Page 276 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

272 WISCONSIN IIISTORICAL COL~AEQTIONS.

spring of 1843, Mr. JOHN CLIFPORD, JACOB BEAN, J. H.
S.
ROGERS, HOLTON and GOODALL, and some few others, made s
subscription and built the first frame bridge c~ossing from
Spring to Wisconsin Street. This bridge was built precisely
upon the principle of the present bridges, its draw turning
upon a pivot. It allowed vessels to pass but upon one side.
One end of the draw being longer than the other-the short
end was loaded with stone to balance the long end. The late
Marshal SHUNY was the tender of this bridge. This bridge
was a model of economy. It cost but about seven hundred
do1libl.s. It passed the heaviest loads, and was in good condi-
tion when taken down after two years service. Although
allowed to stand for the time being, it was loudly denounced by
many of the West-Warders. In the summer of 1844, Mr.
DANIEL WELLS and others secured the construction of the
Oneida Street Bridge. This was a frame bridge with a draw
sustained by floats. Things ran along pretty smoothly-al-
though the two sides of the river were still sharply defined-ev-
ery man, and especially every woman, on the east side, declaring
that on the west side the ague went forth bodily at night, and
that the pestilence stalked at noon-day, while they on the west
side threw back the taunt, declaring their side was as good any
day as the east side, and others kept courage by bold denuncia-
tion. As 1 said, things ran on smoothly until the next year of
1845. The municipal affairs of the town were conducted by
two separate corporations, called the Eaet and West Wards,
until 1845, when the South Ward, (Walker's Point) was
added. To be sure the Trustees (five from each Ward) met to-
gether in the same room, employing the same clerk and the
same records, but their funds and all their legislation, so far as
related to their own wards, entirely separate. In other words,
the doctrine of State Rights prevailed in these little common-
wealths. They of the East Ward could do what they pleased
in matters which related to their own affairs, and vice ver8a.
It so happened that the East Ward had assumed the support,