(Clinch Valley News article) VETERAN N. AND W. SECTION FOREMAN RETIRES POST

Tazewell, Jan 31 – When A.C. Davis comes in from his day’s work as section foreman on the Tazewell Section today his final official act will be to lock the tool house over which he has had control since 1909 and turn the key over to a successor. Having reached the allotted three score and ten years, he will enter a well earned retirement.

Acie was born on Mill Creek in Russell County near Cleveland, a son of D.C. and Nancy (Jessee) Davis, and attended the Glade Hollow Elementary School finishing the 7th grade.

He entered the employ of the Norfolk & Western Railway Company as a section hand in 1905, and in 1907 received promotion to foreman. After a couple of years on the Cleveland Section he was transferred to Tazewell where he has served continuously since.

He is familiarly known as “Casey” having acquired the nickname some 35 years ago, when he emerged from a blinding snowstorm in a cloud of steam from a parked engine on the Tazewell Yard, only a few minutes after a train had passed, with a large pump knot on his forehead, and so added that he was unable to give an understandable account.

When the local newspaper came out a few days later, an item contributed in humorous vein was given of the incident, closing with a parody on the then popular song, “Casey Jones” in which a phantom engine was introduced to raise the knot and he was quoted as saying he heard the engineer say to the fireman, “Pour in the Water and Shovel in the Coal Stick Your Head Out the Window and Watch the Drivers Roll”.

Davis has enjoyed a wide popularity among his fellow workers and railway officials, and has the reputation of being one of the most efficient men in the track department, a statement supported in the fact that he has been the recipient of first prize on his roadmaster’s division at the annual track inspection 26 times, second prize six times and third prize three times, which sets a record on the entire system.

He was married first to Miss Altha Brooks, of Cleveland, Va. and they have ten children. The daughters are: Mrs. W.G. Carbaugh, Akron, O., Mrs. V.G. Jordan, Bristol, Tenn., Mrs. Forrest Mace, North Tazewell, Mrs. Foster Mundy, Mullins, W. Va., Mrs. L.W. Buckland, Falls Mills and Mrs. B.M. Hall, Baltimore, Md. The four sons are Lacy and Holly, both of Akron, O., Vaden and Leman, North Tazewell.

His second marriage was to Miss Ocie Bennett in 1937 and they have a daughter, Acie Kathleen. Davis purchased a restaurant in North Tazewell and will devote his time to its operation. His fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias.

 

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