The wreck of the old 97 was an american rail disaster involving the southern railway mail train, officially known as the fast mail, while en route from monroe, virginia, to spencer, north carolina. Steve broady, at the controls of southern railway 1102, or the fast mail, was operating the train at high speed in order to stay on schedule and arrive at spencer on time. Other titles mountaineers song title descriptor guitar. George was a brakeman and telegraph operator who also happened to be a singer.
The wreck of the old 97 occurred on september 27, 1903, when the southern railway freight train called the fast mail or old 97 left the tracks and crashed at the stillhouse trestle outside danville, virginia, killing eleven people. With more twists and turns than the railroad tracks on which the old 97 ran, this book chronicles the story of one of the most famous train wrecks in american history, as well as the controversy surrounding the wreck of the old 97, that most famous ballad, which secured the old 97 a place within the annals of american folklore. C f this is not 38, it is old 97 c g7 c you must put her into spencer on time. Wreck of the old 97 danville 2020 all you need to know. The wreck of the old 97 illustrated contributor names lewey, fred j. With more twists and turns than the railroad tracks on which the old 97 ran, this book chronicles the story of one of the most famous train wrecks in american. Jan 22, 2008 the wreck of the old 97 was an american rail disaster involving the southern railway mail train, officially known as the fast mail, while en route from monroe, virginia, to spencer, north carolina. May 02, 20 the wreck of the old 97 is a classic of country music. Hank snow the wreck of the old 97 lyrics genius lyrics. View all restaurants near wreck of the old 97 on tripadvisor. The wreck of the old 97 happened because the engineer was told to make up the lost time. This aint 38, but its old 97 and youve got to be in center on time. Photo and information submitted by herman searcy the wreck of the old 97.
Introduction steam, steam and more steam wrecks on the rails working on the railroad southerns fast mail late to monroe running like the wind that threemile grade stillhouse trestle the fatal plunge the mourning after blame it on. Locomotive 1102, a tenwheeler 460 engine built by baldwin locomotive works in. However, there are many more places around town to view the crash. All total 9 people including the engineer joseph steve broady were killed. Aaron is a local writer, historian and teacher in the pittsylvania county school system. With more twists and turns than the railroad tracks on which the old 97 ran, this book chronicles the story of one of the most famous train wrecks.
Dec 28, 2012 wreck of the old 97 page 100 from the kickoff book available through key of a capo 2nd. The coloring book was first offered in 2003 at the old 97 centennial. The origins of a modern traditional ballad alfred p. The engineer, joseph steve broady is buried in a private cemetery near saltville, virginia. Of those who met death, all were trainmen or mailmen nearly everyone on the train was either killed or injured. I grew up with the version by the seekers in this video. The most popular of the ballads, heard here, was recorded by vernon dalhart for rca victor records in 1924. The old 97, a southern railway train en route to spencer, n.
Mail trains captured the publics imagination because they dramatically sped through a station to pick up mail bags that were hung from hooks on. Noam pikelny the wreck of the old 97 solo guitar, delfest. Officials deny giving the order, but the mail contract had a large fine for every minute the mail train was late. Wreck of the old 97 sheet music for treble clef instrument. The crash inspired the popular folksong the wreck of the old 97. The wreck of the old 97 is a classic of country music. Danville is just under 2 hours south of famous roanoke.
The wreck of the old 97 illustrated library of congress. Wreck of the old 97 this photo of the wreck of the old 97 was taken in neighboring danville, virginia. Wreck of the old 97 words and music adaptated by woody guthrie. This photograph was taken from the original glass negative and was ed by the williams studio of danville in 1960. The event inspired the famous ballad of the same name. Witnessing the tragedy inspired him to write the ballad. Well, they gave him his orders at monroe, virginia said, steve youre way behind time this is not t. The event served as an inspiration for songwriters and balladeers, and the result is the nowfamous wreck of the old 97. Title the wreck of the old 97 illustrated contributor names lewey, fred j. Browse all recordings wreck of the old 97, take 1 1924. Well they gave him his orders at monroe virginia saying steve youre way behind time this is not 38 but its old 97 you must put her into spencer on time well he turned around and said to his fireman shovel in a little more coal and when we cross this big white mountain well watch old 97 roll. On the last weekend of may, larry aaron, author of wreck of the old 97, gave a presentation on the subject at the 29th annual international country music conference at belmont university in nashville, tenn. Watch the video for wreck of the old 97 from johnny cashs at san quentin for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. The wreck of old 97 occurred when the engineer, 33year old joseph a.
