| |
Ocean Springs
Buildings
Contents
L&N Depot:
1870-1997 and Railroad accidents
Davis Brothers
Store: 1883-1958
Catchot-Lemon
Building: 1897-2005
Illing's Theatre:
1905-1968
Bertuccini-Dent
Building 1911-2005
Farmers and
Merchants State Bank: 1913-1995
Young-Shanteau
Garage
Marble Springs Park-American
Legion-Jaycee Hut: 1925-1994
Standard Oil-Zanca
Auto Station: 1926-2005
Young-Steelman
Building: 1926-2006
McLeod Masonic Lodge No. 424 F. & A.M.: 1928-2006
Heffner-Cosper-Dale Courts: 1941-1995
C.W. Parker Store:
1958-1978
LOCAL L&N
RAILROAD and DEPOT HISTORY:
(1870-1997)
On
October 29, 1870, the New Orleans, Mobile, & Chattanooga Railroad,
which was chartered in 1866, completed the line between Mobile and
New Orleans. Rail service commenced on November 21, 1870. The
N.O. M. & C. was reorganized on April 18, 1871 and became the New
Orleans, Mobile & Texas Railroad. In March 1880, Judge
Woods of the U.S. Circuit Court ruled that James A. Raynor and Edwin
D. Morgan were the owners of the New Orleans,
Mobile & Texas Railroad. The organization had given a deed of
trust on its entire assets to borrow $4,000,000 from trustees, Oakes
Ames (1804-1873), an American shovel manufacturer, railroad
promoter, and politician
of
Boston, and Edwin D. Morgan (1811-1883), a successful businessman and
politician in New York. Morgan was Governor of New York
from 1858-1862 and US Senator from New York from 1863-1869.
Both men were Republicans. To
construct the rail line from Mobile to New Orleans, the N.O. M. &
Texas Railroad had issued 4000 first mortgage coupon bonds valued at $1000
each and paying 7% semi-annually. In July 1874, the company
defaulted on its payments to the trustees, James A. Raynor, who had
replaced Oakes Ames after his demise, and Edwin D. Morgan.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, March 12, 1880, p. 2)
The L&N Railroad leased the
property of the N.O.M. & T. on May 8, 1880. On October 5, 1881, the
L&N Railroad purchased all the assets of the reorganized New
Orleans, Mobile, & Texas Railroad for $6,000,000. This
acquisition included the Ponchartrain Railroad which ran seven mile
from New Orleans to Milneburg on Lake Ponchartrain, and the one
hundred forty-one miles of track, depots, the creosote plant at West
Pascagoula (Gautier), stations, station houses, section houses,
rolling stock, etc. between Mobile and New Orleans.(JXCO, Ms. Land
Deed Bk. 5, p. 299 and The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 2,
1880, p. 1)
L&N organization
In June 1880 at New Orleans, D.B. Robinson was appointed
Superintendent; J.W. Coleman, general ticket agent; and Mr. Kennedy,
assistant ticket agent and general baggage agent of the L&N for the
Mobile-New Orleans Division. The Union Express Company was
merged into the L&N at this time and it was anticipated that the
Southern Express would be eliminated as a competitor in this region.
It is believed that Robinson Avenue opposite the Ocean Springs
L&N Depot was named for D.B. Robinson.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, May 14, 1880, p. 3)
1880 train service to Ocean Springs
The
L&N Railroad commenced its Coast accommodation train service and
excursion train from New Orleans to Ocean Springs on June 1, 1880.
The railroad relocated its turntable from Pascagoula to Ocean
Springs indicating that Ocean Springs would become an important part
of the railroads service to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.(The Pascagoula
Democratic-Star, May 21, 1880, p. 3)
In early July 1880, the Ocean Springs news reporter
lauded the takeover of the rail line from Mobile to New Orleans by
the L&N Railroad. This journalist also related that the
"accommodation" train was in service between New Orleans and Ocean
Springs and that it would continue all year. In late June 1880, The New Orleans Times
wrote the following concerning rail service between the Crescent
City and Ocean Springs:
The reduced rates on the Mobile road, coupled with the quick
time and regular trains (three each way daily) have already
commenced to have the desired effect, and the favorite lake shore
resorts are rapidly filling up with visitors. Many of our
leading citizens are looking out for suitable sites for building
purposes. The point mostly in demand appears to be Ocean
Springs.
In September 1883, the coal shed, which contained about 1000 tons of
coal, situated in the L&N rail yard at Ocean Springs was discovered
to be on fire. Robert A. VanCleave (1840-1908) of the local
fire company took command of the situation utilizing his men, a
Babcock fire engine, and two railroad section gangs to fight the
conflagration. After five hours the fire was brought under
control with chemicals from the fire engine and the water bucket
brigade. The coal shed was not damaged.(The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star, September 14, 1883, p. 3)
The Mary Jane, formerly the Merry Widow,
a mid-day express train was in operation between Ocean Springs
and New Orleans one day each week. It was very popular during
the summer months.(The Ocean Springs News, April 10, 1910 and The
Jackson County Times, May 31, 1919)
Charles Marshall (1848-1928), a native of Franklin Tennessee, was
appointed Superintendent of the New Orleans & Mobile Division of the
L&N Railroad in September 1886.(The Daily Herald, January 14,
1928, p. 1)
Marshall Park, a public
park, was built in 1911 by the Ocean Springs Civic Federation on
land donated by the L&N Railroad. It opened in late August
1911.(The Ocean Springs News, September 2, 1911)
When the State Commission
increased its tax rate on passenger train tickets in 1911, the L&N
Railroad compensated for the escalation by charging an
additional penny on its local travel rates. The fare to Biloxi
from Ocean Springs increased from twelve to thirteen cents.(The
Ocean Springs News, October 7, 1911, p. 5)
L&N Roundhouse and
water crane at Ocean Springs
(George Granitz
(1909-1981) Collection image
circa 1930)
Charles Marshall (1848-1928), Superintendent of the New Orleans &
Mobile Division of the L&N Railroad, retired on
August 1, 1917. John Bose (1867-1928+), a native of
Jeffersonville, Indiana, replaced Colonel Charles Marshall.
