Jones was immortalized first in a ballad by his friend, engine-wiper Wallace Saunders. Vaudeville performers T. Lawrence Seibert and Eddie Newton changed Saunders' original song somewhat and copyrighted it in 1902. This version of the song, called "Casey Jones: The Brave Engineer," became well known, and performed by so many people that about 40 versions of the words are known (It was even parodied in 1912 by Joe Hill as "Casey Jones the Union Scab.") This is the version that Mrs. Jones is said to have considered closest to Saunders' original.
Come all you rounders if you want to hear A story 'bout a brave engineer, Casey Jones was the rounder's name 'Twas on the Illinois Central that he won his fame.
Casey Jones, he loved a locomotive. Casey Jones, a mighty man was he. Casey Jones run his final locomotive With the Cannonball Special on the old I.C.
Casey pulled into Memphis on Number Four, The engine foreman met him at the roundhouse door; Said, "Joe Lewis won't be able to make his run So you'll have to double out on Number One."
If I can have Sim Webb, my fireman, my engine 382, Although I'm tired and weary, I'll take her through. Put on my whistle that come in today 'Cause I mean to keep her wailing as we ride and pray.
Casey Jones mounted the cabin, Casey Jones, with the orders in his hand. Casey Jones, he mounted the cabin, Started on his farewell journey to the promised land.
They pulled out of Memphis nearly two hours late, Soon they were speeding at a terrible rate. And the people knew by the whistle's moan. That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones.
Need more coal there, fireman Sim, Open that door and heave it in. Give that shovel all you got And we'll reach Canton on the dot
On April 30, 1900, that rainy morn, Down in Mississippi near the town of Vaughan, Sped the Cannonball Special only two minutes late Traveling 70 miles an hour when they saw a freight.
The caboose number 83 was on the main line, Casey's last words were "Jump, Sim, while you have the time." At 3:52 that morning came the fareful end, Casey took his farewell trip to the promised land.
Casey Jones, he died at the throttle, With the whistle in his hand. Casey Jones, he died at the throttle, But we'll all see Casey in the promised land.
His wife and three children were left to mourn The tragic death of Casey on that April morn. May God through His goodness keep them by His grace Till they all meet together in that heavenly place.
Casey's body lies buried in Jackson, Tennessee Close beside the tracks of the old I.C. May his spirit live forever throughout the land As the greatest of all heroes of a railroad man.
Casey Jones, he died at the throttle, Casey Jones, with the whistle in his hand. Casey Jones, he died at the throttle, But we'll all see Casey in the promised land.
Sources: http://taco.com/roots/caseyjones.html http://www.trainweb.org/caseyjones/song.html http://www.jacksonsun.com/special_sections/casey_jones2000/songs.htm http://www.jacksonsun.com/special_sections/casey_jones2000/song_lyrics.htm http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/casey.html
This old engine makes it on time Leaves Central Station at a quarter to nine Hits River Junction at seventeen to at a quarter to ten you know it's trav'lin again Drivin' that train High on cocaine Casey Jones you better watch your speed Trouble ahead Trouble behind and you know that notion just crossed my mind Trouble ahead The Lady in Red Take my advice you be better off dead Switchman sleepin Train hundred and two is on the wrong track and headed for you Drivin' that train High on cocaine Casey Jones you better watch your speed Trouble ahead Trouble behind and you know that notion just crossed my mind Trouble with you is The trouble with me Got two good eyes but we still don't see Come round the bend You know it's the end The fireman screams and The engine just gleams Drivin' that train High on cocaine Casey Jones you better watch your speed Trouble ahead Trouble behind and you know that notion just crossed my mind
Reprinted with permissions: copyright Ice Nine Publishing - see Grateful Dead Lyrics
Here is a actual transcript of the "Casey" Jones "Cannonball" accident report, digitized by wolfgang@sunspot.nosc.mil (Lewis E. Wolfgang)
Chicago, May l0, l900 Subject: Collision of trains l and 83 Vaughan, 4-30-l900 Mr. J. T. Harahan Second Vice President Dear Sir: Referring the 478 report No. 26 of the Water Valley District, Mississippi Division, and various telegrams from Asst. Supt. Gilleas covering case of passenger train No.l, engine No. 382, Conductor J.C. Turner, Engineer J.L. Jones, running into rear of freight train No. 83, engine Nos. 870 and 87l, Engineers L. Markette and C. W. Marchison, Conductor B. Hoke, at Vaughan, Miss., 3:52 A.M., April 30, l900, in which Engineer Jones of No. l was killed and the following persons injured. Settlement of various cases having been effected as shown by amounts opposite names: Simon Webb, Fireman Train No. l, body bruses jumpiong off Engine 382.................