''Railroad'' Bill

By Crusader1307

 Another American Western ‘’Legend’’ with (later) paranormal overtones – ‘’Railroad Bill’’ was said to be real Person named Morris Slater (or at least is commonly held). From 1895 to 1896, ‘’Bill’’ terrorized The Nashville-Louisville Railroad Systems, robbing them. It is still unclear ‘’how’’ this was accomplished – as there is no proof that Bill had a Gang to assist Him. As the Tale goes, Bill was a Black American still facing racial injustice, despite being a ‘’Freeman’’ and having certain Federal Rights as such. One day, after paying His fare, a Conductor – threw Bill from the train (for riding in an ‘’All White’’ Car. Severely injured but surviving, Bill swore His revenge. He began to force trains to a stop and board them. Robbing the passengers, Bill would become as wanted as Jesse James at one point.

Bill was also credited with the deaths of at least (5) known people (normally as a result in those persons trying to capture Bill for the reward).  Railroad Bill supposedly met His end in a gunfight in Alabama with Bounty Hunters. But in this, Bill’s Legend would grow. The Bounty Hunters carried Bills remains to at least (3) States to collect Bounty on Him. Finally, Bill’s body was sold to a Sideshow in Florida – where it was said to have been preserved and displayed for a number of years. He would eventually be buried in Pensacola, Florida.

For many years after, in the 1920s and 1930s – Railroad Bill and His Tale would become ‘’campfire tales’’ as it were. It was said that Bill’s Spirit was just as restless and unrepentant as when He was alive. Many Railroad Conductors would report ‘’seeing’’ a ‘’lone Blackman, sitting on a horse wearing a scarf – to cover His face’’ (as Bill did when He committed His robberies). As the train approached and slowed down, the lone rider would simply disappear. Other stories claim that Bill’s Spirit would haunt certain trains passing near where He was buried. Strange things would happen on the passing train, from ‘’moving objects’’ to ‘’food that would spoil’’.