Disasters--The Bridge Swept Away--Failure of the Chattahoochee Railroad Scheme

The two most remarkable events in the history of the City for this year were the destruction of the Bridge by the great "Harrison freshet," and the failure of the projected connection with the Western and Atlantic Railroad. The city, however, escaped complication to any great extent in the failure of the Chattahoochee Railroad and Banking Company, by the return of its bonds and of the mortgage which it had given upon the Bridge. We understand that the negotiation of a part at least of the bonds had been delayed by doubts as to the authority of the city, under its charter, to issue them. Whether, if the bonds had been issued and made available, the company would have been able to prosecute the work, or whether the proceeds would have been profitlessly used in the general derangement of the finances of the country, is a question we will not undertake to decide. But certain it is that an enterprise of great sagacity in its conception, and one promising almost incalculable benefits to Columbus, failed with the Chattahoochee Railroad and Banking Company.

At the election held on the first Saturday in January, the following municipal officers were chosen:
Mayor-
John L. Lewis
Aldermen-
1st Ward, Thos. Morris and J. B. Green
2d, Thos. Berry and a tie between Dr. Hoxey and B. B. Morrell (G. W. E. Bedell was subsequently elected-Dr. Hoxey declining;)
3d, Wiley Williams and J. B. Howard
4th, R. A. Ware and John Quin
5th, J. D. Howell and J. L. Morton
6th, Joseph Sturges and A. J. Abbott

The following city officers were elected by the Council:

Wm. A. Douglass, Clerk
N. M. C. Robinson, Marshal
John Bethune, Treasurer
Richard Gray, Bridge-Keeper
Hugh McDonald. Deputy Marshal
J. J. B. Hoxey, City Physician
V. S. Townsley, Clerk of the Market
Wm. Rabon Shivers, City Attorney
Thomas W. Dutton, Sexton
R. N. R. Bardwell, Neill McNair, Jacob Barrow, George W. Martin and Horatio Smith, Port Wardens.

It would appear that there was a tie between the friends of Harrison and Van Buren, respectively, as the result of the regular election--6 to 6--and at its first meeting Council could not elect city officers because of this equal division. The special election in the 2d Ward resulted in the choice of Mr. Bedell, the Harrison candidate, giving his party seven votes in the Board; and at the second meeting of Council on the 9th of January, the above named officers were elected.

Mrs. Cassy Ann McGehee was Superintendent of the Hospital.

Council adopted a resolution, in January, asking Congress to make Columbus a port of entry.

Dr. Wm. S. Chipley was President, and Dr. E. T. Taylor, Dr. Wm. K. Schley, Dr. J. J. Boswell, Dr. A. J. Pond, Lewis C. Allen and Lawrence Fields members of the Board of Health.

The Bridge--keeper, this year, was instructed to have tickets prepared for tolls, and to furnish them to persons purchasing $5 worth or more at 25 per cent, discount.

Fire Wardens this year--Byrd F. Robinson, Benj. Coleman, Wm. R. Bell.

In March, the Board of Directors of the Chattahoochee Railroad and Banking Company proposed that the city should withdraw its subscription to the stock of the company; and in May the city accepted this proposition, receiving back its bonds (which had not been negotiated) and its mortgage on the Bridge then destroyed.

Loss of the Bridge

On the 11th of March of this year the city sustained a great pecuniary loss in the destruction of the bridge by what was termed the "Harrison Freshet." The Enquirer of the 17th of that month, gives but a short account of this disaster. It says that on Tuesday evening of the week previous, rain commenced descending and continued to fall in torrents for forty-eight hours, with slight intermissions. The city looked like it was built on a lake. On Wednesday the Chattahoochee began to rise rapidly. The falls and rapids disappeared, and the turbid waters swept on their course. Whole trunks of trees with their roots entire were born on the current. It had already risen within a few feet "of our noble bridge" when a portion of the no less costly bridge at the factory, a few miles above, was seen descending the stream. It was caught, as it swung around in an eddy, by citizens, and anchored to a tree. The weather-boarding was knocked off the city bridge to save it. The river continued to rise Wednesday night and Thursday at daybreak one end of the structure floated off the pier and dropped down the river, and "never was there a more majestic sight than the departure of that noble bridge on its remarkable voyage." Several parties walked across it a short time before it was gone. The river was then flowing over the flooring. The stage had just reached the Girard side--having passed over--when the bridge floated off. Its course, after leaving the piers, was uninterrupted until it reached "Woolfolk's plantation, eight miles below, where it took up new moorings in the centre of a large cotton field, on which the river had never before been known to encroach. It was caught and made fast by Col. Woolfolk and his hands.

