'Sugarman' honored for saving lives following bridge disaster
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'Sugarman' honored for saving lives following bridge disaster

16 killed when cars went off bridge into Clear Creek in 1939

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'Sugarman' honored for saving lives following bridge disaster
16 killed when cars went off bridge into Clear Creek in 1939
A ceremony is set for Saturday at the Clear Creek Bridge in Warren County to celebrate the heroism of Andrew "Sugarman" Daniel, who dove into the cold, turbulent water to rescue people from cars that went into the creek after the bridge washed out 75 years ago.Daniel died in 1969 without ever getting the much-deserved recognition for his heroic acts in 1939. A group of people in his hometown of Edwards decided to bring attention to "Sugarman" on the anniversary of that tragedy.Case Files: SugermanSixteen people died when their cars went off the bridge and into the water on that stormy night in 1939; eight survived. The bridge stands west of the Big Black River in Warren County. Clear Creek is one of its tributaries.William "Nitty" Jasper, now 97, was 22 years old the day the bridge collapsed. Jasper said he saw Daniel save at least one life that day.A butcher by trade, Daniel was a larger-than-life person, standing 7 feet tall. He got his name because he liked to give candy to kids. He also had animals following him around wherever he went, including a pig and a fox. Daniel was 39 years old when he became a hero.Joedda Gore, who goes by Jody, wrote a book about "Sugarman" and the events of the Clear Creek bridge disaster.Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said Warren and Hinds counties are naming sections of Highway 80 on both sides of the Clear Creek Bridge for "Sugarman." They'll also put up a sign that tells his story.  

A ceremony is set for Saturday at the Clear Creek Bridge in Warren County to celebrate the heroism of Andrew "Sugarman" Daniel, who dove into the cold, turbulent water to rescue people from cars that went into the creek after the bridge washed out 75 years ago.

Daniel died in 1969 without ever getting the much-deserved recognition for his heroic acts in 1939. A group of people in his hometown of Edwards decided to bring attention to "Sugarman" on the anniversary of that tragedy.

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Case Files: Sugerman

Sixteen people died when their cars went off the bridge and into the water on that stormy night in 1939; eight survived. The bridge stands west of the Big Black River in Warren County. Clear Creek is one of its tributaries.

William "Nitty" Jasper, now 97, was 22 years old the day the bridge collapsed. Jasper said he saw Daniel save at least one life that day.

A butcher by trade, Daniel was a larger-than-life person, standing 7 feet tall. He got his name because he liked to give candy to kids. He also had animals following him around wherever he went, including a pig and a fox. Daniel was 39 years old when he became a hero.

Joedda Gore, who goes by Jody, wrote a book about "Sugarman" and the events of the Clear Creek bridge disaster.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said Warren and Hinds counties are naming sections of Highway 80 on both sides of the Clear Creek Bridge for "Sugarman." They'll also put up a sign that tells his story.