There was a large pool in the North Fork of Powell River just upstream from the mouth of Rock Lick that was known as the "White Hole". There was a sandy shore on one side, perfect for sunbathing, and a huge cliff on the other side perfect for diving. It was known far and wide as just the "swimming hole". Both the Keokee road coming from Stone Creek and the Southern Railway went past. The Southern had a coal train that departed from St. Charles every day around 10:30 which took that track on its way to Keokee and Appalachia. This was an old steam powered locomotive that usually pulled around 30 or 40 fully loaded gondolas of coal.

Since none of my group of friends in St. Charles were old enough to drive, we either hitch-hiked (mostly hiked), or rode bicycles over there to go swimming. There were about five of us boys who hung out together and usually did things as a group. One day one of the smarter ones (don't ask), decided it would be far easier to "take" the train. It was a known fact that the train slowed down to a near crawl when the engine approached the "Purcell grade" and the cars nearest the end would be about right at the swimming hole when the train slowed. So we tried it. Couldn't have been easier or smoother. Things were looking great for an entire summer.

Well, it seems the folks in Nashville who had a vested interest in the Southern Railway decided it was time for a change. Old Steamer Number 930 (actual number is probably not correct) was demoted to switching duties and a new, 4 section diesel locomotive was brought in as a replacement. This was the most beautiful piece of machinery that any one around had ever seen. There was even a "grand opening" when the train came in to town for its maiden voyage through the coal fields. Not only streamlined and great looking, it could also pull two or three times as may cars as the old steam engine.

After the initial shock and amazement passed, it was determined that this was just a better engine, no more, no less. So, at the first opportunity we decided to check out our new "ride". The train hooked up with probably about 90 cars, which was about all that could be loaded at the docks in those days. Well, all was well. We left St. Charles at a fairly lively clip once we cleared the station limits. Right on around the huge curve near Stone Creek, past the junction switch at the tunnel, where the L & N and Southern, mutually used the track, everything was just hunky-dorey. Soon we would be approaching the grade where the train should slow down. However as the engineer neared the rail marker signifying the increase in gradient, he went into "passing gear". What is happening here? Instead of slowing he was actually increasing speed as we neared the drop zone.

It was a moment of decision like none other I had ever made in my short career as a knight of the road. Actually there was only one decision to make and all but one of us decided to "ride it out" to the next stop, which would be Keokee or Appalachia, depending on the schedule. One guy dropped off the side and took a flying tumble. We were all afraid for him, but also a little leery as to what might befall us when the train stopped and alien passengers were discovered on board. Well, the worst happened. It went all the way to Appalachia which is about 40 miles by road from St. Charles. When we sneaked off the train we were severely chastised and threatened with prosecution if we ever tried such a stunt again. We all knew we were in deep *&%#* at home also, ( assuming we got back ). We tried hitch-hiking but as dark approached one of the guys fessed up and called his parents who were not very happy campers, but came and picked us up anyway.

The guy who jumped. We saw him the next day (yes, he was walking), but he looked like he had been through the mill. Very skinned up and bruised but luckily no broken bones. He said he rolled into a pile of discarded cross ties after he disappeared from out line of sight.

11-07-02