Before there were mechanical methods to warn travelers a train was coming, watchmen stood guard at railroad crossings. On South Walnut Street, Edward “Chappy” Chapman became a permanent fixture as he guided people across the tracks safely.
According to an account in the Milford Historical Society newsletter, Chappy was a railroad employee before he was injured in a train accident. The accident caused minor brain damage which meant he could no longer work on the railroad. Instead, he was stationed at South Walnut Street as a crossing watchman.
During those days, Chappy would stop oncoming traffic with a stop sign attached to a pole in his hand as the train approached. For protection against the heat of the sun, winter cold or rain, a small wooden house known as the “Watch Box” stood next to the tracks. Inside, was a small, pot-bellied stove for warmth and to allow Chappy to make coffee or tea.
Chappy was known to be cheerful and happy, a welcome addition to the neighborhood. In the spring and summer, he kept a garden on land that was tillable along the railroad bank, raising both flowers and vegetables. One of his specialties was mock oranges which he would peel, halve and seed to sell to the housewives in the neighborhood who then canned them. Although the fruit looked like an orange on the outside, the inside resembled a cantaloupe. It was not fit for eating raw but made delicious preserves.
In the winter, Chappy entertained himself by whittling and making small wooden objects like jewelry and sewing boxes. One of his favorite materials was a peach seed and he made tiny baskets or rings which he gave freely to anyone who wanted them.
When girls approached the tracks, Chappy’s favorite question was “Who’s your boyfriend?” At some point one of the girls responded with “Which one?” He enjoyed the answer so much, all the girls would answer that way when he questioned them. Another favorite question was “You didn’t wash your eyes out this morning?” When the person responded, “Yes, I did,” Chappy would respond “No you didn’t, they are still there,” followed by gales of laughter.
A deeply religious man whose conversations were often interspersed with “Praise the Lord!,” Chappy attended church regularly including the Monday night class meeting devoted to testimonials of religious faith and experience. He also attended the Thursday evening prayer meeting.
While walking to an evening church service on March 3, 1936, Chappy was struck by an automobile and fatally injured. He is buried in the Milford Community Cemetery.
Chappy was considered a Milford institution and an important part of the South Walnut Street neighborhood. His good deeds and kindliness live in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to know him or who heard stories about him from their parents.
