Bridge Contractor, Silver Mine Operator, Homeopathic Doctor. L. E. Truesdell, of Warren, Massachusetts, was the designer and promoter of an iron lattice bridge. The bridge design was used for several Illinois locations. In 1868, a Truesdell bridge collapsed at Elgin, Illinois. At the time of the collapse in Elgin, a 600 foot long Truesdell bridge was also being constructed in Dixon, Illinois. Despite objections, Truesdell's bridge had been chosen by the Dixon City Councilmen from 14 submitted designs and erection was not deterred by the Elgin collapse. That later proved to be a fatal error in judgment. The bridge at Dixon was completed for the cost of $75,000 and dedicated on January 21, 1869, with much fanfare, including a parade and a demonstration of the bridge's strength. According to the Dixon Weekly Herald, the test was conducted by placing on the bridge four harnessed teams [of horses] hauling stone, a load of flour, and a large group of bystanders, all weighing "at least 45 tons." On July 5, 1869, Truesdell's Elgin bridge collapsed a second time, resulting in up to 3 deaths and 30-40 injuries. However, as that bridge was a single span bridge, no concerns arose for the double span bridge in Dixon. On Sunday, May 4, 1873, a crowd of 150-200 citizens convened on the Truesdell Dixon bridge to witness the Rock River baptism of six adults by Rev. J. H. Pratt, of the Baptist Church. As the third baptism began, the overloaded bridge tipped and its five spans fast collapsed, each twisting in a different direction. The crowd was plunged into the 15-20 foot deep water. While some were able to save themselves by swimming ashore and dramatic rescues occurred, many became trapped in the iron debris and drowned. The final death toll was 46, including 37 women and 9 men, 19 of which were under age 21, and 3 of which were under age 10. Many more suffered near-drowning, or terrible injuries. News publications across the nation spread word of the collapse and scandal errupted. Blame was cast variously upon Truesdell's bridge design, purported corruption of the Dixon City Aldermen, who were accused of being bribed to accept the poor design, and even Rev. Platt for encouraging such a large gathering. Ultimately, experts attributed the bridge's failure to poor design and weak iron materials. Truesdell vehemently denied fault, but the collapses of both the Elgin and Dixon bridges ruined his reputation and consequently, he left Illinois. For several years, Truesdell then practiced homeopathic medicine in Bristol, New Hampshire, while simultaneously operating a silver mine. The mine failed in 1885, and Truesdell died five years later. The Dixon Bridge Disaster, also known as the Truesdell Bridge Disaster, is considered as possibly the most devastating bridge distaster in U. S. history.
Bio by HJ, # 46937296
Bio by HJ, # 46937296
Bridge Contractor, Silver Mine Operator, Homeopathic Doctor. L. E. Truesdell, of Warren, Massachusetts, was the designer and promoter of an iron lattice bridge. The bridge design was used for several Illinois locations. In 1868, a Truesdell bridge collapsed at Elgin, Illinois. At the time of the collapse in Elgin, a 600 foot long Truesdell bridge was also being constructed in Dixon, Illinois. Despite objections, Truesdell's bridge had been chosen by the Dixon City Councilmen from 14 submitted designs and erection was not deterred by the Elgin collapse. That later proved to be a fatal error in judgment. The bridge at Dixon was completed for the cost of $75,000 and dedicated on January 21, 1869, with much fanfare, including a parade and a demonstration of the bridge's strength. According to the Dixon Weekly Herald, the test was conducted by placing on the bridge four harnessed teams [of horses] hauling stone, a load of flour, and a large group of bystanders, all weighing "at least 45 tons." On July 5, 1869, Truesdell's Elgin bridge collapsed a second time, resulting in up to 3 deaths and 30-40 injuries. However, as that bridge was a single span bridge, no concerns arose for the double span bridge in Dixon. On Sunday, May 4, 1873, a crowd of 150-200 citizens convened on the Truesdell Dixon bridge to witness the Rock River baptism of six adults by Rev. J. H. Pratt, of the Baptist Church. As the third baptism began, the overloaded bridge tipped and its five spans fast collapsed, each twisting in a different direction. The crowd was plunged into the 15-20 foot deep water. While some were able to save themselves by swimming ashore and dramatic rescues occurred, many became trapped in the iron debris and drowned. The final death toll was 46, including 37 women and 9 men, 19 of which were under age 21, and 3 of which were under age 10. Many more suffered near-drowning, or terrible injuries. News publications across the nation spread word of the collapse and scandal errupted. Blame was cast variously upon Truesdell's bridge design, purported corruption of the Dixon City Aldermen, who were accused of being bribed to accept the poor design, and even Rev. Platt for encouraging such a large gathering. Ultimately, experts attributed the bridge's failure to poor design and weak iron materials. Truesdell vehemently denied fault, but the collapses of both the Elgin and Dixon bridges ruined his reputation and consequently, he left Illinois. For several years, Truesdell then practiced homeopathic medicine in Bristol, New Hampshire, while simultaneously operating a silver mine. The mine failed in 1885, and Truesdell died five years later. The Dixon Bridge Disaster, also known as the Truesdell Bridge Disaster, is considered as possibly the most devastating bridge distaster in U. S. history.
Bio by HJ, # 46937296
Bio by HJ, # 46937296
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