At Jeffersonville, Fred Bose (1841-1870+), a Swiss immigrant and the
father of John Bose, livelihood as a cooper.(The Jackson County Times, August 4, 1917, p. 1)
In late May 1918, great
excitement and damage resulted during an attempt to make a "flying
switch". The rail yardmen planned to direct a moving freight
car onto the turntable, but instead it was misdirected and ran into
the round house. The brakeman riding the freight car tried in
vain to stop the moving car, but had to jump before it smashed into
the doors of the round house plunging through the building and
coming to rest in the street. The resulting destruction took
the work gang about one week to repair.(The Jackson County Times,
June 1, 1918, p. 5)
In the
spring of 1919, the L&N Railroad announced that a new railroad
bridge would be erected across Biloxi Bay about fifty feet from the
existing span.(The Daily Herald, April 11, 1919, p. 1)
In late September 1922,
Henry Ryan (1899-1947), bridge tender, discovered that the L&N
Railroad Bridge was on fire. Help arrived in time to save the
structure.(The Daily Herald, October 2, 1922, p. 1)
L&N Railroad
Superintendent John Bose reminded the people of Ocean Springs that
the small town had the largest number of residents employed by the
New Orleans-Mobile Division with an annual payroll exceeding
$50,000.(The Daily Herald, February 13, 1923, p. 3)
"The Lark",
an express train inaugurated service between Ocean Springs and New
Orleans in February 1927.(The Jackson County Times, February 21,
1927)
Colonel Charles Marshall
(1848-1928) expired at his domicile in Bay St. Louis on January 14,
1928.(The Daily Herald, January 14, 1928, p. 1)
In May 1942, L&N trains
powered by diesel engines began to run on the Mississippi coast.
They would eventually replace the outdated and slower steam engines.(The
Jackson County Times, May 23, 1942, p. 1)
In
December 1982, the L&N Railroad merged with the Seaboard Coast
Line Railroad and the name of the combined corporations became
the Seaboard Systems Railroad, Inc. On July 1, 1986,
the Seaboard Systems Railroad, Inc. changed its name to CSX
Transportation, Inc.
 
L&N Depot (circa
1928) L&N Depot
and water tanks
(George Granitz (1909-1981) Collection; image circa 1930)
L&N Depot
When the Steamboat days came to a quiet end in the 1880s, a period
commenced known in the annals of Ocean Spring's history as the
Railroad Era. It lasted for approximately eighty years.
The Railroad Era left an indelible mark on the town as it influenced
the following: commerce and industry, commercial and domestic
construction, pecan and citrus agriculture, oyster and seafood
wholesaling, and tourism from the Midwest and New Orleans.
Today the salient reminder of this once great era, the L&N
Depot, still stands as The Gateway to Ocean Springs. It is the
landmark with which most people associate Ocean Springs. Because of
its historic and aesthetic significance, the old L&N Depot, must be
preserved and protected for this and future generations. The L&N
Depot, which now houses the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce and
several retail businesses, was constructed as a combination station
in late 1907 or early 1908. It is not the original depot.
Pre-1907 Ocean Springs
L&N Depot
(courtesy of Randy
Randazzo, Arlington, Virginia)
The
depot preceding the current one was further west and almost on
Washington Avenue. It was one hundred twenty feet in length with an
area of almost twenty-five hundred square feet. This depot if the
original was probably built circa 1880-1882.
1891 turn table built
1895 fire
A fire
in late September 1895 had destroyed the round-house which was
adjacent to and north of the depot. The depot was damaged by the
blaze and water resulting from efforts to squelch the blaze. The
station was entirely renovated in November 1895. Agent Weed, made
numerous interior changes and the interior and exterior of the
building was painted. Many felt that the Ocean Springs depot was
the most attractive on this division of the L&N and a credit to the
company. The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 4, 1895).
The
round-house was moved west of the depot. It was torn down in
1943.(J.B. Richmond, 1994)
No
new depot
As early as 1904, it was apparent that a new depot was needed
at Ocean Springs. The Progress reported on February 20,
1904, the following:
The prospect of a new railroad depot for Ocean Springs
in the near future has gone glimmering. The first of the week a
gang of carpenters re-shingled the old structure, which means the
company has no intention of putting up a new depot for some time to
come. It is well known that Superintendent Marshall favors building
new depots at all coastal points but unfortunately the big moguls of
the road up in Louisville cannot be made to see it in the same
light.(The Progress, February 20, 1904, p. 4)
In January 1904, the L&N built a large water tank
adjacent to the depot. It was the largest tank between Mobile and
New Orleans. Later on April 2, 1904, The Progress reported,
"the L&N depot is decidedly improved in appearance since the
painters went to work on it. If we can't have a new depot we are at
least thankful for a neat looking old one".(The Progress,
January 16, 1904, p. 4 and April 2, 1904)
It is not known why the present depot was constructed in 1907
or 1908, but a hurricane, which struck in late September 1906, might
have severely damaged it. It is known that Ocean Springs was dealt
a fierce blow by that tempest.
The Biloxi Daily Herald reported on September 29, 1906
that nearly all the trees on Washington and Jackson Avenues had been
downed. The new concrete block building (Van-Cleave Store at
Washington and Porter) under construction by W.S. VanCleave was
demolished. The force of the wind picked up concrete blocks and
threw them about. Joe Weider's home was destroyed. The Knights of
Pythias Hall on Washington Avenue was knocked off of its
foundation.
