---

---

The Flagman - John Newberry

If there is a controversial figure The only known photograph of flagman J. M. (John) Newberry from around the time of the wreck. On the back is the date Sept. 12, 1901. in the wreck at Vaughan, it is John M. Newberry, flagman on the southbound #83 that Casey hit. There is doubt about the “official” findings and some wonder where Newberry was positioned that night. Railroaders will tell you that it is not uncommon for those involved in an investigation to stretch the truth in order to protect their jobs. It is done today just as it was 100 years ago. Did John Newberry properly flag Casey that night? It is said that Casey’s friends were not satisfied with the testimony which was given at the official hearing about a month after the accident. There was plenty of time for members of the crews to get together on what kind of story they would tell at the investigation. Years later, Newberry wrote to Mrs. Jones asking for information about her husband. He said that he had an idea for a motion picture that would “make a million dollars.” She refused and wrote, “If you had been at your post of duty the night of that wreck my husband would be living today.” What kind of person was John Newberry? Additional insight into his character is provided by an article which appeared in the Coffeeville Courier in 1937. Newberry was raised near Coffeeville, Mississippi, and was interviewed by Editor Denley during a visit. Newberry provided a letter, which the Courier printed, from J. L. Simpson of the Ripley’s Newberry with his wife, Dora Stewart Newberry. This photo was probably taken at Shaw. She had a twin sister, Cora, and he had a twin brother, Bailey. Believe It or Not organization. Newberry had written to them apparently trying for an appearance on their radio program in New York. The article quoted Newberry and related his story of the wreck which he supposedly remembered “more vividly than things that happened yesterday.” He had many of the known facts twisted and told that Casey had died with his hand on the throttle and his neck broken. All of which is disputed by others who witnessed the accident. Very telling are his comments about Sim Webb, Casey’s fireman that night. Newberry told Denley that the Negro fireman, “seeing the inevitable coming, nigger-like, leaped from the train, but luckily his head struck the ground, leaving a clear imprint in the embankment but not injuring him.” Newberry left the railroad and was in the restaurant business in Water Valley for a time. Later he was said to be building roads and living in Shaw, Mississippi. From the Itemizer early January 1914. John Newberry (b. 1873) died in 1939 and was buried between his wife, Dora (b. 1877 - d. 1955) and his sister, Sadie (b. 1879 - d. 1902) at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.