Ep 12 Stranger Trains : 🚂 A True Story of Death 🪦 & Premonition 🔮

In this emotionally layered and supernaturally charged episode, we follow two threads of human experience—one tragic, one miraculous—both connected by the iron rails of America’s 19th-century railroads.

First, you’ll meet Cynthia Boardman, a woman whose string of nine deceased husbands earned her the whispered nickname The Black Widow of Ohio. Was it tragic coincidence, a morbid curse, or something darker? Her story, drawn from newspaper clippings of the time, will make you question fate, resilience, and reputation.

Then, in a haunting tale worthy of the twilight hours, we shift to Engineer Boardman of Garrett, Indiana, who—delirious and dying—somehow tracks the exact real-time movements of his beloved Engine 712 hundreds of miles away. His final breath becomes a prophetic warning that halts a speeding train seconds before it would’ve collided with a wrecked rail line, saving an opera company and nearly 100 passengers. He died a hero… without ever leaving his bed.

This episode is not just about ghosts or grief. It’s about connection—to place, to family, to destiny. You’ll also learn the heartbreaking truth behind Edward Augustus Boardman and Catherine Fitzsimmons’ lost children—10 births, with only one child surviving past age 7.

Family history is more than names on a tree. It’s the soul-deep stories that change us—stories of love, loss, legacy, and the invisible ties that bind generations. 

LINKS

Memories Are Passed Through DNA From Your Grandparents, Say Scientists
https://www.buzzworthy.com/memories-dna-grandparents/

Sound Credits: Audiomirage & freesound.org : https://freesound.org/people/audiomirage/

Transcript

Cynthia Boardman was a girl of loving disposition, says the Cincinnati inquirer, and her affections were true as gold when once they were fastened. William Rawlings was the happy man who first led Cynthia to the altar a blushing bride. A mule killed Mr. Rawlings. His relict then married Henry Ladd. He was drowned. Making a visit to Pennsylvania, she was snapped up by Mr. Henderson. He died. Returning to Ohio, her native Heath, she became Mrs. Johnson. He died. Mrs. Johnson then took Mr. Dixon. He died. Again the widow goes to Pennsylvania, and again she has snapped up, this time by Mr. Mayberry, and they moved to Indiana. The Og killed him. The much-tried widow returned to Ohio, where Henry Ladd, a brother of her second husband, married her. He died. She now takes a rest for four years, and then becomes Mrs. Tipton. He died. She now went on to her farm, and proceeded to ornament her house with the portraits of her lamented dead, and hung them up as a gentle reminder of the fate in store for the unfortunate man who should next marry her. She next married Mr. Dyer, a frail man, who was not as popular as some of her other husbands; “but,” said she, apologetically, “ i was getting too old to be particular, an’ I took him. George aint overly stout, and I reckon his pictur’ll soon go along with the rest of em.”

As I do research for these episodes I am usually avalanched with information and tangents, people and fascinating perspectives that dont always fit the narrative of the story I am trying to squeeze into a 30 minute podcast episode. Most of these gems end up on the cutting room floor. And that saddens me. I am enthralled enough by these excess tidbits that I find myself reciting them to friends and mentors, coworkers and family. And the soaking effect of such in depth research doesn’t end when an episode is published. Thats usually the crescendo or the apex of the moment, but its absolutely not an abrupt halt to the experience. And thats where the frustration lies. 

A good episode takes more time than you would imagine. Mostly because I want you to feel the story as much or more than just hearing it. I want you to be changed as I am. I want you to be brought to laughter and tears. I want you to be curious about your own family stories, and all in all I want you to have “felt” something from what is shared. A something that becomes part of you going forward. Its a bold aspiration, i admit. Yet I can attest to you that there is no greater form of connection with yourself, than to connect with your genetics, your history, your ancestors, your family. I have been hearing and sharing family history stories for my entire life. I read and tell them as bedtime stories. I share them in speeches, I share them with friends, I lean on that connection to them as I face challenges and hardships. 

And yes I referred to it as a “connection”. 

