Casey Jones
Am 30. April jährte sich, wie ich erst jetzt erfahren habe, zum hundertsten mal der Tod von JOHN LUTHER JONES, nach seinem Geburtsort Cayce (Tennessee) CASEY JONES genannt. Amerikas berühmtester Eisenbahner ist in Deutschland weitgehend unbekannt und allenfalls im Beitrittsgebiet ist die Legende verbreitet, er sei ein Streikbrecher. In den USA hingegen ist die Legende verbreitet, er sei ein Held. In Wirklichkeit hat er wohl ein Eisenbahnunglück mit verursacht, bei dem er (als einziger!) ums Leben kam. Da können sich manche jugendlichen Raser, die leider andere mit in den Tod reißen, heute ein Beispiel dran nehmen.
http://xyzzy.com/roots/images/caseypicture.gif
Museen
In Jackson (Tennessee) erinnert das Casey Jones Home and Museum an ihn.
56 Casey Jones Lane
Jackson, TN
http://www.taco.com/roots/images/caseyhouse.gif
siehe auch
Bedeutender (zumindest im WWW) ist aber das Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum in Water Valley Mississippi
105 Railroad Avenue
Water Valley, MS 38965
Und als drittes hält noch das CASEY JONES Railroad Museum die Erinnerung wach.
State Park
10091 Vaughan Rd. #1
Vaughan, MS 39179
Aus diesen Quellen habe ich fast alle Informationen, die ich hier zusammenstelle.
Der Eisenbahnunfall bei Vaughan
JONES fuhr eine solche Lokomotive. Er startete verspätet und fuhr mit überhöhter Geschwindigkeit auf einer Strecke, die andere Lokomotivführer als gefährlich mieden. Möglicherweise wollte er einen Rekord aufstellen.
http://xyzzy.com/roots/images/casey638.gif
Der Unfall ereignete sich an einer Ausweichstelle, auf der zwei Güterzüge (#83, hier links, und #72, hier rechts) warteten, die aber nicht komplett auf das Nebengleis paßten, deshalb eigentlich Richtung Bahnhof Vaughan fahren sollten, bis der Personenzug an der auf der Karte linken Weiche vorbei wäre, und dann wieder in Gegenrichtung rollen sollten, um das Gleis im Bahnhof freizumachen. Das scheiterte aber an einer Panne bei #72.
http://www.trainweb.org/caseyjones/accident.gif
Die Besatzung des Güterzugs hatte die Gefahr aber erkannt und einen Mann mit einer Flagge losgeschickt, der zusätzlich noch kleine Explosionskörper (Torpedos) auf den Gleisen deponierte, die den Lokführer selbst dann warnen sollten, wenn er den Mann mit der Flagge übersehen würde. Trotzdem prallte der von JONES mit überhöhter Geschwindigkeit gefahrene Personenzug #1 auf den Güterzug #83.
http://www.trainweb.org/caseyjones/wreck2.jpg
The Official ICRR Accident Report gab JONES die Alleinschuld am Unfall:
The actual damage of this collision amounted to $3,323.75.
Trains 1st 72, 83, 1st 26 and 2nd 26 were at Vaughan Station for No.2; First and second 26 occupied the house track which was clear, and first 72 and 83 occupied the passing track, which lacked about 10 car lengths of holding the two trains. After sawing the two sections of No. 26 in at the South end, 1st 72 and 83, while moving south on passing track to clear No. 1 at North end, stopped before going into the clear on account of air hose bursting on a car in 1st 72, the rear of No. 83 fouling the main track.
Flagman J. M. NEWBERRY of No. 83 who was provided with the necessary signals had gone back to place torpedoes, also to signal Engineer on No. 1 to stop, and although he had a unobstructed view of the flagman for 1 1/2 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.1 and by the postal clerks and baggageman on the train. Fireman WEBB states that between the 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 gang-way on 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 on 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. 1 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. 1 was flagged.