The destruction of the bridge was announced to Council at a called meeting, held on the 11th of March, and the Board instructed a committee to make a contract at once for the construction of two flats for temporary ferriage.

Council also adopted a resolution thanking a number of gentlemen for their exertions to save the bridge.

At the meeting of Council on the 27th of March, propositions were submitted for rebuilding the bridge by the following persons, at the prices named: Joseph Davidson, $15,500; Asa Bates, $15,000; John Bell, $14,800; David Wright, $13,000; P. H. Nolan, $16,000; John Godwin, $15,100. None of these parties proposed to include insurance, except Mr. Godwin, and his bid was accepted, not only on this account, but because he named the earliest time for the completion of the bridge. He was to have it ready for crossing by the 20th July.

In March, Philip A. Clayton was elected an Alderman for the 4th Ward, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the removal of Alderman Ware from the ward; and in May Stephen G. Wells was elected an Alderman of the St. Clair Ward, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Ald. Howard.

At its meeting on the 29th of June the Board adopted an ordinance authorizing the lease of some and sale of other alternate water lots on the river to persons who would contract to make available the water power connected with them, by means of a dam and a race or canal, &c.; and Josephus Echols having agreed to the terms of the ordinance, he was allowed until the first of October to complete his agreement, by bond, &c.

The contract for the sale of the water lots, heretofore uniformally agreed upon, was consummated on the 22d of December, 1841, between the Mayor and Aldermen of the one part and John H. Howard and Josephus Echols of the other part. The river front, west of Bay street, from Franklin street on the north to Crawford street on the south, was laid off by John Bethune, surveyor, in 37 water lots, each lot 72 feet wide. Every alternate lot, being the even numbers from 2 to 36 inclusive, were conveyed in fee simple to Messrs. Howard and Echols, in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars cash, and on the condition that they should construct a dam across the river and a safe and well constructed canal or race, so as to allow a sufficient head at low water along all the lots, and to keep the dam and race forever in good repair, the dam and race to be commenced within one year from the 30th day of June, 1841, (the date of the bond made by Messrs. Howard and Echols,) to be made available for machinery on lot No. 1 within twenty--seven months, and be completed within five years.

A powder magazine, previously contracted for, having been finished by J. R. Yonge, was accepted by Council in June.

At this time a line of stages ran from Columbus, via Tuskegee, to Franklin, on the Montgomery and West Point Railroad. Columbus also had connection with the Georgia Railroad by a line of stages.

Mr. Godwin had the bridge ready for crossing in July, as per contract, and it was so reported to Council on the 21st of that month. An order for the discontinuance of the ferry was then adopted. Council received the bridge on the 23d of November, though it was not entirely completed at that time.

In August, Willis S. Holstead was elected an Alderman of the 2d Ward, in the place of Alderman Bedell, resigned.

The Powder Magazine was completed this year, accepted by Council, and R. Gray appointed keeper.

The controversy between the city authorities and Dr. S. M. Ingersoll, in reference to the dam across the river constructed by Dr. I., commenced this year. A committee was appointed in December to inquire as to the right of Dr. Ingersoll to build the dam, and whether it was not the cause of the river banks washing away. The committee reported that he had no right to build the dam, and that it was in part the cause of the washing of the banks. They reported in favor of the completion of a breakwater on the Columbus side, then being built by Mr. Godwin, also that the Marshal erect a dam across the wash immediately above the bridge. Adopted.

