A curious accident occurred on the New Albany and Salem Railway. The passenger train, having four cars filled with passengers, came to the bridge over Salt Creek, near Bloomington, and the engineer fearing that the heavy rains which had swelled the stream bank full, had rendered the bridge insecure, directed the passengers to get out of the cars, till he could test the strength of the bridge. He crossed on foot and then directed the fireman to start the engine, jump off, and he would ‘catch it’ on the other side. The train started, and on reaching the centre of the bridge it gave way, and the locomotive and cars were plunged into the stream and instantly disappeared from view.
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, New York, NY, January 12, 1856
