Saturday, June 21, 2008

What Happened To Old Joe?


One of my long time favorite Ghost Stories is that of Old Joe Baldwin in Wilmington NC.
He was a dedicated railroad worker of many years.One night while passing through Wilmington,he saw another train approaching righ toward his.He frantically took his lantern and swung it back and forth in attempt to signal the other train.To no avail,the two trains hit.Several were killed including Joe Baldwin.
For many years including through my childhood and young adult years,people would go there and see the figure swinging the light up the tracks.It was an excitement that spread throughout the South..Stories of seeing "Old Joe" and the light spread.He was a favorite of the locals as well.Many teenagers would flock to see him.Apparently he would come up within easy sight and then back away still swinging the light.

I heard recently that the sightings now are very rare.The area has grown up with bushy undergrowth.The trains no longer use that track .Has that made his job no longer necessary? I felt a sadness that no longer is it a rite of passage to go "see "Old Joe".Hope he has gone on and can now relax,though...

4 comments:

Kelly Drill said...

Ooo, I love stories like these. I had an experience as a kid in Indiana similar to this - saw a family carrying lanterns near a very old cemetery in the middle of the woods. An experience I can't explain and won't ever forget!

UniqueNurseGranny said...

Thanks Kelly.Interesting experience of yours,too.Thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.

Anonymous said...

Oooh I love a good ghost story. We have a legend around here called Resurrection Mary. Look her up on the internet, just fascinating!

Lisa Abdul-Quddus said...

That's kind of a sweet and touching story even if it is about a ghost.