Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-15
for the breasts are all formed, and 1t is quite
likely that temporary track will allow the
passage of cars by tomorrow morning.
THE BRIDGE

for the breasts are all formed, and it is quite
likely that temporary track will allow the
passage of cars by tomorrow morning.
THE BRIDGE
was constructed by the American bridge COM
pany of Chicago. The first train crossed it
the latter part of November,
1866, but during the entire winter
following workmen were engaged
in putting in rods and strengthening it in vari-
Gus ways. There are three spans and the draw.
The first and second spans from the east are
each 164 feet in length, while the third is 25.
GUEssEs AT THE CAUSE.
Some critics say the draw is the best in the
world, but feel shakv about the spans. Each
span is separate from the other, and each bolt
ed to the pier at one end while the other rests
on a sort of roller, to permit free expansion
or contraction with the variations
of temperature. Upon this fact chiefly is
builded the theory that one end of the
wrecked span slipped off the pier sideways. 1t
is impossible to see how any one can enter
tain the idea, for amoment, after examining
the structure and considering the facts the
force of collision can be estimated from the
damage to the engines, which is mere moth
ing. There could have been no conclusion
from that cause worthy thought. Neither
ought the sudden reversal of the engines and
application of brakes to have torn from its
foundations reliable bridge of
any sort. Furthermore it is difficult
to believe that the dead weight of
the span bearing on the pier, which it over
hung fully four feet, could have been over
come if both trains running twenty-five miles
an hour had struck tne span at right angles.
In addition to this we have the evidence OF the
pier itself. If the spar had slid off with its
own vast weight and that of five loaded cars,
that side of the pier from which it slipped
would have told the story in the splintering
and tearing away oA the stone. The fact is
that the only splintering of the
ssGns d is where the span rested tied
middle and the ends of the span were drawn
from the pier in a line with the track, neither
slipping to the right or left hairs breadth.
The fact that the span and cars lie partly on
their side with the top up stream, proves that
the total break was on the upper side.
PROPHET OF EVIL.
There has been found an engineer who has
been mentally giving that span bad name for
a week past. His engine stopped on it,
and the way It shook under the
process of getting started with a
heavy train and slippery track made him ner-
vous. The same party predicts that the Can
non river bridge, west of Red Wing, will make
a heap of trouble for somebody within year.
Not long since Engineer Sheldon, of the Mil
waukee road, made an official examination of
the bridges and trestles hereabouts. He found
nothing wrong with the bridges, but con-
demEed some Of the trestles, since which hum
dreds of car loads of dirt have been filled in
along the Objectionable section. 1t seems
that the weakness in the bridge, for it must
be admitted that only faulty bridge would
have given way under such trifiing shock,
was one not discoverable except by the dear
test of experience and no violence would be
done to logic if the conclusion is reached that
the worthy, respected, but unfortunate con-
ductorby his undeniable disobedience to orders
has done the company inestimable service by
preventing possible, great and dreadful
calamity through the medium of an accident
almost trifing in its results.