Incidents

The Banks in Columbus resumed specie payment in February, as required by an act of the Legislature, but--the resumption proved to be of short duration; for they suspended again in March, and in June the Chattahoochee Railroad and Banking Company, of Columbus, closed doors, and H. T. Greenwood protested certain bills of the Columbus Bank to the Governor. A committee was afterwards appointed to examine into the condition of the Chattahoochee Railroad and Banking Company. The bank had in circulation $200,000 of bills, and owned 6,000 bales of cotton, well covered by advances. We judge from editorial remarks that the Stockholders drew out their capital stock, $141,000, before the failure. The Directors afterwards appointed, as trustees, John Bethune, Wm. P. Yonge, and Van Leonard. L. Gambrill was Cashier.

The first new bale of cotton of the season was received on August 21st, from Jas. M. Pruitt, of Russell County, Alabama. It was sold at auction by Smith, Beattie & Co., to Lewis Livingston, at twelve cents, in Central Bank bills and stored at Wm. P. Yonge's warehouse.

The Muscogee Insurance Company was in operation this year, Directors, John Warren, G. E. Thomas, E. S. Greenwood, John Peabody, T. B. Howard, Kennith McKenzie. President, John Banks; Secretary, Matt. R. Evans.

Among the institutions of Columbus this year was the "Hibernian Benevolent Society," of which John Quin was President. Another was the "St. Andrew's Society," John Bethune President, and Chas. Wise Secretary.

Personal

The Justices of the Inferior Court of Muscogee, elected this year, were Messrs. Wm. H. Mitchell, Jas. M. Chambers, Wiley Williams, S. A. Bailey and H. C. Sapp; Tax Collector, T. A. Brannon; Tax Receiver, J. W. C. Rogers.

At the 4th of July celebration, N. M. C. Robinson was Marshal of the day; prayer by Rev. L. Pierce, reading of the Declaration by Jas. L. Pierce, Esq.; and oration by A. H. Cooper, Esq.

G. W. E. Bedell was Postmaster of Columbus.

In October, Col. A. McDougald was elected Senator, and Van Leonard, John H. Howard, W. T. Colquitt and J. H. Watson Representatives of Muscogee.

Messrs. Bull, Goulding & Co., were proprietors of the Enquirer.

We find these advertisers hitherto unmentioned:
John Lloyd, book-keeping teacher
Moses Garrett, window blind and sash factory
James Rousseau, groceries
James T. Eppinger & Co., hats and caps
Wm. R. Shivers, W. P. Sanford & Dowdell, lawyers
W. S. Billing, druggist and physician
Drs. Boswell and Billing, physicians
F. A. Halleter, teacher
W. J. Ellis, school teacher
J. B. Landrum & M. Matthewson, auction and commission business
Hampton S. Smith & Aug. Hayward, warehousemen
Andrew Low & Co., grocers
R. W. B. Munro, principal of the Wynnton Female Academy
G. E. Thomas & L. T. Downing, lawyers
H. W. Nance, grocer
J. A. Dublois, H. T. Hall & F. N. Ruse, warehousemen
Peter McLaren, grocer
G. W. Woodruff & Co., dry goods
J. J. McKendree, J. P.; S. S. Grimes & H. T. Greenwood, grocers.

Rev. W. D. Matthews was Presiding Elder of the Columbus District.

Marriages

Jan. 3, Wm. Champion and Ann Davis.
Jan. 7, Isaac Gallups and Martha Pate.
Jan. 15, Augustus G. Smith and Martha McCollister.
Jan. 17, Benjamin F. Malone and Susan Ann Burch.
Jan. 19, Theophilus Bryan and Lavina Weathers.
Jan. 20, Richard Jefferson and Rebecca Hays.
Jan. 27, Milton Williams and Mary J. Rutherford.
Jan. 31, James Ray and Dicy Bryan.

Feb. 4, John D. Carter and Zoononia Hoxie.
Feb. 9, Robert H. Yarborough and Margaret P. Burt.
Feb. 13, Paton H. Pinckard and Matilda A. Stone.
Feb. 16, Matthew J. Parker and Mary A. Mackey.
Feb. 18, Henson S. Estes and Martha J. Gray.
Feb. 18, Jeptha C. Dean and Isabella King.
Feb. 25, Thomas P. Sparks and Matilda Brunson.
Feb. 25, Benjamin Waller and Matilda Putnam.

March 4, Joseph G. King and Sarah N. McNaughton.
March 10, Charles P. Henry and Virginia R. Durrum.

