Here is an interesting watch looking at the dial you would think it was a Ball Pocket watch but looking further it is a Hamilton 18 size private-label.


Here is a Hamilton private-label with the dial made to look like a Ball pocket watch with its dial marked: "A.K. JOBE RR STANDARD with TRADE MARK above and below the RR. The movement reveals it is a Hamilton 18 size, 21 jewel, Grade 940 Serial No. 156219 the Hamilton Watch Co. Ledgers show the Date Finished as May 3, 1907 & Date Sold May 24, 1907 Sold to J. W. Forsinger of Chicago.

Dial with bezel off

Movement

Barrel Bridge

Case Trade mark

Jonathan Luther “Casey” Jones was born March 14, 1863. His family moved from Missouri to Cayce, Kentucky where there was a railway siding and water tank on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Jones hanged around water tower where he made many friendships with the engineers and firemen, he had a burning desire to become a locomotive engineer, at the age of 15 he started his career on the railroad working as a cub telegraph operator on the railroad out of Columbus he trained as a brakeman, and as a fireman on a work train in 1881. He passed away April 30, 1900 when his train collided with a stalled freight trains near Vaughan, Mississippi. His dramatic death while trying to stop his train and save the lives of his passengers made him a hero.

Early in his career Casey Jones went to work for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, performed well and was promoted to brakeman on the Columbus, Kentucky, to Jackson, Tennessee route, and then to fireman on the Jackson, Tennessee to Mobile, Alabama route. In the summer of 1887, a yellow fever epidemic struck many train crews on the neighbouring Illinois Central Railroad (IC), providing an unexpected opportunity for faster promotion of fireman on that line. On March 1, 1888, Casey switched to the IC, in 1890, and drew his first locomotive engineers pay in 1890. Firing freight locomotives between Jackson, Tennessee and Water Valley, Mississippi. In 1888. He was promoted to locomotive engineer, his lifelong goal, on February 23, 1891 with locomotive 736, that crashed into a caboose at Toone, 736 had its pilot truck removed and finished his career in yard service. Casey visited the roundhouse in Water Valley there he saw a brand-new Rogers consolidation 2-8-0 No. 622. The Illinois Central had acquired 38 of them numbered 601-638. Nos. 601-621 were to be operated on the North end, Jackson Tennessee to Mounds, Illinois. Nos. 622-638 on the south end, Jackson, Tennessee to Water Valley, Mississippi.

Casey Jones on Consolidated Locomotive 638

At the Chicago's World Fair in 1893, the Illinois Central and Consolidation Locomotive 638 on Display. Casey’s had reached the pinnacle of the railroad profession as an expert locomotive engineer for the IC. Railroading was a talent, and Jones was recognized by his peers as one of the best engineers in the business. He was known for his insistence that he "get her there on the advertised" (on time) and that he never "fall down" arrived at his destination behind schedule. He so reliable it was said that people set their watches by him. Casey Jones was promoted to run the Cannon Ball Express from Memphis to Canton and was assigned a McQueen type locomotive and her number was 382. Sim Webb an African-American was assigned to be Casey Jones fireman. It was in February 1900 that Casey Jones made his first run on the Cannonball Express

Casey Jone's fireman Sim (on) Webb

His work in Jackson primarily involves freight service between Jackson, Tennessee and Water Valley, Mississippi. Both locations were busy and important stops for the IC, and he developed close ties with with many locomotive engineers who worked there between 1890 and 1900. Including Lee Chandler, who is wearing a B of LE 40 years service pin.

A, Jackson, Tennessee newspaper reported that the South passenger train No.1 was running under a full head of steam when it crashed into the rear end of the caboose and three freight cars which were standing on the main track, the other portion of the train being on a side track. The caboose and two of the cars were smashed to pieces, the engine left the rails and plowed into an embankment, where it overturned and was completely wrecked. The baggage and mail coaches also being thrown from the track and badly damaged. The locomotive engineer was killed out right by the collision. His body was found lying under the cab, his skull crushed, and right arm torn out from its socket. The fireman Sim (Simon) Webb a African American was told by Casey to jump just in time to save his life. The express messenger was thrown against the side of the car, having two of his ribs broken by the blow, but his condition is not considered serious. this accident took place near Vaughan, Mississippi.

He was a member of Water Lily Lodge 402 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen that represented locomotive fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad. He also was a member of Division 99 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at Water Valley, Mississippi. He was a doubleheader carrying life insurance with both unions, his wife received $3000 from Casey's insurance policies. This would be worth $85,000 in 2018.

Dedication on Casey Jones Headstone

In This Community,
The Famous Locomotive Engineers,
Jonathan Luther Jones.
(Alias Casey Jones)
Spent His Boyhood Days


Casey’s Many Record Feats As Locomotive Engineer Engrossed Him Deeply In The Hearts Of His Fellow Workers, on the Morning of April 30 Break sic Helve sic (Should be Brake Valve) And His Was the Only Life Lost. Famous For Bravery And Courage. The Name Of Casey Jones Lives Deeply Set Into The Hearts Of His Fellow Workers, On The Morning Of April 30th, 1900, While Running the Illinois Central Fast Mail Train No.1 “The Cannon Ball” And By No Fault Of His Bolted Through Three Freight Cars At Vaughan, Mississippi Casey Died With His Hand Clenched To The Break sic Helve sic (Should be Brake Valve) And His Was The Only Life Lost. Famous For Bravery And Courage. The Name Of Casey Jones Lives Deeply Set Into The Hearts Of American People In Both Tradition And Song. It Can Be Truthfully Said of Him. “Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friend”

Erected By Admirers Of Casey Jones July 9th, 1938

Robert Ernest Edgington

Who was " Ernest " to Casey Jones as he was an intimate friend, Mr. Edgington is Assistant Grand Chief Engineer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Great stuff
Thank you again Larry for sharing
Mike

Simon Webb although retired, rides the cab of the famous Panama Limited between Memphis and Canton, Miss. In the fall of 1938.