Walter Nelson
sergeant of police, New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad · active 1925
Railroad police sergeant credited by the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad with keeping order on the September 1925 excursion that carried as many as five thousand Black passengers to Ocean City, of whom two were arrested. The Worcester Democrat: "This officer, by his tact and firmness, averted any recurrence of scenes which ordinarily accompany these trips."
In the record (1)
1925 · 1925-09-16
Five thousand Black excursionists came to Ocean City in September 1925, and the railroad advertised the record: two arrests.
Worcester Democrat, 26 September 1925, page one, "Unusual Conduct Noted On Colored Excursion": "The N. Y., P. & N. R. R. is emphasizing the unusually good conduct maintained on their three-day excursion which was run last week to Ocean City for the benefit and pleasure of the colored folk. It is estimated that as many as 5000 people made the trip, and of this vast number only two men were arrested for disorderly conduct. This is a remarkable record for such outings, and reflects great credit upon the management of the road in general, but specially Sergeant of Police, Walter Nelson. This officer, by his tact and firmness, averted any recurrence of scenes which ordinarily accompany these trips, and is heartily to be commended for his watchfulness." The Pennsylvania Railroad had advertised the trip through August and September as a "Special One Day Excursion TO OCEAN CITY, MD. — FOR COLORED PATRONS — WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 — SPECIAL THROUGH TRAIN," fares from Tasley $1.98 down to Pocomoke and Costen $1.44, returning from Ocean City at 7.00 P.M.
Five thousand Black people on one beach on one Wednesday in 1925 — the largest single gathering of Black Marylanders and Virginians at Ocean City this campaign can document, and it survives only because a white paper thought their behaviour worth remarking on.
New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk RailroadPennsylvania Railroad Company
Source · checked 2026-08-06