April 13, Algernon S. Ealy and Martha A. Pain.
April 15, William H. Lamar and Sarah Sanders,
April 15, John Johnson and Epsey George.
April 17, Francis McMurray and Charlotte L. Goulding.
April 27, Joseph S. Pruden and Ann J. S. Orr.

May 2, Irvin Watkins and Elizabeth Johnson.
May 5, Francis Victury and Jane Rodgers.
May 11, James Barnes and Mary Cooper.
May 16, John Dimond and Sarah L. Hollenbeck,
May 16, John Mitchell and Sarah Lunsford.
May 18, Calvin Stratton and Henrietta White
May 20, Thomas O'Brian and Jane Evans.

June 1, William Perry and Sarah C. Jones.
June 8, Josiah M. Kent and Rosella Jemison.
June 15, Daniel Johnson and Rebecca McGibbony.
June 27, Bartlett T. Dean and Nancy Smith.

July 1, Simeon Bennett and Nancy Perry.
July 8, Solomon Bickley and Rebecca J. Culver.
July 15, Paton Vincent and Malinda Tharp.
July 22, Ansalum L. Lawson and Elizabeth Huguely.
July 26. Israel W. Roberts and Hester Willers.

Aug. 1, Bradford Wall and Rachel Posey.
Aug. 3, John Simpson and Malinda Phillips.
Aug. 19, Turner Peck and Tempa A. Laws.

Sept. 2, Nelson McLester and Phebe B. Kirkland.
Sept. 2, Sampson Cox and Mary A. Clark.
Sept. 9, Duncan Cooksey and Gilly A. Tucker.
Sept. 23, Anderson McNeal and Elizabeth Thomas.
Sept. 26, James J. Chaffin and Nier Marcrum.
Sept. 30, Miller H. White and Sarah T. Bennett.

Oct. 4, Hilliard S. Newby and Mary Gray.
Oct. 14, Abner G. Coates and Cynthia Huguley.
Oct. 17, F. Mc. M. Marks and Adaline A. E. Reed.
Oct. 19, Joel C. Wiggins and Martha M. Russell.
Oct. 27. Wm. S. Culver and Mary K. Archer.

Nov. 10, James H. Wilson and Charlotte Kelley.
Nov. 16, Christopher Chambliss and Amanda M. Edwards,
Nov. 16, Alexander Dent and Martha Weddington.
Nov. 18, James M. Harris and Martha Ray,
Nov. 18, B. P. Rogers and Sarah A. Underwood.
Nov. 23, Bennett M. Raiford and Mary Jane Kent.
Nov. 25, Tillman D. West and Caroline Pickard.

Dec. 7, William Iverson and Haney Ann Dawkins,
Dec. 7, Lewis T. Wimberly and Hannah Pitts,
Dec. 7, John C. Brassill and Elizabeth Minyard.
Dec. 14, Franklin A. Nisbet and Arabella Alexander.
Dec. 21, Chas. B. Smith and Martha A. Adams
Dec. 23, John Tillery and Rebecca Powers.
Dec. 24, Archibald Armstrong and Louisa Prosser.
Dec. 28, Abraham W. Mann and Sarah A. Wilkes.
Dec. 29, James Cummings and Jemimah Hays.
Dec. 30, William B. Wilkes and Permelia Johnson.

Deaths

March 24--David Golightly, Esq.
May 15--Thomas, Son of William and Lucinda Salisbury.
May 27--Mrs. Mary Matilda, wife of W. W. Garrard.
July 10--Benjamin B. Morrell.
July 14---Maria, daughter of Samuel K. Hodges.
July 16--In Greensboro', Mrs. Anna V., wife of James S. Calhoun, Esq., of Columbus.
Aug. 6--Mrs. Caroline McGehee, wife of Samuel W. McGehee, of Barbour County, Ala.
Sept. 5--Mrs. Winnifred Bivins, wife of M. L. Bivins.
Oct. 4--William Gilbert.
Oct. 31--George Smith, a native of Scotland.

There were 53 deaths of white persons in the City this year, of whom 28 were adults, and 25 children. But the above are all the names we can find in the records before us.