Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Isaac D. Patterson, his heirs and assigns, be, and they are hereby authorized to build and keep for the term of twenty years from the passage of this act, a toll bridge across Salt creek, in township nineteen north, range six west of the third principal meridian, and at the best point near the place now known as “Day's Ferry,” in Menard county, Illinois.

Sec. 2. The said Isaac D. Patterson, his heirs or assigns, shall commence the building of said bridge within one year, and complete the same within two years from and after the passage of this act. Said bridge shall be built in a good and substantial manner, so as to give a safe and easy passage, to all persons, and their property, wishing to cross the same.

Sec. 3. After said bridge shall be completed, the said Isaac D. Patterson, his heirs and assigns, are hereby authorized to place a toll gate on either end of said bridge, or elsewhere, where he or they may demand of all and every person passing said bridge, the following rates of toll, viz: for each two horse wagon, drawn by two horses or one yoke of oxen,

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twenty-five cents; for each additional yoke of oxen or pair of horses, twelve and a half cents; for each one horse wagon or carriage, eighteen and three-fourths cents; for each man and horse, twelve and a half cents; for each head of hogs, sheep or goats, one cent; for each head of horses, cattle, mules, or asses, three cents; and six cents for each footman.

Sec. 4. The said Isaac D. Patterson, his heirs and assigns, shall at all times after the completion of said bridge, keep the same in good repair, and allow a speedy passage; and if, at any time, the bridge be kept out of repair, so that the same be impassable for the space of three months at any one time, the said bridge shall accrue to the counties of Menard and Mason; Provided, however, That the destruction of said bridge by fire, high water, or other casualty, shall not work a forfeiture of the privileges hereby granted; but said Patterson, his heirs or assigns, shall proceed immediately to repair the same.

Sec. 5. When the commissioners of the counties of Menard and Mason deem it expedient to purchase said bridge, they shall have the right to do so, by paying the said Patterson, his heirs or assigns, the value of said bridge, in current money of the State of Illinois, which value shall be ascertained by the valuation of three disinterested appraisers, to be appointed by the court of Menard county, who shall be sworn to a faithful and impartial discharge of their duties as such appraisers; or, if the commissioners of said counties will proceed without delay to build a free bridge at the place aforesaid, or if the people of said counties, or any number of them will proceed without delay and build a free bridge across Salt creek at the place aforesaid, and have the same completed within one year from and after the passage of this act, they shall have the power to do so under this act; and the said bridge, when so completed, shall be and remain open and free for all persons and their property wishing to cross the same, and shall be and remain a free bridge to all intents and purposes: Provided, That if the said free bridge, when so completed, shall remain out of repair for six months at anyone time, the privileges hereinbefore granted to Isaac D. Patterson, shall be revived, and he may proceed to the erection of the toll bridge aforesaid, the same as if no bridge had been erected by the commissioners or the people aforesaid: Provided, further, That casualties, or high water, or otherwise, shall not work a forfeiture to the people of said counties, or commissioners, hereinbefore offered to them, but they may proceed immediately to repair the same: Provided, further, That the county commissioners’ courts of the aforesaid counties, shall have power so prevent the said Isaac D. Patterson from building the said bridge, if it shall appear to their satisfaction that the people of said counties are opposed to it.

Sec. 6. If any person or persons shall wilfully do, or cause to be done, any injury to said bridge, the person or per-

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sons so offending, shall forfeit and pay the said Isaac D. Patterson, his heirs and assigns, double the amount of said injury or damage, to be recovered before any justice of the peace or court of record, having jurisdiction of the same.

Sec. 7. The said bridge shall be deemed a public highway, within the meaning of the laws providing for the punishment of persons injuring, obstructing, or destroying public bridges in any manner or by any means whatever.

Approved, February 26, 1841.