1922 Marlin Bridge Collapse: a Virtual Cemetery

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1922 Marlin Bridge Collapse

Marlin, Texas, May 17. -- (By the Associated Press) -- Parties of men were searching the Brazos river today for bodies of persons believed to have been drowned Tuesday afternoon when the Marlin-Belton bridge, five miles west of here, collapsed, dropping about 30 men, women and children into the river. . . . Some estimates placed the number of dead at between 12 and 15. The bodies recovered were those of J.W. Briggs, a 7-year-old boy, and Mrs. C. Mosely, of Beaumont. Mayor Frank Stallworth and Dr. W.H. Allen, prominent local physician, were reported as among those missing. About 1000 persons were watching workmen repair the bridge when it collapsed. The Brazos had been at flood stage for several weeks. Those rescued were all in a more or less serious condition and doctors said several might not recover. Some of those who were rescued managed to drift with the waters to the falls, three miles south of the scene of the accident. Others were taken from the waters by boats and rafts quickly thrown together in an effort to save as many as possible. Charles P. Hippa was rescued after a truck driven by him went crashing through the timbers and beams supporting the structure. Rescuing parties are still searching for persons thought to be in the river. El Paso Herald (El Paso, Texas) May 17, 1922, Page 1