Milliron Monday: Silver Bridge 1967

 

Photo Courtesy Associated Press

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

57 Years Ago: The Collapse of Silver Bridge

    On the evening of December 15, 1967, around 5 PM, the Silver Bridge over the Ohio River catastrophically failed. Jody, then 29 years old, was gripped by anxiety for Pete's safety, as he had ventured into West Virginia from Ohio for farm calls.

    In the week preceding Christmas, during the evening rush hour, traffic sluggishly traversed the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to Gallipolis, Ohio. Abruptly, the bridge gave way, sending 31 vehicles and 64 individuals plunging into the frigid river below. The tragedy claimed 46 lives, left 9 injured, and resulted in two bodies never being recovered.

    “Dr. Bratton called me around 5:30 that evening,” Jody recounted. “He was anxious to find Pete - the Silver Bridge had collapsed and Pete hadn't returned to the vet clinic, asking if Pete was home. When I informed him that Pete was still out on calls, a heavy silence fell. My mind raced, fearing the worst. I chose to stay at the farm, unable to leave the children, waiting by the phone for any news. Eventually, around 6 PM, Pete called to assure me of his safety. He had several more appointments to make that evening. Forced to take a longer route home, he arrived at the farmhouse early the following morning.”

    Nancy Bonnett, a friend and client in West Virginia, who traveled on farm calls with Pete, vividly recalls, “Pete came to my house shortly after learning about the collapse. He was deeply shaken, feeling as though a divine hand had shielded him that day.”

    For years, Pete recounted his near-miss, having crossed the ill-fated bridge just minutes before its collapse. The catastrophe's cause was later attributed to structural deficiencies and the neglect of necessary repairs. The bridge had been overwhelmed by the weight of heavy traffic.

    The Silver Bridge collapse elicited significant concern from government authorities, including then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1968, Johnson initiated a federal-state program for the bridge's reconstruction. By the following year, the Silver Memorial Bridge, located about a mile south of the original site, was completed as a replacement.

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian. 

Worldclass Farrier: An Interview With Marc Setzer

 

Marc Setzer and his equestrian daughter, Emmalee, at the Ohio State Fair

World-class Farrier: An Interview With Marc Setzer

by Gina McKnight

Archived from the December 2024 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete

No Duplication Without Permission

A little over a year ago, my cherished mare, Zubedia, was in great distress, struggling to walk. The situation seemed dire until the arrival of esteemed farrier and blacksmith, Marc Setzer. Living in Langsville, Ohio, with his equestrian family, Marc came highly recommended by a friend. With his expert care and attention over the ensuing months, Zubedia’s condition significantly improved, and I owe her newfound soundness entirely to Marc’s unparalleled skills.

Marc Setzer is not just a local hero but a celebrated figure in southeastern Ohio, renowned for his mastery in metalsmithing and farriery. His impressive résumé includes two appearances on the History Channel’s "Forged in Fire," which further attests to his exceptional abilities at the forge. As the proprietor of Setzer Forge, Marc embodies expertise and dedication in his craft, making him a true artisan of our times.

I am profoundly grateful that Marc serves as my farrier. His genuine love for horses and his remarkable proficiency in resolving hoof-related issues have made a world of difference for Zubedia and me. Marc’s commitment and talent ensure that our equine companions receive the best possible care.

Welcome, Marc!

GM: When did you meet your first horse?

MS: That’s hard to say. I was more or less raised by my grandfather who was a depression era farmer who used to farm with teams of drafts. I don’t recall him ever NOT having a horse. My first horse was a Shetland pony that “Santa” brought me on Christmas morning when I was four years old. I found out much later in life that grandpa, the town barber, traded $25 and a haircut for that pony and my mom, uncle and grandpa brought him home in the back of an old cargo van because we didn’t have a horse trailer yet. 

GM: At what stage in your life did you realize you wanted to become a farrier? 

MS: In 2005 I was a night shift grill operator at a Waffle House in a college town when I knew I had to make a serious career change. I bombed out of BGSU and the University of Toledo because I couldn’t learn in a large lecture hall environment. I’ve always been a hands on learner. A close friend of mine told me about Hocking college in Nelsonville Ohio’s horse program and I decided I had to check it out. My grandpa had given me some farrier instruction and I was doing some trimming on the side for pizza money and I thought it would be something I could see myself doing. I didn’t have a car at the time so I hopped on my motorcycle and made the 4+ hour drive from NW Ohio to SE Ohio to go on a college tour. At the time, the farrier department had some absolutely incredible instructors in their program and it took no time at all for me to realize I had to be a farrier.  

