“Raymond F Campbell, 57, of Riverton, Greenup County, was found dead in the snow beside a Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad freight train near Omega Thursday night.”
“Mr. Campbell, who was head brakesman on the train, was lying face down in snow on the right of way, where he had fallen after suffering a heart attack.”
“The body was discovered about 6:55 PM Thursday by AH Boyer1, Waverly funeral director, and Dr. CL Critchfield2 of Waverly, C&O physician.”
“Mr. Boyer and Dr. Critchfield went to the scene of the halted freight train after the funeral director received a telephone message from the C&O offices in Chillicothe.”
“The railroad officials asked Mr. Boyer to get a doctor and go to the railroad right of way near the new coal docks, close to Omega, where a man was reported hurt.”
“Making the trip by ambulance, Dr. Critchfield and Mr. Boyer were told by trainmen on their arrival that one of the train crew had walked along the track beside the train and apparently disappeared suddenly, since his lantern light was not visible.”
“After a search, Mr. Campbell was found lying face down in snow on the right of way, and his lantern was located, buried in snow nearby.”
“Tracks in the snow indicated that the brakeman had walked about the length of two freight cars and then fell to the ground.”
“Dr. Critchfield, acting Pike County coroner said death was caused by a heart attack and placed the time of death about 6:40 PM.”
“Mr. Campbell was a head brakeman on trains from Russell, to Columbus. He was a native of Greenup County, Kentucky, born December 9, 1898, a son of Mark H and Minnie Conway Campbell.”
“Surviving are his father; his wife, Sarah, and a son, Douglas, all of Riverton; four brothers, NM Campbell3 of Ironton, WG4 of Russell, Paul of Minford and Mark Jr. of Brunswick, Maryland; five sisters, Mrs. Frank Miller of Wheeling, Mrs. Mildred Kotcamp of Greenup, Mrs. Gladys Garthee of Riverton, Mrs. HT Spengler5 of South Charleston and Mrs. WD Kleiser6 of Lexington.”
“The body was moved to Boyer Funeral Home in Waverly Thursday night. This morning it was moved by Mr. Boyer to Riggs-Sammons Funeral Home at Greenup, pending final rites.”
“The body was to be moved to the residence this afternoon. Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Guy Coffman in Greenup Methodist Church at 2 PM Sunday. Burial will be in Riverton Cemetery.”7
- Arthur Harold Boyer
- Dr. Charles Louis Critchfield
- Normal M Campbell
- William Eugene “Gene” Campbell
- Naomi Campbell wife of Harry Thomas Spengler.
- Minnie Louise Campbell wife of William Douglas Kleiser
- C&O Brakeman Falls Dead In Snow By Train. (1950, December 1). Portsmouth Times, p. 11.
