DODGE COUPE FIRST CAR CROSS THE NEW RIVER BRIDGE
Driving a Dodge Coupe, Mrs. S. J. Riley, wife of Contractor Riley, accompanied by Mrs. Stanford, wife of Engineer Stanford of the Highway Department, supervising engineer of the construction work of the new Yazoo River bridge, the first automobile was driven across the structure Saturday afternoon, coming from the north bank of the river.
Moving pictures of the event were taken and will be displayed in Greenwood later.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, March 16, 1925
PUBLIC SERVICE GEN. S. R. KEESLER COMMEMORATED
BRIDGE WILL BE CHRISTENED BY GREAT-GREAT-
GRANDDAUGHTER OF COL. LEFLORE
HONOR IS DESERVED
Water From Spring At Malmaison Will Be Used In Ceremonies Of Naming Bridge Leflore County’s magnificent new bridge will be officially known as the “Keesler Bridge”.
This action was taken by the Board of Supervisors at its meeting this morning, when the other four members of the Board enthusiastically endorsed a petition of citizens asking that the bridge be named for General Keesler, out of recognition for his services and his devotion to it’s construction.
The official christening of the bridge will form an important of the ceremonies at the official opening of the bridge, which will be celebrated Thursday.
Past and present will link hands when little Elizabeth Leflore Ray, great-great granddaughter of Colonel Greenwood Leflore, will christen the bridge, “Keesler Bridge”, with pure spring water from the spring at Malmaison, Greenwood Leflore’s home.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, May 4, 1925
S. J. RILEY DIES FROM INJURIES
Columbus, Miss., Nov. 19. - S. J. Riley, contractor of the new $180,000 bridge across the Tombigbee River, who was critically injured Wednesday afternoon, died late last night, following the accident. Another worker on the bridge was killed instantly.
Mr. Riley supervised the construction of the Keesler Bridge at Greenwood, which was formally opened on May 7, 1925, and made many warm friends during his stay in Greenwood while the bridge was under construction.
Mr. Riley will be buried at Poplar Bluff, Mo.
From The Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, November 19, 1926
SNAG BOAT TO CLEAR RIVERS AROUND HERE
Keesler Bridge Turned This Morning To Permit
Government Boat Jos. E. Ransdell To Pass
For the second time since its grand opening in June 1925, the Keesler Bridge has been turned to permit the passing of a big boat. Last week it was turned to permit a dredge boat to pass on its way to the Gulf Coast. This morning the big bridge was swung so that the government snag-boat, Jos. E. Ransdell, of Vicksburg, might pass up the river.
The Jos. E. Ransdell, in charge of Captain J. H. Bobbs, will go the Tallahatchie River as far as Minter City, removing obstructions and clearing the channel of trees, etc. Then about August 1, it will come down the Yazoo again on its way to Vicksburg after clearing the Yazoo of obstructions.
The boat belongs to the Vicksburg river district and is used for the purpose of clearing up inland waterways. This is its first trip to Greenwood in several years, and the Captain expects to accomplish much good for the benefit of traffic. The Jos. E. Ransdell is especially built for the purpose of clearing away any and all obstructions, no matter how large, and is powerfully constructed. It is navigated by huge paddle wheels located behind the stern.
The boat arrived in Greenwood about 7:30 o’clock and the bridge was swung about 8 o’clock by state highway and local highway workers. General S. R. Keesler stated this morning that despite the fact that the bridge is rarely turned, it operated very smoothly and except for a slight glitch, which will be corrected by the state highway department soon, it was perfect. A large throng watched the operation, as the Jos. E. Ramsdell has been expected for several days.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, July 19, 1927
Yazoo Bridge Will Be Turned For Barge
Scores of people expectantly lined the banks of the Yazoo River at Greenwood this afternoon awaiting the arrival of a government barge and river tug.
The real object of curiosity however, was not the barge itself, but rather the Yazoo Bridge, which will have to be turned to permit passage of the barge on its trip up the river. Workmen of the State Highway Department have been working for several nights preparing the bridge for turning. Years have passed since the mechanism was called into action, and it was necessary to make a number of repairs and through lubrication to facilitate the turning.
The low level of the river caused the barge considerable trouble early this afternoon just below Greenwood. The use of the dragline was necessary to aid the tug. The barge was expected to arrive at the bridge, however by five o’clock this afternoon.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, May 29, 1941
Keesler Bridge will be opened sometime within the next ten days to permit the Monighan dragline, now stationed at Glendora, to move down the Yazoo River. Notification of the necessity of opening the bridge was given to the city by the Pioneer Construction Company of Dyersburg,Tenn., which has been engaged in constructing cutoffs in the Tallahatchie River as part of the flood control program
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, February 2, 1942
A crew has been at work on the Keesler Bridge yesterday and today getting the swing span ready to be opened for the passage of a dredge boat down the river within the next few days. The dredge has been up the Tallahatchie River near Glendora digging cutoffs as part of the flood control system.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, February 10, 1942
Keesler Bridge was opened this morning for the passage down river of a dredge boat, which has been making cutoffs in the Tallahatchie River near Glendora. Passage of a boat on the river involves opening bridges in Leflore County at Minter City, Money, Shellmound on the Tallahatchie and Greenwood, Fort Loring, Roebuck, Shell Bluff and Silent Shade on the Yazoo.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, February 12, 1942
Bridge To Open Tomorrow Noon
Dredge Boat Passage Will Necessitate Opening
of Yazoo River Bridge Tomorrow
The Sheriff’s office announced today that the Keesler Bridge across the Yazoo River would be opened sometime tomorrow, probably around noon, to allow a dredge boat to pass up the river where it will be used in making cutoffs near Phillip and Glendora.
This message was received from the contractors in moving the dredge boat up the river from Vicksburg.
The boat is now south of Greenwood on its trip up the river and will probably reach here tomorrow at the time mentioned.
The announcement is made so that users of the highway as well as people living in North Greenwood may arrange their schedules so as to avoid any delay. No definite time can be computed as to how long the bridge will remain open due to some matters that may arise in opening and closing the structure.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, February 20, 1943
Traffic was tied up for nearly an hour yesterday afternoon about three o’clock when the Keesler Bridge at Greenwood was opened for the passage of a dredge boat going up the Yazoo River for work in the Tallahatchie River.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, February 22, 1943
Bridge Will Be Opened At 2 O’clock
Announcement is made by the ones in charge of dredging above Greenwood that the Keesler Bridge across the Yazoo River at Greenwood will be opened this afternoon at 2 o’clock to allow passage of a dredge boat. Notice is given in order that those using this thoroughfare may know of the bridge opening and act accordingly in traffic use of the structure.
From The Greenwood Commonwealth, August 21, 1943
Keesler Bridge over the Yazoo River, Greenwood, MS, circa 2006.
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