Steam Engine & Threshing Machine Collapse Bridge

 

On August 6th 1915, A ten-ton traction engine belonging to J. A. Merrill broke through a culvert.

"The culvert that broke down, spans Indian Run on "Boyer's road" as the highway is known that leads from the Washingtonville road to Boyer's school house.

The Accident Mr. Merrill had been threshing at Robert Farnsworth's and he was on his way to Abram Hendrickson's farm. Hitched to the traction engine was the big separator, and the outfit was lumbering along at the usual moderate rate of speed. Orran Merrill, son of J. A. Merrill, who was acting as engineer, was the only one that was riding.

As they approached the bridge Mr. Merrill, the elder, walked ahead and directed his son how to steer in order to make the rather short turn necessary. A few days before on the trip up to Mr. Farnsworth's the threshing outfit had crossed the same bridge. On that occasion, however, it had been convenient to take the western side of the bridge."

"Eight to ten" men from surrounding farms, including the township supervisors, worked to removed the engine from the broken bridge.

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