Two Men Found Dead on Southern Railroad Tracks, June 18, 1921

White Man and Negro Man Discovered Dead by Train Crew

Lying side by side on the Southern railroad tracks, the body of a white man and a negro man were found by a train crew at 4:30 a.m. Saturday about a half a mile beyond North Charlotte.

In the pockets of the negro were papers which identified him as Monroe Beatty of Spartanburg. Upon his person was a good watch, several knives, an empty pocketbook and a pistol. Not even a pocket handkerchief was found on the white man. He had absolutely nothing in his pockets.

Sergeant Black, Officers Gribble, Grizzell, West and Pitman, and Deputy Sheriff J.E. Hunter were sent from the police station for investigation.

The two men were found lying in the middle of the tracks with the tops of their heads torn off. It appeared that they had in some manner fallen asleep near the track and a passing train had struck them. The theory was advanced that they were both hoboes. Nothing has been found to throw light on the manner in which they met their death.

The body of the white man was taken to the undertaking establishment of J.A. Hovis, where it lies awaiting on inquest and identification, if identification can be found. The bod of the negro was taken to the Cole undertaking establishment. The white man appeared to be about 30 years old while the negro appeared to be about 40.

From The Charlotte News, Saturday evening, June 18, 1921

UPDATE

The identity of the white man found dead on the Southern railway tracks a half mile above North Charlotte early Saturday morning had not been established late Saturday night despite all-day efforts of the police and Coroner Frank Hovis. Officers were also endeavoring to locate relatives in Spartanburg, S.C., of Monroe Beatty, whose body was found alongside that of the white man.

Investigation in North Charlotte by Police Detective Linder revealed that the two men had begged food from a family near the Mecklenburg mills Friday after dark. They sat on a log near the railway tracks and ate their lunch while chatting with a group of persons who were lounging about. The white man said he had come from Columbia and was on his way to Danville, where he had relatives. Authorities in Danville have been communicated with and are said to be carrying on an investigation.

The manner in which the men met their death was still a mystery Saturday, though officers were holding to the theory that they were sleeping on the track. They had recently been eating blackberries picked from fines along the track, the police investigation revealed.

It is believed both were hoboes who having missed a train were walking the tracks, following a common practice.

The body of the white man is being held at the Hovis Undertaking establishment awaiting further efforts at identification. The negro’s body is at Cole’s establishment. Identification of the negro was made possible by letters found in his pockets. The white man had nothing on him by which he could be identified.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday morning, June 19, 1921