Narcisse Seymour lost his oyster houses and suffered heavy loss to
his oyster bedding grounds. The top of the E.M. Westbrook
barbershop was blown off. The First Baptist Church on Desoto was
annihilated by the tornado like winds. With major destruction like
this within a few blocks of its location, it can be assumed with a
high degree of certitude that the L&N Depot must have suffered major
damage although this has yet to be substantiated.
Two of the former L&N station agents, F.M. Weed (1850-1926),
and Hiram A. Turner (1884-1968), served the city as public
officials. Weed, a native of Hinesburg, Vermont, was known as the
"Yankee Mayor". His tenure as Mayor was 1899-1910. Weed was
station agent from 1883 to July 26, 1906.
Hiram Turner was born at Mt. Union, Alabama. He was employed
as station agent from 1937 until 1959. Turner served as Alderman in
1949-53 and 1957-1961. Both gentlemen have streets named for them
in the city.
Other L&N station agents at Ocean Springs were: John
Drysdale (1906-1934), J.J. Barker (1934-1937), Miss G.E. Willett
(1959-1960), Mrs. A.W. Craig (1960-1960), P.W. Clement (1960-1963),
J.L. Nolan (1963-1963), and Mrs. A.W. Craig (1963-1965).
The west end of the present structure is reported to have a
brick foundation (chain wall). It is a wood frame building about
one hundred forty feet in length. The exterior walls (13' to
ceiling) are covered with wood siding, which support a composition
roof (originally slate). The building encompasses an area of almost
three thousand six-hundred square feet.
In September 1916, a gang of painters were put to work
repairing and repainting the L&N Depot. It was said at this time,
to be the “cleanest and best kept depot on the New
Orleans-Mobile Division”.(The Jackson County Times,
September 9, 1916, p. 9)
A work
crew supervised by A.J. Catchot (1864-1954), bridge superintendent
for the L&N, commenced taking down a large water tank on Krebs
Street at Pascagoula in January 1925. The tank was needed because
of the recent change in watering stations. An additional water tank
at Ocean Springs was necessary for storing water for trains taking
on water there.
New
water crane
In the spring of 1923, a
new water crane was erected west of Washington Avenue to eliminate
the blocking of this grade crossing by trains taking on water.
The water crane cost $3000 and was now situated opposite Marshall
Park. Over one mile of passing and parking tracks costing
about $10,000 were also added to the Ocean Springs yard at this
time.(The Jackson County Times, May 29, 1923, p. 5)
Freight depot closed
In early August 1931, Albert S. Westbrook (1900-1980),
the freight agent at Ocean Springs, was transferred to Biloxi in the
same post. His position at Ocean Springs was eliminated.(The
Daily Herald, August 11, 1931, p. 2)
Ice
Water
In March 1951, Thomas
N. Murphy (1892-1966) of the L&N maintenance
department added an electric water fountain at the depot. Plumbing
brought cold water to the Negro waiting room as well as the office.(The
Gulf Coast Times, March 15, 1951, p. 1)
Last Mail
The
L&N Railroad ceased operations at this site on April 20, 1965. The
last mail was delivered by rail to Ocean Springs in late March 1967.
The Ocean Springs Record, April 6, 1967, p. 5)
Whistle Stop and Chamber of Commerce
The
L&N Depot and surrounding .88 acres of land were leased by the
Chamber of Commerce in 1965. David McFalls who was the secretary of
the Chamber at this time subleased a portion of the depot for his
business, The Ocean Springs Record, of which he was the
editor and publisher from 1967 until 1970. McFalls with his wife,
Ruth Joseph McFalls, opened the Whistle Stop on May 26, 1966. It
was a retail shop featuring gifts, and arts and crafts.
Little Red Caboose
In
August 1969, David McFalls located a caboose adjacent to the depot
to let as retail space. It was donated by the L&N. Caboose No. 501
was destined for the caboose graveyard. Ruth McFalls sold it to the
City of Biloxi for $3850 in May 1975. Biloxi relocated the caboose
to a site near the Biloxi Regional Hospital. It allowed senior
citizens of Biloxi to use the caboose as an outlet to vend their
arts and crafts. In October 1994, Jerry and Verna Everett leased
the structure from the City of Biloxi and plan to open a deli-pastry
shop in the old train car in early 1995.
Hurricane Camille 1969
After
Hurricane Camille in August 1969, the L&N commenced a passenger
shuttle service between Gulfport and Pascagoula to alleviate
automobile traffic resulting from the damage to the US Highway 90
bridge across the Bay of Biloxi. There were passenger stops at
Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Keesler AFB, Beauvoir, and Mississippi City.
The cost was $.50 per trip. The temporary rail service was
terminated on September 17, 1969.
1979
Chamber of Commerce acquisition
The
Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce purchased the old depot in June
1979 from the L&N Railroad. The warranty deed was received in
July. Chamber President Ann Allen as authorized to spend
$51,600 for the purchase and maintenance of the old L&N Depot.
Executive Director Betty Goodwin told the Board that the Ocean
Springs State Bank, the mortgage holder, required a $25,000
insurance policy on the building. (JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 660, p. 117 and The Ocean Springs
Record, July 12, 1979, p. 1)
Shortly thereafter, Hurricane Frederic struck the area on September
12, 1979. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at its October
meeting, voted to seek SBA funds and a disaster grant to repair and
renovate their building. Since the tempest, the small leaks in the
roof got bigger. Experts declared the old slate roof to be beyond
repair. In December 1979, the slate roof was replaced with a
composition roof, which cost $5,000. Due to a lack of
communications or confusion during the negotiations and sale of the
building, its insurance coverage may have literally “fell through
the cracks” and the damage from Hurricane Frederic was not covered
by insurance.(The
Ocean Springs Record,
October 4, 1979, p. 1)
1980
In March 1980, the Singing River Construction Company was awarded a
$6000 contract to increase the amount of interior space for the
Chamber of Commerce. The work was expected to take less than two
weeks.
