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CASON / CLACKAMAS
Clackamas River
September 2, 1853: "Since publishing our first number the books relative to the erection of the Clackamas bridge has been opened and the work re-commenced in earnest. It is expected that it will be completed this fall." (Oregon Spectator)
October 13, 1855: "A week ago yesterday afternoon an ox team broke through the Clackamas bridge, crippling a man severely, nearly killing a couple of oxen, and mashing up the wagon considerably. The team was hauling goods from Portland to Starr's Point for J.H. Caton, and had proceeded as far as the second bent, when one of the sills gave way, precipitating the wagon and most of the team, together with the driver, some twelve or fifteen feet upon the rocks below. The lead yoke of cattle had got upon the third bent before the sill gave way, and, as the others went down, the chain which coupled them broke, and they luckily escaped being dragged down after the balance of the team. Mr. Cason, one of the owners of the bridge, informs us that the sill was hemlock, and perfectly rotten. We are not aware that any particular blame attaches to the keepers of the bridge for this accident. But Blackstone, we believe, informs us that an ignorance of the existence of a law is no excuse for the person who has violated it." (The Oregon Argus)
February 16, 1867: "The toll bridges in Clackamas county have all been made free. The A. J. Cason bridge was purchased for the sum of $3,000 coin, with interest. 'Hamlet,' like many others, dissents to this, but numerous, and extensively signed lists presented to the Court in prayer for such was the basis of their action." (Oregon City Enterprise)
July 6, 1867: "Whoever the business belongs to, ought to repair the upper end of the Clackamas bridge. A reasonable sum would fix a defect now, which, if left, may cost hundreds. This bridge belongs to the county now, and it cannot be expected that the old proprietor will keep it in repairs for the people." (Oregon City Enterprise)
November 25, 1870: "John Hunsaker, a boy about 13 years of age, fell from the Clackamas bridge last Saturday evening, injuring himself badly. He fell a distance of about 20 feet, and the only wonder is that he escaped with his life." (The Weekly Enterprise)
November 17, 1871: "Mr. Wade, Supervisor of road district No. ---- was ordered to repair the eastern end of the Clackamas bridge." (Oregon City Enterprise)
May 23, 1873: "Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, appointed Superintendent by the County Court of Clackamas county, Oregon, will let a contract for the construction of a bridge across the Clackamas river, on the road leading from Oregon City to Portland. Such contract will be let to the lowest responsible bidder, at public outcry, at the Court House door, on Monday, the second day of June, A.D., 1873, at the hour of one o'clock p.m., subject to the right of the County Court of said county to reject such bid if the same should exceed the sum such Court is willing to appropriate toward the construction thereof. Such bridge will be 210 feet long, if built according to Smith Patent Truss, with aprons, or two spans of 140 feet each, with aprons, if built according to the plans of the old Cason bridge, at the same point. Bids will be received according to each plan.
Particular plans and specifications for each proposed style may be seen upon application to me after this date, and the successful bidder may expect to give bonds for the due execution of his contract.
Dated Oregon City, Oregon, May 8, 1873. A.J. Cason. Superintendent." (Oregon City Enterprise)
September 15, 1873: "Work on the Clackamas bridge is progressing quite rapidly. The ____ work has been nearly completed and the ______ spanned from pier to pier. In a few weeks the bridge will be covered and the plank ____way laid ____. A number of carpenters are employed at the work, and an early completion of the bridge is promised." (Morning Oregonian)
September 24, 1873: "Work on the Clackamas bridge is progressing quite rapidly. The truss work has been nearly completed and the stream spanned from pier to pier. In a few weeks the bridge will be covered and the plank roadway laid across." (The Albany Register)
October 10, 1873: "The County Court yesterday accepted the Clackamas bridge. It is one of the finest bridges in the State, and is a credit to the county." (Oregon City Enterprise)
October 17, 1873: "The bridge across the Clackamas river near the site of the old Cason bridge was turned over to the county and the contractor, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, was allowed $525 for extra work; the entire cost of the bridge is $5,730.
The Superintendent, A.J. Cason, was allowed $258.30 for services---being additional cost." (Oregon City Enterprise)
July 16, 1875: "N.W. Randal was ordered to have a notice printed to warn fast drives crossing Clackamas bridge, and a penalty of $25 ordered for violation of the same." (Oregon City Enterprise)
February 6, 1890: "The Clackamas bridge, which was erected in 1873 at a cost of $5,000, has been swept away." (The Daily Morning Astorian)
February 13, 1890: "The Clackamas County bridge is gone, and the railroad bridge is only held in place by the utmost exertion, as driftwood has several times accumulated in vast quantities. The County bridge is broken in two and lodged near the mouth of the Clackamas." (The Enterprise)
March 13, 1890: County Court: "Clerk ordered to advertise for bids for replacing Clackamas bridge; also for a new bridge." (The Enterprise)
April 10, 1890: "Quite a trade is cut off by the absence of the Clackamas bridge. The inhabitants of that section of the county which is tributary to this city naturally do not like to pay taxes for building bridges and toll for crossing by ferry where the bridge ought to be." (The Enterprise)
June 19, 1890: "Work has been in progress on the Clackamas bridge for several weeks and the frame work begins to loom up. The false work can soon be taken out and in about two weeks the old ferry can be dispensed with." (The Enterprise)
July 17, 1890: "County Court, July Term: Contract awarded A. Miller to paint Clackamas bridge two coats." (The Enterprise)