Terror at Sunset: An Orphan's Tale

By Frederick Eshelman

Following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of both parents, Jared and David Jackson were sent to Milton Hershey School for Boys in Pennsylvania. Upon their release, the orphans took very different paths. Jared’s seven-year search to locate his wayward brother ended when fate put him in touch with David. Jared’s love for the guitar is his driving force to succeed. A law degree from Pitt sets him up for life. David goes West and finds adventure and love in Yellowstone County. A hero to many, his journey finds a road strewn with sadness and a broken heart. A distraught Jared takes his guitar and law degree, back to where it all began.
This is a work of fiction. Some of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

About the Author
Frederick Eshelman is a very common man, born in the coal mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania. He was blessed with an outgoing personality and a vivid imagination.
A storyteller for the past seven decades, he has an uncanny ability to recall, in great detail, his travels across America. These stories were published as nonfiction in 2014.
After a four-year stint in the Air Force, he worked for major retailers and spent his final years as Group Travel Director for Martz Trailways. In retirement he left the cold of Pennsylvania and has made Ft. Myers, Florida home for 25 years. He and wife Catherine enjoy their visits with family and friends who stop by.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RoseDog Books
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891271067

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The contents of this work, including, but not limited to, the accuracy of events, people, and places depicted; opinions expressed; permission to use previously published materials included; and any advice given or actions advocated are solely the responsibility of the author, who assumes all liability for said work and indemnifies the publisher against any claims stemming from publication of the work.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2024 by  Frederick Eshelman

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, downloaded, distributed, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without permission in writing from the publisher.

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ISBN: 979-8-89127-608-6

eISBN: 979-8-89127-106-7

This book is dedicated to my wife, Catherine.

While paying my cousin’s overdue electric bill sixty years ago, fate stepped in!

A pretty brunette took my payment and she has been my lifetime partner ever since.

Three children and seven grandchildren later, we still hold hands and enjoy early morning walks at Lakes Park.

She is my faithful typist.

Without her this book would not be possible.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of both parents, Jared and David Jackson were sent to Milton Hershey School for Boys in Pennsylvania.

Upon their release the orphans took very different paths. Jared’s seven year search to locate his wayward brother ended, when fate put him in touch with David.

Jared’s love for the guitar is his driving force to succeed. A law degree from Pitt sets him up for life. David goes West and finds adventure and love in Yellowstone County. A hero to many, his journey finds a road strewn with sadness and a broken heart. A distraught Jared takes his guitar and law degree, back to where it all began.

This is a work of fiction. Some of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

CHAPTER ONE

In the spring of 1955, a speeding passenger train approached a rural road crossing in Southeast Pennsylvania. The flashing lights, warning motorists, were inoperative. The tragic result, the car driven by Lincoln Jackson, with his wife Kate had been pushed nine hundred feet before the engineer realized what happened.

The death of these two people would forever change the lives of David and Jared Jackson now left orphans. David was seven and Jared only three years of age on that fateful day. Katie’s brother Jack O’Hara came forward and told authorities he would be their guardian until they were twenty-one years old.

At the gravesite, the Funeral Director, Max Coburn told Jack about the Milton Hershey School for boys. It was an hours ride from the O’Hara’s farm in Keystone, halfway between Lancaster and Hershey. Coburn said, the school was noted for taking in boys without fathers to guide them. Abused boys also were taken in, so something as tragic as this, Max thought, two boys orphaned by a train accident would be accepted for sure. Coburn said as a Funeral Director I have a good chance to speed up the process!

I’ll call the school the first thing in the morning. Take the boys home with you. It won’t be long until I get back to you. In less than a week, Jack and Meggie took the two boys to the Milton Hershey School for Boys. So many of their graduates had gone on to lead successful lives, the administrator told them. He said, the older boys would work at one of the large dairy farms on the ten-thousand-acre property. Some also worked in the craft shops. Little boys like Jared and David would learn quickly what was expected of them.

Jared had no recollection of his parents. David had vague memories. This would be their home for an indefinite period of time. If you were younger, you could leave with a sponsor at sixteen. Jared would start his life at age sixteen with the O’Hara family. So on May 10, 1968 Jared waited for his Uncle Jack to pick him up.

As he waited he thought about David who had left the school at age eighteen. That was the legal age for someone to go on their own. Hopefully with an endorsement from the school the young man could find employment. Jared had not heard from his brother in three years. While at the school David had a couple incidents with the teachers. Surely that would not help him. Jared on the other hand was a model student who picked up a guitar in music class and was hooked.