Train No. 1 met train No. 2 at Goodman Station, No. 1 arriving at Goodman on time and taking the siding; it left there 5 minutes late, and at the time of the collision was two minutes late. Trains 1st 72 and 83 would not have been at Vaughan Station for train No.1 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 sections of No. 26 and No. 1.
As show above, Engineer JONES was solely responsible for the collisions by reason of having disregarded the signals given by Flagman NEWBERRY.
Danger ahead. Historic Railway Disasters berichtet ebenfalls über den Unfall.
Genauso falsch wie die Heldenverehrung ist das Geburtsjahr auf CASEY JONES (14.3.1863 - 30.4.1900) Grabstein:
http://www.trainweb.org/caseyjones/caseystone.gif
Vielleicht hat deshalb "Find-A-Grave" keine Abbildung (vgl Surftipp 11/2000).
JONES Witwe JANIE BRADY wurde noch jahrzehntelang herumgezeigt und durfte kostenlos Bahn fahren, Ausstellungen eröffnen und Züge einweihen.
http://www.watervalley.net/users/caseyjones/mrs~jon1.jpg
Mrs. JONES mit Conductor E. E. JOLLY und Engineer WILLIAM BOEDEKE vor der ersten Fahrt des "Panama Limited"
Casey Jones im Folksong
LESLEY NELSON, der als "Contemplator" eine der umfangreichsten mir bekannten Folkmusik-Sammlungen im WWW anbietet, hat auch zu Casey Jones eine Midi-Datei (die hier als Hintergrundmusik läuft), einen Text und diese Information:
The first CASEY JONES ballad was written by WALLACE SAUNDERS, CASEY's African-American engine wiper. It was sung to the tune JIMMY JONES, which was popular at the time. Engineer WILLIAM LEIGHTON heard the song. His brothers FRANK and BERT, vaudeville performers, polished the song, added a chorus, and began to perform it in their act. When the ballad was published in 1902 the words were credited to T. LAWRENCE SEIBERT, and EDDIE NEWTON was credited with the music.
Ähnlich umfangreich ist Rick's Music Page, vermutlich von RICHARD C. AGUILAR, die zudem noch in deutsch und amerikanisch geschrieben ist. Hier finde ich aber nur die Texte und Melodien der Songs, keine Erläuterungen.
Die meisten verschiedenen Fassungen von CASEY-JONES-Songs bietet das Museum in Water Valley.
Ich kenne den Namen CASEY JONES von der CD "Oktoberklub Hootenanny", für die ich bei Saturn in Ostberlin 26,99 bezahlte, die jetzt aber bei Amazon für 21,99 zu haben ist.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000024YF3.03.MZZZZZZZ.gif
Track 17 (RealAudio) ist eine deutsche Fassung von "Casey Jones" von JOE HILL, arr. ROLF CHRIST/HEINZ KAHLAU, vermutlich aber eine Idee von PERRY FRIEDMAN Wie ich eingangs erwähnte, wird JONES dort als Streikbrecher dargestellt.
Mehr dazu:
- Oktoberklub und die Singebewegung der DDR
- Geschichte Berlins, links betrachtet, Teil 18
- Wünsch dir was: Ohrenaufsperren
Das Festival des politischen Liedes lebt. Ein Gespräch mit Organisator LUTZ KIRCHENWITZ - Songklub Publikationen
- THOMAS FREITAG: 100 Jahre Schreckensgeschichte des deutschen Kinderliedes
- BETTINA WEGENER
- "Hootenanny" in der DDR
- Songs, Chansons und neue Lieder
Bei MANFRED HELFERT fand ich die Joe-Hill-Version, deren deutsche Fassung der Oktoberklub vortrug.
This union satire of the popular folksong was written by JOE HILL in response to a strike involving 35,000 shopmen of the Harriman and Illinois Central Railroad System (which included the Southern Pacific), Sep 1911 through 1915, and was first published in the 11 Jul 1912 edition of the Industrial Worker "Little Red Songbook."
