PLAJTriMOUTfl WEEJLL.1 iXatxrtiji, -nlDKSJlAY MAY 3, 188.
THE P0;awju BRIDGE.
Mr- S. N. Stwart Tells the People
the Advantages of a Pontoon
Brldse
Facts Concerning Plattsmouth's
Welfare.
Pontoon Bridges and Water Power
Editor of The Hf.rai.d: I hnvo ltr.n
assuming Hint the bonds were a matter
of course.They having been unanimotulj
recommended by the heavy tax-payers
and other who attended tho board of
trade meetings, it was natural to assume
that nearly eyery one else wouM vote for
them. But the opponents of a bridge
have been getting in their work until
many citizens have received erroneous
impressions.
The bonds are for the man or company
that will put in a bridge for lowest tolls.
I offer to reduce tolls to one-third pres
ent rates. Some one else may offer still
better when you advertise, but not likely.
There are pontoon bridges at Prairie du
Cliien and Heed's Landing, upper Missis
sippi, upon which estimates can be based.
If the bonds were for a bridge without
toll reductions the opposition might have
an argument, though even in that case it
would pay tho town. But the fact is
that tolls are to be reduced lower than
any one expected.
People say the ferry receipts are $1,500
to $2,000 per year, and that a bridge
would treble them and tak $ 8,000 a
year, forgetting that trebled receipts
mean nothing but $2,000 to the bridge
company, for they reduce to one-third
present rates. But trebled receipts mean
much for Plattsmouth. Nearly all who
use the ferry now are transients. The
farmers on tho other side rarely cross.
WATER POWER.
"We do not expect tolls and $2,000 a
year bonus to pay a bridge, for the decay
of a nontoou bruise is rapid. We ex
pect to make our profit on water power,
And this would be worth more to Platts
mouth than a bridge. A bridge is a base
on which to place apparatus to transmit
power to factories on shore. By adver
tising extensively we expect to induce
manufacturers to come and take power
at one-half to one-fourth cost of steam
Hundreds of mills and factories in Eu
rope are now run by power taken from
the current without the construction of
dams. Some keep the ice cut away;
some use steam during the two or three
coldest months. The river being unusu
ally narrow at the B. & M. bridge, and
the shores protected from cuttinsr, it is
one of the best points on the rivor to ob
tain nower. The Missouri is ons of the
s.
best, if not the very best, power river in
the world. Rapid current and plenty of
water nearlv all the vear. for when the
rains are done the sun pressing the breasts
of the mountains makes tlieiu yield to
the 3Iissouri their milk-white snow.
The time will come when scores of ci
ties will produce their light, pump their
water and operate their factories by its
water power.
At a fall water can be used but once.
Curreut can be used over and over by
wheels being placed tandem, because in
a large river the current, forced by the
whole stream, quickly regains its normal
Telocity and is ready to work again.
Water power is steady night and day,
without engineer, fireman or danger of
explosion. Hence low insurance.
"We do not appreciate the rolling river
because it is so near and has been there
so long. Had it commenced flowing
but today, we would hasten to harness it.
The running stream is an endless driving
belt, reeled out by Nature from tho hol
low of her hand. Current motors placed
in gear with it revolve till worn away.
They enslave the giant of the raging river
chain him to their tasks and make of
him a patient drudge, as long as waters
flow. He works days without murmur,
nights without sleep and Sundays with
out sin, with Nature for hie only driver.
There is talk about the great profits I
would make from the bridge and water
power. Let those who thus talk come
in and take stock when the company is
formed and thus get the profit them
selves. I duut want to eat the world
up; J. nave constantly sum mat i am
willing to sell the stock at par, and be
satisfied with my profit on building. I
shall charge the compajy $20,000 for a
bridge. My profit as constructor and in
ventor will be three or four thous
and dollars, but on a work of risk like
this, any engineer or constructor will say
that a man sould have a whiskey profit
100 I don't believe you can get an
other engineer in this country to put in a
bridge here for less than $30,000.
FLKHTV OF MEN.
Seme say there are plenty of men
ready to start enterprises on bonus. Are
there really so many? How many have
you had this year? And is this a good
year for them? Well, when they come
along and offer to enhance your real es
tate value $150,000 and bring 3,500"
more people here to trade, my advice
would be to cloic with them a? fut as
they come. If you get ten for one l.t
them make all they can out of it. In any
case give , their propositions cmi; (ecus
consideration, keep down spite, ami ask
them to call again.
