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| 'Ghost train' colored lore of local railroad |
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| Question: I've heard my grandfather tell of a "ghost train" that was part of the railroad history of the line that was headquartered in Harrison. Do you know the story of the "ghost train?" |
| Answer: The "Ghost Train" story goes back to the early 1900s and it can be found in an old issue of Railroad Magazine. The printed story goes like this: |
| Phantom trains have long been subjects for the most exciting fiction, but it is seldom that a well-authenticated instance of such apparitions occurs. A story from Eureka Springs seems to fill the bill in this particular, however. |
| The engineer of a passenger train was about to slow up for the water tank at Gaskins, as was the custom, when he saw just ahead a caboose with the signal lights burning. He also saw the conductor come out of the cupola with his lantern and noted the burning fusee on the track. (For those not familiar with railroad terms, a fusee is a colored flare used as a railway warning signal.) |
| He yelled to his fireman. The fireman glanced out of the window, saw the caboose, grasped the reverse lever, and helped his chief to throw it over. Then both men dropped down to jump. But before they could go over, the caboose vanished, and the only thing left was the charred fusee on the track. |
| Fireman Harrelson had such a fright that he refused to go out the next morning, and although Engineer Dobbins went out under protest, he recommended Master Mechanic Dolan have everything in readiness, as there was sure to be a wreck somewhere. |
| But the trains ran as usual, and if there was any object in the visit of the ghost, it has not been made clear yet. The account is supplemented by the statement that Agent Braswell of Gaskins also saw the phantom caboose and lights from his home. |
| So, that is the story of the "Ghost Train" - I just wish Jess Watkins had been the engineer at that time, but this happened before his time working on the railroad. I can just imagine what a great spin he could have put on this story! |
| E. R. "Ernie" Braswell remained with the North Arkansas line until it stopped operating in 1946. By the way, he would make no further comment on the phantom train. |
| In 1913, there were eight passenger trains arriving and departing each day: |
| The Joplin-Helena through trains; |
| The Joplin-Eureka Springs motor car; |
| Two Seligman-Eureka Springs steam trains that handled Frisco connections. |
| To give you an idea of the train schedules, a poem written by E. R. "Ernie" Braswell explains it very well: |
Missouri and North Arkansas is the name of the road.
Always on time and our connections are good.
First train in the morning leaves at 8:45,
With 15 minutes at Seligman after you arrive.
To get a train to St. Louis unless they are late,
But for Ft. Smith and Paris you have a two hour's wait.
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The next train arrives at 10:53,
Brings visitors from St. Louis, Dallas and K.C.
Leaves Eureka Springs promptly at 11 o'clock,
Makes connections at Kensett for Memphis and Little Rock.
The Iron Mountain South leaves Kensett 9:50,
And at 11 o'clock in Little Rock you arrive.
Then at 1:10 a.m. the Memphis train will be due,
And gets you to Memphis about 5:52.
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Twelve-fifty-five is the Motor Car time,
Brings visitors from Lebanon and south on that line.
Then leaves Eureka Springs promptly at 2 p.m.,
Takes you to Elk Ranch and Beaver and right back again.
Arrives at Eureka at 15 past 4,
And leaves at 5 o'clock for Seligman once more.
Ten minutes wait at Seligman for the local train north,
One hour for the train for Dallas and Fort Worth.
Then the train from St. Louis is just pulling in,
We get all their passengers and hike out again.
Arrive at Eureka about 7:45,
Just before the passengers from the south will arrive.
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Number two is the last and will leave at 8 o'clock,
Brought our passengers from Kensett, Memphis and Little Rock.
It takes you to Seligman where you make connections north,
But you stay there all night if for Dallas or Fort Worth.
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But passengers for Joplin go right through you see,
To make connections for Wichita and K.C.
And various points to numerous to mention,
But for all these places we make good connection.
If there's any other information, rates, e.t.c.,
Just write, phone, or ask the agent, E.R.B.
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| The railroad that once ran through Harrison had a great past, and you can read all about it in James R. Fair's book, The North Arkansas Line. There are still several railroad "brats" (kids of railroad employees) living in the area, and we all agree that it would be great to hear the old whistle bellowing and blowing through the air as the train approached Harrison or any of the many stops along the line. One can only imagine what it would be like if the M&A, or the M&NA - or the A&O were still headquartered in Harrison and you could board the train for a ride south to Gilbert, Leslie or Heber Springs and north to Eureka Springs, Beaver or Joplin. |
| The Railroad Room of the Heritage Museum holds memorabilia from the old line and we invite you to come by and relive the past. The museum, located on the corner of South Cherry and Central Avenue, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. |
| This column appears Fridays in the Harrison Daily Times. Mail questions to Boone County Heritage Museum, P. O. Box 1094, Harrison, AR 72601. Marilyn Smith can be contacted at bchm@windstream.net |
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