Truesdell Bridge Disaster: Bessie Louise Rayne Victim

The Evansville Journal, Indiana, May 6, 1873

“DIXON, May 5. – Yesterday afternoon, about 1:15 o’clock, as the Rev. Mr. Pratt was passing a convert for baptism into the water of Rock River, just below the bridge, on the north side, there being a large crowd of men, women, and children witnessing the ceremony from the bridge, the iron-work gave way, and without a moment’s warning fifty or sixty souls were launched into eternity."

Of the 44 victims identified was my husband Bob's great great aunt Bessie Louise RAYNE who drowned at age 15. Bessie was the daughter of Robert Weir and Martha Louise [Woodworth] RAYNE. The family was living in Freeport, Stephenson Co., Illinois on the 1860 Census where Bessie is listed as 2 years old which in 1873 she would have been 15.

from Bob's family album. I am currently trying to secure
an image of her as a teen...if it exists at all.

from Bridgehunter.com of the Dixon Truesdell Bridge before disaster.
You can see the spectators looking at batism being preformed below.

from a postcard found online

from Bridgehunter.com Dixon Truesdell Bridge after collapse.

You can get more information on this disaster at Wikipedia or just "google" it.

Last Payment Plus Was Accepted by Reuben Whaples

Articles of Agreement for Warranty Deed was entered into 17 March 1857 between Reuben Whaples “of the first part” and Henry Mohle “of the second part.”  [Note: Mr. Mohle signs his given name Henri instead of Henry.]

This parcel of land was in what is now Oak Park, Illinois. Lot 12 in Block 1 in Whaples Subdivision of land in the south west part of the north west quarter of section 7 Town 39 North Range 13 East in Cook County: State of Illinois. Bob’s great great grandfather Rueben was a wheeler-dealer in land in the area and we have found numerous deeds and insurance policies for purchases and sales.

This particular deal with Mr. Mohle seems to have created a situation where Mr. Mohle couldn’t pay the full amount of $66 plus interest by the end of the year 1857. Amongst all the papers was a note for last payment. I think it is interesting how Reuben accepted that payment.

Received sixty Dollars on the within contract it being apart of the seckond [sic] payment I’ve agree to take shoes and Boots for the remainder Due on said payment  October 26th 1857   Reuben Whaples

When you come to a fork in the road, take it...

This is an old saying that most of us now-a-days attribute to Yogi Berra the great baseball player, but according to the website Quote Investigator it wasn't.*

Well, whoever it was who said it first gives new meaning when I come across a "fork" in the road. I have several examples where I came across a fork in the road and I "took it" i.e. took a picture of it.

I "took" this fork in the road in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I "took" this fork in the road in a Regensburg, Germany.

I "took" this fork in the road in York, Yorkshire, England.

I "took" this fork in the road in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I "took" this fork in the road back home in Oak Park, Illinois.

I will continue to collect these images as I think they are just fun.

*The earliest evidence of this expression located by Quote Investigator appeared in 1913. The statement was employed as part of a joke exploiting two common meanings of the word ‘fork’.

By 1988 the quotation was being ascribed to Yogi Berra. By 1998 Berra had embraced the saying. In 2009 a biography presented an entertaining explanation.

Notes:

1. 1998, The Yogi Book: I Really Didn’t Say Everything I Said! by Yogi Berra, Page 48, Workman Publishing, New York. (Verified on paper) 
2. 1913 July 31, Fort Gibson New Era, Wise Directions (Filler item), Quote Page 2, Column 6, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. (NewspaperArchive) 
3. 1913 July 31, Correctionville News, Wise Directions (Filler item), Quote Page 7, Column 6, Correctionville, Iowa. (NewspaperArchive)