Folks, Jim Stewart wrote about the design details of the Whipple Bowstring Iron Bridges in Oklahoma in 2012 while I was still trying to figure out how the Butterfield Overland Stage and Mail got across Red River into Texas. I had never heard of Bridgehunter.com or History-Sites.com at the time. See example commentary by Jim Stewart in Bridgehunter.com for Leflore County Oklahoma:
Poteau River Iron Bridge (Beale Bridge) 1860
Posted November 15, 2012, by JIM STEWART
I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to have read Jim's prior work and many others, including Squire Whipple's first book on iron bridge design. So I am honored to have Jim Stewart comment on our six Whipple Bowstring Iron Bridges built on the Beale Wagon Road in Oklahoma in 1859-60. I am pleased that he has found favor in the material and has offered additional commentary and direction.