Talk:List of companies consolidated into American Bridge Company

Latest comment: 14 years ago by Detgfrsh

Columbia Bridge Co., Successor to Columbia Bridge Works of Dayton, OH (D.H. & C.C. Morrison)

Untitled== As cited, this list comes from a New York Times article published in 1899 covering the formation of American Bridge. I'm not sure why there are 29 companies instead of 28, which is the most common number. Any input on this point would be appreciated. Detgfrsh (talk) 20:01, 14 July 2009 (UTC)Reply

Columbia Bridge Co., Successor to Columbia Bridge Works of Dayton, OH (D.H. & C.C. Morrison)

There have been rumors that this firm was included in the formation of American Bridge. The following is evidence to support this.

Columbia Bridge Works of Dayton, OH was reorganized as Columbia Bridge Co. upon the death of D.H. Morrison, its founder, in 1882.

Columbia Bridge Co. got into financial trouble in the late 1880s, the employees quit work on or before April 11, 1890 (The Dayton Herald, April 11, 1890, Pg.3). The firm was subsequently sued by its employees and sold to Andrew Carnegie (of Carnegie, Phipps & Co.) for $38,000. at sheriffs sale on August 4, 1890 (the existing shareholders were wiped out). Multiple references exist but so far, the best name is page 4 of the Thursday, August 7, 1890 edition of The Miami Helmet.

Subsequently, the company was moved to Pittsburgh, PA and was still referenced as an entity as of April 22, 1901. As it was part of Carnegie's holdings (although it is not yet clear if it was considered a subdivision or independent) it became part of American Bridge.

Sincerely, Art S.