GM: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

MS: My grandpa of course was a big influence but he did things the old farm boy way. It was functional enough but not necessarily pretty. I was so fortunate to come to Hocking when I did. Lance Booth and Heath Harter were incredible instructors that developed an intense curriculum that was both challenging and educational. Later I got the opportunity to meet and apprentice under Kirk Underschultz who filled in the gaps in my knowledge and trained my eyes to look at the whole horse and not just the foot. The 3 of them taught me a golden rule that all farriers should try to live by in their businesses: first and foremost, do no harm. 

I also need to mention a man named Doug Lockhart. He’s a blacksmith, artist and instructor as well as being an incredible guy. He might not be a farrier but what he’s taught me about hammer technique and the general mindset of being a true craftsman is worth its weight in gold. 

GM: As a farrier, what is the most important topic your clients should know about hoof care?

MS: There is no silver bullet. No trimming technique or special shoe can instantly fix a horse and farriers, no matter their reputation, carry no magic wand in their toolboxes. It takes communication and teamwork from the veterinarian, owner and farrier to get the most out of a horse. 

GM: Take us through a typical day in your life as a farrier...

MS: I’ll exclude the multiple coffee and snack stops lol. I try not to schedule any stops before 9am so I can have a moment with my wife and daughters first thing in the morning. I like to know what sort of mischief they have planned before I leave for work. I try to fit in around 12 horses a day five days a week. On days where I have multiple shoeings and less trims, that number is way lower. I also try to group my clients into regional loops so I’m not traipsing all over southern Ohio in the same day. Parkersburg one day, Athens, Logan or Jackson on separate days. Invariably there’s always an emergency, especially during prime show and trail riding season that I’ll fit in between barns. My days aren’t really work. Sure it’s physical but I don’t shoe or trim for anyone that I don’t respect and that makes it a joy to go to work. 

GM: As an award-winning blacksmith, you've gained accolades both locally and nationally and competed professionally on the TV Show Forged in Fire twice! What a great accomplishment! What did you learn from this experience and will you be on the show again?

MS: I love blacksmithing. As a kid I would go to craft shows and sit in front of the blacksmiths for hours. I got a seasonal job at the Toledo Metroparks after high school taking people down a restored section of the Miami and Eerie canal on a boat pulled by draft mules. On rainy days guests didn’t want to ride the boat so I went into the working water powered lumber mill and help/learn from the resident blacksmith. Blacksmithing became my hobby very quickly. I began by making camping items. My whole family loved being outdoors so I made items for around the campfires like tripods and hooks. Then I got into knife making. Even the ugliest handmade knife will outperform the most expensive junk from the sporting goods store so I started making knives. I gave my brother in law Matt a knife I had made for his birthday, right around the time history channel aired the first season of Forged in Fire. He immediately started bugging me about going on the show. Every time I saw him he’d ask, “Did you apply for the show yet?” This went on for months. Finally at thanksgiving I had enough of his hounding so I got up from the dinner table and got on the computer. Within minutes I had found the application online, applied, printed off my application confirmation notice and threw it in his mashed potatoes. “There!” I said, “now I’ve applied, get off my back!”

I never expected to be contacted. Just before Christmas I got a call, “Hello, I’m the casting producer for Forged in Fire and we’re interested in having you on the show.”

I got a free trip to Connecticut, a nice hotel room, great food and all I had to do was make a fool of myself on National Television. I’m not a blacksmith by trade, it’s a hobby that sort of pays for itself. I knew immediately that I was outclassed but it didn’t matter. I had a blast, learned so much and made some incredible friends. Including the judges. They are 10Xs cooler in person than they are on TV. The reason they’re on the show is because they are masters in their crafts. 

When my episode aired I was overwhelmed by the support and recognition I got from Athens county and really Ohio in general. People would stop me in public and tell me they saw me on TV. I got contacted by craft shows, festivals and town functions to come and demonstrate blacksmithing. I was even approached by the Bob Evans farm festival to be their resident blacksmith to which I immediately accepted. 

