of security. 

Perhaps two hundred citizens gathered along the bank to see the train pass. One elderly businessman, standing near, remarked, "Business must revive now, since we have a railroad passing through town."

Whether it revives or not, all feel a deep interest in the road, and much credit is due to the men who have secured it for us. From this on, there will be progress. We cannot go back. No one will ever live to see the time when the Muskingum river will not be spanned by a railroad bridge. But there were those who witnessed the first train, Tuesday, who doubtless will live to see the time when it will bear a hundred trains a day.

Muskingum Bridge

Home News, January 15, 1859

The Muskingum Bridge is to be built. That is a fixed fact. The Ross County Court so decrees, and the citizens of Marietta and Harmar supply the material aid, and control the structure until they are reimbursed, principle, interest, and profit. The work is to be commenced as early in the spring as the weather and the river will permit, and compelled as speedily as possible, by the contractors, Lyman & Schofield. So be it.

Front Street

Marietta Intelligencer, August 12, 1841

There is now a prospect of the speedy completion of some of the improvements long ago commenced upon this thoroughfare. Instead of the present circuitous route, the completion of the bridge over the "cut," will make it direct, safe, and pleasant. The abutments of the bridge are to be 21 feet high, of solid masonry, and connected with them is a Guard Lock which controls the water power of the Muskingum Improvement. Mr. Cram, the contractor, hopes to complete his job by the 1st of October.

A New Bridge

The Marietta Register, September 18, 1873

 Editor Register:

I find a good many of our people concur with me in the opinion that it is premature and unfortunate to submit the building of a bridge across the Muskingum to a vote at this fall election, and among others that might be given for the following reasons:

First.  It remains to be demonstrated whether there will be any necessity for a New Bridge.  The M. & C. R. R. Co. is now constructing, and, unless counteracted by this movement, will, in a few weeks more, have a new bridge completed, constructed not only for their own use, but also with special reference to its use by the public.  Of course tolls will have to be paid as heretofore, unless after trying it a sufficient time, our Commissioners should make it free to the public, by paying the toll yearly in a lump, in other words, rent the use of the bridge for the public travel, and thus relieve the Railway Company from the annoyance and expense of collecting toll, and give the people a free bridge at a cost of certainly not over four per cent of the interest on a new bridge, and also exempt us from the risk of ownership, expense of repairs, and services of men day and night to attend the draw of a new bridge.

A second reason is that with the establishment of a depot in Marietta, the crossing of teams which at present makes so large a show, will be very small, and, for foot-travel, the Railroad Bridge will unquestionably be as good as any that can be made, and as the Railroad men, who, of all others, have perhaps the most experience in bridge matters, are willing to invest their money in finishing this bridge for the public use, it would seem to be at least good presumptive evidence that their plan will do what they propose, to-wit, furnish the public a safe and commodious bridge.

Third, if the people now vote in favor a new bridge, it is not at all likely the Railway Company will carry out their plan and build a bridge to compete with a free bridge.  They will drop the finishing of this bridge for the public use, like a hot potato, and leave us to ferry privileges for a couple of years longer.  That there may be some drawbacks attending the use of the same bridge, for different purposes, is perhaps to be expected, but the Railroad bridge, by its superior strength, will undoubtedly furnish a quicker mode of transit.  It would seem that on a bridge capable of bearing railway trains, there will be no need of signs threatening us with ten dollars fine for driving faster than a walk, so that if we sometimes have to surrender the bridge to the trains, we may be fully compensated for it by making better time when it belongs to us.  I therefore hope the proposition may be voted down, at the coming election.

B.

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B. communicates an article in this paper, in which he opposes the building of a public bridge across the Muskingum.  He puts forth all we have heard against it, but it does not answer the question for the people.  No one doubts our ability to get along with a toll bridge (although a good many do doubt getting along comfortably with a railroad toll bridge), but the people have a right to own a bridge of their own.  Granting some sections of the county will not use it (and what bridge now built by the county accommodates more than a small portion of it), it is due the part west of the river that they have a bridge.  Marietta and the section west of the river pay over two thirds of all the tax, bridge and otherwise, that is paid.  But, says B., the Railroad bridge will answer, let us try it.  What an idea!  If the Railroad bridge was to be double, like the old one, and covered, we might get along with it.  But when the farmers learn that it is to be an open floor, perhaps 20 feet wide, with the railroad iron running through the center, and that by paying toll they can wait at one end, until the trains are not needing it, and then cross, what will they give for it?  Nothing at all.  Teams not familiar with the cars will be annoyed continually; and if not, why should the whole county, for 25,000 people are interested in this bridge, pay tribute to a railroad corporation, or any other?  Are not the people able to run their own bridge?

The First Freight Train

The Marietta Register, November 13, 1873

Tuesday morning, about 11 o'clock, the Marietta and Pittsburgh Railroad sent the first train of freight cars over the new bridge.  It consisted of five carloads of coal from the Ohio Coal Company for the Rolling Mill, one box car, band of music, and about one hundred passengers, anxious to take the first ride.  No timidity was felt about the bridge, and indeed none should be.  It bears every appearance of security.  

Perhaps two hundred citizens gathered along the bank to see the train pass.  One elderly business man, standing near, remarked, "Business must revive now, since we have a railroad passing through town."

Whether it revives or not, all feel a deep interest in the road, and much credit is due to the men who have secured it for us.  From this on, there will be progress.  We cannot go back.  No one will ever live to see the time when the Muskingum river will not be spanned by a railroad bridge.  But there were those who witnessed the first train, Tuesday, who, doubtless, will live to see the time when it will bear a hundred trains a day.