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Rivers
Jul 3, 2006 19:13:36 GMT -5
Post by richard on Jul 3, 2006 19:13:36 GMT -5
Please post your recollections in this thread.
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RER
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Rivers
Jul 3, 2006 19:56:05 GMT -5
Post by RER on Jul 3, 2006 19:56:05 GMT -5
"Columbus Rivers Opened By Indiana Laws in 1820 & 1825 To Transport Surplus Farm Products To Other Markets"
Historically, the White, Flatrock and Driftwood rivers were declared by Indiana Laws navigable streams (rivers then were referred to as streams also). It was believed that Indiana's White River could be opened to year-round navigation for boats of large tonnage. Much labor was spent to keep the rivers cleared.
Wooden Flatboats were built by the hundreds (near rivers) to transport goods and farm surplus products in Indiana. We can assume that included crops, pigs, cows and many other items. The Flatboats were thirty to forty feet long with 4 foot guards. Six to eight men walked and pushed with wooden spike poles set against the bottom of the rivers. In this manner 3 or 4 tons could be moved 8 to 10 miles a day.
It has been said that between 1820-1840 almost 90 percent of the surplus produce from farms were traded and transported by Flatboats in Indiana. Railroads didn't appear in Columbus until 1844, so Flatboats and horse and wagons were probably the prime logistical movers before trains.
If you look at a map of Columbus, you find the White River and Flatrock dominating the outer edges of Columbus. While using Flatboats as prime and the warehouses built for storage, plus the rivers near; a great system was developed throughout the rivers. Interestingly, the railroads were also built near the rivers and the trackage. We have to assume the warehouse locations and river logistic system allowed the railroads to blend in harmony.
Think also about the W.W. Mooney Tannery near White River. That company was established in 1837 and it was convenient for incoming leather shipments and outgoing and later by rail.
Ref: Indiana Journal, April 16, 1831 and History of Indiana by Logan Esarey (quotes in part)
Bob
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Rivers
Jul 3, 2006 22:11:25 GMT -5
Post by richard on Jul 3, 2006 22:11:25 GMT -5
The Flat Rock River at the US 31 bridge was one place we swam in the 1940's. I don’t think it was ever planned as I can’t recall having picnics there, just swimming. Perhaps dad got off work before he expected. We went to Brown County park pool some, but I think those times also included a picnic while there.
Dad parked along the side of the road while north bound most of the times. There was a lane off the road on the south side and we did go there some. I recall sand bars and banks. We walked into the river bank on a well-worn path among the horse weeds, or that is what we called them. You know, those weeds that are more than six feet tall and thick!
We put our suits on at home, but not everyone did that. A story I heard many times while growing up was about the lady that moved into the horse weeds a few feet, and as soon as she had removed her clothes, she started yelling at the top of her voice, “DON’T LOOK, DON’T LOOK, DON’T LOOK!”
In those days it wasn’t uncommon to see a car going down the road with swim wear hanging on the side mirrors drying in the breeze.
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nancs
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Rivers
Jul 4, 2006 6:52:36 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Jul 4, 2006 6:52:36 GMT -5
I never considered Hawcreek a river, it was just a 'crick.' Loved the thought of 'horse weeds,' tho', Richard. Back in the 40's folder, on page 1, reply 3, I noted the following: If one went north from my house, sort of along the creek, altho' in reality we would cut across the back of the Kiel property, you could get to the Saddle Club grounds. Am not certain just "how" the Saddle Club had use of that area. It would have been at the end of 8th St. It had a large arena that all of us used to "train our horses" for the horse shows that were put on during the summer months by the Saddle Club, and the youth group, The Junior Trail Blazers. (Think these memories actually belong in a spot of their own.) The area right along the creek always grew huge, huge, what we called "Horse Weeds." And whoa, what a giant "hideout" the kids created! We made trails through the weeds, that grew higher than a horse with rider, and each one of us had a designated "barn, if you will" to hide out in.About the best I ever did was wade in Hawcreek, most generally to get to the other side to catch my horse. Altho' down at the south end of our pasture there was a 'swimmin' hole' that could only be accessed via some fields. Kind of recall that the kids that frequented that spot had a rope swing that went out over the 'crick.' Pretty sure, that 'skinny dippin' was the order of the day more often than not. Nanc
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RER
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Rivers
Jul 5, 2006 12:31:12 GMT -5
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 12:31:12 GMT -5
Richard your family experience at Flatrock is the same as my family. I can remember too the times in the 1940s and very early 50s going to the US 31 Flatrock bridge underneath to swim.
