“Pistol-Toter” Forrest Jarrett Speaks at saluda Train Tales™
In 1952, just married and a recent graduate of Berea College, Forrest Jarrett from Madison County was drafted. While serving in the army in the Mojave Desert during a training exercise, he broke his back and was in a full-body cast for a month. He was discharged from the army in May 1953.
Crippled, he was not able to return and take up farming and ranching in Madison County like his family had done for decades. He was married with a toddler to care for so he started looking for a job. Jarrett’s father’s good friend, Jesse James Bailey-Southern Railway division chief in Asheville, and former Madison and Buncombe County sheriff- helped him and his first job was a relief watchman and then soon as a patrolman.
Jarrett spent 37-years as the chief policeman for Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern in 20 states and the District of Columbia.
Jarrett will share tales with the audience at Saluda Train Tales about his 37-year storied career on Friday, March 15 at 7pm. He will thrill the audience with his stories of moving coal, grain, automobiles, and dried coconut; protecting railroad property from vandals, thieves, striking mine workers, and angry truckers; investigating train wrecks; winning over local police and Washington bureaucrats and sharing the lifestyles of diverse cultures.
Forrest Jarrett was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, signed by Gov. Pat McCrory. The Long Leaf Pine is the state’s highest honor for public service. He was awarded this distinction for his national successes in police diplomacy, his support of cultural institutions, including the Depot in Marshall and the Madison County Arts Council, and his continuing role cutting through bureaucracy with friendly connections.
Hearing that the old train depot in Marshall, NC was facing destruction, and after “orders” from his mother to tell his railroad buddies not to destroy the depot, Jarrett was able to secure a lease agreement between the railroad and the town of Marshall, NC for the old depot for $1 a year. Because of his love for music, four or five local bands are scheduled every Friday night. There is no admission fee making The Depot accessible to everyone.
Returning to his native soil in 1991 after 37 years as a “railroad pistol-toter,” he and his wife, Alene Ray Jarrett enjoy relaxing on the porch and viewing the distant mountain peaks.
Saluda Train Tales is a free monthly event to educate the community in the importance of Saluda's railroad history and the Saluda Grade. These events are at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. Doors open at 6:30. Presentation is 7pm to 8:30pm. The events are free and voluntary donations are appreciated. Saluda Train Tales is sponsored by the Polk County Community Foundation and Memberships and Donations to the Saluda Historic Depot will enable us to receive incentive grant funds from the Polk County Community Foundation.