Bridge builders and boat builders in
St. Louis and elsewhere have been writ
ten to, but I was 'the ' only one who
would make any offer at all.
HEAL B9TATE PURCHASES.
I took options on certain real estate for
selection. All was relinquished except
Dashner $350. V. 8. White $375, H.
Johnson $700. Total $1,435. This will
be enhanced by a bridge. As I stated
from the beginning, I bought this to of
fer to the Bridge company at cost, as an
additional inducement for them to take
stock. While I am willing to hold all
the stock, I would rather not, a3 I reside
so far away. This disposes of the exon
erations concerning my large purchases,
and the wealth I was to gather out of
real estate aloae, and of the argument
that I am bound to build the bridge even
without a bonus, in order to enhance my
realty.
ADVANTAGES OF BIIDGH.
Those who have examined tho subject
believ that a bridge to Iowa will help
Plattsmouth more than any one thiii"
that ever happeacd to her, except the B,
& M. railway and shops. The board of
trade was unanimous.
A bridge with one-third present toll to
bring people from Iowa means at least a
few more clerks in storc3 here, more
blacksmith's, shoemakers and other
workmen. These need houses, and if a
bridge only brought the trade of one
half the 2,800 people in the two town
ships opposite, it would enhance real es
tate values at the very least five per cent.
That is to say, the man who now asks
$900 for his lot would then ask $950.
The probability is he would ask $1150.
But say $950; that trifling enhancement
means a total of $150,000 in Platts
mouth a good return for $10,000 in a
bridge.
iiur. mis is only one or the gains.
When the rich lands opposite are linked
to Plattsmouth they will help keep down
the price of wood, hay, chickens, eggs,
butter, etc. The effect may not be great,
but it will be something, aid an advan
tage to ever y citizen of Plattsmouth.
The tax-payer owning a $300 lot pays
only twenty cents a year to the bridge
(principal and interest), and for five years
only, when the bridge is expected to be
self-sustaining. He will get his money
back over and over in many ways.
A brjdge will be a strong inducement
to a packing house to establish here, be
cause they can then get hogs from both
sides, and it will induce farmers on the
other side to put their corn iuto hogs
and drive them to Plattsmouth.
A bridge will encourage progressive
men and stimulate other improvements
which it would occupy too much spats
to discuss now. I have perhaps said
enough to show how plain a tale will
overthrow the arguments of those worthy
citizens who have liyed here thirty years
without abridge, and feel that they can
still get along as well without one.
We speak of two townships opposite
Plattsmouth, but the two boyond
citizens of Glenwood and Pacific
Junction, and farmers will of course
trade here more or less, for it is a long
established fact that people prefer to
w
trade at the largest town within reach.
They find larger assortments and either
get or imagine, tno matter which.) lower
prices. Many people opposite Platts
mouth go clear to Council Bluffs.
A bridge means much more than is ap
parent at fir3t thought. The bridge
company will adver ise it thirty miles
around, with hand bills to farmers and
signs on roads. They will give a grand
opening, permitting everybody and emp
ty wagons to cross free, to get acquainted
with Plattsmouth people and examine
the low prices Plattsmouth merchants
will offer on goods.
The pity will give them a big dinner
and Mr. F- 6, 1Tbit? nd J will jointly
give every Iowa child a half pound of
candy. This is serious and business. I
pledge myself to it for myself and Mr.
White.
We are pushers, and when we put $17,
000 into a bridge, we leave nothin un
done that will draw traffic to it. If
Plattsmouth merchants don't sell goods
as low as Council Bluffs we'll put ia a
mammoth stock and do it ourselves.
And when Pacific Junction and Glen-
wood pays as much for grain as Platts
mouth I will forfeit claim to the bonds
if I dont permit grain crossed free. And
it would be to my interest to do so in
order to win the farmer's affection and
keep him in the habit of coming here.
And if ha don't get more for his grain
here we'll see to it that the money he
receives for it shall buy more here than at
Glenwood or Pacific Junction.
It almost knocked me down (the as
tonishment of it) when I wss informed
that some intelligent citizens opposed
the bridge.
ah orroRTtr-
capital gone (good bye John), engineer
ing reputation injured, steamboatmen
and ferrymen clapping hands and con
servatives all hands 'round jubilant
and rampant.
COST OF A BRIDGE.
Some of your citizens have figured on
the cost and think it will be less than
estimate. Let them put in a bid, or let
tne city build it and pay me a I air sum
for my inventions and supenntendance.
