This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: maryachtrh Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.fleming/2349/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Appears in "The Wapanucka Press" 22 October 1903 Wapanucka, Johnston County, Indian Territory, now Oklahoma DEATH TO MANY Hoisting Machine Gives Way and Hurls Men to Death A Dozen Workmen Instantly Killed Eight of the Dead Have Been Recovered - Five Men Seriously Hurt - Many Are Yet Supposed to be Pinned Under the Wreckage Pittsburg, Pennsylvania: By the breaking of the ropes carrying five beams to their position, letting many tons of iron fall upon the moving crane at the Pittsburg end of the new Wabash bridge being built by the American Bridge Company over the Monongaheia River, almost a dozen workmen were hurled to death by a fall of more than 100 feet, striking the water and two barges underneath. Eight of the dead have been recovered. Five men were seriously hurt. Several bodies are yet pinned under the wrecked barge. The part of the bridge extending out over the river from the Water Street side is a total wreck. The casualties follow: William C. Fleming, George Wells, James McLoud, Frederick Stallinger, J. Campbell, William Kitlinger, Frank Dalby; the missing are Edward Morris and Phillip Morris. Deputy Corner L. C.Huckle made an investigation at the scene of the disaster. He believes the blame rests on whoever was in charge of the hoisting and fastening of the I beam. He says that a failure to properly secure one derrick load caused the breaking strain to fall on the crane. The accident was caused by the giving way of a two-inch steel cable which was used as one of the guys to support the big crane. This cable was tested to bear a strain of 100 tons, and it is said that it did no break but pulled loose from its fastenings. There were thirty-four men at work on the superstructure of the bridge and in the barge below, from which the beams were being hoisted by the crane, 1,775 feet above the river lever, when the booms collapsed. Of the men who were in the barge, some escaped with their lives by jumping into the river the moment they heard the crash above. Some of the men on the superstructure who were engaged in riveting and handling the bars that were lifted from the barge also got off uninjured. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.