1895-01-10-sc-p1-lapray-bridge-built
January 10, 1895 Spokane Daily Chronicle Page 1:
BRIDGE IS BUILT
Spokane and Stevens Counties Are Once More United By a Substantial Bond.
THE POOR FARM IS ALL RIGHT
Final Inspection By the County Commissioners Was Satisfactory.
The Lapray bridge, the most important link between Spokane and Stevens counties, is completed at last. The county commissioners have received formal notice from Contractors Cunningham & Bayley that the structure has been finished according to contract and is ready for formal inspection and acceptance,
The commissioners go to the northern part of the county tomorrow to make the inspection. It must also be accepted by the commissioners of Stevens county, who pay part of the contract price, and a joint meeting will probably held tomorrow at the bridge.
The opening of the Lapray bridge, which will probably occur in a few days, is expected to result in a slight increase in Spokane’s retail trade, as since the old structure was swept away by the flood, business has been diverted to other points—to the great delight of some of the country storekeepers on the north side of the river, who did not want the bridge rebuilt at all.
This morning the three commissioners went to Spangle to make a final inspection of the poor farm, at the special request of K, W..Butler, who wanted them to pay him a farewell visit before their terms of office expired.
“There are only twenty-nine people at the poor farm this winter,” said one of the commissioners when they returned this afternoon. “All seem well cared for and as contented as people in their circumstances can be expected to be. Mr. Butler's management of affairs has been very satisfactory to the board. He has conducted the farm with economy, treated all the inmates with kindness, introduced a perfect system of accounts and made many minor improvements, The new Populist commissioners could not do better than retain him in the office for which he seems specially adapted.”
