Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1910 — WILL INVESTIGATE [ARTICLE]

WILL INVESTIGATE

Whether Bridge Was Built According to Plans and Specifications. Harry Travis died early this morning at the home of his mother, Mrs. Noah Travis, Kingsbury, as a result of injuries received in the collapse of the Clayton bridge at Kingsbury Friday, as told by The News. The bridge collapsed beneath a big traction engine, which Mr. Travis was driving. The bridge wreck and death will result in a thorough investigation of the conditions existing at the bridge. Coroner Osborn is now at work trying to fix the responsibility for t’ne wreck.

The news ascertained to-day from Laporte that the structure was built about five years ago by the Rochester Bridge company, of Rochester, this state. It was an iron structure, the design of which fiS not now in use in this county. It is said in Laporte that some of the iron beams were not secure and that the bridge simply rested upon them. It is also claimed by some that the bridge was spliced in the center. Others claim that the bridge was only built to withstand a certain number of tons and that the Travis engine was much too heavy and that Mr. Travis well knew tihat fact. He is said to have crossed it, however, a number of times. The coroner will ascertain, if possible, if the bridge was constructed according to the plans and specifications. Mr. Travis is survived by his mother, wife, two brothers and two sisters. He was 40 years of age. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at Kingsbury. —Michigan City News.