HELFERT bietet die umfangreichste mir bekannte politische Liedersammlung im WWW. Ich kann zwar nicht alles kennen, vielleicht gibt es noch größere, aber ich bin sicher, daß ein Besuch interessierte LeserInnen nicht enttäuscht.
Greatfull dead vertritt in ihrer Version die durch nichts belegte These: "Drivin' that train High on cocaine"
Die Illinois Central Railroad
CASEY JONES war bei der Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR), die heute einer kanadischen Gesellschaft gehört, beschäftigt. Deren Geschichte erforscht die Illinois Central Historical Society. Dort findet ihr u.a.:
- eine kurze Geschichte der ICRR
- verschiedene Logos
http://icrrhistorical.org/logo1896.JPG - Meilensteine der Geschichte
Die Gesellschaft hatte wie kaum eine andere Firma die Möglichkeit, einen Staat nach eigenen Vorstellungen aufzubauen:
Few corporations have had such tangible and lasting influence on the development of a state as did the Illinois Central Railroad. It literally built Central Illinois. From the outset, it promised wealth to local producers through connection with the national market, to real estate owners and other businesses through the growth or creation of towns and cities, and to those people it might employ. It was also very exciting to have a new railroad in a prairie town. In balance, all these promises were fulfilled.
The railroad laid out towns every 10 miles along its largely uninhabited route. Main streets led to the depots. North-south streets were numbered and east-west streets were named for trees. The names of the towns themselves commemorated people or activities of the corporation.
Illustrative of its influence, by 1884 the Illinois Central had directly influenced the naming of 32 towns and villages along its more than 700-mile route.
Daß den Eisenbahngesellschaften Land überlassen wurde, ging auf ein 1850 verabschiedetes Gesetz zurück.
After many years of planning, the Illinois Central Railroad received a federal land grant in 1850. This railroad was unusual in being a north-south railroad, in addition to being the first land-grant railroad. The land grant was approved by Congress due to the influence of Senator STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, and of former Chicago mayor "Long John" WENTWORTH in the House of Representatives.The grant was justified by the argument that the potential farmland of central Illinois would be inaccessible, and therefore without value, in the absence of such a railroad. Sen. HENRY CLAY said that "by constructing this road through the prairie, ... you bring millions of acres of land immediately into the market which will otherwise remain ... entirely unsalable." "The idea was that the railroad could sell the lands granted to it and use the proceeds for construction. The land thus sold would presumably be settled and thus add to the taxable wealth of the State of Illinois." This land was sold immediately, and the railroad was completed in 1856.
Illinois hat heute das zweitgrößte Eisenbahnnetz der USA (größtest: Texas).
Die inoffizielle ILLINOIS CENTRAL HOME PAGE ist noch im Aufbau, sehenswert sind aber schon der Bericht über einen Besuch im Monticello Railway Museum und Dampflokomotiven der IC.
Das Monticello Railway Museum hat auch eine eigene Homepage.
P.O. Box 401
Monticello IL 61856
Weitere Links:
- Eine Anzeige von 1890 kann bei Yahoo als Poster erworbern werden.
- Szenen aus Cairo (mit dieser Ansichtskarte der ICRR-Brücke)
http://www.illinoishistory.com/Postcards/cairo-icrrbridge-1909.jpg - City workers uncover tunnels to Cairo's history
- Gen. R. K. SWIFT: Final report of the military expedition from Chicago to Cairo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Company
- RICHARD LEONHARD's Steam Locomotive Archive: Illinois Central
Übrigens hat auch das bekannte Eisenbahnlied Wabash Cannonball mit der Illinois Central zu tun.
oben
The Ballad of Casey Jones
(Original uncopyrighted version by WALLACE SAUNDERS)
"Come, all you rounders, for I want you to hear
The story told of a brave engineer;
CASEY JONES was the rounder's name
On a heavy six-eight wheeler he rode to fame.