Two of the greatest forces for connection & influence in the world are the “connection of family” and the captivating “influence of true Stories”. A natural combination of the two are family history stories well told in a historical context of understanding and clarity. And not just family stories that are “told”, but rather stories that help us to “feel” them, feel ourselves in them and with them, and feel things that we personally need to connect with and be influenced by. 

After previewing over 1300 newspaper archive articles looking for Edward Augustus Boardman of the Denver Colorado area, I was bound to come across a story or two that would be too juicy not to sink my teeth into. Here is one I know you will enjoy. It all began in the late 1800’s in northern Indiana. 

Stations/Milepost Locations

Direction is eastward from Garrett to Willard

Distance is from Willard, Ohio

128.0 Garrett
126.1 East Garrett
125.0 Auburn
121.0 Concord
116.6 St. Joe (NS crossing)
113.8 Indo
107.9 Hicksville
105.3 Rosedale
101.2 Mark Centre
97.3 Sherwood
87.9 FC Tower (MAW crossing)
85.2 West Defiance
84.5 Defiance Yard
83.5 East Defiance
82.2 West Stanley
79.9 Standley
74.5 Holgate
69.4 Hamler (I&O crossing)
67.3 East Hamler
62.7 West Deshler
62.6 Deshler (CSX crossing)
62.2 East Deshler
56.1 Hoytville
51.8 Liberty
50.9 North Baltimore
49.0 Galatea (NS crossing)
44.1 Bloomdale
39.2 Godsend
36.8 Fostoria
36.4 F Tower
34.9 East Fostoria
30.0 Bascom
25.6 Kellar
24.6 Tiffin
15.5 Republic
8.1 Attica Junction
4.2 Daniels Rd.
3.0 J Tower
0.2 RX
0.0 Willard

(The Aspen Daily Times, August 6, 1890)

How a railway wreck was prevented by a dying man. 

A story with a supernatural tinge told by a conductor/engineer Boardman’s mind follows a train drawn by his locomotive 🚂 

In August of 1890 a number of railroad men sat in the rotunda of the Laclede Building at 408 Olive Street in St. Louis, Missouri. They exchanged reminiscent tales and the conversation gradually drifted into stories of a supernatural tinge. 

(Old Conductor Narrating) Some years ago, in the town of Garrett, Indiana, their lay sick at his home, an astonishingly gifted engineer acquaintance of mine named Boardman. Now Garret was situated in Northern Indiana, and was the headquarters of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad’s Chicago division, I dont recall what Poor ol Boardman was sickly with, but he became wildly delirious and his ravings took a serious aspect at times. 

(Door opens, storm noises outside, door closes, walking across the wooden floor, clock ticking)

(Foreman) Hey…Boardman, can you hear me ok? We have a situation that requires the use of your Number 712 Engine. Now, I know I promised you that your engine wouldnt be used unless it was absolutely necessary. I know you are attached to that contraption, and I told Engineer Moses to be extra careful with her. He is making an extra run with special occupants headed further east. I promise your engine will be back within the week. 

(Old Conductor Narrating) Engine 712 was the pride of the road and of engineer Boardman. It had not been sent out before, because the foreman of the Roundhouse desired to gratify the wishes of the engineer, but on this occasion it was necessary, as a special train containing an opera company had to make Washington in 20 hours, a run of 853 miles from Chicago, and no other engine on the Chicago division was equal to the speed demanded by the company. 

All aboard, train second 5 Eastbound for Washington DC, All Aboard

(Boardman) “Hicksville! Ha! How she spins! Runs up the Saint Joe grade like the wind! 22 miles; one stop for water, one stop for railroad crossing and 30 minutes gone!“

(Foreman) Um…what was that all about?

(Co-worker) Gosh I dont know boss. Them’s some memorable locations along the track though. Probably just his ailment causing hallucinations or something. 

(Chair moving, clock ticking, spoon feeding him)

Co-worker) see that, he just goes calm as night again, makes you wonder….(interrupted)

(Boardman) “Holgate! Listen at her spin! She’s got the crossing. There she goes. Defiance to Holgate was like a step to her.”

