The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-10
BUILDER OF SAGE
BRIDGE Is DEAD
Hiram l. Sage Dies After Many Years
OF Public Spirited Effort.

The funeral services of Hiram J. Sage,
who died at his home near Nunez
Ferry Friday morning, will be held this
afternoon at 2 O'Clock. Burial will be
made in the family lot in the Seminole
.ometery with Masonic honors, exem-
lifted by the T. B. Hamm Lodge, Rob-
ottsdale, Ala. of which Mr.. Sage was
a charter member.
Immediately surviving relatives are
his wife, Mrs. Beulah Lindsay Sage,
one granddaughter, a sister. Mrs. Fan
ME Sage Wilson, and an aunt, Mrs. t.
B. Horton
Mr.. Sage was builder and owner Of
the Sage bridge, which replaces MI
nex Ferry He was born near Water
town. n. y. in 1866. When two years
old he accompanied his parents TO
Ripon, Wis. The family moved from
there to Stewartville. Mimi. where he
resided until about five years ago,
when he came south in search of
health for his only son, Ross, who died
three years ago. His first wife. FL
viva Lenten Sage, had died at Stewart
vile, MINI.
Mr.. Sage had intended to locate in
the neighborhood of Mobile, but hit
the wrong road in making the trip
with his auto and at Flomaton decided
to visit Pensacola. On sightseeing
and fishing trip the party came to
Nunez Ferry. The beauty OF the seen
cry so fascinated the younger man
that the father decided to locate there.
So impressed became he with the pos
sibilities of the country that he ac-
quired large land holdings, owning
at the time of his death. as well as
about 1000 acres in Baldwin county
several valuable pieces Of real estate
in Pensacola.
With a desire to modernize travel
conditions he acquired the NuneZ Fer
ry which since 1920 had been the
principal crossing from Florida into
Alabama. He at once decided to sup
plant the antiquated hand and rope
propelled ferry with a bridge and did
not become daunted when he met with
obstacles at every step Of the game.
With a bull dog tenacity he held on
and while legal requirements were be-
cling met he started a saw mill to cut
out the necessary timbers. When the
final permit was secured from the war
department the necessary material also
was on the ground and the work was
pushed along without outside financial
assistance, the $4,000, the approximate
cost of the structure being furnished
by Mr.. Sage himself
He did not live to see this monument
completed It was turned over to
traffic of all kinds on October /. 1920
but a few days prior TO that date he
took to his bed with a complication
of ailments from which had suffered
for many years.
Sage bridge typifles the rugged char
aeter and impeccable honesty of its
builder. It is built to last. All piling,
girders, stringers in fact. all work up
to the floor is Of heart express. the
wood eternal The baseule lift having
weight of 10000 pounds, is of solid
cypress construction and is heavily
buttressed against wind end wave.
Floor and railing are of heart yellow
pine, thoroughly creosoted, to pre-
vent early decay.
While privately owned, Mr.. Sage
stood ready to turn the bridge over
to the public on reimbursement of his
costs He kept accurate accounts of
all expenses of building for that pur-
pose.
Mr.. Sage was trustee of Elsanor C. !
Seminole school. He had planned a
new school building, following the
of the bridge. Among 9TH |
er plans he had was that Of making
the beautiful Baldwin county landing
a recreation park for the people of
Pensacola with concert, dancing and
bathing Pavilion He also worked to /
have the old Spanish Trail. The high /
way from the bridge to Fairhope. Ala, |
improved by cement pavement.
Aggressive. yet unassuming, Mr.. |
sage was one of the most public spir-
tied and progressive citizens of Bald |
win county /