CASEY JONES mounted to the cabin,
CASEY JONES with his orders in his hand.
CASEY JONES mounted to the cabin, took his farewell trip to the Promised Land.
"Caller called JONES about half-past four,
JONES kissed his wife at the station door,
Climbed into the cab with the orders in his hand,
Says, 'This is my trip to the Promised Land'."
REFRAIN
"Through South Memphis yards on the fly,
He heard the fireman say, 'You've got a white-eye',
All the switchmen knew by the engine's moans,
That the man at the throttle was CASEY JONES .
REFRAIN
"It had been roaring for more than a week,
The railroad track was like the bed of a creek,
They rated him down to a thirty mile gait,
Threw the South-bound mail about eight hours late.
REFRAIN
"Fireman says, 'Casey, your runnin' too fast,
You run the block signal the last station you passed.'
JONES says, "Yes, I think we can make it though,
For she steams much better than ever I know'."
REFRAIN
"JONES says, 'Fireman, don't you fret,
Keep knockin' at the fire door, don't give up yet;
I'm goin' to run her till she leaves the rail
or make it on time with the South-bound mail!
REFRAIN
oben
Casey Jones
CASEY JONES was an old engineer,
Call for his family tonight, they will fear,
All I need is my water and coal,
Look out the windows, see my drag wheel roll.
One sunday morning in a driving rain,
Around the curve came a passenger train,
In the cabin stood CASEY JONES ,
Bold engineer but he's dead and gone.
Mrs. CASEY when she heard the news
Sitting at her bedside she was lacing up her shoes
Children, children now catch your breath,
You will draw a pension if your Papa's dead.
Children, children now can you hear,
Tell me Mama what do you mean by that?
Get your hat, put it on your head,
Go to town, see your Daddy's dead,
CASEY said just before he died,
Fix the blinds so that the bums can ride,
If they ride, let them ride rock,
Put their trust in the hands of God.
CASEY said just before he died,
Two more roads that I want to ride.
People said, what roads, CASEY, can they be?
Gold Colorado and the Santa Fe.
oben
Casey Jones
Come all you rounders that want to hear
The story of a brave engineer.
CASEY JONES was the rounder's name,
On a six eight wheeler, boys, he won his fame.
The caller called CASEY at half past four,
He kissed his wife at the station door,
He mounted to the cabin with the orders in his hand,
And he took his farewell trip to that promised land.
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 that promised land.
When he pulled up that Reno hill,
He whistled for the crossing with an awful shrill;
The switchman knew by the engine's moan
That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones.
He looked at his water and his water was low;
He looked at his watch and his watch was slow;
He turned to his fireman and this is what he said,
Boy, we're going to reach Frisco, but we'll all be dead.
CASEY JONES - going to reach Frisco
CASEY JONES - but we'll all be dead,
CASEY JONES - going to reach Frisco,
We're going to reach Frisco, but we'll all be dead.
So turn on your water and shovel in your coal,
Stick you head out the window, watch those drivers roll;
I'll drive her till she leaves the rail,
For I'm eight hours late by that Western Mail.
When he was within six miles of the place,
There number four stared him straight in the face.
He turned to his fireman, said Jim you'd better jump,
For there're two locomotives that are going to bump.
CASEY JONES - two locomotives,
CASEY JONES - going to bump,
CASEY JONES - two locomotives,
There're two locomotives that are going to bump.
Casey said just before he died,
There're two more roads I would like to ride.
The fireman said, Which ones can they be?
Oh the Northern Pacific and the Santa Fe.
Mrs. JONES sat at her bed a-sighing
Just to hear the news that her CASEY was dying.
Hush up children, and quit your cryin',
For you've got another poppa on the Salt Lake Line.
CASEY JONES - got another poppa.
CASEY JONES - on the Salt Lake Line.