Several other relatives also went there and I have some old pictures of them (which I won't post here of course) swimming in Flatrock. Your mention of the swim suits attached to aerials and mirror brought back those same memories.
I also, recall a sand pit in Petersville and some people drove down to the banks of Clifty creek also. Harrison Lake was so far out I never went there. White River seemed so swift and dangerous so we more or less stayed with Flatrock.
Bob
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nancs
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Rivers
Jul 5, 2006 12:42:30 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Jul 5, 2006 12:42:30 GMT -5
Gosh, Bob, my brain is in overdrive yesterday and today. With the mention of 'sand pit,' wasn't there a 'gravel pit' over on 10th Street, just east of the bridge on the south side of the street? Would kids have gone swimming there, or what? Know it was a place that 'spooked' my young brain. Nanc
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RER
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Rivers
Jul 5, 2006 15:58:46 GMT -5
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 15:58:46 GMT -5
Nanc, I don't remember the one on 10th. Sand Pit and Gravel Pit may be the same in those days. Not sure..............Bob
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RER
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Rivers
Jul 5, 2006 16:24:06 GMT -5
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 16:24:06 GMT -5
"Pugh Ford Bridge"
This bridge is also known and referred to as Bartholomew County Bridge Number 73. It is located at 900 North over Flatrock River. This bridge is near Taylorsville. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, dated 1999 entry.
Historic Significance: Architecture and Engineering Period: 1900-1921
Bob
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Rivers
Jul 5, 2006 16:46:25 GMT -5
Post by richard on Jul 5, 2006 16:46:25 GMT -5
Nancy and Bob:
I think both of you are correct. It seems to me that they sold the top soil when starting a new area/pit, When the top soil was gone, then they would find sand and/or gravel. Perhaps they wash and screen the gravel with some sand falling through the bottom of the screen.
The gravel pit Nancy is talking was on the south side of Tenth Street and on the East side of the Haw Creek at the bridge. At some point the land was sold to the Garland Brook Cemetery Association. Over the years they have used that pit to dispose of old flowers, fallen tree limbs and extra dirt. Today, you cannot tell the gravel pit was ever there.
Bob, That was a large pit next to the north side of the Clifty Creek. It was on the east side of the road and south of Petersville near the Clifty Creek bridge. Today that pit also has been filled and converted to farm ground.
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Rivers
Aug 24, 2006 13:43:29 GMT -5
Post by richard on Aug 24, 2006 13:43:29 GMT -5
Nanc,
After reading your post # 114 today in the Postcard thread, about the seventh street bridge, I came out of my stupor and did a search on the local newspaper site as I was thinking I had read something about the building of the first bridge. I found two stories.
Below you’ll find the first story. This story appeared in ‘The Republic’ on May 3, 2001. As you and Bob have said you spent a fair amount of time in that area, perhaps you’ll recall seeing the marker as described below.
Richard
New Seventh Street bridge carries memories of the old
By Harry McCawley
Given the life span of most structures these days (Market Square Arena, for instance), it’s hardly a surprise the Seventh Street bridge that crosses Haw Creek would be facing demolition.
Actually, that’s demolition and replacement. Work is expected to begin in days on removing the 73-year-old span, and a wider replacement should be in place later this year.
The new bridge will have four lanes and will be a substantial improvement over its predecessor, which is definitely showing its age. It’ll have something else — a poignant reminder of its early history and the men who built it, one man especially.
His name was Vivion S. Marlin, and he was a victim of the old bridge.
On May 9, 1928, while working with the crew that was putting the bridge in place, he fell from the framework to the creek below and suffered what would be fatal injuries.
