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Henderson County's beloved 116 year old covered bridge suffered roof and siding damage Sunday from an arsonist, but all will be repaired. Sheriff Lumbeck says Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward. |
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
A second attempt to burn down the historic 1886 Henderson County Covered Bridge between Gladstone and Oquawka, was stopped by volunteer firemen from the Gladstone and Oquawka Fire Departments.
According to Henderson County Sheriff Mark Lumbeck, "A sick person has done this!"
According to the sheriff, the fire was started near the same place as it was 2-1/2 months ago, Sept. 2, 2002. That time candles were used and only a portion of the beams was charred.
On Sunday, the fire was more aggressive. Twigs and dry leaves had been stuffed in the corner and set fire and the siding and roof were on fire, according to Ted Anderson State Fire Marshal.
Fire retardant had been applied to the structure three years ago which had slowed the burning, Sheriff Lumbeck said.
IDOT sent a structural Engineer from Peoria who inspected the bridge and said there was no major structural damage and that all could be repaired. The Engineer felt the funds they had for fire retardant every two years could be used to repair the bridge.
Sheriff Lumbeck had phone Senator elect John Sullivan (D) who investigated in Springfield and reported there is state and federal funds for historical landmarks they can fall back on if the money from IDOT doesn't cover the cost. So far, there is no dollar estimate on the damage.
The bridge is one of five covered bridges left in the state of Illinois.
Wolf Covered Bridge Knox County, IL had been burnt down earlier, he said.
Some members of the Henderson County Historical Society asked the Sheriff if the bridge will be repaired by Heritage Trails in Sept. 2003.
According to the Sheriff, IDOT hoped so, "but for now we can only wait and see."
"We've closed off the covered bridge until Spring so no one will get hurt around the bridge," he said.
Monday, IDOT was busy covering the roof with tarps hoping to protect it from the rain and snow.
Congressman Lane Evans had gained $90-$95,000 for a security flood-lighting system and sprinkling system for the Henderson County Bridge a year and a half ago, but the sheriff said the work was still in the bid letting process by IDOT.
As far as who might do such a thing, the sheriff had a report shortly after the fire call of a man who saw a light colored pick-up (Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, or Toyoto etc.) with rust along the bottom around 2 p.m. pull out of the covered bridge area going at a high rate of speed and heading toward Gladstone.
Later, a small pickup was reported on a side-road south of the covered bridge with someone watching the action. When deputies went to check out the report, the vehicle was gone.
The sheriff was out of the area when the report came in Sunday at 2:30 p.m., but he said they felt the fire was started between 1:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sheriff Lumbeck and many other outraged citizens are hoping to soon have the responsible person behind bars. They are asking anyone with any information to call the sheriff (888-867-1101) or to call Crime Stoppers at Ph. 877-867-6202. They are offering a $1,000 Reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
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Henderson County's beloved 116 year old covered bridge suffered roof and siding damage Sunday from an arsonist, but all will be repaired. Sheriff Lumbeck says Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward. |
The Henderson County Covered Bridge, built in 1866 and rebuilt by IDOT after flood damaged it in 1983 is on the National Register of Historic Places. Arson damages will be repaired.
-photo contributed by Art Kane