The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-14
DEATH TRAP IS DOWN.
Dangerous Viaduct of VinewOOd
Line is Raced by an Engine.

The Ninth street viaduct, which has
swung for years over the Santa Fe and
Missouri Pacific railroad tracks as
menace to life and property, is a thing
of the past.
Street Commissioner Ramsey and en-
gine No. of the Santa Fe are response
bic for the destruction. Early this
morning Commissioner Ramsey detail
ed Is men with teams to go to Ninth
and Adams streets. They did not
know what was their mission. When
they reached the old viaduct they found
Yardmaster Kennedy and Foreman
James of the wreclSing crew of the
Santa Fe there. An engine from the
roundhouse was also there, coughing in
termittently. as if impatient for the
work. Then Commissioner Ramsey
revealed his purpose. We are going to
tear down this viaduct said he, "and
the engine will help US.
Instantly men scram bled to the top
of the viaduct and knocked the fish
plates from the rails. The Wrecking
crew produced a five-inch rope and the
engine backed up to begin its work.
The rope was fastened to one of the
supports or ''bents' on the east side
The engineer received a signal from
Mr.. Kennedy and the wheels began to
move. The rope was stretched taut
and the strands cracked threateningly,
but the rope was equal to the emer-
a standstill Two or three times it
was backed up and then with crash
the timbers gave way and were drag
ged on the ground. The first support
of the bridge was down.
The same proceeding was repeated so
feet west and another bent" was on
the ground. Then midway of the two
vacant places Yardmaster Kennedy
fastened the rope. The rope was again
strained, and this time, when the sup
port fell, down went SO feet of viaduct,
making a barrier on the Santa Fe
tracks that would have wrecked any
train. Street Commissioner Ramsey's
men went to work and soon had the
debris cleared away. 1t was piled be-
tween the tracks.
About this time President VanOrsdal
of the Vinewood Park railway which
owned the viaduct appeared. 4 want to
give you notice." said he, that 1 will
hold you responsible for the damage
caused by the loss of the viaduct."
''All right" said Commissioner Ram
sey. Isn't true, Mr.. VanOrsdal. that
you are glad we are taking this down"
mo. I can't say that I am" replied
Mr. VanOrsdal.
The work was continued and at noon
but little was left to remind any one of
the old Viaduct but it's loss will not be
ornament to the city, and it has lately
been regarded as dangerous
Nevertheless there will be a law suit
over it. President VanOTSdal said to a
Journal reporter:
You are fooled if you think we are
going to lose the viaduct. The city had
no more right to tear don the viaduct
than it would have to lear down your
house.
Why didn't you get an injunction?''
Because there is a better way of pro-
ceeding."
will you sue the city?'
I'VE certainly will
Mr.. VanOrsdal says that it cost about
$25, 900 to build the Viaduct He says
n he
supporters near the ground because
they could not have pulled the structure
down by hitching to the top. Yard
master Kennedy says the reason the
hitch was made below was because the
rope and tackle was too heavy to carry
to the top.