I’ve learned so much from the experience and have been blessed by so many opportunities. I’m always going to be in debt to the history channel for the opportunity. 

GM: A great story, Marc! We are all proud to know you and celebrate your accolades! Do you have advice for new riders looking for their first horse?

MS: You absolutely, positively must have a connection with your horse. Looks, color and breed don’t mean a thing if you don’t have that connection. Trust your gut. You’ll know when it’s the right match. 

GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?

MS: Horsemanship means horse sense. You can be a 10X consecutive 1D barrel rider but if you don’t know your horse inside and out you’re not a horseman. My grandpa had a firebrand of an Arab. I never saw that thing take a walking step. He pranced everywhere he went. Grandpa always looked like a king on parade even though all we ever did was trail ride. We were at a 4-H function at Harry Hughes youth equestrian center in the Toledo Ohio area. There happened to be an open contesting show going on and most of our club were contesters. We started ribbing grandpa about his “desert donkey” and betting him he couldn’t whip us in the down and back. With a knowing grin he made the bet that if he won we had to do the camp dishes for the weekend. Of course we accepted. Little did we know that every day he worked with his gelding. Every day he was in the barn with a hand on that horse. They had such a connection that we didn’t with our mounts. Even though he never showed a day in his life they beat the tar out of us. That’s the key to horsemanship. Not the amount you think you know but how good of a connection you can have with your horse. I’m not a great farrier. I’m not as well versed on all the new products and techniques as I should be. I definitely need more time studying. But I try to make a connection, to really know the horses I work with. All the knowledge of conformation and anatomy won’t replace being a good horseman and that’s what I strive for.

Connect with Marc…

Setzer Forge on Facebook

Rio Grande Cable Access: Exposition- Marc Setzer, Blacksmith & Farrier

WOUBPublic Media

 

 

Milliron Monday: The Journals October - December 1973

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

Jody’s Journals

October - December 1972

October 1973

·        Rode Cricket in the rain

·        J home from school, 8^th grade testing > gifts arrived from Mom > Jennifer rode Preak, J rode Shah, I rode Cricket, turned Sailor out

·        Rode Cricket, saw deer at crabapple tree on top of Copperhead Hill> took cake to S. Nolan, had flat tire, Brad Harter stopped and changed it > Jerry Hartley fixed basement switch, stayed for dinner > J had Brenda Russell here overnight, Jan babysat > Pete trailer over hill, late class, autumn showcase

·        Rode over to Phillip’s Place, etc. > stationary, Christmas notes, etc., arrived from Mom > new tire > Bill Wright here from school with P

·        Missy, Shane, treated for “summer sores” > took corn into mill > lunch Frisch’s Bill W., Pat > Rode Cricket, led Sailor, rain, J rode Shah

·        Rode Cricket, saw doe, fawn, Alice Brown’s hillside > Church of Good Shepherd > Lunch Dolen’s > Autumn Showcase, Waterloo Wildlife Area, Ash Cave, Old Man’s Cave, Craftsman’s Show, dinner Chan’s restaurant, Nelsonville

·        Rode, saw deer in bottom > David worked on Dutch door

·        Rode > Pete Charleston > Went to Mansfield, Gary checked J’s teeth, heavy fog

·        Butchered 2 ducks, several geese > Pete shod Sailor > went to Logan after Pete’s saddle > went to movie “Zorba the Greek” > rode Cricket bareback, J rode Shah

·        Rode, took Shane, saw 3 deer

·        Rode Cricket bareback, saw several deer

·        Rode Cricket > Took Miss Marie, Little Bob to sale in Circleville

·        Sunday McDougal Church > Took Preak, Jiggs, Angel down to Jan’s > Pete pulled Trailblazer’s shoes > Pat rode new horse “Trailblazer,” saw 3 deer, Shane killed groundhog, saw hound, pups, German Shepherd > dogs barking, beautiful moonlit walk up tot meadow and back

·        Pete pulled plates, reset Sailor with Cricket’s old plates > Dottie Wright here for school board candidate signatures, Missy nipped her > David worked on pie shelf, Missy nipped him > P and J rode

