After a debate between those for and against Issue 4, which would allow full-fledged casino gambling in Arkansas, I joined the panel on Arkansas Week about 12 minutes into the program to discuss Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s proposal to extensively reorganize state government operations. We also discuss rising revenue and the fierce battle over U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Guy Winters on March 12, 1975 in a photograph that accompanied a front page story for the Oklahoma Times. The caption said “Guy Winters, road foreman of engines for the Rock Island railroad at El Reno, examines a track joint in the switching yard.” Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection.
I’m sad to report that Guy Winters, who worked for the Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas and other states, has died. He was 84. Jerry Oates, president of the Rock Island Club, says Oates died Wednesday, October 3, 2018 after suffering a stroke a few days earlier.
I sat down with Guy at his house in Ward to record an interview with him on February 7, 2016 to document his experiences with the railroad. He was one of several members of his family to work for the Rock Island. He started as a messenger at the Little Rock passenger station, soon got a position as a brakeman, then engineer in Arkansas. Later, Winters became road foreman of engines at El Reno, Oklahoma, and for a brief time also worked out of Des Moines, Iowa.
He had a lot of great stories, including one that opened up with, “I don’t know if I should tell this…” always an indicator you’re about to hear something dramatic. It was about a mistake he made that could have caused a horrific accident by his train plowing into the backed of a parked passenger train. Another vivid story involved him slipping from a floorboard while a train was moving at a fast speed, which left him dangling from the side. If you have a chance, listen to my interview with Guy. He had some fascinating stories with great, vivid details..
His memorial service will be Saturday, October 6 at Rest Hills Cemetery in Sherwood, which is just off U.S. 67 near the Kiehl Avenue exit, beginning at 10 a.m.
On August 21, 2018, I spoke at the Department of Arkansas Heritage about my research on the Rock Island Railroad, and a project underway to move and save from demolition the railroad’s 100-year-old depot in Perry, Arkansas. Also present was Buford Suffridge, president of the Perry County Historical and Genealogical Society, which has been overseeing the preservation effort. I invited him to the podium to share his thoughts about the project which seemed like such a long shot a year ago when we first discussed the idea.
I also included a slide show, mostly of photos featured in my book Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas, which was released in 2017. I also featured a few recent photos of the depot that we’re hoping to preserve. Thanks to the Department of Arkansas Heritage for inviting me to speak as part of its Pen to Podium lecture series.
