PART 2: Today, we conclude the behind-the-scenes story of the
construction of the Seneca Junction Bridge.[neWLine]

Congressman Evan J. Jones writes in his autobiography, “”Dawn to
Sunset””:[neWLine]

“”He looked at me in amazement and said, ‘What do you mean?’ and
I said, ‘Just what I said.’ He replied, ‘Do I understand that a
group of citizens in the City of Bradford are willing to give to
the State of New York $90,000 for building an improved road in New
York state from Pennsylvania line to the road leading from
Salamanca to Olean?’ I said, ‘That’s it,’ and with an oath, he
said, ‘You’ll get your road and we will start at
once.'[neWLine]

“”I went on to Washington, and the next day, my secretary said,
‘Albany’s calling.’ I took down the receiver with the usual
‘Hello,’ and on the other end was the commissioner of highways at
Albany.[neWLine]

“”He asked, ‘Is this Congressman Jones of Pennsylvania?’ and on
assurance that it was, said, ‘I am in a hell of a mess.’ I
inquired, ‘What’s the matter?’ He said, ‘That road requires a
bridge across the Allegany River at Seneca Junction.'[neWLine]

“”I said, ‘I know it, and I thought you told me you were
familiar with the geography of the locality. What is your
disturbance?’ I inquired. He said, “”I haven’t any money to build a
bridge and I can’t get any until the next legislature
convenes.[neWLine]

“”‘I promised you the road within a certain time and it can’t be
done.’ I asked, ‘Have you got funds with which to build the road?’
He said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Well,’ I said, ‘Use our money to build the bridge
and you can get contributions from the Erie, B.R.&P. and
Pennsylvania railroads for the elimination of three bad
crossings.'[neWLine]

“”He said, ‘OK. I will go along on that basis. I will build the
road and your money and the money of the railroad companies can
build the bridge. Thanks a lot.'[neWLine]

“”I immediately introduced a bill in Congress for the
construction of the bridge across the Allegany River, had it
referred to the Committee of which I was a member and literally
followed the legislation through so that within 10 days it was
passed by the House and the Senate and signed by the President.
That is required to cross navigable rivers. The Allegany is
classified as such. The War Department is thus informed.””