And now for something completely different! The #stampoftheday for April 29 is 1950’s 3-cent stamp commemorating the role of railroad engineers in building America. The stamp pictures folk hero John Luther “Casey” Jones, who was killed in a train wreck near Vaughn, Mississippi. The stamp was issued in Jackson, Mississippi, on the 50th anniversary of Jones’ death. Jones, who lived in Jackson, had a reputation for always staying on schedule – “get there on the advertised,” as the saying went. He was also known for his unique use of a train whistle. On April 29, 1900, Jones had completed a run to Memphis, when he volunteered to return to Canton, Mississippi, that same night to replace another engineer who was sick. While trying to make up time, he collided with the rear cars of another train that had moved to a side rail, but still was partially on the main rail. Jones was able to reduce his speed from 75 miles per hour to 35, which meant that while the collision killed him, it saved the lives of the train’s passengers, conductors and other crew members.

Casey Jones, of course, was immortalized in music first in a folk song recorded by many, including Johnny Cash (https://youtu.be/qd0EmkQUGqY?t=1) and then in a different song by the Grateful Dead (https://youtu.be/vyuc8Rm0zG4?t=13)