CASEY JONES - got another poppa.
For you've got another poppa on the Salt Lake Line.
oben
Casey Jones (von Joe Hill)
The Workers on the S. P. line to strike sent out a call;
But CASEY JONES , the engineer, he wouldn't strike at all;
His boiler it was leaking, and its drivers on the bum,
And his engine and its bearings, they were all out of plumb.
CASEY JONES kept his junk pile running;
CASEY JONES was working double time;
CASEY JONES got a wooden medal,
For being good and faithful on the S. P. line.
The workers said to Casey: "Won't you help us win this strike?"
But CASEY said: "Let me alone, you'd better take a hike."
Then some one put a bunch of railroad ties across the track,
And CASEY hit the river bottom with an awful crack.
CASEY JONES hit the river bottom;
CASEY JONES broke his blessed spine;
CASEY JONES was an Angelino,
He took a trip to heaven on the S. P. line.
When CASEY JONES got up to heaven, to the Pearly Gate,
He said: "I'm CASEY JONES, the guy that pulled the S. P. freight."
"You're just the man," said Peter, "our musicians went on strike;
You can get a job a'scabbing any time you like."
CASEY JONES got up to heaven;
CASEY JONES was doing mighty fine;
CASEY JONES went scabbing on the angels,
Just like he did to workers of the S. P. line.
They got together, and they said it wasn't fair,
For CASEY JONES to go around a'scabbing everywhere.
The Angels' Union No. 23, they sure were there,
And they promptly fired CASEY down the Golden Stairs.
CASEY JONES went to Hell a'flying;
"CASEY JONES," the Devil said, "Oh fine:
CASEY JONES , get busy shovelling sulphur;
That's what you get for scabbing on the S. P. Line."
oben
"CASEY JONES"
Words by ROBERT HUNTER; music by JERRY GARCIA
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission
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
Casey Jones (Oktoberklub)
Die Kumpels von der Eisenbahn, die streikten um den Lohn,
doch CASEY JONES, der Chef der Lok der hielt nicht viel davon.
Sein Kessel hatte Löcher und sein Kolben war nicht flott.
Die Lok und ihre Räder waren nur noch Schrott.
CASEY JONES läßt die Kiste rollen,
CASEY JONES, er schuftet was er kann.
CASEY JONES krieg einen Holzbrettorden,
er fährt so brav und freundlich für die Eisenbahn.
Die Kumpels sagten "CASEY komm und hilf uns bei dem Streik!"
doch CASEY sprach "Laßt mich in Ruh', bleibt lieber wo ihr seid!"
und CASEYs alte Klapperlok, die keuchte wie ein Wrack.
Sie hopste aus den Schienen in den Bach mit Krach.
CASEY JONES zappelt wild im Wasser,
CASEY JONES wird ein toter Mann.
CASEY JONES wird ein süßer Engel
und fährt gen Himmel mit der Bimmel-Bummel-Bahn.
Als CASEY in den Himmel kam ans große Perlentor,
sprach er "Ich bin der CASEY JONES, zu Diensten wie zuvor!"
Sprach PETRUS, der den Kerl empfing: "Du bist der rechte Mann!
Hier streiken die Musiker, fang mal du gleich an!"
Casey Jones krieg im Himmel Arbeit,
CASEY JONES, der schuftet was er kann,
CASEY JONES bricht den Streik der Engel
genau wie bei den Kumpels von der Eisenbahn.
Der Engel Schar vereinte sich und rief "Verräterei!
Der CASEY JONES bricht jeden Streik, wo immer es auch sei!"
Der Engelrat war gleich auf Draht und fackelte nicht lang,
er feuerte den CASEY von der Wolkenbank.
CASEY JONES landet in der Hölle
der Teufel ruft "Hey Mann,
CASEY JONES, jetzt schippst du mir den Schwefel
als Lohn für deinen Streikbruch bei der Eisenbahn."