·        Rode, saw deer, they didn’t run > put Missy to sleep > Pat rode Blazer, J rode Shah, me Cricket, took Preak back to Jan’s, saw 5 deer below old blackberry meadow, rode home in dark

·        Pete reset Blazer’s shoes

·        Pete short course, Columbus

·        Shah fell in ditch, had to cut him out > brought Apple, Maverick back, Lollypop followed us

·        Left for Ironton, ate at Oakhill

·        Pete 6 am vet check

·        Sunday Episcopal Church, lunch Dolen’s > brought Persimmon, Tinker back > 3:10 finished 40 miles, J 1^st Place Lightweight Division with Shah

·        Rode Cricket, Jan rode Preak, back to Phillip’s corral, loggers ruined beginning of Meikle Ridge trail > rebaited traps, walked Apple down by road

·        Sheep man here for lunch > Ralph Guthrie swabbed well

·        Pete left for Denver > Marvin Lawrence here overnight, dinner Townhouse Restaurant, movie “Jesus Christ Superstar”

·        Dogs killed possum in trap > worked with Apple with flat saddle

·        Mom, Dad 44^th Wedding Anniversary

·        Dinner Maplewood Inn, ATC

·        Doug O. here to look at dog trap, saw 3 deer, 2 Redtail hawks > called Mom/Dad in Florida

·        Pickup Pete at Columbus airport > lady here about Indian mound > made peach cobbler

·        Left for Cincy, Pete short course > lunch McArthur, rain, toured antique show > Betsy stayed with J, P

·        Shane, blood sample/treatment

·        Skating party, McDougal, finished Saunders book

 

November

·        4H Achievement Night > Bill Wright here overnight

·        Lucas’ poodle in dog trap > worked J with Song jumping, retrieving… > wrote letters

·        Pete, P, J rode saw big buck > Office Party Jan, David’s

·        Got horses back > Church Episcopal > Frisch’s dinner > P, J shot 22; shot 30 30 > took Preak back > Dottie, Bill Wright rode with us, saw 3 deer Phillip’s Place, 6 deer upper hay meadow > work J with Song jump stick

·        Hiked in woods took Shane, Kanga

·        Walked after horses, rode Shah back, rode Cricket over after burros > voted > Lunch at Grange Hall > Marshall here for supper > began ground driving Apple

·        Horses at Schmittauer’s again, Sailor stepped on me > Episcopal Church class communion

·        Checked fence, not repaired > FH Citizens for Better Schools, Stewart > F. Johnson shod Sailor, Blaze

·        Walked, got soil samples > helped David work on fence repair > Football game, Glouster, Hartley’s

·        OVOA, Columbus, Joan drove, “Dog Psychology” clinic

·        Ground drove Apple > worked Song > Henry Kuykendall arrived

·        Rode around fields, Henry rode Shah > ATC took guinea pigs, chickens

·        Pete, Henry rode thru Phillip’s Place

·        Kevin Kuykendall arrived

·        Donovan Brown arrived > worked Song

·        Henry worked sheep with “Chuck,” Pete, Kevin, Donovan rode thru meadows > Dorothy, Heather (girl with Palomino) Wright here, rode Cricket, J rode Shahs, brought burro back

·        Church, lunch Dolen’s > Pat, Donovan came home > Pete, J, me, stopped to see Sherry > E Davis 50^th Wedding Anniversary > toured “virgin” forest, A. Evans

·        Worked on dog trap > Rode Blaze bareback in hay meadow with Apple, Tinker

·        Sheep, horses due to be wormed, flu, float > 4 semi loads of sheep arrived, 1153 ewes, Rambouillet-Targhee, 35 Suffolk lambs (1 ewe dead, 1 ewe down) > Pete pulled Shah’s shoes, trimmed feet

·        Rode Cricket up to check sheep

·        Church, went to movies “Charlotte’s Web” and “Willie Wonka” > picked up, pasteurized milk

·        To Cincy, Captain Haggerty dinner, JoAnne, J, Joyce Nelson, Sharlene Smith, Song, Kanga

·        Church – Episcopal, Dolen’s lunch > trimmed burros feet > worked Kanga

·        Checked on deer hunters, saw 3 deer > lamb born

·        Drove around circuit, saw 2 deer > Jerry Hartley, Mr. Nixon here > rode Cricket, saw 2 deer, light/warm rain