The bridge construction was in its early stages at the time, and his co-workers felt so strongly about the incident that they wanted to make sure their friend was not forgotten. As the stones were put into place, masons chiseled a brief message into one of the slabs on the south end of the bridge — “V.S. Marlin, May 9, 1928.” Above those words an arrow pointed to the ground below, the spot where he fell to his death.
That inscription has stood the test of time. Although it’s not easily accessible for public viewing, the arrow and the message are still legible.
Fortunately, those who will be building the new bridge have the same sense of duty about preserving the memory of Marlin as those who built the original bridge.
Transplanted marker
The section on which the message is inscribed will be carefully cut away from the main structure and stored until work begins on the new bridge. At some point the old section will be integrated into the new section, approximately above the point where Marlin died.
The importance of preserving the marker has been conveyed to the bridge builders — American Contracting of Jeffersonville — by Bartholomew County Engineer Charlie Day and researchers at SIECO, engineers for the project.
“That marker has been in the plans almost from the time we started making plans for the new bridge,” Charlie said.
Ironically, the effort to preserve the marker stems in part from a tragedy involving another construction worker working on a bridge over Haw Creek.
On June 15, 1992, Cyrus McCory of Brownstown was killed while working on the entry bridge to what is now Columbus Regional Hospital.
His death was noted by Hester Ann Moore, one of Marlin’s grandchildren.
That (the hospital accident) just made it all come back to me,” said the Columbus woman at the time of the 1992 tragedy.
“When I heard the news, it made me wonder if anyone else remembered my grandfather and that inscription. It also made me wonder what will happen if people come across it when it comes time to tear the bridge down.”
Newsworthy tale
The story of her grandfather’s death and the inscription to mark it was reported in The Republic that year. It was repeated in a 1996 column.
Hester Ann was only 4 years old when her grandfather was killed, but her memories of the day are still fresh.
“We lived in East Columbus at the time,” she recalled. “It was only a couple of blocks from the construction site, and my grandfather was living with us back then.
“After workers had carried him back to street level, a decision was made to take him to the family house.
“He had suffered some pretty serious internal bleeding and a major head wound,” Hester Ann said. “He eventually died in our house.”
Memories of Marlin are pretty limited these days. He was 60 years old at the time of his death, and only his grandchildren and their descendants survive.
Wednesday, Hester Ann was joined at the bridge by her brother, Jack Beatty, and cousin, Gloria Lasek, for a look at the inscription before demolition begins.
“I cross that bridge several times a week,” she said. “Every time I go over it, I think of that day in 1928.”
It’s likely that a lot more people will be thinking of it over the years to come. The old inscription should stand out distinctly in the stonework of the new bridge.
Unlike Market Square Arena and so many other modern structures, the memory of the old Seventh Street bridge and the men who built it will be around for years to come.
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Rivers
Aug 24, 2006 13:50:51 GMT -5
Post by richard on Aug 24, 2006 13:50:51 GMT -5
Nanc,
After reading your post # 114 today in the Postcard thread, about the seventh street bridge, I came out of my stupor and did a search on the local newspaper site as I was thinking I had read something about the building of the first bridge.
This is the second of the two stories I found. This second story appeared February 14, 2002.
Richard
Worker’s memorial still part of 7th Street bridge
By Harry McCawley
ITEMS that fall under the heading of the rest of the story …
If you’re driving, you’ll probably have to get out of the car to see V.S. Marlin’s marker on the new Seventh Street bridge.
Actually, you would have had to get out of the car to see the same marker on the old Seventh Street bridge which was demolished last year to make way for the wider span that opened in December. Regardless of any inconvenience in finding the marker — it’s down an embankment on the south side of the bridge — the fact that it was a part of the original and was saved to be integrated into the replacement is due to the actions of several nice people separated by a couple of generations.
The story of V.S. Marlin — his first name is Vivion which might explain the use of V.S. in the marker — has been part of the Seventh Street bridge for 74 years.
The relationship began in 1928 when he joined a work crew in building the original two-lane span over Haw Creek. Work on that job was convenient for the Columbus man since his home was only a few blocks away from the construction site.
On May 9, 1928, he was working on a section near the east embankment when he fell to the ground below. It was not a long fall, but his injuries were so serious that he was quickly taken to his home. A few hours later he died.
