Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-06-22
THIRTY ARE DEAD.
Terrible Disaster at Covington, Ky.-Fan
of n Mammoth Bridge.

Terrible Disaster at Covington, Ky.-FaIl
of a Mammoth Bridge.
CINCINNATI. O., June 1J.-One of the
most fearful accidents in the history of
this vicinity was that of the fall to-day Of
the bridge which was in the course Of
construction over the Licking River,
between Covington and Newport, Ky.
Forty-fve workmen were on the struc-
ture. So far as known only two escaped
unhurt. Seventeen are dead, twelve are
missing and undoubtedly were drowned,
and six are fatally hurt, while all the
others but two we're seriously injured.
All were either killed by the crashing
of the iron and timbers or were
drowned in the river. The cause
is surmised to be the weaken
ing Of the wooden false work.
The river had washed out the east half
about tbs supports, and it is said one of
the contractors said a day or two ago
that he was afraid the structure would
not stand under the weight of the
heavy material. But still they kept at
work.
To-day a force Of forty-three men,
under the direction Of Robert and Will
lam Baird, the contractors, was engaged
in putting IN place the heavy iron work
on the main span. Suddenly, without
warming, there was cracking sound
of breaking timbers, q sudden sway
ing of the structure, and a head
long plunge of the whole mass
of tlmbers. iron and helpless
workmen into the muddy waters Of the
Licking River, fifty feet below. 1t was
almost like the laundering of ship. A
very few forms were to be seen struggl-
ing on the surface, but the others were
drowned or crushed by the material.
In short time the river was lined
with rescuers on both sides, and by
their efforts. something of the horrible
story was revealed.
The only two men who escaped, 50
far as known, are Murray Rairden and
James Caldwell. 1t is said two water
boys, just at the end of the falling span,
saved themselves by flight.
The bridge was being built by a
Cleveland, o., syndicate, which has in
view the building aud operation of a
belt electric line Of street cars in Gov
ington and Newport, in connection with
Cincinnati.line. 1t crossed the river
at Twelfth Street, Covington, and was
to be used for vehicle and foot travel as
well.
While most of the workmen were
from abroad, there we're enough from
this vicinity TO make the scenes on
shore of the most sickening
character. fearful faces of womeg
were to be seen eagerly peering into the
counlenanceB Of the recovered bodies
as they were borne to the shore, and
every now and then a pitiful wall of
anguish told that some friend or rela-
tive had been recognized. 1t was
slow work to get the bodies from the
wreck. The big spon seemed to have
fallen directly down into the river, and
the confusion of tinbers and twisted
bars of iron made the wreck look as
if a tornado had twisted it into
q shapeless mass. Here a poor unfor-
tunate was pinned between heavy tim
bers and his life crushed out, while the
weight of wreckage made it impossible
to do his friends the poor service
Of carrying him to land, where
they might compose his limbs for bur-
ial. Others were held below the surface
and drowned, although their hurt
by the wreck was but slight,
and not sufficient to disable
ii only the water had not covered their
head. Everywhere were evi dences Of
the euddenness of the accident, and Of
the utter helplessness of the
workmen. The mystery that sur
rounded the whole affair seemed
to overwhelm the people. The bridge
had fallen in broad daylight, but no
cause could be assigned.