Cherokee County GaArchives News.....Woodstock Items  Hawkins' Bridge Catastrophe October 14, 1882
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Meredith Clapper http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002801 October 27, 2017, 12:48 am

The Cherokee Advance 14 Oct 1882 P 2 October 14, 1882
On last Sunday morning just at the opening excises (sic) of the Sunday school, a
messenger approached in great haste, bearing the sad intelligence that the iron
span of Hawkins' bridge, across Little River had fallen in, and a large number
of people were crushed and mangled in the wreck.  Without ceremony, everybody
started for the scene of horror, to render assistance to the unfortunate
sufferers.  A congregation had assembled at the water, to witness the
administration of the ordinance of babtism (sic).  Some sixty or seventy persons
had taken positions on the bride, immediately over the water.  This portion of
the bride was a self supporting iron span, constructed but a  few months since,
by a Cincinnati Co.  Just as the officiating minister was opening the service,
the supporting rods in the center of the span gave way, and those who were on
this portion of the bridge, men, women and children were precipitated into the
river and the falling wreck.  By a desperate effort of those who were not caught
in the falling timbers, the women, children, and wounded were rescued from
drowning.  There were no physicians near Dr. Dean being several miles away at
the time and could not reach the place for several hours.  But there were good
samartains (sic) on hand, and utilizing the fence corners for a hospital, the
wounded were carried out and cared for as best they could until the doctors
could arrive. Dr. E. E. Roberts was first upon the ground.  As he passed from
one sufferer to another administering cloriform (sic), and binding up broken
limbs, amid the groans of the wounded, called to mind the army sergeons (sic)
dutiesafter (sic)a battle.   Dr. W. L. Dean arriving went to work on one side of
the river, while Dr. Roberts was on the other.  By 2 o'clock, p.m., the last one
was borne away on litters and spring wagons.  The following were seriously
injured:  Adolphus Hawkins, thigh broken, Charlie Fleming, thigh broken, Mrs.
John Barnes, shoulder dislocated, Mrs. Fleming, internal injuries, Berry Reece,
internal injuries, Elbert Fowler, bruises about the head and ribs broken, Ben
Day, collar bones broken and arm broken, Francis Cole, arm broken and severe
bruises, Thos. Daniel, thigh fractured and crushed, necessitating amputation,
which was performed by Drs. Dean and Roberts.  Among those receiving slight
injuries are Mrs. Hawkwins, Mrs. Haney, Mr. Reese, Mr. Long, Miss Yaney and
others.      T. N. D. 

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