I will make any reasonable arrangement.
and you need not pay me a dollar till
tho bridge has stood the floods.
But to estimating cost it would bo well
to include all the parts boats, chains,
couplings, hinges,' windlasses, iron rail
ings, cribs, piles, flexible gangways,
dykes on 6horo to tho hight of 1881
flood, elides, putting in place &e.
But if I could wave my hand and
make a bridge rise out of the flood with
out any cost whatever, you ought to bo
willing to pay $10,000 for something
worth $150,000 to your town.
What a strange creature is man I Never
satisfied- Offer to pave the city free and
many would oppose you.
X MOKE BEAUTIFUL ISTAKCK OP COM
8BKVATIBU. was never seen than has been just shown
right here on the subject of strcet-aam-
ing. 1 did not intend to introduce tins
in this country till next year, but seeing
you and Nebraska City so sadly in need
of system, (haying no name-signs upon
your streets,) I was impelled to offer it
In Nebraska City it was adopted without
a dissenting voice, and with many thanks.
Hwre it has been opposed as if it were
job. it is a simple thing. I here is
nothing smart about it, A child could
have invented it, but it is a great ad van
tage to a town in many ways which I
would tire you in mentioning.
As to a bridge, when we consider all
the points it is astounding that there
there should be any question about sub
mitting the matter to the people, and
astounding to what extent some underes
timatc the importance of a bridge.
THE PEOPLE WILL VOTE IT.
Some claim the people will not vote it
Giye them a chance and if they don't rise
up and strike a blow for their town
will pay post of elepjion. As I have to
wait two or turee months tor the remov
al of the transfer boats at Nebraska City,
I would rather put in a bridge here now
than any other time. It may bo many
years before I can make you another bid
Hie world is wide and Plattsmouth is
but a speck (a pretty speck) upon its sur
face. Hundreds of citie3 arc anxious for
bridges, and I will show you letters from
mayors and boards of trade offering to
pay our fares and expenses to and from
their cities, just to talk it over.
DISADVANTAGES OF A FESIIY.
Always more or less delay in crossin
and can't cross after dark. Farmers fear
then). Liable to fire, explosion and
snagging. (Two at least have been sunk
right here. one steam ferry and one
scow.) Often unlawfully manned by
ncompetent and unlicensed persons.
Compelled to charge high rates. A ferry
large enough to accommodate the morn
ing and evening trade in the busy season
is too large to pay at other seasons. Ilenee
small ferries are used, and crossers must
in the bu
sy season wait h,onr3 or days for
their turn. In the dullest season can't
afford to keep up steam, and crossers of
ten wait hours for stosm; or if river be
falling or rising may wait half a day for
ferryman to prepare a new landing. Far
mer may cross, then on attempting re
turn find ferry wind-bound or undergo
ing repair, uence tne tarmer curses tne
ferry its high rates and its poor service,
and we see wood and hay selling $3 high
er here than on the other shore, for tne
river rolls between.
There is not a housekeeper in Platts
mouth hut pays almost every day for
vegetables, butter, eggs, chickens or
something, at least a little higher price
than he would need pay, if the farmers
opposite could get at you, yet men will
argue agafnst a bridge for mere love of
argument.
The ferryman talks of running to Main
street. Why don't he do it? Because in
high water the current is too swift, and
in low water the sand-bar gets its back
uPi
It would be far better for flattamoutn
to give $2,000 a year and get low tolls
than to have the bndge run at present
rates of toll without any bonus.
S. N. Stewart.
Bueklen's Arnica naive.
The best salve in the world for cuts,
bruises, sores, ulcers, salt, rheum, fever
sores, tetter, chapped hands, chilblains,
corns, and all skin eruptions, and postive
ly cures piles, or no pay required. It is
guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction,
or money refunded. Price 25 cents per
box. For sale by F. G. Fricke & Co.
51-ly.
PLATTSMOUTH is offered
NITT
to try a bridge and water power at far
less cost than any citizen ever conjec
tured. If it is a failure the city loses
the Missouri and river-men, (including
Mr. .Peterson), say if we dace our pon
toons on the bosom of th-j mad Missouri
th'j ill hurl us u thethore and throw
our pontoous at us. How sad that will
be when she shakes ua from her name
State of Ohio, City of Toledo,
Lucas county, ss.
Frank J. Cheney makes oath that he is
the senior partner of the firm ef F. J.
