Train Rules and Darwin

15 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Camp Creek, Disasters, Equipment, Orbs, Paranormal, Train Wreck, Train Wrecks

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camp creek, orbs, ovilus III, train wreck

Orbs at Camp Creek Train Wreck

Train Rules and Darwin

Trains run around the clock. On weekends. At night. And trains come from both directions. Conductors only blow train horns at crossings. In Georgia, horns do not sound at Quiet Zones, locations were silent crossings have been established. These are hard learned lessons to learn on an investigation. Darwinism may get the best of you. That is, if you aren’t paying attention.

Recently, API conducted a follow-up investigation at the Camp Creek train wreck site in McDonough, Georgia. In 1900, torrential rain storms caused a train truss bridge to fail and the Southern No. 7 plunged into the creek. At least 36 people died (See previous blog). Reported hauntings abound in this area. At API that translates into follow-up investigations.

The sky was clear and the temperatures hovered in the mid-forties. All in all it was a beautiful evening for an outdoor investigation. Upon arrival we observed the predictable animal bone. Found some last time, too. After setting up our equipment we waited for the first train to pass. I captured lots of orbs. Further, I was able to distinguish between condensation images and anomalies. Some of the pictures are fabulous.

My father was fascinated with trains. He built model trains. He traveled by rail back in the day when it truly was an adventure. He even founded a train hobby club. I know trains. I also know to respect them. Alternatively, Jenn has not lived near train tracks. If she had, she would know that 1) trains run at night; 2) trains run on weekends; and 3) trains come from both directions. However, Jenn was eager to test out the hiking shoes and use the climbing rope. There was no stopping her. Well, there was, but it came later. Jenn marched across the tracks toward the bridge. She situated herself and began an EVP session. She even considered (albeit briefly) scaling the ravine. Thankfully logic caught the better of her. When she saw the train light she was able to collect her equipment and to shout out a warning to me. And then she ran. (It’s actually quite comical when you listen to the tape)

I was farther down and still on solid footing. I turned and hustled toward safer ground. When I saw the light, I scurried down an embankment and starting taking pictures. My Ovilus III was running. It produced the following words: saw, paranormal, although, water, down, main, and foliage. This seemed clear to me. There was water down the embankment that was heavily lined with foliage. And I was too close!

After the train passed, I saw a light hovering along the tracks. It wasn’t coming from the brush and it wasn’t from a car. I captured a few pictures of it. The anomalies are dense and some show movement. The night produced a lot of laughter, a few prayers of thanks, and at least one life insurance policy subscription. Hopefully Jenn remembers the train rules since I’m sure we will be going back for more evidence.

Orb after Train

36 Mutilated Bodies Rescued

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Train Wrecks

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camp creek, mcdonough, train wrecks

Embankment at Camp Creek Train Wreck, 1900.

36 Mutilated Bodies Recued

The headline on the Monday Evening Edition of the Atlanta Journal on June 25, 1900 foretold the extent of the accident: “36 Mutilated Bodies Rescued from Southern Wreck at McDonough.” Torrential rain fell twenty-three (23) days leading up to the largest train wreck in Georgia history. The rushing water at Camp Creek undermined the culvert.

The Southern No. 7 was heading north from Macon to Atlanta. Most of the passengers were railroad workers returning from a week’s worth of work. The train was comprised of the engine, combination car, day coach, and a Pullman. The red lantern on the north end of the trestle gave no warning. By the time the conductor noticed that the rails washed away, it was too late. One survivor noted, “There was not even time to pray.” The nine (9) survivors were all in the last car, the Pullman.

Although Internet stories vary on the number of casualties, the final number will remain unknown. The majority of the passengers did not have tickets; there was no final count on the passenger number. Many bodies were mutilated and dismembered. Twenty-four (24) men were identified within days. Nine (9) men were left unidentified. Of those identified, one man, J.E. Wood, survived the crash but lost consciousness when he was engulfed in flames and pulled from the river.

Engine “836” as No. 7 was known had been involved in three (3) prior accidents. Three (3) people were killed in one incident at the Etowah River, near Cartersville. The engine was never used after the Camp Creek accident.

The survivors included: Jesse F. Rohr, Baltimore; Walter Pope, 104 Ellis Street; Miss Mary B. Merritt, Boston; Miss Clara Alden, Boston; J.O. Flynn, 65 Woodward Avenue; E. Schryver, Chattanooga; E.E. Mack, Chattanooga; J.J. Quinlan, flagman on train; and P.C. Carter, Pullman porter.

The passengers killed were: W.W. Ipark, 500 Houston Street; W.F. Maddox, 170 Decatur Street; George W. Flournoy, Bellwood Avenue; W.J. Pate, Brotherton & Whitehall Streets; Jesse Pate, 13 year old son; D.C. Hightower, Stockbridge; and J.L. Florida, Nashville.

The crew consisted of: J.T. Sullivan, 698 South Pryor Street; William A. Barclay, 340 Courtland Street; H.R. Cressman; William Green; and W.W. Bennett, baggage master, 274 Woodward Avenue.

The railroad employees returning home were: J.H. Hunnicutt, 305 Luckie Street; J.E. Wood, Mill Street; G.Y. Griffith; W.R. Lawrence; W.O. Ellis; John Brantley, Buena Vista Avenue; J.H. Rhodes; W.L. Morrisette, Pocahontas, Virginia; Ed Bird; Bob Smith; Robert Spencer; and John Early.

The most heart-wrenching story is of W.J. Pate and his son Jesse. At the time of the crash, Jesse was sound asleep on his father’s lap. His dad was found with his arms wrapped around his son.

Investigation: Upon arrival at the train tracks, we discovered dried animal bones and teeth. Nothing unusual appeared in the photographs. The Ghost Radar produced some blips, but most vanished quickly. The location seemed quiet. Nothing unusual occurred here.