The wreck of the old 97 book little river railroad museum. They give him his orders at monroe, virginia sayin, steve, youre way behind time this is not 38, but its old 97 you must put her in spencer on time. The wreck of the old 97 a number of ballads were written about the wreck of the old 97, the accident in which a train left the tracks and crashed at the stillhouse trestle outside danville, virginia, in 1903. On september 27, 1903 the old 97, a southern railway mail express jumped the tracks on the trestle and crashed into the ravine below. Thomas hart benton 18891975 the wreck of train 97 the old 97 was an actual train.
I had to stop because it was like something appearing in its original form jumping from a history book. O n september 27, 1903, a southern express train crashed in danville killing nine persons and injuring seven. But he turned around to his black greasy fireman said, shovel in a little more coal. In 1927 it was claimed that the author of wreck of the old 97 was local resident david graves george, who was one of the first on the scene. The wreck also inspired a famous ballad, the wreck of the old 97, which began country music in the u. Today the site of the crash is an overgrown ravine with only a roadside historic marker showing the location of the crash. Vernon dalhart wreck of the old 97 lyrics genius lyrics. One day only, at the danville rail days in danville, virginia tomorrow saturday september 23, 2017. In 1965, in my senior year at the university of virginia, i wrote a paper on the song for a course i took on folksong and the ballad from professor a. Since the wreck of the old 97 was over 100 years ago there is very little to see at this location.
The wreck of old 97 occurred when the engineer, 33yearold joseph a. Well, they give him his orders in monroe, virginia saying, pete, youre way behind time. Wreck of the old 97 whitter, noell, lewey key of g d b g d g 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 h 3 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 3 po0 2 0 2. The wreck of the old 97 was an american rail disaster involving the southern railway mail. The story of danville s wreck of the old 97 just keeps on rolling. Introduction steam, steam and more steam wrecks on the rails working on the railroad southerns fast mail late to monroe running like the wind that threemile grade stillhouse trestle the fatal plunge the mourning after blame it on gravity old 97 over. Wreck of the old 97 page 100 from the kickoff book available through key of a capo 2nd. The fast mail had a reputation for never being late. The events of this accident are so widely known that there is a famous song about this train wreck. Aug 23, 2010 with more twists and turns than the railroad tracks on which the old 97 ran, this book chronicles the story of one of the most famous train wrecks in american history, as well as the controversy surrounding the wreck of the old 97, that most famous ballad, which secured the old 97 a place within the annals of american folklore. They give him his orders at monroe, virginia sayin pete youre way behind time this is not 38, but its old 97 you must put her in spencer on time he.
Danville author tells it all in wreck of the old 97 book. The event, as it actually took place, is described in larry g. Larry aaron, a local author and historian, has just published a book about the 1903 train wreck, appropriately named the wreck of the old 97 with the history press. It was a mail train that ran on the southern line from washington d. Flatt and scruggs wreck of the old 97 lyrics metrolyrics. Id been looking high and low for a book on the wreck of the old 97, when i found this account by larry g. Free banjo music in tablature for the song wreck of the old 97 that you can download and keep in pdf and tabledit tab program from. Watch the video for wreck of the old 97 from vernon dalharts black diamond express to hell for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Admittedly, i am new to the subject so i dont have much to compare it to, but i was enthralled by the information presented from beginning to end. The ship that never returned c f well, they handed him his orders in monroe, virginia, c g7 sayin, steve, youre way behind time. The lyrics for that version are the ones often sung, but are somewhat corrupt.