Cheney & Co., doing business in the city
Toledo, County and state aforesaid, and
that said firm will pay the sum of ONE
HUNDRED DOLLARS for each and
eyery case of Catarrh that cannot be.
cured by the uso of Hall's Catarrh
Ccke. FRANK J. CHENEY.
Sworn to before me and subscribed in
my presence, this btu day ot .December,
A. D. 'S6. A. W. GLEASON,
(Seal) Notary Public.
Hall's Catarrh Cure is taken internally
and acts directly upon the blood and
mucus surfaces of the system. Send for
testimonials, free. F. J. Cheney & Co.,
Toledo, Ohio.
ISy-Sold by Druggists, 72 cents
Itch, Prairie Mange, .nd Scratches of
every kind cured in 30 minutes by Wool
ford's Sanitary Lotion. A ture cure and
perfectly harmless. Warranted by F G
Fricke & Co. druggist, Plattsmouth
Patterson; supper, Henry lerold, T. C.
Clifford and b. 0. Smith; and the finance
committee, consisting of Hon. F. M.
Richey, T. E. White and Wm. Neville,
were requested to at once proceed to
raise funds to assist in making the ce e
bration a success equal to that of last
year, invitations will be issued to ail
the surrounding cities, and Plattsmouth
will again have paid for a good adver
tisement. A full meeting of the fire de
partment will be called fcr Monday,
April 80, at the council chamber, at
which time the detail and line of March
and program will all be arranged. Let
everyone give a helping hand to .xe boys
n their undertaking.
The Odd Fellows at Crete.
Crete, Neb., April 20.- The celebra
tion of the anniversaryef the establish
ment of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows was a irrand success. The city
was tilled with strangers and brethern of
tho order from early morning. There
was a constant string of people coming
and e?oing to and from the assembly
grounds during the greater portion of the
day. The city has a holiday appearance,
many of the stores and dwelling hcuses
throughout the city being beaatiiuiiv
nd tastefully decorated with flags ;sd
bunting. There was between wx and
seven hundred persons in the line of to-?
procession, which marched through the
principal streets headed by Prof. Vaote'a
cornet band. By order of Mayer Hiiir,
all of the streets were thoroughly cle nti.
The different lodges in the county w.r
represented by over five hur.d ed .lum
bers. On behalf of the people of t'nle
and Crete lodge, x-Govi-rnur Dawei v.-.
corned the bretheru in a fvw well cl-o
words, after which W. H. Woodv d.
of Lincoln, delivered a brilliant acl-lirs-t
lasting over an hour. Ia the evenir.-' ?
grand ball was givtn at Baud's i -v-i-j
house which proved asocial and fiua:.s.::d
succss.
Our Fire Department.
The Plattsmouth Fire Dpartuieut last j
year selected from among their num!er
a running team, and named the same tho
'Neville Running team." This team
took part in the tournament held at
Kearney, Neb., and by their ttlicitat
work and good conduct while at said
tournament won for themselves tho ad
miration of the State Association, and
convinced many people of the State of
Nebraska that there was a city somewhere
in said Statu by the name of Piattsmouih.
The boys tell a story like this: That one
Kearney uiuu saiet to his neighbor.
"Where did those Neville boys come
from?" and received the reply, ' Platts
mouth, " whereupon he said, ' Oil, yes,
I know, that is home where between
Omaha and St. Louis." And the beys,
feeling that the reputation of as good a
town as there was in the wtst whs lost
unless something was done, and done
quickly, commenced to tell whore Platts
mouth was, and in fact there seemed to
be a strife which one of them could earn
the name of ''Eli" first; and before they
came home they succeeded in establish
ing, not only the exact location ot 1 latts
meuth, but also the number and nature
of the residents; and so well was tho
snme done that when the Association se
lected a place to hold their annual con
vention, littsmouth was the choice, and
the convention, when assembled, was the
largest one ever held in the Stat. Enrh
and eyery man that cuing ham v?cut home
feeling that Plattsmouth was a good,
live town to come to, and as Mr. Dibble,
of York, expressed it, "I have been
through here several times, but only saw
one street, and did not believe you had
much of a town, but it is a good town
and a large one." This was the opinion
that was prevalent with them all. And
we ventare to say that of all the money
expended laat year in advertising the
city, that doing the most good and yield
ing the best results was the money fur
nished the fire laddies for the two pur
poses named. And as appeared in last
evening's Herald the boys are on haad
again this year, and have already started
the ball in motion by announcing that
they will commemorate the last year's
celebration, then held the fifth day
of May by holding a celebration up
on the eleventh day of of May this year,
and that on said day the entire Fire De
partment will turn out in parade,
and with races between the
several teams for prize, and that they
will conclude the day with a grand
dnnce the proceeds to be given to the
"Neville Running Team," to be used by
them to assist in defraying expenses at
the next Tournament, which is to br
held in Beatrice. We would aek and deem
)uch request proper, that each and every
one of our citizens will help the boys ;a
their project and make the same a perfect
success. As an advertisement tins w;Il
be worth many dollars. To Plattsmouth
it is " the constant dropping that wears
away the steae." In the past it was tha
old fogyism and pull backism that has
always kept Plattsmouth at a stand still, j
Let her drop." The fire bovs will do 1
ihelr part tp pull forward.
