| Casey Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
John Luther Jones |
|
Born |
March 14, 1863 |
|
Died |
April 30, 1900 |
Origin[]
Casey Jones was an American railroader who was killed when his passenger train collided with a stalled freight train in Vaughan, Mississippi.
Illinois Central No. 382, also known as "Ole' 382" or "The Cannonball", was a 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" bought new from the Rogers Locomotive Works in Paterson, New Jersey for the Illinois Central Railroad. Constructed in 1898, the locomotive was used for fast passenger service between Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana.
On the night of April 30, 1900, engineer Casey Jones and fireman Simeon "Sim" Webb were traveling with the engine from Memphis, Tennessee to Canton, Mississippi.The train collided into the rear of a freight train stuck on the mainline, killing Jones, and injuries dozens more in Vaughan, Mississippi, the last station before Canton.
After the accident, the locomotive was rebuilt in Water Valley, Mississippi, and returned to service. The engine was believed to be cursed after Jones' death as it would suffer three more accidents in its career before being retired in July 1935, and scrapped.
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- The Return of Casey Jones (1933)
Public Domain Music Appearances[]
- The Ballad of Casey Jones (1909)