Uncle Jack never offered David a helping hand when he got out. He had enough anxiety with seven of his own. But Jared was different. He and Charlie O’Hara, Jack’s oldest, were very close so Jack figured to get him out at sixteen. He could help with some chores on the farm and when he was ready to face the world, Uncle Jack would give him his blessing. Aunt Meggie was a superb baker and Jared always liked it when she brought a pie on visitor’s day.

When Jared went to the Head Master’s office he was presented with a diploma and a letter of recommendation to any employer Jared visited. The Head Master, Mr. Evans asked do you ever hear from David? Jared replied, no. In some of Jared’s personal belongings was an old post card David had sent to a friend of his at school. Since that student had left school I threw this in with your things. And I have something you might like, Mr. Evans remarked. Your music teacher Antonio Fiore marveled at your love for the guitar. With that he said, Mr. Fiore wanted you to have this as a remembrance for his part of your life’s journey.

He explained that the music department was given a nice grant from the state. Part of the funds went to buy twelve new Gibson guitars. Jared’s smile beamed from ear to ear. I never expected this he told the Head Master. Mr. Evans said, it just goes to show the bond between a teacher and a loving student.

The phone on his desk rang. Mr. Evans picked it up and told the caller he would be there in a few minutes. His uncle had arrived. Jared clutched his prize possession that had been wrapped in newspapers. He could not wait to show Uncle Jack and Aunt Meggie. In the school’s waiting room, Jared stood with a small suitcase in his left hand and his special gift in his right hand. After exchanging hugs, the O’Hara’s and their nephew were off to Keystone. It was less than an hour away, but it gave his aunt and uncle time to catch up.

In the past thirteen years Jared had not thought about his parents very much. At three years old he remembered nothing. His brother David was four years older and told his baby brother little things he could remember. Jared loved to hear anything about his mom and dad. As it turned out Uncle Jack would be his guardian. In the car they talked about the children, the chores and school activities. Jared had an option. He could go back to high school with the O’Hara kids or could use his diploma from the Hershey School, fully accredited, and face the world. He had given some thought about going to college.

While he was in the back seat he looked through the bag of personal items that Mr. Evans gave him and found the post card David had sent to a classmate, Leroy Daniels. It was a stable for horses at Waterford Park in West Virginia. The card read, got a job as a groomsman here working with horses. It’s hard work but the boss is fair. Look me up when you leave, Dave. It was postmarked over a year ago. He showed the card to his aunt. She said we never hear from him. I hope he is well. He asked Uncle Jack if he ever heard of Waterford Park in West Virginia. Jack said, don’t hold me to this but I think it is a race track not far from the Pennsylvania border.

The car pulled into the driveway of the O’Hara home, a modest four-bedroom ranch style house. Once inside his aunt said, you can bunk with Charles and Patrick. Jared was happy to be with family. His aunt asked Jared what some of his favorite meals were. He was easy to please. Whatever they served us, I ate. She said you sure make it easy on the chef. They all had a good laugh.

By now most of the family had gathered for dinner. Jared asked if it would be all right to go outside after dinner to play his guitar. He said I noticed a small stream in the back, is that on your property? Uncle Jack said let’s go for a walk. I’ll show you around. Jared offered to help his aunt with the dishes. Meggie interrupted, the two girls will do the dishes. Go with your uncle. It is so nice to have you with us.

As they walked around the perimeter of the property Jared told his uncle of his guitar talent. He said I have been playing since I was eight years old. I hope someday I can make a living playing the guitar. Down by the stream Jack had built a bench with a covering over it. He explained that he and Meg would sit there in the evening, enjoying a glass of wine and a brilliant sunset, and watch the stream flow by. Jared was excited. Could I come down here and practice? Uncle Jack said, I don’t see why not! None of his boys had an ear for music. Jared thought if it wasn’t for Mr. Fiore, I wouldn’t either.

As they walked back to the house, Jack asked his nephew had he given any thought to what he might do. He was welcome to spend this Christmas with the O’Hara’s. And, if he decided to spend more time in Keystone he could help out around the small farm Jack and Meggie owned. There would be grass cutting, tree trimming and crops to be harvested. One thing you learn, farming ain’t easy. However, it is very rewarding.

The last year I was at the boys home I gave a lot of thought as to what I would do when I got out. Your offer to come and get me after I turned sixteen gave me some options! First, I would be with the only family I knew. That is very important to me. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of my mother and father. Was my mother pretty? Was my father tall and handsome? Jack interrupted him saying he and Meggie will sit with you and tell you all about Kate and Lincoln Jackson. Your Aunt Meg has a shoe box with old pictures, from back in the early days. It will give you a glimpse of your parents. You and David were short changed from almost infancy!

