Feature Page #3:

Tracks & Trails

The Great K. S. & E. Railroad (sic)

by Jill A. Davis

(faithfully reproduced here from Sevier Settler magazine, Issue 4, April - June 1985)

My grandfather, Harold W. McCroskey, can tell many stories ranging from World War II, to the early days of Sevier County. Everytime we visit his farm on Boyds Creek Road he has a new and exciting story for his grandchildren. He always starts out saying, "That reminds me of the time", and it ends in a fascinating story. The latest story is about the K. S. & E. Railroad (sic).

The K. S. & E., or Knoxville Slow & Easy, as the townspeople called it, got its name from the train's slow pace. The train went by so slow that the people could jump on without it stopping.

The K. S. & E. was used mostly for delivering supplies and hauling passengers. During the building of Douglas Dam and World War II the K. S. & E. brought supplies to Sevier County.

The tracks the K. S. & E. ran on were placed throughout Sevier County. One set ran through town right in front of the courthouse. My grandfather and the other townspeople would go up to the old Ewing Station, a gathering place and passenger pick-up, to watch the people from out of town hit the train tracks and be airborne for a split second. "We always thought this was hilarious" he said, giggling, with a twinkle in his eyes.

My grandfathers uncle, Bill Burns, was a foreman on the K. S. & E. My great grandfather, D.E. Keener, was a fireman on the L & N. Railroad. He could have been an engineer but, he did not think his sight was good enough and he was afraid he might hit someone.

My great grandfather would ride the K. S. & E. home every day from work. They would start blowing the whistle at the old Ewing Station to alert my relatives he was on his way home from a hard days work.

The K. S. & E. didn't always bring home relatives and good cheer. There were many times when the cinders from the fire in the boiler would blow out and catch the woods on fire. People would be up most of the night fighting for their life savings.

All in all the K. S. & E. Railroad (sic) brought with it friends, relatives, and a warm feeling, not just from the boiler. People may say Sevier County is a small, hick town, but you cannot find better people in the whole United States.