Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1883 — A Broken Bridge. [ARTICLE]

A Broken Bridge.

Last Thursday afternoon, while a number of men were trying to drive a herd of cattle across the Iroquois river bridge, at this place, a large number of the cattle crowed together upon the western span of the bridge, and one of the sleepers beneath the floor of the bridge, on the north side, being old and rotten, gave way, under the great weight, thus letting that span of the bridge tip down, sideways, into the river. The cattle upon the span at the time, some 25 or 30 in number, were pre ci pitiated into the river in a promiscuous heap. By dint of a good deal of tall shouting, and other necessary exertions, the cattle were all got out without serious damage. The bridge having broken only upon one side still affords crossing for peopl eon foot, while the low stage of water in the river allows the use of several good fording places for teams. The county commissioners met Monday, and wisely decided that a good iron bridge 100 feet long, with double driveway and double footway should be erected, forthwith. Auditor Robinson, by the commissioners’ orders, has written to a number of iron bridge manufactures asking them to meet the commissioners here on Friday, of this week.