A Boogie Man – The Citizens, who drove east of Coal Grove where night work is progressing on the new US Expressway, tell of a midnight flagman wearing a bright orange suit while directing traffic. He has red flashing lights on his helmet and when the headlights of automobiles shine on his suit, he looks like an astronaut just landed from outer space.
His job is important as big trucks moving rock and earth, working all night, crossing the highway making it a dangerous place for flagmen as well as passing cars. He carries a flag and lantern and spends all his time waving at approaching cars.
The scene there reminds me of a story told by my dad about my grandmother when he was a boy. The family lived at Lyra in Scioto County, now on the D.T. & I. Railroad known as Andre Station. Their home was on the turnpike that came over the hill from Wheelersburg. It was just before the Civil War and there was to be a campaign speech at the townhouse for Lincoln.
A fife and drum corps with a torchlight parade came from Portsmouth. My grandmother heard the fife and drum and saw the parade of torchlights coming down the road. The children had gone to bed. She got all of them up out of bed and told them to pray because the world was coming to an end. She heard Gabriel blowing his horn and saw the devil coming down the hill with torches and fire.
Historical – Ironton’s first cemetery was organized on this date 115 years ago.
The notice in the newspaper read: “Members of the Ironton Cemetery Association are requested to meet at the school house on Saturday evening, next early candle-lighting, to elect the first officers. The cemetery is to be located at the foot of the hill on the property of W. D. Kelly near his deer park northeast of town.” That cemetery will be the location of the big nursing home and motel of which the Fountain Corporation will start work in a few weeks.
Written by Charles Collett
Submitted by: Robert Kingrey
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