$5.00 Wm. Miller, Express Messenger, slight injuries..25.00 W. L. Whiteside, Postal Clerk, jarred........... l.00 R. A. Ford " " " ........... l.00 Reports received to date indicate that Engineer Jones of the passenger train, who lost his life in the accident, was alone responsible for the accident as train No. 83 which was obstructing the main track at Vaughan sawing by train No. 26 was properly protected by flagman, who had gone back a distance of 3000 feet, where he had placed toropedos on the rail; then continued north a further distance of 500 to 800 feet, where he stood and gave signals to train No. l; which signals, however, were apparently not observed by Engineer Jones: nor is it believed he heard the explosion of the torpedoes as his train continued toward the station at a high rate of speed, notwithstanding the fact it was moving up a grade; collision occurring at a point 2l0 feet north of the north passing track switch. It is also stated that Engineer Jones of train No.l failed to sound the whistle for the station when passing the whistle board. Jones entered the service of this company as fireman in March, l888, was promoted to position of engineer in February, l890, since which date his record has been as follows: Engineer Jones was promoted to position of engineer in February, l900, and had a reasonably good record, not having been disciplined for the past three years. He had been assigned to passenger service between Memphis and Canton about 60 days before collision occurred and at the first opportunity thereafter Supt. King had talked to him about the importance of the trains to which he had been assigned, instructiong him to use good judgement, especially in stormy weather; to keep close lookout for signals at all times, particularly in approaching and passing through stations and yards; adding that the trains he would handle had been successfully handled by other engineers who were on the runs and that satisfactory time had been made. He particularly instructed Jones not to attempt to do any reckless running with the view of establishing a record of making fast time, or better time than the other men on the runs. Jones' work up to the time of the accident had been satisfactory. The actual damage of this collision amounted to $3,323.75. Trains lst 72, 83, lst 26 and 2nd 26 were at Vaughan Station for No. 2; lst and 2nd 26 occupied the house track which was clear, and lst 72 and 83 occupied the passing track, which lacked about l0 car lenghts of holding the two trains. After sawing the two sections of No. 26 in at the south end, lst 72 and 83, while moving south on passing track to clear No. l at north end, stopped before going into the clear on account of air hose bursting on a car in lst 72, the rear of No. 83 fouling the main track. Flagman J. M. Newberry of No. 83 who provided with the necessary signals had gone back to place torpedoes, also to signal Engineer on No. l to stop, and although he had a unobstructed view of the flagman for l l/2 miles, he failed to heed the signals, and the train was not stopped until the collision occurred. The explosion was heard by crews of trains at Vaughan Station by Fireman S. Webb (colored) on No.l, and by the postal clerks and baggageman on the train. Fireman Webb states that between Pickens and Vaughan Stations, after putting in a fire, he was called to the side of Engineer Jones, who lost his life in the accident, and they talked about the new whistle which had been put on the engine at Memphis; Jones stated that going into Canton it would arouse the people of the town. This was the first trip with the new whistle and Jones was much pleased with it. Fireman Webb states that after talking with Jones, he stepped down to the deck to put in a fire; and just as he was in the act of stooping for the shovel, he heard the explosion of the torpedo. He immediately went to the the gang-way on the Engineer's side and saw a flagman with red and white lights standing alongside the tracks; going then to the Fireman's side, he saw the markers of Caboose of No. 83. He then called to the engineer,Jones,that there was a train ahead, and feeling that the engineer would not be able to stop the train in time to prevent an accident, told him that he was going to jump off, which he did about 300 feet from the caboose of No. 83. Fireman Webb further states that when the torpedo exploded, train No. l was running about 75 miles per hour; that Engineer Jones immediately applied the air brakes and that when he left, the engine speed had been reduced to about 50 miles per hour. He also states that had he or Engineer Jones looked ahead, they could have seen the flagman in ample time to have stopped before striking No. 83. Train No. 25 was also flagged by Flagman Newberry and stopped where he stood, which was the same location from which train No. l was flagged. Train No. l met train No. 2 at Goodman Station, No. l arriving at Goodman on time and taking the siding; it left there 5 minutes late, and at the time of the collision was 2 minutes late. Trains lst 72 and 83 would not have been at Vaughan Station for train No.l but for the fact that No. 83, while pulling into the siding to let No.25 pass, pulled out two draw-bars; which resulted in delay and prevented No. 83 going beyond Vaughan Station for the two sectiions of No. 26 and No. l. As shown above, Engineer Jones was solely responsible for the collision by reason of having disregarded the signals given by Flagman Newberry. /s/ A.S. Sullivan General Superintendent
Casey Jones is a vigilante anti-hero from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, appearing in nearly every incarnation of the franchise. He's a fan favorite, having the same general appeal as Batman, The Punisher, or Todd McFarlane's Spawn.
