Casey Jones

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Casey Jones

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Casey Jones 1864-1900, American locomotive engineer celebrated in ballad and song, probably b. Jordan, Fulton co., Ky. His real name was John Luther Jones, but at the age of 17 he went to Cayce, Ky., and there he was employed as a telegraph operator; from the name of the town he was given the nickname "Casey." In 1888 he entered the service of the Illinois Central RR as a locomotive fireman and soon (1890) was promoted to engineer. He was famous among railroad men for his boast that he always brought his train in on schedule and for his peculiar skill with a locomotive whistle. Given the "crack" assignment of driving the Cannon Ball express from Memphis, Tenn., to Canton, Miss.—a particularly dangerous run on which several accidents had occurred—Casey Jones was determined to bring the overdue train in on time but met with disaster. On the morning of Apr. 30, 1900, confronted with a stationary freight train ahead of his speeding locomotive at Vaughan, Miss., he ordered his fireman to jump. He applied the brakes, and although the Cannon Ball crashed and Jones was killed, the passengers were saved. A fellow railroad worker, Wallace Saunders, soon composed a popular ballad about him; one version of it, Casey Jones, was published by T. Lawrence Siebert and Eddie Newton. Monuments commemorating Jones stand at Cayce, Ky., and Jackson, Tenn. He was buried at Jackson, Tenn.

Bibliography: See biography by F. J. Lee (1939).

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Casey Jones

The Oxford Companion to American Literature | 1995 | | © The Oxford Companion to American Literature 1995, originally published by Oxford University Press 1995. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Casey Jones, railroad engineer hero of a popular ballad that tells of his fatal last trip in the cabin of a “big eight‐wheeler,” which was “eight hours late with the western mail.” His attempt to arrive in “Frisco” on schedule results in a head‐on collision with another train. As with most ballads, there are many variants of both music and verses, and no definite origin is known. It is claimed that the original engineer was John Luther Jones, killed in a wreck on the Chicago and New Orleans Limited (March 18, 1900). The song has been attributed at various times to three railroad workers, Wallace Saunders, Cornelius Steen, and “Wash” Sanders. It may have been revised from a ballad about a black fireman, Jimmie Jones, but certainly has its roots in the tradition that “there's many a man killed on the railroad, and laid in his lonesome grave,” which also produced The Wreck of the Six‐Wheel Drive, Ol' John Brown, and Charley Snyder. A vaudeville version of “Casey Jones” was published in 1909 by T.L. Siebert and E. Newton. The hero's career has become a folk legend, and is the subject of a famous labor‐union song and of Robert Ardrey's play Casey Jones (1938).

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James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Casey Jones." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. Oxford University Press. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Casey Jones." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. Oxford University Press. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (December 10, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-CaseyJones.html

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Casey Jones." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. Oxford University Press. 1995. Retrieved December 10, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-CaseyJones.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article Artisan Adds EDA Veteran to Enhance Focus on IC Design Community; Casey Jones to Head Corporate Communications Department.
Business Wire; 6/11/2003
Free Article E. Paul Casey. (Metapoint Partners L.P. founder) (N.B.)
Magazine article from: Chief Executive (U.S.); 9/1/1994
Free Article May Day Works for Casey, Tigers
News Wire article from: AP Online; 5/2/2007

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Tracking real Casey Jones story
Newspaper article from: Chicago Sun-Times; 9/4/1988; ; 700+ words ; ...railroad engineer John Luther "Casey" Jones crashed the Cannon Ball Express...railroader's cap on his head. "Casey Jones was a good engineer," he was...chronicler of the last ride of Casey Jones. Retired 10 years ago, after...
Fourth grader honored for courage ; Casey Jones summoned help for her babysitter after she collapsed and hit her head.
Newspaper article from: Portland Press Herald (Maine); 12/13/2006; ; 575 words ; ...Fourth grader honored for courage ; Casey Jones summoned help for her babysitter...FINAL Section: LOCAL & STATE Casey Jones, a fourth grader at Riverton Elementary...s condition," Devoe wrote. "Casey Jones is a credit to the greater Portland...
Ch. 11's `Casey Jones' dies at 74; Roger Awsumb entertained youngsters on TV from 1953 to 1972 as a railroad engineer who was an easygoing friend.(NEWS)
Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); 7/16/2002; ; 700+ words ; ...Minnesota kids as their lunch buddy Casey Jones, died Monday after suffering a heart attack. He was 74. "He was Casey until the ambulance took him away...gang, it's your old buddy, Casey Jones!" And he sang: "Happy, happy...
Folk legend Casey Jones' story still thrives today
Newspaper article from: Oakland Tribune; 4/30/2004; 599 words ; PRIDE IN CASEY'S MANNER -- Casey Jones mounted to his cabin. Casey Jones with his orders in his hand. Casey Jones mounted to his cabin And he took his farewell trip to the promised land. Those...
Casey Jones to Take Top Slot at Grey Worldwide/San Francisco.
PR Newswire; 10/15/2001; 700+ words ; ...GREY), today announced that Casey Jones has assumed responsibility as president of the San Francisco office. Casey continues in his role as executive...during these changing times." Casey Jones emphasizes business-results thinking...
Time to steam into Casey Jones at 33-1 for RSA; TRADING POST Ante-post focus Meade chaser under the radar despite defeat of Trafford Lad at Leopardstown.(Sports)
Newspaper article from: The Racing Post (London, England); 2/12/2009; 700+ words ; ...and one to add to the list is Casey Jones, overpriced at 33-1 with Sportingbet...years (just two winners), but Casey Jones doesn't come with the hype often...close home. Time to steam into Casey Jones at 33-1 for RSA Trafford Lad...
Ill will preceded Aurora fire chief's ouster Casey Jones, who left under cloud, had lost confidence of firefighters.(News)
Newspaper article from: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO); 6/16/2007; ; 700+ words ; ...Mountain News AURORA -- Fire Chief Casey Jones' abrupt departure last month...But firefighters chafed under Jones' management style. "Under Casey's regime it was basically...Randy Rester said. Now that Jones is gone, "It's almost like...
ALFRED 'CASEY' JONES, RAIL WORKER.(NEWS)
Newspaper article from: The Kentucky Post (Covington, KY); 2/27/1996; 416 words ; Alfred Joseph ''Casey'' Jones came by his nickname honestly. For...He was sort of quiet.'' Mr. Jones, 92, of Ft. Thomas, died Saturday...the Sixth Ward Boosters in Newport. Casey Jones enjoyed a long life because he re mained...
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader, Casey Jones column: Movie causes 2 very different demonstrations.
Newspaper article from: Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA); 5/23/2006; 700+ words ; Byline: Casey Jones May 23--t was more of a prayer meeting...please -- even when it sucks. Call Casey Jones at 829-7215 or e-mail cjones@leader...mailto:cjones@leader.net] Call Casey Jones at 829-7215 or e-mail cjones@leader...
Return of Fine Food Provides Solace for Tornado-Torn Town; Casey Jones's Reopening Marks La Plata's Renewal
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 6/20/2002; ; 700+ words ; ...when he noticed The Crossing at Casey Jones restaurant was opening its dining...Marshall's mind as he arrived at Casey Jones right at 11 a.m., the first...this was not merely a lunch. Casey Jones, La Plata's spot for fine dining...

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