Remarks at the Smyrna Public Library, August 6, 2023

As prepared for delivery.

Everyone knows Casey Jones; he may be the most famous engineer in railroad history. While Jones was a real railroad figure, his story is as much lore as it is fact.

The Illinois Central Railroad engineer gained notoriety for his heroic actions on the morning of April 30, 1900, at the throttle of engine Number 382.

Jones and his fireman, Simeon Taylor “Sim” Webb, departed Memphis’ Poplar Street Station around 12:50 a.m., running train Number 1, the southbound “Cannonball Express” from Memphis to Canton, Mississippi.

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