Firemen's Parade end Ball-
From Thursday's Daily.
The committee appointed by the fiVc
department to make arrangements in re
gar$ to. the second annual celebration of
the opening of our new water svstm.
met last night at the council chamber.
It waa decided to hold the celebration
Thursday, May 10th, and the ball at the
opera house in the evening. The admis
sion tickets to the floor are placed at $1
and to the gallery 25 cts., the same as last
year, &nd by tne way tsie tire boys net
ted about $140 by their ball last year,
and we hope our citizens will respond
liberally in the way of purchasing tickets
when the boys approach them this year.
Committees were appointed on print
ing, J. O JNeil, Uuy Livingston and Jae.
FURNITURE
EMPORIUM.
-FOi; ALL CLASSES OF-
LLM Hi
FUBNITUKE
O eU
VOLT SHOULD CALL ON
Where a
magnificent
i
IS O IE C 3C'
Goods ami Fir
stock of
i i
net's anouiHi.
UNDERTAKING AND EMBALMING A SPECIALTY
HENRY BOECK,
COKNEU MAIN AND SIXTH
PLATTS MOUTH, NK15HASKTA.
Jonathan Hatt.
J . V. .Ma urn is.
J4
Ll'-A f
k U ai m
Q
PORK PACKERS and ui:ai,i;iw is liUTTKU AND KCCS.
i Vis 117 A I.
THE BEST THE MARKET AFFOI1D.S ALWAYS OX HAND.
Sugar Cured Meats, Hams. Bacon, Lard, &c, &o
of our own make. The best brands of OYSTERS, in cans and bulk, at
AV HOLES ALE AND RETAIL.
jE5JSJi OAT bX-h
IT"
l"RlbKL& l;0
(SUCCESSOR TO J. M. KOI5EKV3)
Will Kei constantly on hand a full and complete
Drugs and Medicines,
Hock of p-Je
Paints,
Oils
AVall Paper atil
DRIJG-G-IST'S
PUR E I IQUORS.
a Full Line
TJ-ZLTIDZRIIES.
imi I iilliiw ' mm i ii I' 1 1 in wmi w m ii mi m ill I tm?sarMM3imBBeimam'
aetZTW mJeKzi mLxJ Wi Vk tii. W rtzxJ jJxxori mw W
nSrioof Anrriniilfi
Uiuuoi ngiiuui
to VS i
n
110
o or
ytjQIUIj
In Cass County.
lie
lery,
such as: New Do-
also has the latest styles ot machine
parture Cultivators, Buck eye and Minneapolis Binders and Mowera
Plows, Harrows and the celebrated Lister and Drill; Shuttler and
Moline "Wagons. lie also has cultivators from $10.00 up to $20.00;
Harrows and Plows in samo proportion. He lias a branch house at
"Weeping "Water. Be sure and call on Fred before yon buy, either at
Plattsmouth or "Weeping "Water.
I'latiKiiiouiIi sand Weeping Water, ebraaka.
The ,hportin8 Draft Horse Oo.
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.
A i
f0 ''' py "Jii
lilPORTEita OP
Pure-bred French Draft (Percheron or Norman)
AND ENGLISH SHIRE HORSES.
Visitor alwaj g weloome. Call am! tec our borsoa or agnd for caUUoqn
IMPORTERS
JOBBERS
HARDWARE $ eQ
-'"-- .t-::-7 y J.!rf
C7TLIST,
7ACZL5 k
SPC3IEI3
1 22 24, 26, 2Sj SO & 32 L&9 Street.