Uncle Jack told Jared to feel welcome at their home for as long as he wished, but always remember this is your home. Come and go as you please. Being a teenager you are caught between a rock and a hard place. Too young to go off on your own, you are barely old enough to drive in the State of Pennsylvania. Then consider this, you don’t own a car! Here we have a Sunday car and a beat up Chevy. We have four drivers sharing the cars. Meg and I use the new one that we drive to church. That is why we call it our Sunday car. As long as you are here you can ask me if you really need a car. Otherwise your aunt and I will get you where you want to go. I hope you will find living as a family more enjoyable then spending another two years at Hershey.

Jared expressed his gratitude to his guardians. He agreed that he wasn’t going to find work at sixteen, at least not full time. Then if he did, he didn’t have a car so he put that thought on the back burner. He told his Uncle Jack to line up the weekly chores that were expected of him. Jared’s only request was to be able to play his guitar. That sounds like a fair deal.

As time went by, Jared got to know all the O’Hara children. In fact, the two girls found their way down by the stream to listen to Jared’s evening concerts. One night several weeks later Meg and Jack found themselves alone. All the kids were in Harrisburg at a school function and Jared was playing his guitar out back. Jack told Meg let’s get Jared in here and have that talk we have been planning for the past ten years. Jack went to their bedroom and returned with a large steel box. Meg called down to Jared. She asked for about thirty minutes of his time. Jared replied, be right there, Aunt Meggie. Well young man this is the time we tell you about your mother and dad, two wonderful people that met a tragic end. Since your mom and Jack were brother and sister, I’ll let him tell you about Katy Jackson, your mom.

Meg put an envelope on the table. It contained family photos. There were some of a uniformed soldier, that was your dad. Most of the pictures were the O’Hara family growing up. There were a couple wedding pictures and a few of David at an Easter egg hunt. Meg said, you can look through the box and keep whatever ones you want.

With a clear strong voice Uncle Jack took charge. While you were in the Hershey School with David, I as your guardian, started a lawsuit against the Erie Central Railroad. My attorney went for a number of charges. For example, the train crossed that rural road at an excessive speed, the flashing warning signs were out and there was a loss of potential earnings. Add the fact there were now two small boys who were orphans. Our attorney did a great job. It took four years to get the Erie Central Railroad into a Philadelphia courtroom. In 1959 they were found guilty on all charges. Money has been placed in a trust account for you and David. It cannot be touched until you reach 21.

I oversee the trust until that time. After the attorney got his share and I as your guardian received a token amount, you boys were left with 1.5 million dollars. That money will never bring your mother and dad back to us. I’m sure they must be happy knowing you and David were rewarded for their devastating loss. $750,000 was placed in Jared Jackson’s trust account and $750,000 was placed in David Jackson’s trust account. On your twenty-first birthday you will be free to do what you want with the account.

The same thing applied to David. It is a shame he has not kept in touch. If he doesn’t surface until he is 30 years old, the money will remain in trust for him. Aunt Meggie said, your Uncle Jack will oversee this trust account. When you leave here I will give you Edward Fletcher’s card. He is our attorney and you will find him fair should you ever need him.

Young Jared looked dumbfounded! He took the shoe box and went upstairs. As a sixteen-year old he was sharp enough to realize he had no car and it would probably take some time to find a decent job. He had thought about joining the Air Force when he turned seventeen. Now, he had other ideas. He would help his uncle on the farm until he was eighteen and then he would re-evaluate the situation. It would also give him time to practice his guitar. He had learned to read music so it would be an advantage if he should hook up with a small band.

In the morning at breakfast he saw Jack and Meg preparing a great country spread. Jared told them if I didn’t thank you last night, let me say I am so grateful for your guidance. He grabbed the two of them and they shared a long embrace. Meggie said, I’m sure Jack’s sister Kate would be so proud of you. My girls say you play the guitar very well. I don’t know where your journey will go, but it will not hurt to earn extra money on the side doing what you love. Jared said that’s funny. Mr. Fiore, my music teacher, told me on different occasions the same thing. By now the entire O’Hara family knew about the trust fund. Charlie said, I don’t know if I say congratulations for something like that! Uncle Jack said, just say you are happy for Jared.

As Christmas approached Jared had been with the O’Hara family two years. He was now eighteen. January is quite cold in Pennsylvania as Jared moved his guitar time inside. It would probably be late spring before he would sit on the bench and strum away. One day after the Christmas Holiday Jack O’Hara put his arm around Jared and said let’s go for a ride. Uncle Jack wanted to pick Jared Jackson’s mind. They got into the Sunday car and headed for the pretty town of Hershey.

Uncle Jack said, you’ve been with us a couple years now, and everyone is very happy with the way you pitch in, whether it is doing some dishes or eight hours