
Regardless of its construction date it is confirmed that it was built in the Stockyards of Kansas City. The Rocky Ford Bridge was built between 18.

The trial surrounding the murder of Sandy Bird brought attention to the town of Emporia and attention to the bridge by those hoping to see Sandy Bird’s ghost.

However, it is the murder of Sandy Bird that took place in 1983 where most of the bridges memory lies. It holds historical significance because of the way it was designed. Its exact construction is unknown due to it being built around the turn of the 19th century. Tom Bird was convicted in July 1984 of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Sandy’s murder in July 1985.īird was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the Conspiracy conviction and 25 years to Life for the Murder Conviction.Īs of September 1997, Tom Bird remained in prison.The Rocky Ford Bridge is a single lane iron truss bridge that lies over the Cottonwood River. Their facts determined she had been attacked on the river bridge and thrown from the bridge. They discovered the Emporia Police, Kansas State Police and KBI had been investigating her death. Having been aware that Sandy suspected Tom’s relationship with Lorna, Sandy’s family began investigating her death. In late December 1983, Sandy’s family learned that Loran Anderson’s husband had been murdered in October 1983. Tom insisted the State was liable that poor road signs were at fault for the accident and he planned a liability lawsuit. Since Sandy’s family lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, they believed the accident story. The car went off the narrow road, over an embankment and into a river on the outskirts of Emporia. Tom attempted to mask the murder as a single-car accident. Tom was having an affair with his church Secretary Lorna Anderson. On July 16th, 1983, Sandy Stringer (Bird), 33, from Emporia, Kansas was murdered by her husband Tom Bird, a Lutheran minister.

Sandy loved all aspects of her life, children, husband, family and friends.īubbly, outgoing, eyes aglow, infectious smile and laugh, a peck on the cheek or an embrace….this was Sandy…. When Sandy promised a task, it was completed. Housework and cooking were not an immediate daily concern to Sandy as she concentrated on raising the family, volunteering at church and accomplishing her academic goals. Sandy worked diligently coordinating activities in the Lutheran Church, despite a heavy schedule as a student and teacher.

Having obtained a Master Degree, Sandy was studying for a Doctorate in Mathematics and Computer Science. Sandy was a perpetual student and teacher, interested in the practical applications of Mathematics, exciting others with her knowledge and enthusiasm.