The accident obviously affected his co-workers. They wanted to recognize him in a way that would preserve his memory and his affiliation with the bridge project for years to come.
In creating the concrete bridge, they set aside one section over the place where he fell to his death — inscribing the marker with his name, the date of his death and an arrow pointing to the place where he landed.
It would be a part of that old bridge until the demolition began last year.
Because of time and its limited accessibility the marker faded from the community memory. It surfaced a few years back when a reader asked about its significance, a request that led to a column detailing the incident and the tribute that resulted from it.
It surfaced again two years ago when plans were announced for the demolition and replacement of the bridge. Bartholomew County Engineer Charlie Day and researchers from SIECO were told about the marker and immediately committed to a plan to remove it from the old bridge and put it in the new one.
It’s the sort of gesture that requires a great deal of effort and could just as easily have been lost in the shuffle of the many details that go with such a construction project.
Instead the planners and builders of the new bridge took it upon themselves to preserve V.S. Marlin’s memory.
It’s a gesture that’s appreciated by his grandchildren still living in Columbus — Hester Ann Moore, Gloria Grant and Jack Beatty. And I imagine that the workers who put the stone in the original bridge would be pleased as well.
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nancs
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Rivers
Aug 24, 2006 14:02:35 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Aug 24, 2006 14:02:35 GMT -5
Thanks, Richard, interesting info. Now I will check, with more interest, the family photos that have so often used the bridge as 'the setting.' Will be interesting to note those dates in relationship to 1928. And to George, glad you have the eye surgery behind you, and looking to improved sight. Obviously, Babs, is pleased with the results. Know I'm thinking of you. Nanc
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nancs
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Rivers
Aug 24, 2006 16:14:56 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Aug 24, 2006 16:14:56 GMT -5
As I remembered, I found in an old photo album, photograph after photograph of family members and their friends taken on the Hawcreek bridge. I chose to post two with the closest date to 1928, that being in 1931. They would be taken on the north side of the bridge. Nanc
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nancs
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Rivers
Aug 24, 2006 16:57:53 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Aug 24, 2006 16:57:53 GMT -5
Okay, folks, NOW I'm going to pose another question----when was the 'iron bridge' put in over Hawcreek on 10th St.? From the story that I know, my Grandmother Stevens had gone off to attend a funeral in town, leaving my dad 'at home alone,' well, probably with older sisters 'supposed' to be watching over him. As my grandmother and her friends were en route to Garland Brook in the funeral procession---------as they passed over the 10th Street bridge, there, doing 'hand over hand' on the bridge, was my father!!! My grandmother always related the story to me, and she was NOT one bit pleased with my dad and his 'bridge antics,' even many years after the fact. That leads me to believe that the route used to get to Garland Brook was via the 10th Street bridge, since the one over Hawcreek did not exist until 1928. My dad was born in 1910, so I figure he was a fairly young lad when this 'event' occurred. In my youth, growing up on 7th Street, I do not remember any funeral processions going down 7th St. and that the 10th Street route was still used. Any input anyone? ? Nanc
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RER
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Rivers
Oct 16, 2006 12:13:47 GMT -5
Post by RER on Oct 16, 2006 12:13:47 GMT -5
Columbus Indiana Clifty Creek Bob
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Rivers
Jan 18, 2008 13:07:47 GMT -5
Post by richard on Jan 18, 2008 13:07:47 GMT -5
This information is from the Looking Back column on January 17, 2008, in ‘The Republic’. Plans to replace the covered bridge over the Driftwood River on the Lowell Road have been made. The cost of the new concrete bridge is estimated to be $250,000.00.
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Rivers
Nov 19, 2008 8:20:02 GMT -5
Post by guest on Nov 19, 2008 8:20:02 GMT -5
seen to a place up by the old drive in was a place that people swam also
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Deleted
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Rivers
Sept 22, 2011 19:18:50 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2011 19:18:50 GMT -5
This picture of Lowell Bridge was taken looking up stream to the north. The bridge was built in 1886. It is shown before the coming of the auto at which time windows were cut in the bridge to avoid accidents.
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