Wagon Wheel Locks Just Before Bridge Disaster

On the return journey to Ohio in 1826, Lewis Barney's father fell from the wagon and was run over by both hind wheels. At the critical moment when the horses were running wildly and heading toward a bridge with the wagon wheel barely on the edge, a stake in the wagon's hind holster miraculously flew out. This allowed the wagon bed to slide around and lock the wheel, checking the horses' speed just as they were about to plunge over the bridge. One rod farther and the wagon would have overturned, likely killing all aboard. This perfectly-timed mechanical intervention saved their lives.