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Casey Jones: The Man Behind the Legend

Courtesy of Casey Jones Village

By Jacque Day

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-834845.mp3

Western Kentucky – Casey Jones perished at the throttle of a locomotive on Apr. 30, 1900, gaining his greatest fame for his violent death. Now, his name evokes images of grandiose risk-taking, and to do a "Casey Jones" means to take a bad spill. Many consider him an American folk character, but Casey Jones did exist. He grew up in Cayce, a small town in Fulton County that inspired his nickname. Jacque Day goes back in time for a ride along in the life of this railroad legend.