Dead Man's Cut
Introduction
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Nestled between the towns of Northfork and Keystone lies a notorious stretch of railroad known as Dead Man's Cut. This section, now part of the Norfolk Southern Railway, was once described in a 1912 publication about Keystone (entitled "The Sodom and Gommorah of Today") as "a narrow cut" that served as a magnet for danger. The area was flanked by sheer rock faces, the taller of which obscured it from the view of either town. This isolation made Dead Man's Cut a haven for bandits, thieves, and other criminals looking to prey on unsuspecting travelers. The name itself reflects its grim history: a chilling number of bodies were found within this short section of track, many brutally placed on the rails to be mutilated by passing trains. In its heyday, to venture into Dead Man's Cut after dark was to court death itself.
Images
A photo of Dead Man's Cut today
A postcard of Dead Man's Cut
Backstory and Context
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Dead Man's Cut earned its ominous reputation not just for the crimes committed there but for its ideal setting for such acts. The railway cut through a narrow gorge, leaving travelers hemmed in by towering rock walls on either side. This natural seclusion provided cover for ambushes, and those passing through often had no warning before falling victim. The steep rock face to the north blocked visibility from the towns, rendering the area a lawless corridor where cries for help would go unheard. This isolation made it a prime location for both opportunistic thieves and more sinister predators.
The frequency of violent deaths in Dead Man's Cut gave rise to countless tales and warnings. Bodies discovered on the tracks, sometimes intentionally left to be mangled by trains, shocked even the most hardened residents of the area. Local lore suggests that some victims were placed on the rails to cover up murders, ensuring their deaths would be ruled accidental. Whether motivated by robbery, vengeance, or sheer cruelty, the criminals of Dead Man's Cut used the secluded stretch to carry out their deeds with impunity.
Keystone's own reputation as a rough, lawless town only fueled the dangers of Dead Man's Cut. Known for its saloons, gambling dens, and unchecked vice, Keystone attracted a population where disputes often turned deadly. While some criminals operated along the railway, others sought refuge in the town after committing their crimes. The proximity of Dead Man's Cut to this environment created a perfect storm of danger for anyone traveling the railway or venturing too far from town.
To walk Dead Man's Cut after dark was considered a death wish. Travelers were warned to avoid the area altogether or risk becoming another name in its grim tally of victims. Even in daylight, the fear of ambushes and the memory of those who had lost their lives lingered heavily. Today, the railway remains a stark reminder of a bygone era when danger lurked in the shadows of the rock walls, waiting for its next unwitting victim.
Sources
Lad, Virginia. Sodom and Gomorrah of Today; or the History of Keystone, West Virginia. 1912.