How I arrived at Dutchman's Curve
By Betsy Thorpe

In 1988 I moved to Nashville from Eugene Oregon with my
husband Peter and daughter Ruby. History has always
fascinated me, and living in a city with more than
two centuries of recorded history stimulated my imagination.
We lived on Music Row for over fifteen years.
I discovered local lore and history exploring my neighborhood's past. Hillsboro Village, Belmont Villa, South Street, and Sixteenth Avenue South, appears to be one Nashville locale, but each has it's own unique history and I absorbed them all.

In 2001 we moved to West Nashville and one year later my life was forever altered by the death of my husband.
Time and grief worked together and I very slowly let go of my old life and started looking forward, hoping
to find a project to occupy my mind and fill long empty hours.

In November of 2006 I began studying the history
of my neighborhood. It was exciting, West Nashville has a very interesting past. I read "West Nashville, it's people and environs", by Sarah Foster Kelley. The book intrigued me, especially the story of the worst train wreck in U.S. history. The train wreck at Dutchman's Curve.

Perhaps it was a twist of fate, but something unusual occurred after I read Ms. Kelly's account of Dutchman's Curve. The story, untold for nine decades revealed itself, and the voices of the lost souls,released from the silence that muted them for so many years collectivley compelled me to make their acquaintance. I now know most of them by name, and where they were born. I know the names of many of their mothers and I have had the pleasure of meeting several of thier descendents. They entrusted me with their story, and I often sense their guidance as I unravel the threads of history. I do not know why I was selected to tell this story, but I do know it was presented to me as a gift and I must tell it.

Books and Media referencing Dutchman's Curve

Trains Unlimited - Great Train Disasters (History Channel DVD)
An interesting documentary on rail accident history, includes a segment on Dutchman's
Curve.

West Nashville: Its People and Environs by Sarah Foster Kelley
Two pages in this book are devoted to Dutchman's Curve, includes quotes from survivors
and family members of victims.

Nashville: The Faces of Two Centuries, 1780-1980 (Hardcover)
by John Egerton
Mr. Egerton's book inlcudes Josephine Douglas's eye witness account of the rescue effort at Dutchman's
Curve.

Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis - A History of "The Dixie Line" (Hardcover)
by Dain Schult
A comprehensive piece on Dutchman's Curve from the railways perspective is included
in this book.

These resources are available at the Nashville Public Library.

Hello, my name is Betsy Thorpe. I love History. I tell Stories. For almost 20 years, I have waitressed at America's Dinner Table (Shoney's). Can I properly tell this story? I hope so.

The tale of Dutchman's Curve has quietly circulated for almost 90 years, kept alive by others that love history and tell stories.

Dutchman's Curve is the site of the deadliest train wreck in the 175 years of U.S. passenger train history.

I don't know for certain how many died that day.It was more than one hundred people,likely many more.

The July 9, 1918 Nashville train wreck and its sorrowful aftermath has captured my imagination, gripped my soul and filled my heart.

I wander through the mists of time, chasing ghosts, looking for clues and hoping to capture elusive truths. I am on a quest to unravel the threads of history and create a tapestry acknowledging the lives of those riding the rails the day the Hand of Fate reached down and blew the whistle signaling Disaster.