Casey Jones

On April 30, 1900 engineer Casey Jones was killed when his engine, under a full head of steam, slammed into the caboose of a freight train. Due to Jones’ heroic efforts, no passengers on his train were hurt or killed. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the US had lots of train wrecks. So many that some people were afraid to travel by train. One wreck that will recall the big scene in the circus movie The Greatest Show on Earth was one in which about 60 circus performers and roustabouts were killed in 1918 near Chicago. Odd story about that is here .