During May 1980, Dr. Elbert R. Hillard of the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History announced that he had been
notified by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service of the
Department of the Interior, that the L&N Depot was now included on
the National Register of Historic Places.
1984
renovations
In 1984, work was done on the interior of the old depot under the
supervision of Maria Bargas, local architect.(The Ocean Springs
Record, December 27, 1984, p. 2)
Henry
Brooks retires
In December 1985, Henry Brooks who began helping General
maintain the depot grounds in the early 1960s and became paid for
his services in 1965 retired as grounds keeper for the Chamber of
Commerce.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 2, 1986)
1997
major restoration
Depot restoration fund raising began in 1994, with dinners, bicycle
ride, "freight yard sale", etc. These projects and donations raised
about $30,000. Capital Campaign 1995 with a goal of raising
$250,000 led by Susan O'Keefe Snyder and Mississippi Historic
Projects Bill-1993 grant applied for in November 1995. Pledges and
donations reach nearly $100,000 by December 1995.
Model train raffle of an Amtrack (LGB) created much interest
at the Peter Anderson Festival in November 1996. Over 1,000 tickets
were sold. The lucky winner was Tom Rushin of Ocean Springs. John
and Mary Alice Miner of Miner's Toy Store contributed the train.
L&N Depot restoration work commenced on January 6, 1997.
Approximately $210,000 had been raised for the project, when workmen
of J.O. Collins Contractor Inc. of Biloxi began removing the freight
dock on the north side of the structure. Foreman Gene Ellzey is in
charge of the project for J.O. Collins. By mid-January, the
laborers were digging pier foundations, replacing rotted floor sills
with salvaged timbers from the freight dock. Concrete block
replacement piers installed on east end of the building (1-23).
The restoration of the L&N Depot at Ocean Springs commenced in
January 1997. Architect, Carl Germany, whose office is in the
shadow of the old station house, which was built shortly after the
turn of the 20th Century, designed and supervised the revitalization
effort. Salient features of this refurbishment project which was
financed by contributions and fund raisers held by the Ocean Springs
Chamber of Commerce, consisted primarily of: major foundation
repairs, freight dock reconstruction, roof drainage rerouting, and
interior mechanical and plumbing considerations as well as changes
in interior walls and floor
space. J.O. Collins Contractor Inc. of Biloxi admirably performed
the work, which was completed in September 1997.
New roof placed on the building in March-April 1999
REFERENCES:
Regina
Hines Ellison, Ocean Springs, 1892 (Second Edition),
(Lewis Printing Services: Pascagoula-1991), p. 28.
J.G.
Lachaussee, "Louisville & Nashville Stations in Jackson County,
Mississippi", p. 13.
Journals
The
Biloxi Daily Herald,
"Aftermath of Great Storm", September 29, 1906, p. 3, c. 6.
The
Chronicle-Star,
"L&N Water Tank Moved To Ocean Springs", January 30, 1925, p.
4, c. 3.
The
Daily Herald,
“Fire discovered in time to save L&N Railroad Bridge", October
2, 1922.
The Daily Herald,
"Ocean Springs", February 13, 1923.
The Daily Herald,
"Col. Marshall Passes Away", January 14, 1928.
The
Daily Herald,
“Ocean
Springs”,
August 11, 1931.
The
Gulf Coast Times,
“Ice
Water Fountain Installed At Station”,
March 15, 1951.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Local News”, September 9, 1916.
The Jackson County Times, “Col. Marshall Retires”, August
4, 1917.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Local News Paragraphs", June 1, 1918.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Local News Items", May 31, 1919.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Local and Personal", May 29, 1923.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Local and Personal", August 7, 1926.
The
Jackson County Times,
"The Lark", February 21, 1927.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Col. Marshall Passes Away", January 14, 1928.
The
Jackson County Times,
"L&N Officials visit Ocean Springs", May 12, 1928.
The
Jackson County Times,
Streamline Engine in L&N Service", May 23, 1942.
The
Mississippi Press,
"Ocean Springs depot restoration pledges hit $85,000",
December 6, 1995, p. 6-B.
The
Mississippi Press,
"Old Springs Depot Receiving Needed Facelift", January 9,
1997, p. 1 with photo.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Local News", June 4, 1910.
The Ocean Springs News,
"Local News",
September 2, 1911.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Local News", October 7, 1911.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Whistle Stop Ad", May 27, 1966, p. 3.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“‘Whistle Stop’ To Open For Business, Friday”,
May 26, 1966.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Last Mail From the Iron Horse", April 6, 1967, p. 5.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"The Second Time Around", April 20, 1967, pp. 6-7.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Writer Journalist on Railroad's History", August 29, 1968,
p. 1 and p. 12.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Caboose # 501", August 14, 1969, p. 4.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"L&N Ease Traffic by Passenger Shuttle", September 11, 1969.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Shuttlin Off for Good", September 25, 1969, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Caboose photo", January 14, 1971, p. 2.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Caboose", July 24, 1975, p. 14.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“Chamber near Depot purchase", December 7, 1978, p. 2.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“Ocean
Springs Chamber makes final plans on depot”,
February 15, 1979, p. 3.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“Ocean
Springs Chamber to receive depot deed”,
July 12, 1979, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Chamber lacks insurance to cover hurricane damage", October
4, 1979, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Chamber to seek SBA loan for renovation", October 4, 1979,
p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Workmen on the roof", December 13, 1979, p. 3, (photo).
