The Brakeman
Legend:
The ghost of a young brakeman who was killed in is said
to walk the tunnel.
No trains have passed through
the towns of Hope, Moonville or Ingham for well over twenty years. However, nearly
hidden behind years of thick forest growth, the gravelly foundation of the old Cincinnati and Marietta
Railroad tracks still run noiselessly through this section of southeastern
Ohio. But the locals here in Vinton County say the railway tracks aren't the
only remnants of the mining and railway days still hanging around.
In fact,
stories tell of a railway brakeman that haps by the old Moonville Tunnel in
the dark of night. Countless witnesses state they have seen a man carrying a lantern
trudging along the tracks and through the tunnel. Some have even taken pictures
at the tunnel when no one is around, only to find the image of man
standing at the far end when they process the images.
Sources:
McArthur Democrat
Athens Messenger
Vinton Record
Effects have been added to this image to
illustrate real accounts of experiences.
There are at least four brakemen killed on the
railway near Moonvlle Tunnel:
1859 Unknown Brakeman
Brakeman on the Marietta and Cincinnati
Railroad fell from the cars and was fatally injured. “ . . . Due to “too
free use of liquor . . .”(McArthur Democrat, March 31, 1859)
1873 McDevitt
A brakeman of the accommodation named McDevitt was
caught between two colliding platforms and had both legs and one arm
horribly mangled. . . McDevitt survived his injuries only a short time.
The deceased we learn was about 21 years of age, and leaves a widowed
mother . . . (Athens Messenger, July 17, 1873)
1876 - Michael Molboro
Michael Molboro is killed on
the Marietta and Cincinnati Line. Eight years later his brother, Thomas,
a brakeman is killed on the same track. (Vinton Record, 14 February 1884
via hidden ohio map and guide)
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