The establishment of a ferry at this point brought trade to Cedar Rapids and accomplished much in making Cedar Rapids a business center, to which place travelers and others came. It was not till many years later that free bridges could be offered to the citizens of the town. But in this respect the city was ahead of other cities of the state.
It was David W. King who early began a toll bridge, and it is said that "when the boulder in the river near the Watrous mill was visible the early pioneer could with safety drive across the river." If it was not they had to pay for crossing on the toll bridge. David King's ferry was the first step in the direction of progress in Cedar Rapids. By virtue of a law which went into effect December 22, 1848, Mr. King was authorized to establish and keep a ferry across Cedar river at a point in Linn county opposite Cedar Rapids for a term of ten years with exclusive privilege for the space of one mile on either side. Here King for a number of years did a thriving business, and Cedar Rapids received the benefits of the trade which extended west into Benton county.
THE FIRST BRIDGE
In an old paper, being part of the records of the house passed January 23, 1853, the following may be found: "An Act to create a Board of Commissioners with authority to erect a free bridge across the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids in Linn County.
"Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa that John M. May, Frederick A. Williams and Gabriel Carpenter be and are hereby appointed and constituted a Board of Commissioners to receive voluntary subscriptions in trust for the erection of a free bridge across the Cedar river at Cedar Rapids in Rapids Township, Linn County, with a draw of not less than forty feet in said bridge for the free passage of boats and other craft navigating said river.
"Sec. 2. Provided, that the Board should furnish Bonds in the sum of $20,000.00 to be approved by the County Judge of Linn County.
"Sec. 4. Providing, that the construction of the bridge should be begun within ninety days from the time of the beginning to collect subscriptions and that the bridge should be completed within two years from the time that active work was begun."
This bridge was begun in the fall of 1856 and completed during the winter of 1856 and 1857. It was located below May's Island at the foot of Daniels street, now Seventh avenue. This bridge was really gotten up to spring a real estate boom in property owned by Carpenter, Major May and others on the west side of the river. It is said Major May himself subscribed $1,000. However, the location of the bridge was ideal. It was needed and was something the people of the town took a great pride in; in the early day toll bridges were the rule and not the exception. During the early spring of 1857 this bridge in a high flood was carried away and two sisters by the name of Black, living on the west side and who were crossing the bridge at the time, lost their lives.
During the following summer there was much agitation for a bridge, especially by the people having real estate and residing on the west side of the river and farmers who had located in the western part of the county as well as in southeast Benton county. During the summer a floating bridge was built across the river at what is known now as First avenue. This was also a short lived bridge, having been carried away by the ice gorge in the spring of 1858.
During the same summer materials were secured and some was saved from the old bridge and a temporary bridge was erected across May's Island, between May's Island and east Cedar Rapids, while on the west side a ferry boat was used. In February, 1855, the county court granted a license for twenty-five years to H. G. Angle for the erection and maintenance of a toll bridge at First avenue. It provided that no other toll bridge should be erected on the river for two years within two miles on either side of this contemplated toll bridge. In the decree of the court it was also mentioned that in case a free bridge was constructed within two miles a reasonable sum of money should be paid to the person or company owning the toll bridge. This toll privilege was transferred in the following year to George Greene, John Weare, William Greene, P. W. Earle, A. F. Steadman, H. E. Higley, N. B. Brown, Lowell and Lawson Daniels, E. H. Dobbs, J. J. Child, and J. P. Rogers. This bridge, however, was not opened for traffic until the winter of 1859-60. The stockholders were made up of Cedar Rapids people, and at one time the stock was above par. The prices charged were as follows: 25 cents for a double team and wagon; for driving cattle 5 cents a head: for driving sheep 3 cents a head; and for pedestrians 1 cent each. Some time later reduction was made by the management for round trip ticket holders. Many squabbles were had over these tickets. It is said that an Irishman came to T. J. Dudley, Jr., wanting to start suit for preventing him returning, he having lost his round trip ticket, and offering him $10.00. Mr. Dudley quietly went down to the office of the company and told the man to cross. He was permitted to do so and willingly parted with his $10.00 to Dudley, the latter paying the customary price to the gatekeeper. This story of Dudley's wit, showing how a lawyer got the best of it, was repeated in many families in Cedar Rapids, and as a consequence a number of young men took up the study of law for a profession.