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
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.
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