The anti-hero is a very popular archetype, possibly because it presents to the audience a vicarious wish fulfillment fantasy. We all wish we could stand up to the bullies and fight for justice, but who wants to be constrained by the sort of restrictive morality the standard hero must abide by? How often has the hero had the villain defeated, only to show mercy at the exact wrong time, allowing the villain to gain the upper hand? We know that when Spider-man carts Doctor Octopus off to jail, he's just going to break out again. We know that Superman shouldn't hand over the last microchip Lex Luthor needs to build his superweapon just because he's holding Lois Lane hostage.
Wouldn't it be so much more satisfying to break the villain's arms so he can't cause trouble anymore? Wouldn't the world benefit from the death of one criminal if it means he can never hurt anyone again? On the other hand, is it worth sinking to the villain's level, using the same tactics he would? Would it even be effective to commit violence to try to stop violence?
Do the ends justify the means?
Casey Jones thinks so. Making his first appearance in the original Mirage TMNT comics, Casey Jones is the very definition of the vigilante anti-hero. Casey apparently lived alone in a small apartment, spending his free time lifting weights while watching cop shows, Clint Eastwood movies, and the local news. On three TV sets at once. His view of the world became a bit warped, and he decided that the police were too restrained by such petty details as miranda rights and due process of law. Donning a hockey mask, sports pads, and a golf bag full of blunt instruments, Casey hit the streets to punish the criminal element the way he felt it needed to be done.
Unfortunately Casey Jones has no sense of scale. Be ye purse snatcher or rapist, petty thug or criminal mastermind, there is only one level of law enforcement to Casey's way of thinking. He's out to punish injustice, and that involves breaking some bones. Being tough on crime means hurting the criminal so badly, he'll be afraid to ever commit crimes again.
Original Comics Raphael was the first of the Turtles to meet Casey in the comics. He had lost his temper sparring with Michaelangelo and needed to get out for a bit to clear his head, when he ran across Casey beating up some muggers in Central Park. And by beating up, I mean he had already defeated them, and was continuing to pummel their battered and broken bodies, ignoring their pleas for mercy.
Being a traditional hero with restraint and a solid moral code, Raphael couldn't let this go, and confronted Casey with his sense of ethics. Casey didn't want to hear it, and it escalated into a fight, in which Casey was actually doing pretty well until Raphael finally calmed down enough to use his ninja skills effectively. The fight ended with the two gaining a respect for each other, and Raphael learning an important lesson about his temper and where it could lead him.
The Cartoon In the 1980s cartoon, Casey was much the same, but played for laughs rather than as a tragically flawed hero. The major changes to his character were that he switched from fighting injustice to fighting lawbreakers, he spoke in a Dirty Harry voice, and he never, ever took off his hockey mask. Again, the Turtles were forced to step in to help curb his extremist views on fighting crime, although this time it was because the media was confusing Casey's crimefighting tactics with the Turtles, and giving them a bad name.
The Movies Elias Koteas played Casey Jones in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, introduced in a first meeting with Raphael very similar to its counterpart in the comics. However, while in the comics Casey and Raph ended their fight as good friends, off to stop another mugging together, in the movie Casey got away. He returned just in time to give a badly needed assist during a fight in April O'Neil's second hand store when the Turtles were outnumbered by the Foot Clan and down one team member (Raphael having been ambushed earlier). Although he stayed to help out the Turtles for the rest of the movie, going so far as to beat Shredder's right hand man in combat, he didn't make an appearance in the sequel and only had a minor role in part three.
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