What follows is an excerpt from the original Accident Report of the collision of trains 1 and 83, Vaughan, MS April 30, 1900 that inspired the tune Casey Jones.
To: Mr. J. T. Harahan, Second Vice President
From: A.S. Sullivan, General Superintendent
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 jumping off Engine 382 - $5.00
- Wm. Miller, Express Messenger, slight injuries - $2
- W. L. Whiteside, Postal Clerk, jarred - $l.00
- R. A. Ford, Postal Clerk, jarred - $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.
The actual damage from this collision amounted to $3,323.75.
Click here to read the complete Casey Jones Accident Report.
Department of Special Collections Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara
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