Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-05-29
E1AaARAs FIRST BRIDGE.

basket OF latticed and riyited iron
strips, painted red, with room for two
persons to sit vis-a-vls on a wooden
bottom-altogether rongh and
ancient looking contrivance. It was
used in years long past to convey
human freight across Niagaras gorge,
and in imagination one can see the
Queer-looklng object on grooved
wheels running on the small cable
above, shoot down the cables de
Election tin the centre was reached,
then climb the opposite incline and
by other aid finally reach the Canadian
bank.
The basket has an intereeting
history, as the following letter in the
possession Of the secretary Of the
society will show. It was written by
Judge Hulett Of Niagara Falls, and
has never before been published;
George t. Barhum, Secretary
Buffalo Historical society.
Dear sir; 1t gives me much pleas
ure to be enabled to furnish you with
the history OF the "iron basket which
was preliminary means in the con-
struction OF the great railroad suspen-
sion bridge that now spans the
Niagara River, the admiration Of the
world, The data will give you are
taken from diary kept by me during
the work.
During the winter OF 1916 the State
Of New York granted a charter to the
international Bridge Company to
build a suspension bridge across the
river, and the same winter similar
charter was granted in Canada to the
Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge
Company for like purpose. These
two corporation formed a joint Board
OF Directors and entered into con-
tract with Charles Ellet, Jr, a noted
engineer and bridge builder Of
Philadelphia, to-build a wire railroad
bridge across the Niagara Riyer about
two miles below the Falls.
In the latter part of January, 1917,
the engineer arrived at the village
Of Niagara Falls. The inhabitants
were all astlr on learning Of his arri-
val and fioclSed about the eagle Tav-
ern," where Mr.. Ellet was stopping,
eager to hear the news. / was among
the number and while there was
chosen by the engineer to take charge
Of the iron part OF the structure, he
being unable TO lie present all the
time. lie then stated that some
immediate means of communication
across the gorge without the trouble
of going to Lewiston, seven miles be-
low, must be established. He plan
ned the erection Of a wooden tower
on either side, 25 feet height. Over
these towers he proposed to stretch
a 36-strand wire cable, with de-
lection of 25 feet. On the cable he
would place a saddle or yoke with two
grooyed wheels, and suspended there
from a car or basket large enough to
carry two persons with their necessary
Tools The basket was to be propelled
from the bank on either side by means
OF drum geared to crank shaft.
The thing to be considered now was
what kind of basket could be con-
structed that would have sufficient
strength and be of the least possible
weight. He showed me a sketch OF
one constructed Of wood that he
thought would weigh not to exceed
l5O pounds. suggested iron instead
Of wood for its structure, and as an
outcome each Of US constructed bas-
ket of our fayorite material, when il
was found that my basket weighed
ten pounds less than his. This basket
cable was premliminary structure tC
another that was to precede the main
structure ofthe bridge. The second
preliminary was the erection OF two
wooden towers on either bank Of the
gorge, 40 feet ia height and so feet
apart. Two cables were thrown acros.
the cbasm, resting on these towers
and across them, at intervals Of sil
feet, were placed strips Of pine 3x,
inches in size. Below these strips ol
wood, in wire loops, were placed light
needle beams, on which were laid q
flooring Of one,inch pine boards.
When these two Independent
bridges were finished they were drawr
together, giving the cables a latera
course of about 10 feet on either side
and forming platform from which
the railroad was built.
1t was while these temporary plat
forms were being constructed that ar
incident occurred that can but give
this iron basket precedence as a life
saving device. The north platform
had been finished and hang to the
two cables in width-wlthout
any side railings. II was being used
by some venturesome persons. -Four
men had carried the south platform
out about 2CO feet from the cliff
where il swung, when a sudden gale OF
wind struck IL. and to tho hOrrifed