One of Tyrone’s beloved historians has quietly passed away, remembered by many of the “older folks” for his wit and his humor through an oft-found column in past editions of the Tyrone Daily Herald. Edgar H. Keys Sr. died February 7 at the age of 89.
For well over twenty years, his “Key’s Opinion” column appeared in the Herald, oftentimes on a regular basis, and again quite sporadically, as he good-naturedly presented his thoughts on just about anything.
Quite often, Ed was a historian as he brought back to memory many happenings around the community. For some, it was remembering Ed and his beloved wife Sara, who frequently was by his side greeting passengers at the railroad station while getting off the train here. This event didn’t go unnoticed as he once was tagged “The Ambassador” by Altoona television station WTAJ for these friendly gestures.
While going through boxes and books of old clippings and pictures, Ed’s son, Ed Jr., and his wife, Susan, discovered a lone, typed “Key’s Opinion,” which follows:
The Pennsylvania Keeps Rolling Along
No one will likely forget the devastating railroad derailment at our local depot which so thoroughly “wiped out” a page of history of a once flourishing business in this community. That tidy little station situated on an island platform between three railroad main lines, is no longer a familiar landmark treasured by so many in this area. Yet, it’s not lost. Things are coming along that may just change all this railroad loss.
Loss of Station — To many a seasoned railroader, the loss of this station meant the end of over a century of business that was responsible for the establishment of our town, and the beginning of a tremendous industrial center which drew huge numbers of talented people into this area.
Business Crossroad — Tyrone was once known as the business crossroad of the county. And it was only a matter of a few years that the community exploded from a mere thousand population to a gigantic ten thousand metropolis.
Falter and Fall — Unfortunately, that gigantic railroad empire began to falter and fall. All over the eastern seaboard, the great Pennsylvania Railroad system began to decline with the advent of the automobile. What was once a tremendous national institution soon became a shattered relic. But the railroad system is by no means a forgotten business in today’s wide industrial empire. Freight continues to roll over the rail trails of long ago.
A Labor of Love
Yes, the pattern of the railroad station, Bland’s Park, and the downtown was a regular beat for Ed. His “Key’s Opinion” columns, which folks grew accustomed to reading throughout years gone by, are still remembered by many. Ed’s columns were dotted with historic events, facts, ideas, and bits of humor he so willingly shared with others for many years. Thanks, Ed, for your “labor of love,” which didn’t go unnoticed by many.
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