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Remembering a Day in April: 78 Years Ago

The day had that cloud covered greenish look so typical of April. The date was Thursday, April 12, 1945.

The work train engine used for supplies, for laying track, etc., had “jumped the track” near the Baring depot and our father and the rest of the workers were called to help with the job of getting those big wheels back on the track. It would require working overtime so I went with my mother to deliver supper and to see what was going on. Those big wheels were buried axle deep in the ground and the engine was tilting to one side. It would be a big job. A small crowd of town folks were by-standers watching from the sideline. Trains continued to move slowly through the area, but were switched to one track, then back again once they had passed the wreck. The usual tedious routine of small town life was a little exciting that day with the derailed engine so close to the crossing on Main Street – blocking traffic from arriving and leaving town at that point. All were detoured to the overhead bridge to the west.

We delivered the thermos of coffee and some sandwiches, watched a while, then walked back home.

While we were gone something else had happened that day. We turned on the radio and heard the news that our President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, had died and Vice President Truman was replacing him.

Many things have happened since that day in April when I was seven years old with good times and bad times, the Cold War and assassinations, but when one of those cloudy greenish sort of days dawn in April, I recall that particular April day as if it had occurred only yesterday.

Memories of an April

So long ago

Come to my mind

Sending me back again

To a day long ago.

-MG

Contributed by Marilyn Goodwin