“Roscoe Evans, about 38, father of five children, of Arion community, was killed on the Norfolk & Western Railway right of way about a mile east of Arion early today. Coroner WA Quinn returned a verdict of accidental death.”
“The badly mangled body was discovered about 9 a.m. by the crew of a local freight train. Rail officials advanced the opinion that the man had been struck probably by a west-bound freight train about 3 a.m.”
“It was learned that Mr. Evans had been in McDermott late Friday night and it is thought he was walking home after riding part way in an automobile with friends. He was about a mile from home when killed.”
“Mr. Evans had been employed by Taylor Stone Company at McDermott but recently had not been working for that firm.”
“The children range in years from 5 to 15.”1
The Obituary of Roscoe Evans
“Funeral services were to be held this afternoon at 2 p.m. for Roscoe Evans, 38, of Arion, who was found dead early Saturday on the Norfolk & Western Railway tracks east of Arion. He apparently had been struck by a train.”
“The last rites were to be conducted at Beech Fork Church with burial in the church cemetery under the direction of Freeman Funeral Home.”
“Surviving are his father, Bert Evans of Arion; five children, Okie, Phyllis, Betty Lou, Dale and Billy, all at home; and a sister, Mrs. Emma Jane Wolf of McDermott.”2
Ohio Certificate of Death for Roscoe Evans3
Application for Headstone4
Government-Issue Military Marker for Roscoe Evans at Beech Fork Cemetery
- Arion father of 5 killed by train. (1949, February 5). Portsmouth Times, p. 1.
- Roscoe Evans. (1949, February 7). Portsmouth Times, p. 14.
- “Ohio, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D8SW-B8F?view=explore : May 25, 2025), image 345 of 3519; Ohio Historical Society (Columbus, Ohio).
Image Group Number: 004109140 - “United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WR-K8QZ?view=explore : May 25, 2025), image 935 of 2326; United States. National Archives and Records Administration.
Image Group Number: 007182399