·        Walked thru meadows, by Negro Den, rode Cricket > Ken Light here, ATC

·        Rode Cricket, saw deer between 1^st and 2^nd meadows

·        Buck ran along bottom, fence line > dinner Townhouse, saw “Fantasia” again

·        Rode Cricket, saw deer lying near trail by Phillip’s Place, twice saw doe, 2 fawns, buck eating grass along ridge trail (gas line road)

December

·        Rode Cricket, J rode Blazer, Tim S. hunting above Jan’s > saw 4 deer, Paul S. hunting on old Connor property > helped Mr. Kuykendall bring sheep in > Pete at Warmke’s

·        Rode up to help with sheep, saw buck with very large rack, dark coloring, 1^st meadow, very tame!

·        Received box of clothes from Mom > put up storm windows > ground drove Apple down across creek and back

·        Pete, etc., dewormed sheep, one was trampled > Henry, Donovan, etc. here for dinner

·        Apple, Maverick, trimmed feet > ATC > ground drove Apple to white gate, back

·        Lunged Apple with saddle, stirrups down, bit in mouth

·        Pete, etc., sheep course > P basketball > drove Apple used bit > Lunch BBF

·        Church Episcopal, Lutheran carol sing > Lunch Frisch’s > took P to Elk’s hoop shoot > worked Apple > Warmke here

·        Early morning walk, lovely snow > saw K. Foster’s puppies

·        Cricket shoes pulled, feet trimmed

·        Christian Women’s Luncheon, Martha > ATC graduation 1 poodle, 2 Irish

·        Walk along fence line

·        Doug O. here, walked up to “Sheep camp” > got on/off Apple, bareback

·        Drove for basketball > 200 sheep on Hixon Road > Pete in Charleston > Rode Cricket, led Apple with Peck saddle, bags, etc., J rode Shah, led Maverick

·        Rode Cricket, led Apple, J rode Shah, led Maverick > looked for Sheep on Phillip’s Place > Rode Cricket, J rode Shah, herded 60 sheep from blackberry meadow, drove around Hixon’s > Bill Wright here overnight

·        Regulator frozen, 40 in house, 20 outside > rode Cricket, watched sheep while Henry went after sheep at Hixon’s, very cold > “Sheep sat” while Henry brought ewes back from Jan’s > Hartley’s

·        40 head western ewes in our pasture > made lamb stew

·        Changed rams, moved sheep pasture, rode Cricket, rained all day

·        Furnace (gas) off again > sheep sat while Henry went after 40 sheep at Hixon’s, rode Cricket, cold 17 degrees > Mom sent 10 lbs honey, 2 dresses > took grains in to be mixed

·        To Mansfield, Gary put wires on J’s teeth, went snowmobiling, visited Jessie, stopped at Al Schneider’s > Shane ill, diabetes > Pete to Warmke’s > wrapped Christmas presents

·        Shane insulin daily > picked up corn in field by Jan’s, well swabbed

·        Christmas Eve – opened presents from Pete – 5 cell flashlight, burros “Breeding” certificate > Christmas Eve service, Lucille Jennings, beautiful harp music

·        Christmas Day – opened presents: Gary/Aggie – gloves; Betty/Abbott – socks, books; Christy – canned goods, basket; Jan – candy, jar; P/J – red hood, blanket; Rome Warmke – books > Henry here for dinner, played chess with Pete

·        Shane blood sample, P worked Kanga > Kanga last day of whipworm treatment > led Apple, P rode Apple up hill bareback while I led him > Rode Cricket, J rode Shah around thru woods

·        Dewormed sheep > 24 ewes, 1 wether, trimmed feet, detailed 2 lambs

·        Put Christmas tree out in yard > Joe Theresa McNeil here > J slumber party at Pam Brooks

·        Picked up martingale at Laird’s > Lunch BBF > Rome Warmke here for dinner > wrote letters

·        Church of Good Shepherd > lunch Dolen’s > rode Cricket, Pete Sailor, J Shah, up to pasture to check sheep, Pete brought back sick one, took back 2 Beagles belonging to Raymond Misner > played chess with Pat

·        New Year’s Eve – popped popcorn, played Hearts

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Enjoy the journey!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.