Bridge Goes Down at Blogett's Mills

The Cortland News, Friday, April 23, 1886.

BRIDGE GOES DOWN.

The Old Wooden Structure at Blogett’s Mills in the River.

   Tuesday night at dusk, as Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Northrup, who live near Freetown, were returning home from Cortland, they narrowly escaped with their lives while crossing the wooden bridge that used to span the Tioughnioga river at Blodgett's Mills. They had nearly reached the east end of the bridge when the rotten old structure began to tremble and crackle; their horse stopped, but a blow from the whip sent him on in a hurry, and none too soon, either, as the hind wheels had only just left the bridge when the whole eastern span collapsed into the water below. The jar was sufficient to knock Mrs. Northrup's hat from her head and that followed the bridge on its journey down stream.

   Two loaded teams were waiting at the east end of the bridge for Mr. and Mrs. Northrup to get across, and in a moment more would have been on the bridge.

   Highway Commissioners, Conable and Morehouse, were notified of the fall of the bridge and spent nearly all day in getting things in shape for a new one. They will probably contract for an iron one at no distant day, as it will not do to allow travel to be impeded long if it can be helped, and there is no economy in wooden bridges. The old one has long been deemed unsafe by those who reside near it, and many have been the predictions that it would go down some day while teams were on it, but now that it has fallen and without any loss of life, they feel easier.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   An exchange says the summer fly has arrived in town and is sandpapering his feet preparatory to doing the toboggan act on the bald-headed contingent of the community.

   The contract for building the new iron bridge at Port Watson was let on Tuesday to Mr. Stephen Twiss, representing the Canton Iron Bridge Company, for $6,100, the work to be completed by July 1.

   The trial of Charles L. Smith, of which we had considerable to say last week, was finished on Monday, he being held for the support of the child. Now if the next grand jury will indict him on the graver charge, there is a possibility of his receiving his just deserts.

   A young Japanese lady is being educated at the Normal school in Salem, Mass., at the expense of her government with the view of placing her in charge of the Japan Normal school system. Her name is Miss Kin Kanto, and she has permission from her government to become a Christian if she wishes.

   The organization of the Homer Gun club for the coming season has been completed. E. A. Williams is chosen president and C. B. Coggeshall, secretary. The first shoot will be held on Saturday afternoon at the fairgrounds. All interested are invited to be present.—Homer Republican.

   A special term of the Supreme Court convened at the Court House in this village on Tuesday, with 18 causes on the calendar, Justice Merwin presiding. Tuesday was taken up in the hearing of motions. The action of Margaret Dexter vs. Randolph Beard for encroachment in putting his building partially on her lands is yet being tried.

   A large number of sporting men met at Judge Duell's office Monday evening to take into consideration the advisability of organizing a ball nine in Cortland this season. After considerable discussion it was thought that if $1,000 could be raised a good battery could be secured. It was decided to put shares at $10 each, and a committee of three was appointed to see if the necessary amount could be raised, no money, however, to be paid until the whole amount of the stock was subscribed,

   As near as we can learn contracts have thus far been let for upwards of seventy houses to be erected during the summer.

   A bill will soon be introduced in the Legislature to give the town of Homer two Supervisors and Cortlandville three.

   The bill submitting a prohibition amendment to the vote of the people was ordered to a third reading in the Assembly on Tuesday. All the Democratic members voted against it and all the Republicans except 12 in favor.

   Will Wood had the middle finger of his left hand cut off at the first joint while working on a buzz planer at the Hitchcock Mfg Co.'s shops on Saturday. Insured in Iron Hall.

   Rev. Geo. Adams, formerly pastor of the Universalist church in this place, has accepted a call to Athens, Pa.