Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
RED BRIDGE
RED BRIDGE. The "Red Bridge" is a railroad bridge across CATFISH CREEK below the JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT. In 1895 three men were seen beating a fourth man near the bridge. The witnesses, heading home from church, were then attacked.
After help arrived, the "desperadoes" escaped apparently knowing the territory better than the law officials. (1) In December of the same year, Frank Jess, a local attorney, avoided death while skating. He broke through the ice, but was pulled to safety by a friend. Jess skated back to the city and recovered. (2)
"Red bridges" were also found north of Dubuque, near Central City, Iowa and in Wisconsin. The color red in the late 1800s was the most popular sold and the least expensive. This may have been due to its widespread use by railroads. (3)
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Source:
1. "Three Desperadoes," The Dubuque Herald, October 3, 1895, p. 8
2. "A Lawyer Soaked," The Dubuque Herald, December 11, 1895, p. 8
3. Tour guide. Steamtown National Historic Site. July, 2017