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Ocean Springs Chamber told of depot remodeling", March 6,
1980, p. 1
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Ocean Springs depot placed on national register", May 1,
1980, p. 2.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Historic depot renovation nears completion", December 27,
1984, p. 2.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Henry Brooks retires after 20 years", January 1, 1986.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Crawfish shrimp help raise funds for deposit", June 15,
1995, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Caboose track eyed for schools", August 10, 1995, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Pecan Park train derails", September 7, 1995, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Caboose up for adoption or deportation", September 28, 1995,
p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Little red caboose rolls home to Ocean Springs", March 22,
1996, p. C-2.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
December 5, 1996, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
"Train raffle funds depot restorations", January 9, 1997, p.
3, (photo).
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"The N.O. and M.", March 12, 1880.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"Gigantic Railroad Corporation", April 2, 1880, p. 1.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"Railroad News", May 14, 1880.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"Local Paragraphs", May 21, 1880.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"Ocean Springs Items", July 2, 1880.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"Local News", September 14, 1883.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
October 4, 1895.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
November 22, 1895.
The
Progress,
"Local News Items", January 16, 1904, p. 4.
The
Progress,
"Local News Items", February 20, 1994, p. 4.
The
Sun Herald,
"Caboose gets back on track", 19, 1994, p. D-5.
The
Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Newsletter (May 1993), "Old
Depot", p. 1.
Sanborn Map Company (New York), "Ocean Springs, Mississippi",
(August 1893)-Sheet 1, and (May 1909)-Sheet 2.
Personal Communication:
J.B.
Richmond-April 29, 1994
**********************************************************************************************
OCEAN SPRINGS PEOPLE IN RAILROAD ACCIDENTS
With all the railroad accidents occurring along the Mississippi
Coast in recent years, you might be interested in some of our local
citizens who were maimed or killed in railroad related accidents in
past years. Admittedly this is not the most pleasant thing to read
about, but what are newspapers all about anyway? Not all
accidents were to blamed on the railroad. Obviously it was an
attractive hazard, especially to boys. The Pascagoula
Democrat-Star as early as September 1883, admonished the
citizens of Ocean Springs with this paragraph:
There is a law prohibiting persons from attempting to board a moving
train, especially boys. Perhaps a funeral or two will rid the
survivors of this mania. A first-class accident may be looked for
daily at the depot in Ocean Springs. There are several boys very
anxious to have arms, legs or head cut off by a moving train just to
see how it feels.
It was not only human beings that were endangered by
speeding trains, but domestic animals, and in particular the hoofed
variety, that were often killed before stock laws were passed and
enforced. In the summer of 1910, the delivery horse of Judge
Orin D. Davidson (1872-1938) was struck by the L&N New York Limited.
The fast train was estimated to be traveling at the rate of sixty
miles per hour at impact, which scattered the animals exploded body
in multiple directions. The family milk cow of Jeff Davis
Praytor (1861-1912) was also killed in the summer of 1910 by a train
in the six mile per hour zone. The L&N's engineers rarely
observed this "slow speed zone" through Ocean Springs.(The Ocean
Springs News, August 6, 1910)
CHARLES SEARLES
In
August 1897,
Charles Searles, a Black man, allegedly had been drinking and fell
asleep on the L&N tracks at Ocean Springs. His legs were badly
crushed by a locomotive and they had to be amputated by local
physicians, Dr. E.R. Bragg and O.L. Bailey. Searles was sent to
Charity Hospital in New Orleans to recover.(The Biloxi Herald,
August 7, 1897, p. 5)
MARCELLUS REUS
(1884-1905)
On
November 18, 1897, Marcellus Reus, a youth of seventeen met with a
painful accident. He jumped on a moving L&N freight train and fell
off. Reus seriously injured his head and body in the fall. Dr. O.L.
Bailey was in attendance. Marcellus is a wild lad and was in the
act of stealing a ride to New Orleans.(The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
November 12, 1897, p. 3)
JOHN L. ARMSTRONG
(1851-1911)
In
July 1904, while at West Pascagoula, Armstrong, a prominent bridge
contractor with the L&N fell and fractured his arm while supervising
a work crew.(The Progress, July 23, 1904, p. 4)
BENJAMIN SEYMOUR
(1882-1904)
Benjamin "Benny" Seymour, son of Narcisse Seymour and Caroline Krohn,
lost both legs below knee at Bay St. Louis on December 17, 1904.
Seymour was a flagman for the L&N Railroad. He died at Charity
Hospital in New Orleans on December 18, 1904. Narcisse Seymour sued
the L&N Railroad for $20,000 in a wrongful death suit and was
awarded $5000 in damages by a jury in 1908. Judge Niles ordered the
case retried and Seymour lost the suit in Federal court at Biloxi on
February 16, 1909.(The
Ocean Springs News,
February 20, 1909, p. 1)
NORTON C. HAVILAND
(1891-1982)
Norton
C. Haviland had his left foot crushed off by an L&N freight train as
he played opposite the baseball park on February 26, 1905. He was
taken to Charity Hospital at New Orleans on the evening train.
THOMAS AMES
(1843-1906)
Thomas
Ames was killed in an accident while working as a carpenter for the
Dantzler Lumber Company in the Cedar Lake area of Harrison County,
Mississippi.(The
Daily Herald,
June 30, 1906, p. 1)
MIGUEL RODRIGUES
(1866-1906)
Miguel
Rodrigues was an oysterman who lived in the St. Martin Point area.
He had taken the Coast Train to the Rigolets to meet the schooner,
Lewis Johnson, which was owned by the Lopez Canning Company. At the
Rigolets, Rodrigues had gone into a butcher shop and was conversing
with an aquaintance. He left the meat shop and while attempting to
cross the tracks was struck by Train No. 4. The body of Rodrigues
was hurled to one side a distance of forty feet. His head was
mashed to a pulp and most of his bones were crushed. The remains of
Miguel Rodrigues were brough tto Biloxi. He was interred in the
Bosarge Cemetery at North Biloxi.
