Murder On The Rail; A Norfolk & Western Railroad Murder

Early Morning, Saturday March 20, 1909 -

 Chugging up the valley south of the Queen City, the Number 1 train of the Norfolk and Western Railroad approached the small hamlet of Vesuvius just north of Lexington. Smoke billowed from the stack above the engine as the fireman stoked the fire. Roadmaster Turner Hughes nodded off in his seat at the rear of the engine. The mournful sound of the train's whistle called out to the residents as it passed just before seven in the morning, greeting some as they woke, others already in the fields working the crops and livestock while still others made their way to the manganese and ore mines in the area. Crossing the trestle at Big Merry's Creek where it joined the South River, Engineer George A. Jones thought it odd he had yet to see Drawbond's lantern signal the all clear for Cedar Ridge Cut.

Normally standing on the west side of the tracks just before the cut entrance, Thomas would swing his lantern with the white light indicating the tracks were clear of any rock slides. If there was a problem, the lens would have been switched to red. In the early morning light, there was no signal. Slowing the train as they crossed the second trestle above the South River that curved around the base of the hill, Jones felt trepidation as they approached the opening of the cut. His gut feeling rang true as he saw a dark object lying between the tracks. Applying the brakes hard, the passengers in the cars lurched forward. The roadmaster came close to falling from his seat and the fireman grabbed for anything to stop his fall.

Coming to rest, the engine had reached the south end of the cut while the rest of the train filled the tracks past the north end. Whatever lay between the tracks now lay beneath the passenger cars. Hughes, followed by the fireman, made their way to the steps between the engine and the tender. Jumping to the ground they slid down the gravel edge of the tracks and made their way along the narrow dirt path between the rail ties and the dolomite wall that rose forty-plus feet above. Moving quickly along the cars they looked under each until they found the body of Night Watchman Thomas

Drawbond lying between the tracks. Running to the first car behind the engine, Hughes was met by John J. Funk, railroad detective for the Baldwin Detective Agency.

“We got trouble,” Hughes announced as he approached Funk. “Follow me.”