Casey Jones - Epic of the American Railroad

Fred J. Lee

• Publisher: Lee Press
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN:
  9781473386006
• Print ISBN:
  9781406757170
  9781443728928

There is a wide difference between the saturated steam locomotives of the late nineteenth century and the sleek aluminum, streamlined Diesel and electric engines of today capable of developing speeds up to two hundred miles per hour j but the technique, methods and personalities of the earlier romantic period com prise an essentially important and extremely interesting chapter in the history of the American railroad. From the vast army of workers who were responsible for the actual operation and maintenance of the railroad in the nineties one name has arisen that will survive in memory as long as the railroad in any form exists. It radiates the spirit of romance and adventure inherent in the American railroad. That name is Casey Jones. There must be some fundamental vital element in any ballad that is accepted as a folk song* The element assumes additional weight and significance when the hero of the ballad was a real living human being. It was such a person who inspired the song that has been sung around the world. The author has gone to every known available source in order that historical accuracy might be pre servedj and has spared no pains to follow every clew that promised to throw light upon the life of Casey Jones, the man. Whenever possible, every story con - cerning him has been verified, and nothing of doubtful authenticity has been retained. An exact chronology has been followed, and although the story is told in fictional form care has been taken not to color the related incidents more than the known facts warranted. The purpose has been to recreate the scenes and make them live again. Most of the characters arc or were real persons, with whose names no liberties have been taken.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Contents
• Illustrations
• I. Scene by the River
• II. Pastures New—the Water Tank
• III. The Decision
• IV. Quest for a Job
• V. “Casey” Jones
• VI. Cub Operator
• VII. Railroad Boulevard—Wallace Saunders
• VIII. Colonel Rance Saunders
• IX. Speculation
• X. Whipsawed
• XI. Sawdust Trail
• XII. Recognition
• XIII. Love at First Sight
• XIV. Retribution
• XV. The “Blue Goose”
• XVI. Boomer Bill Driscoll
• XVII. The Work Song
• XVIII. Loyalty
• XIX. The Work Train
• XX. The Challenge
• XXI. A New Friend
• XXII. The Baptism
• XXIII. Married
• XXIV. The Honeymoon
• XXV. The I. C. Claims Casey
• XXVI. Engineer Casey Jones
• XXVII. Flight of the Irish Mail
• XXVIII. The Wreck at Toone
• XXIX. Chicago 1893—Columbian Exposition
• XXX. A Promise Kept
• XXXI. Run of the 638
• XXXII. Roundhouse Chat
• XXXIII. Tonnage Test
• XXXIV. The Jones Family
• XXXV. The Rescue
• XXXVI. Little Geneva
• XXXVII. The Dinner Party
• XXXVIII. Emma’s Death
• XXXIX. 638 at Burnside
• XL. Ambition Attained
• XLI. The Cannonball Express
• XLII. The End of the Run
• Epilogue
• Appendix