ELLIOT WESTBROOK
Elliot Westbrook was employed by the L&N at Mobile. He worked as a
switchman. On October 24, 1910, he fell while attempting to make a
switch of some cars in the L&N rail yard at Mobile. A car rolled
over his right arm severing it near the shoulder. Lived at 459
Eslava Street. Married with no children.(The Ocean Springs News,
October 29, 1910, p. 1)
GEORGE RICHARDS
George
Richards was employed by the L&N at Mobile. He worked as a
switchman. On October 21, 1910, his foot was crushed by the
bulkheads of two rail cars. The foot was amputated above the ankle
by Dr. S.S. Peterson on October 25, 1910, when it did not heal
properly.(The Ocean Springs News,
October 29, 1910, p. 1)
LEN HOPKINS and BEN
KING
While the bridge gang of Peter Geiger (1858-1923) was working on the
Bay St. Louis Railroad Bridge in early February 1911, Len Hopkins
and Ben King were injured by falling pilings. Hopkins broke
both legs and was sent to New Orleans for hospitalization. Ben
King's injuries were minor.(The Ocean Springs News, February 4,
1911)
WILLIAM J. WESTBROOK
(1886-1913)
William Westbrook was killed in a railroad accident at Grand Bay,
Alabama on February 23, 1913. While attempting to catch the caboose
of a freight train, he lost his footing and fell beneath the rolling
wheels of a freight car. Westbrook was the L&N station agent at the
time of his demise. Westbrook probably had a child, Lillian (b.
1911) who was living with her grandmother, Hattie Westbrook, in
1920.(The Daily Herald,
February 24, 1913, p. 1)
THOMAS A. EGLIN
(1887-1914)
Son of
Albert M. Eglin (1852-1891) and Amelia S. Krohn (1855-1916).
Flagman on L&N Train No. 38, better known as the New York Limited.
Tom Eglin killed by bandits who robbed the conductor and baggage man
for less than $20 on July 17, 1914. On eastern outskirts of New
Orleans. Buried Bellande Cemetery.(The
Ocean Springs News,
July 18,
1914)
B.F. DOMNING
(1882-1915)
Benjamine F. Domning son of Emile Domning (1850-1918) and Christina
E. Seikman (1848-1933). Married Alfonsine Beaugez (1882-1965).
Children: Emile, Bernard, Mrs. L.V. Burnside, and Sister Mary
Constance. Domning run over in March 18, 1915. Buried at Evergreen
Cemetery. Woodmen of the World unveil monument to Domning on
December 5, 1915 at Evergreen. Sixty-five members from Maple Camp
No. 5 came from Mobile. Several hundred people from Ocean Springs
attended.(The
Ocean Springs News,
March 25, 1915, p. 1)
JOHN JACKSON
John
Jackson, a section foreman, was injured when the hand car he was on
jumped the tracks near Ocean Springs. The hand car was going down
the track when the smoke of a freight train was observed. Jackson's
men put on extra speed in order to reach a certain switch, but the
car jumped the tracks. Jackson received prompt medical attention
for his broken shoulder and is doing well.(The Ocean Springs
News, September 9, 1915, p. 1)
GEORGE RYAN
(1892-1917)
George
G. Ryan son of Beauregard Ryan (1860-1928) and (1863-1928) killed by
train while at army camp near Enterprise, Mississippi. Serving with
1st Mississippi Infantry.(The
Daily Herald,
April 23, 1917, p. 1)
ROB
RANDOLPH
Rob
Randolph while driving the O' Keefe hearse returning from a funeral
was hit by a fast train at the Washington Avenue crossing on
November 20, 1917.(The
Jackson County Times,
November 24, 1917, p. 1)
SHILOH WEBB
Shiloh Webb who lived north of Ocean Springs was injured
on December 7, 1918, at the L&N Railroad crossing on Washington
Avenue in Ocean Springs.(The Jackson County Times, December 7,
1918, p. 5)
MALCOLM
GUICE
(1897-1978)
Malcolm Guice was severely injured on May 14, 1924, when
a box car in which he was standing was bumped into by a freight
train at the L&N depot in Ocean Springs. Guice was thrown from the
car and bruised by the fall. His brother is W.L. Guice, an attorney
at Biloxi. Malcolm Guice operates a chicken farm on the Hyman place
north of Ocean Springs.(The
Jackson County Times,
May 17, 1924)
JASPER R. COLLIGAN
Jasper
R. Colligan, a brakeman for the L&N railroad, was thrown from a
moving train at Mobile, by individuals attempting to board the train
unlawfully, in October 1924. Colligan is from Ocean Springs, but
resides at Mobile. He was not injured.(The
Jackson County Times,
October 11, 1924)
C.W.
MADISON
C.W.
Madison (1858-1925), a former resident of Ocean Springs, and L&N
employee for more than fifty years was killed on January 30, 1925,
while inspecting track near Chef Menteur. The axle on his motor car
broke throwing him from the vehicle. His skull was crushed.
Madison was a resident of Bay St. Louis at the time. His remains
were interred at Evergreen Cemetery at Ocean Springs. Survived by
wife and two daughters, Mrs. Turner of NOLA, and Mrs. M.T. Bangard
of Bay St. Louis.(The
Jackson County Times,
January
31, 1925)
JOSEPHINE E. JOACHIM LEE
Accident occurred at New Orleans on November ?, 1927. Born New
Orleans August 21, 1884. Josephine E. Joachim Lee (1884-1927)
Daughter of B.F. Joachim (1853-1925) and Rosa Bokenfohr
(1861-1934). Killed at New Orleans with husband, Robert E. Lee
(1887-1927), and children: Gretchen Lee (1917-1927) and Jane Lee
(1923-1927). Nephew, Bernard Potin (1921-1927), son of Bernard
Potin and Queenie Joachim, was also killed. Two children, Rosemary
Lee and Robert E. Lee, Jr., survived the accident.
