Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1903 — DIE IN BRIDGE CRASH. [ARTICLE]

DIE IN BRIDGE CRASH.

Nine Killed by Crane Accident on the Monongahela River. As the result of the breaking of n traveler crane on the Pittsburg end of the new Wabash bridge over the Monongahela river nine men were killed and many were injured. The cause, as far as can be learned from the accounts of eye witnesses, was due to the traveler being overweighted. The traveler projects beyond the finished part of the bridge for the purpose of placing an addition iD position and allowing the builders to work. While many men were at work on this additional section the projecting bar snapped and fell. It landed on the section that was being placed in position and caused it to give way. On this section several men were at work and they were carried with the wreckage into the river. The traveler and section of the bridge fell on a barge loaded with steel anchored under the new bridge, on which several men were at work, and this was sunk. Those on the section of the bridge were crushed and some instantly killed while those in the barge were crushed or drowned. Near the bridge was the United States snag boat E. A. Woodruff, whose crew immediately began the work of rescue. The towboat John O. Watson came across from the opposite baric and joined in the work of relief.