Photo at right shows the original self-supporting steel bridge that spanned the Watauga river in front of the Farthing farm, which Dad and Uncle Aubyn Farthing purchased in 1932.

I remember in the early 1930s, it was reported that Louis and Glenn had ran across the steel girders at the top of this structure. ( HIGH ABOVE THE RIVER ) Some years ago, I asked Glenn about this. He replied that, indeed, they had climbed up the end girders to the top and had ran across the top steelwork to the other end of the bridge!! Glenn said they did this probably 2 or 3 times. He admitted that indeed, this was EXTREMELY dangerous, but " WE GOT AWAY WITH IT". HE ADDED: "WE WERE JUST LUCKY". !!