Book brings back memories of tragedy
Editor’s note: This letter was written in response to Dave Butler’s book “Railroaded in Cooperstown.”
I was only 10 at the time and I arrived home from a Boy Scout
camping trip to Canada. I was so relieved to be home, it was the worst
camping trip I had ever had. I remember walking through the door of the
house and yelling “Mom, Dad I’m home!” and nobody answered.
It was kind of late, around 8 or 9 p.m. I know it was dark outside.
I thought how strange that they weren’t home. They knew I was coming
home that day. Then Susie, who was my brother George’s wife, came
around the corner and said “Hi Scott!” And I said “Oh Hi......What’s
going on?” She replied “Oh nothing, your Mom and Dad had to go
somewhere.”
I had this gut feeling that something wasn’t right. Then the phone
rang, and Susie answered it and walked out onto the side porch. I
thought, “why did she do that? Why so secretive?”
So I snuck over by the door, she had left it open, and I listened.
She said “Oh no!” and shortly after, she hung up the phone and came
inside. I said, “Susie what’s wrong?” She answered “Oh Scott, it’s
awful, something bad has happened, Tom was killed in an accident.”
That moment was the first tragic experience I had ever encountered
in my life. I had just lost my best friend. He used to come by a couple
times a week and he would take me down to the convenient store on Main
Street in Sherburne, and we would play Ms. Pacman. He wasn’t very good
at it, but he sure loved to play it. And fishing, boy did he like to
fish.
We would go out and spend an entire day from dawn to dusk and walk
down the Chenango River and fish all the spots we knew so well. I could
go on and on about all the great memories I have of my brother. Anybody
who knew Tom, I can say without a doubt, would say he was the nicest
guy they had ever known.
I spoke with my Mom last night, and she told me my aunt had called
and told her about your book. She gave me the website address so I
could see for myself. I was wondering what on earth someone would be
able to write about Tom’s accident. I knew the railroad was at fault,
but I never had any idea that it went so much deeper than a train
engineer who failed to blow his whistle and stop for an unmarked
crossing.
I found the excerpt link at the bottom of the page and of course had
to click over to give it a read. I must tell you sir, I never knew
these emotions where still here inside me. I began reading about the
accident and after a few sentences, I had to get up and walk away for a
moment. I came back and finished reading through it as shocking as it
was for me to read the details.
I knew he suffered, but I didn’t know it was as graphic as you
described. I told my Mom she shouldn’t read it (the excerpt), she still
can’t read the newspaper article. When I got off the phone with my Mom
I lay on the couch with my wife and I cried.
I want to thank you for standing up for Tom, Calvin, and Rocky (we
all knew Earl as Rocky). And after reading Rocky’s quote on your home
page, I hope he knows I never blamed him. I don’t think anybody did.
My Mom plans on buying a copy of the book for herself, and us three
brothers, and Tom’s son, Brian. I can’t wait to give it a read. I am
sure your story is going to affect me in ways that your normal readers
can’t even imagine.
From a brother who will forever mourn the loss of a brother, a friend, a gentleman.
Scott Lewis
Newark, Ohio
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