hand to commence laying the bridge. This was done nearly in the rear of the Masonic Temple site, on the piece of level bottom. The bridge was of three strings of lattice-work, made from oak planks, fastened with oak pins. There was no iron in the structure, except the nails that held the half-inch basswood boards which covered the lattice when the structure was completed. There were stone abutments on either shore. Christmas night, 1844, the lattice was in place a distance of about seventy feet from the west shore, supported by temporary trestles. Ice formed about the trestles from the west shore. The water arose and lifted the entire structure, including the trestles, when it toppled over with a crash. The pride and fond anticipations of the village went out with it. Such discouragement is seldom depicted on the faces of the entire community. All shared in the disappointment; but the energies of the citizens were not easily foiled. A united effort was made in a short time, and promises were again secured. The abutments, piers and one section were left, and some of the material was saved which had floated down stream. The fallen lattice was taken from the water, and each plank numbered with red chalk; and excepting a few that were splintered, they were again placed in proper order. After the ice went out in March, 1845, the structure was again raised, without accident. Cheerfulness and hopefulness assumed full sway; and after many discouragements the bridge was open for travel, July 4, 1845. It was a time of great rejoicing. The public-spirited citizens of Rockford felt that Independence Day had been properly celebrated. When the last plank had been laid, E. H. Potter mounted a horse, and was the first man to ride across the bridge. It was estimated that two thousand people crossed the bridge that day. There were two roadways, separated by the centre lattice, which projected about five feet above the planking.

Perhaps no other public improvement in Rockford ever so tested the courage and financial strength of the community. The burden fell heavily upon the committee. The contract with Mr. Harper was for five thousand and five hundred dollars. A financial statement made July 15, 1845, showed that only two thousand eight hundred and forty-seven dollars and ninety cents had been collected. The committee had borrowed five hundred dollars on their personal credit, for which they were paying twelve per cent. There was also a balance due Mr. Harper of one thousand two hundred and ninety-seven dollars.

THE

PUFLICLINARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNBAT ONS.

The bridge served its day and generation very well, but it was subject to many calamities. The dam broke three times after the bridge was completed. When the west end broke in April, 1846, the pressure of the water on the upper side of the centre and principal pier removed the foundation on that side, and settled the bridge in the center on the up-stream side nearly to the water, and gave it the appearance of being twisted nearly one-fourth around. The bridge stood in this position for some months, when a contract was made with William Ward to raise it into position. The bridge sustained some injury when the eastern portion of the dam broke in April, 1847. On the 25th of February preceding, a law of the legislature had been approved, providing for a special tax to be levied upon the taxable property of Rockford precinct, for the purpose of repairing and maintaining the bridge, and for the payment of the debt incurred in its construction. Newton Crawford, Bela Shaw, Ephraim Wyman and Daniel McKenney were appointed bridge commissioners by the act, and vested with power to declare the amount of tax to be levied, which was not to exceed fifty cents on one hundred dollars. These commissioners were appointed by the act, until their successors should be elected annually at the August election. When the dam went out the third time, in June, 1851, the bridge withstood the rush of waters, although it was wrenched from its position. It reminded one of a cow-path or a rail-fence, and had a very insecure look. Though twisted from end to end, it kept its place very tenaciously until it was replaced by the covered bridge in the winter of 1852-53. Its memory should be treated with respect. It enabled people to attend their own respective churches, for nearly everybody went in those days—Congregationalists on the West side, and the Methodists on the East side. Postoffice and county buildings were accessible to all. It proved a bond of union between the two sides.

The first foundry and machine shop was built in the autumn of 1843, or early in the spring of the following year. It stood on the site of Jeremiah Davis' residence, on North Second street. The proprietors were Peter H. and William Watson. Their father's family came from Canada, and settled on a farm in the Enoch neighborhood in Guilford. Peter Watson was at one time assistant secretary of war during the civil conflict, and at a later period was president of the New York and Erie railroad.

The foundry was running in the spring of 1844. The proprietors obtained a contract for large pumps and pipes for raising water from the lead mines at Galena. March 11, 1845, William Watson sold his interest in the business to his brother, and engaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills. Peter H. continued the foundry until August, 1845. His successors in the business at this stand were in turn: R. F. Reynolds, D. K. Lyon, John Stevens, H. H. Silsby, Laomi Peake, and James L. Fountain. The last named proprietor removed the material and patterns to New Milford about 1852. The last year Mr. Silsby conducted the business, in 1849, it was prosperous. People came a distance of forty miles to get their work done. Mr. Silsby was often required to work nights in order to keep up with his orders. James Worsley was the expert moulder during all these years, and he was master of his trade. He was afterward in the employ of Clark & Utter until his retirement from the business by reason of old age.

Orlando Clark, who has been erroneously credited with building the first foundry, came from Beloit in 1847, and established himself in business on the West side race, where he remained until 1851, when he went into business with Mr. Utter on the new water-power. Mr. Clark built the residence in South Rockford which is now the home of Judge John C. Garver.