In force Feb.[February] 9, 1835.
AN ACT to authorize Ransom Higgins to build a Toll Bridge across Bon Pas creek in Edwards County.
1Ransom Higgins authorized to build a toll bridge.
Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Ransom Higgins is hereby authorized to build a toll bridge across Bon Pas creek, at or near his mills in Edwards county.
Rates of toll.
Sec. 2. The rate of toll for crossing said bridge shall be as follows, namely: For every
four wheeled carriage, with four or more oxen, horses or mules, thirty-seven and a
half cents; for every four wheeled carriage, with two and not more than four oxen,
horses or mules, twenty-five cents; for every wagon, dearborn or gig, with one horse,
twelve and a half cents; for a man and horse, six and a fourth cents; for each horse,
mule or ass, or head of horned cattle, two cents; for each hog, sheep or goat, one
cent: Provided, That no charge shall be made for any person or persons with their horses, carriages,
oxen or mules, going to or returning from said Higgins’ mill for the purpose of grinding their grain.
County commissioners of Edwards county may purchase the same.
Sec. 3. Whenever the county commissioners’ court of Edwards county shall deem it expedient to purchase said bridge, and make it a free one, they shall
have the right to do so, upon paying the said Higgins the original cost of said bridge, with ten per cent. thereon. The said Higgins, after having completed the said bridge, shall make out and file with the clerk of
the county commissioners’ court of said county, an accurate account of the cost of said bridge, and make oath of the correctness
thereof, before said clerk or some justice of the peace of said county.
If said bridge shall be out of repair.
Sec. 4. Said Higgins shall, at all times, afford a speedy passage to all persons and their property, on
payment of the lawful toll; and he is hereby authorized to demand and receive the
tolls as herein allowed, for the term of twenty years, and to erect a gate or gates
at either end of said bridge; and if the said bridge shall, at any time, be out of repair for ten days together,
the said Higgins shall forfeit and pay a fine of fifty dollars, and a like fine for every ten days
thereafter that the said bridge may remain out of repair, to be recovered by action
of debt, one half to be paid to the person suing for the same, and the other half
to be
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paid into the County Treasury: Provided, That no injury to said bridge, caused by fire, high water, or other unavoidable
cause, shall work a forfeiture, if reasonable diligence be used in repairing the same.
When said bridge shall be commenced and completed.
Sec. 5. Said Higgins shall commence the erection of said bridge within one year, and complete it within
two years from the date of beginning: Provided, nothing in this act contained shall be construed to authorize said Higgins to obstruct the ford over said stream.
This act to be in force from and after its passage.2
Approved, Feb. 9, 1835.
1Henry J. Mills introduced SB 107 in the Senate on January 29, 1835. The Senate referred it to a select committee. The select committee
reported back the bill on January 31 with an amendment, in which the Senate concurred.
The Senate passed the bill as amended on February 2. On February 3, the House of Representatives referred the bill to a select committee. The select committee reported back the
bill on February 5 without amendment. The House passed the bill on February 6. On
February 9, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 1st sess., 473, 504, 507, 513; Illinois Senate Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 1st sess., 371, 386, 401, 450, 467, 471, 474; Illinois House Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 2nd sess., 374, 375, 402.
Printed Document, 2 page(s), Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at their First Session (Vandalia, IL:
J. Y. Sawyer, 1835), 83-84, GA Session: 9-1