The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-23
TEMPORARY BRIDGE
ALMOST Il WRECK
Some of the Many Scenes Along
White River Graphically
Described.

AS a result of the crash of the ice gorge
the temporary bridge at Washington street
over White river is now little more than a
wreck. While the bridge is standing. the
center part of it has sagged and every
blow of the ice, or driftwood from the
wreckage farther up the river, causes the
bridge to rock. The bridge is closed to all
traffic. Passengers on the West Washing
ton-street cars are given transfers and
are forced to walk across the new bridge
now in course of erection.
AT the west end of the bridge there is
a jam of ice and driftwood from the wreck
ago which seriously threatens the bridge.
To Journal reporter last night men who
have lived along the river for years said
that If the river should rise or more ice
come down to crash against the supports
the bridge would surely fall
Lashed with the force of the current and
swelled by the thawing Of the ice, White
river last night presented a weird but
fascinating sight. With a roar that could
be heard for squares, the river surged be-
tween its narrow banks north of the Wash
ington-street bridge. With no light, the
moon hidden behind the clouds, the river
ruShed by the M1chigan-street bridge with
a dull, roaring noise. Now and then q
piece of driftwood or a huge cake of ice
would crash against the remaining trestles
under the bridge, and, after fierce strug-
gle, would tear away the obstacle and con-
tinue the mad race down the river.
Several Households anchored back of the
starch works and the Van Camp plant were
caught by the ice yesterday and crushed.
Luckily, the occupants of the boats had
needed the warning given them by the
police early yesterday morning and escaped.
Against the piers and wooden work of the
Morris-street bridge fragments of these
boats were caught in their mad rush down
stream, and by their continued pounding
against the trestle work carried much of it
away.
Scarcely a hundred feet north of the Nor
ris-street bridge floats the houseboat form
erly the home of the SchoweS. The hus-
band and wife drowned in the angry cur
rent: the boat remains. Ii is probable that
the real cause of the death of the husband
and wife Will never be known. The sup
position is, and the gossip of the morbid
crowds on the banks of the angry river
lends truth to the statement, that Schowe.
becoming frightened at the rush of the
river and the grinding of the ice against
the sides of the boat, attempted TO rescue
his wife and himself by swimming to the
shore.
1t is believed that of the many huge
cakes of ice that were coming down the
river struck the husband, forcing him to
loose his hold his wife. The woman.
il is believed, sank instantly, while the
man, fighting with all the despairing
strength at his command. buffeted with
the ice and water only at last to loose his
life when the chance was brightest for ii
to be saved.
While there is much driftwood piled
against the underDinning of the Norris
street bridge. it is hardly probable that
the bridge Will fall unless another torrent
like that of Thursday night again strikes it.
The river is high. but il is generally be-
1eVed that all danger Is over,