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PAGE FOUR A
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steps each afternoon to grab a bit of ‘dog hair’ from the previous evening, and ante up in what was most likely the longest running poker game of the century.
When the railroad announced intentions of canceling the commuter, thus followed one of the longest legal battles in history to prevent the ‘murder’ of what had become one of the more popular institutions of the era. Although the demise was thrice temporarily delayed, the commuter passed away in the early 1960’s never to return.
The housewives delight, the Mary Jane, which plied a similar route a little over an hour later than the commuter, and returned one hour earlier, went the way of all flesh several years ahead of its masculine counterpart.
Shortly thereafter the once luxurious Crescent City, Hummingbird and similar hotels upon wheels were eliminated, one after another. Now the once lowly freight, which used to stand weekly sidetracked while the people trains sped by, have taken over and the words “all aboard” will be heard no more.
FOUR LANE HIGHWAY FROM NEW ORLEANS TO: IPPI GULF COAST.
MIS
F arewell t o T he T rain s
A strangely silent little crowd riuSieT&cr on the concrete platform (SPTTWTWimHBWBwm***
ville railroad station on that night of April 30,1971. Several young couples clung to hands of offspring of varying ages; a few old timers showed up as a sort of sentimental gesture and a lone Indiana bound passenger stood a little to one side with his brother and sister-in-law as they waited for the shrill sound of the Pan American's whistle announcing its approach for the very last time.
As the Pan, known to railroaders as 98 going north, and 99 southbound, drew near, parents herded their little ones into regimented lines, older spectators dropped back and the passenger reached for his luggage. He was first to enter the train, then the children climbed aboard for what was probably to be their first, and perhaps last, real train ride. The conductor smiled as they struggled down the worn carpetec aisles and declined to accept fare for their brief trip to Gulfport.
The whistle sounded three sharp blasts signaling departure and the lights of the club car could be seen by watchers as it disappeared forever across the multi-million dollar bridge spanning the Bay of St. L ouis.
Thus, with little fanfare, ended what had once been the golden era of railroading on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The track, tortously laid ac-cross miles of swamps and marshland by stalwart crews battling wind, rain, snakes, mosquitoes, gnats and other almost unbearable working conditions to accomplish what had once been considered impossible, had at one time supported as many as 28 passenger trains daily, 14 in and 14 out. This in days before air travel and super highways attracted the majority of travelers to faster modes of transportation.
Rail travel became highly fashionable in the years following the Civil War and outdated the horse and carriage just about as thoroughly as wings have superseded wheels in 1971. Only a very few of the oldest Hancock County residents recall the days when the bi-weekly arrival of excursion trains drew crowds to the depots. Scheduled Sunday and Wednesday trips meant a change of pace in the lives of the townspeople and meeting the trains became a means of social gatherings for some, and a source of income for others. Vendors sold fish, oyster, and soft crab sandwiches, for five cents each and candies, pie slices and hunks of watermelon for the same stipend.
As time passed a wavering, wooden bridge was constructed across the bay. It sufficed to bear the weight of horses and wagons and T-model Fords, but the ferry remained the only method of transporting engines and coaches across irus body -f-----------*------
♦R. J.“RED”REINI] ♦
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— 'Dirt Cobbers’
U.S. 90 BAY ST. LOUIS 467-4274
Andrew Jackson Once Slept Here}
a l the foot of
de Montluzin Street and even today signs of this landing remain.
The true rail-oriented social life began when a group of wealthy New Orleanians, who owned homes on the coast, purchased a plush club car all of their very own. It was known as the ‘club on wheels’ and boasted its own well stocked bar and card tables.
This privately owned car boasted its very own porter, was maintained in operating condition by the L and N.
As the number of those traveling to and from the Crescent City increased, the private car was taken over by the very popular1 commuter. This train chugged daily between Ocean Springs and New Orleans and was, perhaps, the happiest train of them all for many a year. Doctors, lawyers, rich men, poor men and maybe even an indian chief or two stolidly boarded the train each morning, and gaily hopped up its
Note:	Credit	for facts and
background on the following go to Ann Carb^iai.Lhe late Alphonse
Favre, Sr., and the late Joe Rousseau.
Time, gales and tides have so taken their toll of the scant remains of what was once the stately winter residence of Andrew Jackson that few local residents are aware that it ever even existed in Hancock County. Yet the spacious building stood for many a year beneath the moss draped oaks just across Jackson Marsh east of Jackson Ridge.
This fact was brought to light when one Lamar Chriss arrived in Bay St. Louis as production manager of the Paramount Film productions of This Property is Condemned. Chriss spent several summers during his boyhood visiting friends in Clermont Harbor and had learned during one of these visits that a few stone steps and remnants of a pool and fountain where he and friends had played were in actual-
continued on page 9A)
Demoran’s
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air conditioning cleaning Let us steam clean your air-conditioners.
(Central & window unit.
BLAIZE AVE.next to Hazel’s Lau Bay St. Louis 467-5112
Waveland Dru< Store
C. LYNCH - REGISTERED PHARMA
sjc * * $
We Truly Enjoy Being Of Service To You * * *
J MAILFOTO CAMERA k
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ENGRAVING
Across from Waveland City Hall 467-4683
Clothes For Fun Bay St. Louis Mall
Bay St. Louis 467-4216
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HWY. 90 WAVELAND 467-9173 or 467-7991
^ When the wind and the water left, this home on ^ north tip of Sandy Hook Drive stood alone.
^1	Built	by:
b	C.C. McDonald, Jr.
k	Bay St. Louis	467-6286