Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-05-16
THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
Its Destruction in the Year 1854
Recalled.
"reminiscences of the Rivalry Between
Riyermen of that Period.

The following communication calls at
tention to an event which is doubtless still
fresh in the memory of many of our citi-
zsns:
WHEELING, W. Va, May 10, 1886.
To the Editor Of the Sunday Register.
Will you kindly give me the date on
which the suspension bridge was blown
down, and also the name Of the steamer
tina. lowered her chimneys as usual when
passing the spot after the ACCIDENT
OLD TIMER.
The wire suspension bridge was de-
stroyed in a wind storm on Wednesday
afternoon, May 18th, 1854, Just thirty-tWo
years ago. The wind was not nearly 80
strong as had often been experienced, but
it seemed to strike the structure with pecul,
lar force, the bridge began swaying to and
fro, gathering momentum with each
movement, until the action
snapped or rather twisted some
of the wires from their fastenings at either
end and precipitsted the bridge into the
water below. There vas no one mi ured ss
the toll taker, Mr.. Anderson, posted notices
warning people not to venture upon the
bridge. When it went down the news
spread like wild6re through the town, all
business was suspended for the time being,
and the entire population iocked to the
scene. They could scarcely realize what
had happened, and it is said that some CIT.
izsns refused to believe it until they had
gone to the spout and saw with their own
ewes that the bridge was no longer in its
usual place. In those days it was
not hard to arouse our people on
anything affecting the welfare of this
bridge, ss they had experienced 81 much
stubborn opposition to its erection on the
part of Plttsburg rivermeu. In fact, 80
apprehensive had our people become that
the Pittsburgers meant to adopt
extreme measures in venting their
rage at Wheeling's success in
getting the bridge, that guards were en-
pIoyed to patrol the structure during the
night until such time had passed as to
allow the excitement to die out somewhat.
And these spprehensions of danger to the
bridge were not fully allayed until it was
| maui ". .. Hull IoutOi VI P0ot AN@Ni
when our people began to rest easy as to
its welfare.
But we were not long without bridge.
The Board of Directors of the bridge COM
psny held meeting next day, May 18th,
and took steps looking to the immediate
erection of temporary structure. lh's
was finished in few months, but consisted
of but single track, which was made to
answer the purpose until 1859, when a
double track was completed, and this in
its turn gave place to the present structure
in 1872, many of the wires used in the
original structure being used in the pres
ent one. Thus after all these vicissitudes
we now have q bridge unsurpassed for
strength and architectural beauty any
where
The second query of "Old Timer" calls
to mind the heated rivalry then existing
between the two lines of steamers, the
Union Line" owned by Wheeling and
Louisville capitalists, and the Pittsburgh
and Cincinnati Line" owned by parties in
the last named cities. The Union Line
consisted of the following boats: The Ds.
vid White, Alvin Adams, Falls City, City
of Wheeling, Virginia, Baltimore
aud Thomas Swami. The Pittsburgh Line
com prised the Messenger No 2, Brilliant,
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Allegheny, Buck
eye State, and Pennsylvania. The
next day after the bridge went
down the steamer Pennsylvania, OF the
Pittsburgh Line, came down stream and
as she sppro. cbed the location Of the
bridge she lowered her smoke stacks, as if
to pass under the bridge, bot
really, as many supposed, to mock
the Wheeling people over their great loss
This 80 iuceused many of our ciuzens that
they focked to the wharf in great uum.
bers aud the offending vessel was made 10
feel the force of their wrath by means of a
volley of cobble stones hurled through her
cabin as she rounded to, to land. So great
indeed, was the excitement, that it was
feared very serious damage would result,
perhaps lives be lost, when Capt John
McLu-e, then commanding the City of
Wheeling" ran his boat between the Penn.
sylvanis and the crowd on shore, and thus
ended the battle.
We can hardly realize, at this distance
of time, to what extent the rivalry between
the two lines OF vessels was car.
ried Everybody in Plttsburg and
Wheeling took sides, and no loyal Wheel
ing man would think of riding on Pitts
bprgh boat or buying dollars worth of
goods at Pittsburgh, il either could be
avoided. Rates were cut until they carried
passengers from this city 10 Pittsburgh.
and gave them three mesls and bed all
for rs cents One of the Pittsburgh boats,
splendid new vessel, had the names of
the various western cities placed in gilt let.
ters over the doors OF her state rooms The
name of Wheeling. however, Ess placed in
question:, y poSition, this being intend.
ed as an Insult, almost caused another riot.
In fact the offending boat was stoned at
various points by crowds on both sides of
the river, from Martins Ferry to Rsllaire.
The Pittsburgh fellows, like Silas Wegp
even dropped into poetry" and got up
song beginning
90 the Buckeye State has the m ght,
10 beat the Swan OF the David Whie."
This they sang with great apparent sat
istsction whenever they came into port,
particularly at Wheeling.
In regard to the commonly accepted
theory that the Pennsylvania lowered her
smoke stacks when passing where the
bridge had spanned the river, and did so
in derisivs way. Capt. John Mcclure
says it is o mistake. He was we'll &C. |
guainted with Capt. John Kinetelt, Of
the Pennsylvania aud says he was too
much Of gentleman 10 indulge in any |
such rejoicing at the misfortune of Others. |
Capt, 1cLuFe further says that when the
Pennsylvania passed up one Of the cables
OF the bridge was still stretched across the
river and it was necessary for large vessels
to lower their chimnaYs. On her return,
not knowing whether the cable had been
removed or not, and not being able to see
1t until quite near to it, Capt. Khnefelt
the smoke stacks, lowered ss an act of
precauton, just as any prudent command.
er would have done under the same cir.
euAstsnees. So confident was Capt. Nc.