River
excursions were very popular and made an excellent money-making
project for organizations about this time. The ticket charge was
usually 50 cents. The average trip was as far as Quincy, but if the
days were long, a few boats would go to LaGrange or Canton or a
special to Louisiana.
The
channel of the river at the old bridge is very deep and swift. Some
say 35 feet in depth. The reason this spot was chosen for the bridge
was the solid road foundation that was available at this spot.
On
the morning of June 3, 1903, the river was 22 feet 6 inches above
flood stage and it was raining. The boat did not leave until ten
o'clock. A large barge was fastened by the side of the Flying Eagle.
The Park Methodist Sunday School Class teachers and officials
sponsored the excursion. Some names connected were Sade Conlon,
Marguerite Rightmire, Fanny Ober, Lonnie B. Curts, Katie
Eicheriberger, Olive Orr, and others. About 175 excursionists were
aboard. As the boat neared the bridge, the Captain Adams and his
co-pilot tugged at the wheel, but the swift current ripped the wheel
from their hands and the boat slammed into the bridge pier. The big
wheel struck the float and was sheered off. Both boat and barge
began to sink.
The
bridge tender turned the draw span around so it was close to the
deck of the barge. Many passengers were about to jump on this. The
Captain and the co-pilot were helpless after the wheel of the boat
was broken. Someone cut the barge loose from the Flying Eagle as
they realized that the barge would be dragged to the bottom of the
river as the boat sank. The barge floated down the river and was
nudged toward the shore at Cave Hollow where about 40 passengers
were taken aboard the ferry which had come to aid the boat.
Women
and children screamed and made a rush to climb on the bridge pier
and draw bridge. Many passengers were able to jump on this. Lonnie
B. Curts, a charming young girl in her teens, missed the span and
fell in the river. Her escort, Harry Eichenberger, a handsome lad,
jumped after her and lost his life trying to save his sweetheart.
Martha Coppedge, another young girl, missed the span and disappeared
in the swift water. James Harvey, the cook, also lost his life. The
steamer "Satellite" and numerous small craft rescued and
aided passengers. The fireman, Thomas Meyer, of Quincy, was the last
man to leave the boat. The bodies of Lonnie B. Curts, Harry
Eichenberger, and Martha Coppedge were recovered a week later.
The
remains of the boat, Flying Eagle, were seen during the low water of
1936, sitting upright about 30 feet of the hull above water. On
August 8, 1936, some youths dived and brought up a light bulb, that
after being under water 33 years, would still light. They also
brought other souvenirs.
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