Advertisement

Charles Authur Ryan

Advertisement

Charles Authur Ryan

Birth
Yoakum, Lavaca County, Texas, USA
Death
17 Apr 1950 (aged 60)
Bellevue, Clay County, Texas, USA
Burial
Bellevue, Clay County, Texas, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Suggest Edits
I don't remember knowing my maternal Grandfather, Charlie Ryan. He died before I turned five years old. I do have one vivid memory of him which may be my earliest memory when I was around four.

Charlie was a Section Foreman for the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad. He was charged with maintaining a stretch of railway maybe from Decatur to Henriettta in Texas. He lived in a section house right next to the sidetrack (where trains pass) in Bellevue. When a train was on the sidetrack waiting for another train to pass, a device known as a derail was deployed beyond each end of the parked train to prevent it from accidently returning to the main track before and during the passing event. Before the parked train begins to move the derail must be removed.

The train crew failed to do so in this instance and as the engine stared to move the derail caused it to roll onto its side in my Grandfather's front yard. My vivid memory is of Charlie Ryan taking me inside the cab of that overturned engine. I remember being so impressed by all the dials and levers and gears. What a memorable event for a four year old boy.

Joe Spears
I don't remember knowing my maternal Grandfather, Charlie Ryan. He died before I turned five years old. I do have one vivid memory of him which may be my earliest memory when I was around four.

Charlie was a Section Foreman for the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad. He was charged with maintaining a stretch of railway maybe from Decatur to Henriettta in Texas. He lived in a section house right next to the sidetrack (where trains pass) in Bellevue. When a train was on the sidetrack waiting for another train to pass, a device known as a derail was deployed beyond each end of the parked train to prevent it from accidently returning to the main track before and during the passing event. Before the parked train begins to move the derail must be removed.

The train crew failed to do so in this instance and as the engine stared to move the derail caused it to roll onto its side in my Grandfather's front yard. My vivid memory is of Charlie Ryan taking me inside the cab of that overturned engine. I remember being so impressed by all the dials and levers and gears. What a memorable event for a four year old boy.

Joe Spears

Family Members

Parents
Spouse
Siblings
Children

Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement

See more Ryan memorials in:

Flower Delivery Sponsor and Remove Ads

Explore more

Advertisement