You know boss, its almost as if he is calling out locations in sequence along that line of track. This might sound a bit kookie, but its almost like he has some kind of supernatural second sight…like he can watch the movements of engine Number 712. 

(Foreman) It is crazy, but it makes a fella wonder….Joe, ride on down to the dispatcher‘s office, its just a few blocks away. And check to see where engine number 712 is located. See if what Boardman is mumbling makes any sense, or if we are all starting to imagine the unimaginable. 

(Telegraph sounds…)

Hey Tom, can you do me a favor and check on the location and details of Number 712’s journey?

(Telegraph operator) Boardman’s Engine? Well a course I can. Just gimme a minute and we’ll see what we can find out. (Telegraph sounds)

(Clock ticking, fire crackling)

(Boardman) “Water Station?!? That’s four minutes lost. Why couldn’t she do it without water? (Clock ticking) Ha ha! Watch her pound sand now. Isn’t she a beauty?”

(Man returns from telegraph office, Horse galloping, running to door, opening and closing)

(Joe whispering) everything checks out, and he even said it had just unexpectedly refilled with water at the F Tower, but was making good time nonetheless. 

(In awe) Great Goosebumps of Garret, he just said that. He is certainly in some kind of supernatural trance. Almost as if his spirit is somewhere else, and his body is only a mouthpiece at this point. 

(Slow labored breathing)

(Chair noises)

(Conductor) Help me out here Joe, lets raise him up so he can breathe easier…Ma’am you and the family should be in here. 

(Conductor) There you go Boardman, breathe easy now….

(looked wildly about him, and cried)

(Boardman) Tiffin! Red light! Stop for orders! My Heavens! [Here he held up his hand as if reading an order.] Train number second five, engine number 712. Prepare to meet thy God. -O.K. Cockrell

Falling back to the bed….silence.

(Foreman) Boardman, Boardman…He’s gone Joe

(Crying woman)

(Foreman) Im sorry ma’am 

(Walking across the floor)

(Foreman, whispering) What the heck are we supposed to make of that? If that aint a presentiment, i dont know what is…..There was enough urgency in them words that this ol boy doesnt need to understand what i just heard before i do something about it. 

(Chair scooting out, Walking to the door) Help out the Mrs boys, Im headed to talk to Tom at the telegraph station. 

Tom get a message immediately to the East End man:

(Writing sounds) “For Heaven’s sake, Dixey, stop second five at Republic?”

(Telegraph receiving sounds)

….stop second five at Republic?” Wait a doggone minute, this is Republic…

(Running out door and Shouting) Stop the Train, stop the train, Get the red light on, stop second five, stop engine 712. 

(Whistle blowing, screeching brakes, steam) 

(Telegraph sounds)

(Foreman) Well Tom, what’d he say? What did he say? 

(Tom) “stop second five” thats just a repeat of our request…. Here we go “Second five is stopped…Conductor wants to know what for.”

(Foreman) What for? Good question. Well just say “had a terrible premonition. STOP. Tell conductor to proceed cautiously to Chicago Junction.” STOP

(Foreman) ok Tom Im gonna head back to the Boardmans home….(interrupted)

(Telegraph Tom) Hold on…here’s a message coming in from Attica,

“Stop second five at Republic. First five ditched a mile west of here; engine and three cars off. Cow on track. Engineer killed by jumping.”

(Tom) Well I’ll be jiggered. There would’ve been a whole trainload of fatalities if’n he kept a running past Republic. No telling what kind of further tragedy was just averted. How in the name of Nessie did Boardman know all that?

(Conductor) I wish I could ask him that Tom. After he gave us that last warning, he just collapsed and died….

(Narrator) The derailment west of Attica was just a mile or so west of town on a blind turn in the tracks lined on both sides with timber. No way the “first five train” could’ve stopped for the cow that was on the tracks, and no way engine number 712 could’ve ever been notified in time before they compounded the tragedy to a full scale disaster. The miracle is that the man who saved near 100 lives that day…lay a corpse at his home, with his sorrowing family surrounding him. To their credit the opera company made up a purse, which, together with the life insurance Boardman had carried, made the engineer’s family independent for the rest of their lives. 