Car
was hit by the Sunset Limited, a fast passenger train of the
Southern Pacific Railroad at Shrewbury Road adjacent to Jefferson
Park.
MALCOLM HODGES
Malcolm Hodges (1899-1932) was killed at Waldo, Alabama on September
29, 1932. He was a Mail Clerk on the L&N Railroad.(The Daily
Herald, September 29, 1932, p. 1)
ROBERT C. CRYSELL
Robert
C. Crysell (1873-1934) was born on November 23, 1873 at Butler
County, Alabama. He was the son of William Crysell and Sarah
Crysell. Married to Lula Ourus (1876-1961). children: Robert C.
Crysell, Charles J. Crysell (1901-1974), Claude Crysell, and Maude
Crysell Endt.Killed on April 19, 1934, at Michaud, Louisiana when he
fell beneath the wheels of an L&N train. Buried at the Chapel Hill
Cemetery near Greenville, Alabama.
HERMAN G. DICK
George
Herman Dick (1896-1941) was born June 9, 1896. He was the son of
Eugene Dick (1868-1918) and Mary Cecile Seymour (Narcisse and Amelia
Kendall) (1869-1953). Married Gladys Kuppersmith on January 2,
1926. Killed at Witt, Illinois on September 27, 1941. Buried at
Mobile.(The
Jackson County Times,
October 11, 1941, p. 1)
ELMER PAUL RYAN
Elmer Paul Ryan (1900-1944), was the son of Hypolite
Ryan and Victoria Tiblier. Discharged from US Army in February
1943. Working as a boatman when hit by train near the Querens
Avenue crossing on September 30, 1944. Died at the Biloxi Hospital
on October 14, 1944.(The Daily Herald, October 14, 1944)
WILLIAM SHIMP
William Shimp (1905-1980) died at the Washington Avenue railroad
crossing on May 27, 1980. His automobile was crushed by a passing
L&N train. Mr. Shimp was born June 18, 1905.(The
Ocean Springs Record, May 29, 1980, p. 1)
REFERENCES:
Regina
Hines Ellison, Ocean Springs, 1892, (Second Edition),
Lewis Printing Services: Pascagoula-1991), pp. 70-73.
The History of Jackson County, Mississippi,
"Emile Domning", Jackson County Genealogical Society:
Pascagoula, Mississippi-1989), p. 194.
The
Biloxi Herald,
“Coast
Items”,
August 7, 1897.
The
Biloxi Daily Herald,
"L&N Claims Another Victim", March 30, 1906, p. 1.
The
Daily Herald,
"Accidentally Killed (Tom Ames)", June 30, 1906, p. 1.
The
Daily Herald,
"Killed by Train at Grand Bay", February 24, 1913, p. 1.
The
Daily Herald,
"George Ryan Killed", April 23, 1917, p. 1.
The
Daily Herald,
“Hodges, Ocean Springs Mail Clerk, Killed”,
September 29, 1932.
The
Daily Herald,
“Injured by Train Elmer Ryan Dies”,
October 14, 1944.
The
Daily Herald,
"Mrs. A. Domning", March 26, 1965, p. 2.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Fast Train Smashes O'Keefe Hearse Returning From Funeral",
November 24, 1917.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Near
Tragedy At L&N Depot Crossing”,
December 7, 1918.
The
Jackson County Times,
October 4, 1941, p. 1.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Local & Personal”, May 17, 1924.
The
Jackson County Times,
“Local & Personal”, October 11, 1924.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Former Resident (C.W. Madison) Buried Here", January
31, 1925.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Dick-Kuppersmith", January 9, 1926.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Five Die In Collision At RY. Grade Crossing", November 12,
1927, p. 1.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Malcolm Hodges Killed in Wreck", September 29, 1932.
The
Jackson County Times,
October 4, 1941, p. 1.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Fast Train Killed Herman George Dick", October 11, 1941, p.
1.
The
Jackson County Times,
"Four Dead in Grade Crossing Wreck Sunday", December 6, 1941,
p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"N.
Seymour Loses Suit Against Railroad",
February 20, 1909, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Local News", August 6, 1910.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Ocean Springs Boys Injured", October 29, 1910, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Tom Eglin Killed By Bandits Who Hold Up Train", July 18,
1914.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"B.F. Domning Killed on Railroad", March 25, 1915, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Domning 7th RY. Victim From Here in Past Few Years", March
25, 1915, p. 2.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Injured When The Hand Car Jumps Track", September 9, 1915,
p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs News,
"Woodmen Unveil Monument (for B.F. Domning) Here",
December 9, 1915, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“The City studies while the railroad kills", September 26, 1974,
p. 4.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“William Shimp (1905-1980)”,
May 29, 1980.
The
Ocean Springs Record,
“Ocean Springs man
[Ernest
Diem (1903-1986)]
hit by train",
April 10, 1986, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record, "Richard Byrd", May 1987.
The
Ocean Springs Record, "Man [Terry Gildea (1960-1989)]
misses road dies", March 2, 1989.
The
Ocean Springs Record, "Boy hit by train after saving brother"
May 5, 1994, p. 1.
The
Ocean Springs Record, "train mishap kills woman [Brenda
Faye Fairley]", November 30,1995, p.1.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
"Ocean Springs Locals", November 12, 1897.
The
Progress,
"Benny Seymour Obit", December 24, 1904, p. 4.
The
Progress,
"Local News", March 4, 1905, p. 4.
The
Progress,
"Local News", July 23, 1904.
