Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-09-29
DEAD ON THE RAIL
And Discovered by a Conductor
in a Peculiar Manner.
9 'g!4S WARMED BY A GHOST.
While Asleep In the caboose---A
Railroad Mans Story of an In
cident Which Occurred on the
Norfolk and Western.

CIuonI WHICH l'CCuTT0u UT III
Norfolk and Western.
"One occurrence that may be sub
stantiated by the records of the Nor
folk & Western railway leads me tt
believe that the dead sometimes come
back to earth,' said A. NJ. Strong, al
old railroad man, in conversation with
a Chicago Inter-Ocean reporter. "a
year and half has elapsed since the
occurrence, but despite the efforts of
the family and friends of the dead
man, assisted by one of the most pow
erful organizations of railroad men in
tse country, it still remains mystery
that will forever remain behind the
gray curtains of death.
"a year ago last March I was in
Roanoke, Va, on my way back West.
l had hustled all day to get out, but at
9 o'clock that night was still on the
waiting list. 1t was Sunday, and few
freight trains were running. My card
was not good on passenger trains. Pay
fare could not, and so 1 was obliged
to await the courtesy of some fellow
O. R. G. (Order of Railway Conduc-
tors) man for transportation. There
was to be run west at 10 o'clock, and
the yardmaster had agreed to square
me with the conductor. When be
showed up was introduced to him,
and my card made me all right for a
ride. His name is R. Z. Ryan, and he
is typical railroad man in every way.
Big and hearty, well educated, spa|
with the nsrye % necessary IN a yoca-
tion go hazardous, he is just the man
for the business. The night was pleas
ant, and for hour or two | sat in the
gupola OF the eaboose talking with
Ryan. 1t was nearing midnight when
! ! Vent below and arranged a place to
lie down.
Il had been asleep some time when /
was awakened by the hoWling wind
and the dashing rain on the metal roof
of the caboose. The train was stand
ing on side track at Curve Siding, a
little station away up In the Blue
Ridge mountains, and an awful storm
was in progress. 1 sat up and looked
around the car On the seat opposite
me sat the engineer; hs lad ecMe back
to the capoose- and was looking over
some orders, while Ryan still occupied
the seat In the cupola, but now asleep,
with his head resting against the glass
Of the window at his side. AS 7 watch
ed him be opened pig eyes, and, look
ing down at me, askedi
"'Who was that fellow who was
here just now? Where did he go?'
II told him 40 one had been in the
sar "a. eseeesst eseest tha engineer ana the negro
brakeman, who was doing in a corner
at the rear of the car. Baldwin, the
engineer, said: Bob, you've been
dreaming, II you want to sleep, why
don't you lie down like white man.
"'I want to watch for No. A. Ryan
replied, Maybe waa asleep, hope
SO, had a mighty nasty dream
s'He leaned back against the window
and was soon snoring again, l went
| to the door of the cabOose and looked
out. The rain was falling in torrents,
and it was the darkest night ] ever
saw. The only visible object was the
window of the depot, through which
CLEANED dimly the light on the table
of the. night telegraph operator. I
started back from the door to my seat,
when Ryan jumped down the eupola,
almost striking me in his haste, picked
up his lantern from the floor, and
started for the door, saying:
"God That's twice I've seen that
Imam, and he's told me b2th times to
go and pick up that body at the end
Of the PLATFORM
"His face was white and drawn, and
he was trembling like a leaf. The ne.
lgro brakeman covered hack in his cor.
ner and his eyes showed only the white
as he said: 'Cap'n Bob's done got q
lspell.'
"Ryan, bareheaded and With pp coal
len, DASHED out in the drenehing rain.
I'VE could see his lantern dancing as
he went running up the track until
finally it disappeared behind the broad
cotton platform that stood between tht
main line and the sidiug. Just as BIZ
lantern passed out of sight we hear(
the low hoarse roar ef a dpplex whia
tile. It was the Virginia Limited
No. 4, giving the station signal, les
than mile away. When the SCUM
Iof the whistle died away, we hear
IRyan calling:
"Hil baldwin! Send that nigge
lover here to help me move this body.
"The colored man turned shad
lighter, his eyes rolled up, and in
piteous tone he said: 'Gawd, Mista
John, amt gwine to touch no dea
= corpses dis night. Ah'lI quit fob A
does.'
T. "'Hurry up, john came Ryan
voice. No As coming.
Through the pouring rain the Ell
gineer and myself went up the track
where Ryan was standing. By the dil
light of the lantern we saw lying 9
the track, the horribly mangled corps
Of white man. we rolled the poo
mutilated remains in blanket and
SOON as No. 4 passed carried it to tt
|depot. Then Ryan and the now tho
oughly terrified darky searched Il
track in both directions for somethir
that would identify the remain
Plenty of evidence was found in tt
torn clothing that was strewn aloI