Crazy George's Bridge

By Dale Welch

When the Nashville & Knoxville Railroad Built the railroad up the mountain, in 1893, they mostly used prison labor. Among the cuts between Brotherton and Monterey were “Rattlesnake” and “Commisay” cuts. At the “Commissary” cut, just west of Bilbrey station, they had to install an overhead bridge on the Woodcliff Road. 

The bridge was just called the “Overhead” bridge by the old folks. In later years, a story was started by university students started calling it “Crazy George.’s” Bridge. They said that “Crazy George” was a night watchman at the bridge that was killed by the night train, but still warns people with his lantern. They also say things like, your car won’t start if you turn it off at the bridge; and if you throw your keys over the bridge, they will be thrown back at you. This is not recommended. You will probably have to climb down and find them your self. 

Despite the varied stories, there was a night watchman who stayed in a shack at the bridge. It was his job to watch for falling rock within the two cuts and warn the trains that ran 24 hours/7 days per week. None of them were named “George” and none were ever killed by the train. Tragedy was sure to happen. 

On Saturday, May 2, 1931,19-year old Narmon Stamps and his fiancé attended a pie supper at the Woodcliff Baptist Church. Poor Narmon had a little too much to drink and bought another girl’s pie. If you bought a girl’s pie, you got to eat it with them. That didn’t set well with zNarmon’s fiancée or the other girl’s boyfriend. 

Narmon Wales his fiancé home after the supper, reminding her that she was his only one true love. After he left for home, he decided he wanted to stop and see Jere Holloway, the bridge night watchman.  Holloway had a coon dog that was going to have a litter of pups and he wanted a couple. On his way to the bridge, Narom had gotten more tipsy. 

The two discussed coon dogs and Hollolloway promised Narmon the dogs. HoLloway tried to get Narmon to stay, because he saw what kind of shape he was in. 

“Naw,” Narmon replied. “My moms will be worried if I don’t make it home. Plus, I won’t get anymore good cooking after next Friday night, because I’m getting hitched.” The young man wondered off into the night.

The next morning, HollI way began checking the track for falling rocks before he went home. He found Narmon’s cap. He picked it up and put it in his pocket thinking he would give it back to the boy the next time he saw him.  Then, he found Narmon’s watch and started finding parts of the boys body that had been hit by the night train. 

The night watchman went up to Bilbrey station to get help. Help came and picked up what they could. As they were passing by Woodcliff Baptist Church, they were having Sunday morning service. I stopped to tell what had happened. His fiancé was there. The story was that she jumped up and hollered and passed out on the floor.

An investigation was done, but nothing proven. As for Narmon’s fiancé, in just a few weeks, she married another fellow. When the coon dog pups were born, Holloway took a couple to the Stamps family.