**********************************************************************************************
THE DAVIS BROTHERS STORE: 1883-1958
The Davis Brothers Store, a large 19th
Century wood-framed, structure, was situated at Ocean Springs,
Mississippi on a portion of Lot 2 and Lot 8 of Block 27, in Section
37, T7S-R8W. More familiarly, its site was on the west side of
Washington Avenue between present day Martha’s Tea Room and the
Manhattan Grill and Steakhouse. In 1883, George W. Davis and Elias
S. Davis established a mercantile business on the southeast corner
of County Road, now Government Street, and Washington Avenue. In
1886, they built a large building on the west side of Washington
Avenue to house their merchandise. For over seventy years, it stood
as a landmark on the streetscape of the central business district of
Ocean Springs, until it was demolished in 1957 by Clarence E. Galle
(1912-1986) for the salvage of its valuable, heart pine, lumber.
The Davis Brothers
The Davis Brothers were George Washington Davis (1842-1914) and
Elias Samuel Davis (1859-1925). They were the sons of Samuel Davis
II (1804-1879) and Alvirah Ann Ward (1821-1901) who married in
Jackson County, Mississippi on October 18, 1838. This union created
ten additional children: Harriet A. Davis Bilbo (1840-1898), Sarah
A. D. Thompson Carter (1844-1891+), Cynthia M. Davis (1846-1866),
Abram James Davis (1849-1921), Eleanor Davis Bradford (1851-1938),
Henry Simeon Davis (1853-1917), Alvira E. Davis Ellis (1855-1881),
Sherwood E. Davis (1857-1891+), Leonella M. Davis (1862-1864), and
Belle Davis Hulburt Boucher (1864-1891+).
Davis Brothers Store
Land acquisitions
In the 1870s, George W. Davis (1842-1914) and E.S.
Davis (1859-1925), the Davis brothers, began their careers as
merchants in the piney woods of Vancleve, an active charcoal and
timber producing community on Bluff Creek. By the early 1880s, they
had returned to Ocean Springs and opened a store on the southeast
corner of Washington Avenue and County Road, which later became know
as Lundy’s Corner, after Franklin J. Lundy (1863-1912), a local
merchant. In July 1888, the Davis brothers began acquiring
land in Lot 8 of Block 27 (Culmseig Map of 1854) situated on the
west side of Washington Avenue. At this time, Thomas W. Grayson
(1825-1904) and Ann Hyde Grayson (1832-1906) sold their portion of
Lot 8 in Block 27 to George W. Davis and Elias S. Davis for $400.
The parcel had a fifty-foot front on Washington Avenue and ran to
the west for two hundred feet.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 15, p. 611)
Prior to April 1867, Lot 8 of Block 27 had belonged to the A.F.
Ramsay (1828-1864) Estate. It was conveyed by Enoch N. Ramsay
(1832-1916) to A.W. Ramsay (1830-1916) on April 1, 1867, for
$10.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 29, p. 430)
It is assumed that the Davis Brothers General
Merchandise Store, that would become a landmark in Ocean Springs
until the late 1950s, was erected in the summer of 1888, after the
land acquisition from Mayor Thomas W. Grayson and spouse. The Davis
brothers acquired the remainder of Lot 8-Block 27 in June 1894, as
local druggist, Herman Nill (1863-1904) and spouse, Caroline Vahle
Nill (1862-1949), sold them a part of Lot 8, described as forty-five
feet on Washington Avenue and 200 feet deep, for $600.(JXCO, Ms.
Land Deed Bk. 15, p. 611)
By August 1911, Lot 2-Block 27, which was contiguous
and west of Lot 8-Block 27, was in the possession of George W.
Davis, as at this time, he conveyed an undivided one-half interest
in it and Lot 8 to E.S. Davis, for $2500. This final land
acquisition gave the Davis Brothers a lot with 105 feet fronting on
both Washington and Jackson Avenues. The parcel contained 1.08
acres and was 450 deep from east to west.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk.
37, pp. 197-198)
Town bankers
Prior to March 1903, when the Merchants and Marine Bank
of Scranton opened a branch in the Davis Brothers Store with E.S.
Davis as cashier, Ocean Springs relied on some of its merchants to
function as banks. The Davis Brothers appear to have been the
leaders of these “town bankers”.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,
March 20, 1903)
As early as 1891, the Fortnightly Guild of St. John’s Episcopal
Church proposed and accepted that the Davis Brothers General
Merchandise Store be the repository for their building
funds.(Schmidt, 1972, p.119)
The Scranton State Bank and the Ocean Springs State Bank were both
established here in January 1905. Unfortunately, the Scranton State
Bank failed in1906, which allowed the Ocean Springs State Bank,
which was organized by Dr. O.L. Bailey (1870-1938) and F.M. Weed
(1852-1926), who served as president and vice president
respectively, with Alfred L. Staples (1881-1969) serving as cashier,
to become the town’s chief financial institution until it merged
with the Pascagoula-Moss Pont Bank in 1953. The first board of
directors of the Ocean Springs State Bank were: G.E. Arndt
(1857-1945), Hugh C. Seymour (1876-1913), Sidney J. Anderson
(1867-1917), Alfred L. Staples, F.M. Weed, O.L. Bailey, and H.F.
Russell (1858-1940).
Old business
From the J.K. Lemon Collection at the Jackson County, Mississippi
Chancery Court Archives in Pascagoula, the following examples of
information concerning some business transactions performed at the
Davis Brothers Store were:
Julia E. Brown-Elk
Lodge
In January 1898, Julia E. Brown of “Elk Lodge”, an East
Beach estate, asked the Davis Brothers to pay Georgia Randolph $12
and charge it to her account.
In November 1898, she requested the Davis Brothers to
pay Mr. Weider (sic) $23. Other requests by Mrs. Bro |
