The High Jump
(See a picture of the Railroad Bridge below)
William Asbury Edwards and his wife,
Nancy Josephine Harrod in Rowletts did reside.
Monthly they went to Munfordville
Which was beyond the Green River side.
There was no bridge to cross
Other than that for the trains.
Travel was by foot, horse or wagon
Even in the down pour of rains.
Early they set out for their journey
To Munfordville--their County Seat
To take care of usual business
For this was an adventurous feat.
After walking several miles
From Rowletts they finally came
To the swift, flowing Green River
Of their County's well known fame.
They stopped and stood at the bridge's edge
To listen quietly if a train they could hear
Before beginning to cross the railroad bridge
Of 600 feet in length or thereabout near.
The bridge extended 150 feet or nearabout
On each side of the water in the river.
Not hearing a sound they began to walk across;
But nigh mid-way they began to shiver.
In the not-so-far distance they could hear "whooooo!"
Being 125 feet above the water in the middle,
They began to walk faster to get over land;
And there was no time to fiddle.
Aware they didn't have time
For the bridge to completely cross,
Fast decisions had to be made;
Or life would be at a loss.
Grandpap made it to the area over land.
He swung himself underneath,
And held tight onto the railroad ties.
The train passed and he felt relief.
Granny was wearing a long, hoop-skirt.
She too made it over land, you see;
And jumped from the high railroad bridge.
Going down she yelled, "weeeeeee".
The air had gotten under the hoop-skirt
And acted as a military parachute.
She floated down from the great height
As though dressed in a high-jump suit.
The train rumbled on by
Without any bodily harm.
They went on to Munfordville
To later return to their farm.
They often told of their experience.
Especially Little Granny did tell
Of the narrow death escape
When they heard the train bell.
Granny's words were always unhurried
As she talked in a Southern voice so low.
Her small stature and hoop-skirt
Added excitement as the details started to flow.
Granny told and retold many times
And said, "I never even got dizzy.
For the air got caught under my hoop-skirt
And let me down soooooo eeeeeasy!"
Over the many years from parent to child
This is a true story as handed down.
This event occurred before the year
Of 1880, and we pass the story round.
Author: Edith Bastin
© Copyright: September 02,1998. All Rights Reserved.
This is a picture of the Railroad Bridge that Granny and Grandpap Edwards were crossing over the Green River at Munfordville, Kentucky. The bridge measures about 600 feet in length and the height of the bridge above the water is about 125 feet. To learn more about the Civil War Battle for this bridge and the area visit the Web Site or visit Hart County Historical Museum, Main Street, Munfordville, Kentucky.
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