Memories From the Papinville Bridge Book
( Annual Papinville Picnic September 28th )
This week there will stories from
people that submitted their memories to the bridge book we have for sale at the
picnic. Some people you might remember and some you will still know that live
in the area. I will only put parts of their story and you can get the rest of
their story by buying the book.
The first memories are from Shorty Klinklsick:
There was a lot of courting that went on at the bridge. On
Sunday afternoons the young people would always go to the bridge to hang out
and talk. At that time the water was real clear. It was so clear you could
drink the water. Not today.
One time there were two cars going over the bridge at the
same time meeting each other. Remember this was built as a oneway bridge. Neither
one wanted to back up so they met each other. The cars were a Model A and a
Model T. They both made it across
without any scratches. Guess they just wanted to see if it could be done.
Ever since that old bridge was built it has given many
memories and good times to lots of people. Numerous generations have
experienced
the times of their lives around that piece of history.
These memories are from Marcelle Marquardt:
During a bad drought year we had several acres of milo in the
Osage bottoms which yielded very good. Her husband Ronnie always had the trucks
full of grain and it was scary to drive up on that bridge. It was my duty to
haul the grain to the elevator. When I slowly pulled onto the bridge the grain
would roll off. I was told not to stall or jerk while crossing the bridges with
a full load. It was a very tense time as I drove very slowly hearing the
bridges creaking sound.
Memories from Debra (Swarnes) Black:
The day finally came when I got brave enough to climb upon
the metal rails on the bridge. I would walk across them and that was and
accomplishment for me. I remember some of the boys in the neighborhood were
much braver than me. They would climb to the top of the bridge and walk across
the beams and the big X on the top.
Lots of good memories were made at the bridge but the one
that stands out the most is that is where my husband (Bob) ask me to marry him.
Next week you will read in the Mid America and listen on the
radio some more memories people have about the historical bridge. Hope you are
enjoying the memories of the “Old Bridge”. Until next week for more memories.
Hope to see you at the Papinville Picnic September 28th.
Submitted by Phyllis Stewart
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