It seems ridiculous at the present day to think of the serious doubts entertained about our ability to do this; but it must be remembered this was before the days of steel and almost before the use of wrought-iron in America.

The top cords and supports were all of cast-iron.

I urged my partners to try it anyhow, and we finally closed a contract, but I remember well when President Jewett[25] of the railway company visited the works and cast his eyes upon the piles of heavy cast-iron lying about, which were parts of the forthcoming bridge, that he turned to me and said: "I don't believe these heavy castings can be made to stand up and carry themselves, much less carry a train across the Ohio River." [Footnote 25: Thomas L.Jewett, President of the Panhandle.] The Judge, however, lived to believe differently.

The bridge remained until recently, though strengthened to carry heavier traffic.

We expected to make quite a sum by this first important undertaking, but owing to the inflation of the currency, which occurred before the work was finished, our margin of profit was almost swallowed up.