(Bridge) 
So….Why do we need family history stories now more than ever?

Human beings desire attachment, belonging, and connection. The relationships we form with other people can be incredibly durable, not only with people in our present, but also with people in our past and future. The more we discover about our past, the greater a connection we feel to our ancestors. As we record our own personal history, we open the opportunity for future generations to connect with us when we are gone. In effect we greatly enhance the prevention of addictions. Because we are giving connection. 

In a popular TED talk entitled, Everything You Think You Know about Addiction Is Wrong, British journalist Johann Hari (I will include a link to this in the show notes) teaches that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection. Connecting with members of our family past and present by learning their history fills an innate need in each one of us.

Now I know hardly anything about epigenetics and hand-me-down trauma, but I know that connection is the antithesis of addiction. Even its very enemy. We live in a society that suffers with addictions in all of its variants. One of the first goals in any addiction recovery is finding, recovering or strengthening CONNECTION. Connecting the dots to understand yourself, your behavior, your nature. As its been so profoundly stated by Dr Meeks “Remove the cause, and the effect will cease.” As human beings we will do just about anything for connection. Some of the worst behaviors are the result of a missing, lost or broken connections.

Whether you believe that your connection to your progenitors is purely emotional, or spiritual, biological, or DNA related. As Gerrit Walter Gong stated, “We each have a story. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become.” 

In episode 26 I shared some events from the lives of Edward Augustus Boardman and Catherine Fitzsimmons and their life together in Colorado.

In the wake of publishing the previous episode the landslide of information didnt just halt at the gate, it wanted to slide into the yard and move my perspective off of its foundation. And so it did. Edward Augustus Boardman started work with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1874. He was just 15 years old. He had moved to Colorado as a teen from Buffalo NY and taken up employment as a rail worker. Because of his leadership and organizing skills Gus quickly became the old Colorado Central Roadmaster for the Denver Region of Union Pacific. He was in charge of building and repairing tracks as needed, or as Mother Nature demanded. Of the 40 years he lived in the Denver area 35 of those were spent working for the railroad. With 5 years running a dry goods store in Victor, Colorado. 

As previously mentioned Gus & Catherine were married on November 23, 1881. With minimal birth control options in the 1800’s its pretty customary for all the children desired to follow in succession immediately after a marriage. I was a little perplexed that their first child didnt arrive until 1888. I was suspicious that even after learning of 3 children dying within a week from diphtheria and two later that decade in Denver…that somehow, as awful and impossible to comprehend as that was, somehow, just somehow, all of the tragic childbearing story wasn’t fully known yet. 

As I looked through the cemetery records in Golden, Colorado where they spent the first 13 years of their marriage, I found 3 graves of Boardman children. No first names, just “child Boardman”, death 9/26/1882. “Infant Boardman” 10/20/1883, and “infant Boardman” 10/28/1883. The first child looks like their honeymoon baby. The last two seem to be twins. Just unfathomable. 

While working on the Georgetown loop Gus was surprised by this announcement that was captured in the March 13th 1886 edition of The Colorado Miner Newspaper. It reads:
Railroad items.
The evening train will soon arrive in daylight. 
Conductor England’s smiling countenance is no longer seen in the mountains, but electrify is the pumpkin rollers along the route between Denver and Cheyenne. 
Conductor Charlie Campbell and his excellent Lady are now residents of Denver. We hope they will enjoy their new home. 
Superintendent  of track Edward Augustus Boardman has just been made happy by the arrival of a passenger in the form of a beautiful little daughter. On 7 March 1886, he received orders to report immediately at Denver, and upon his arrival there was introduced to the cherub.  Papa Boardman was congratulated by his many friends last Monday, and no prouder man was to be found among the C.C. employees. Made a little won’t be a source of joy to the happy parents.