Jesse Charles 'Smokey' Graham
Father* William P. Graham (88) (b. 1829, d. )
Mother* Emeline Shipley (89) (b. 1845, d. )
Birth* 20 May 1868
Witness: 1870 Census1870; William P. Graham Jefferson Co., Tennessee.
Witness: 1880 Census1880; William P. Graham Morristown, Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Baptism: 1883 Morristown, Tennessee.
Marriage* 20 May 1888 Catherine E. 'Kate' Bigham (b.
1862, d. 31 Jan 1925); Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 30 Aug 1890 Fred Graham
Daughter: 2 Jun 1893 Mary Kate Graham Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 10 Jun 1894 Louis Graham
Son: Feb 1898 Albert Graham
Daughter: Nov 1899 Carry May Graham
Census 1900 Cisco, Eastland Co., Texas.
Daughter: 1904 Artie Ann Graham
Census191 1910 Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.
Census1920 1920 McLennan Co., Texas.
Marriage* 1924 Addie (b. 1885,d. 1968)
Census* 1930 De Leon, Comanche, Texas.
The Cross Plains Review
Friday, July 23, 1937
After 55 Years of Railroading Train
Whistle Naught to Smokey Graham
After 55 years of listening to the thunder of locomotive wheels and heaving fuel into belching boilers to propel the iron monsters down the rails. J.C. "Smokey" Graham retired last week to the peaceful life of a rural squire.
When he climbed down from the cabin at DeLeon recently after finishing a run from Rotan. "Smokey" told the crew he was checking in, bade the boys a fond, fraternal adios and headed for Cross Plains to spend the remainder of his days doing the things he likes best raising chickens, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the quietude of home.
"Smokey's" carrer as a railroader begain 55 years ago but he cares only to recall the past 43, all of which were spent in service of the Texas Central and its successor the M.K.&T. Looking back upon those 43 historic years which have brought vast changes in the railroad business the veterian fireman smiles and muses warmfully: I enjoyed every day of it and only wish I was starting the string again today."
"Smokey" didn't have the privilege of firing that first train into Cross Plains which arrived here January 12, 1911, but he began making the run two years later and continued on in 26 years. He remembers when the populace used to turn out in throngs to welcome each arrival of the train and its passengers. Those were the horse and buggy days and nothing seemed to excite a spirited buggy pony quite as much as a locamotive steaming down the track.
"Smokey's" long and eventful career was marred by few unpleasantries. Although a witness to many wrecks only three stand out as ghastly memories. The worst occured near Waco a number of years ago, when automobiles were not so common. His engine collided with a small sedan, occupid by five women. Bodies and debris were strewn for several hundred yards along the tracks: all of the women were killed. "It was terrible; I hope to never see any thing like it again", he said.
The other two wrecks happened near Walnut Springs and between Fort Worth and Sherman. Two people were killed in the first accident and one in the last.
Asked who he considered the best engineer he ever fired for. "Smokey" said without hesitation he ranked Joe Linkus "tops". He hesitated to name any conductor as outstanding saying: "We had some dandies; Cap Moragna, "Kid" Wright and all of the boys were swell fellows and knew their business."
Having made the Cross Plains run in the days when only a few stores dotted a sand-bedded Main Street, and having seen the phenominal growth of this city since. "Smokey" was asked what he thought would be the affect upon Cross Plains if the railroad should decide to pull up their lines. "Boy, we just wouldn't have a town long. Cross Plains needs a railroad and we've 'gotta' keep it."
At 71 now, "Smokey's" railroading days are over. His pension check will arrive regularly and he has a dandy little home down by the tracks, but we wonder the thoughts that will rise through his mind as he pauses in his garden to listen to that familiar rumble of locomotive wheels upon steel rails. Each arrival of the afternoon train will tell a new story., one that only "Smokey" can really understand.
Father* William P. Graham (88) (b. 1829, d. )
Mother* Emeline Shipley (89) (b. 1845, d. )
Birth* 20 May 1868
Witness: 1870 Census1870; William P. Graham Jefferson Co., Tennessee.
Witness: 1880 Census1880; William P. Graham Morristown, Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Baptism: 1883 Morristown, Tennessee.
Marriage* 20 May 1888 Catherine E. 'Kate' Bigham (b.
1862, d. 31 Jan 1925); Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 30 Aug 1890 Fred Graham
Daughter: 2 Jun 1893 Mary Kate Graham Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 10 Jun 1894 Louis Graham
Son: Feb 1898 Albert Graham
Daughter: Nov 1899 Carry May Graham
Census 1900 Cisco, Eastland Co., Texas.
Daughter: 1904 Artie Ann Graham
Census191 1910 Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.
Census1920 1920 McLennan Co., Texas.
Marriage* 1924 Addie (b. 1885,d. 1968)
Census* 1930 De Leon, Comanche, Texas.
The Cross Plains Review
Friday, July 23, 1937
After 55 Years of Railroading Train
Whistle Naught to Smokey Graham
After 55 years of listening to the thunder of locomotive wheels and heaving fuel into belching boilers to propel the iron monsters down the rails. J.C. "Smokey" Graham retired last week to the peaceful life of a rural squire.
When he climbed down from the cabin at DeLeon recently after finishing a run from Rotan. "Smokey" told the crew he was checking in, bade the boys a fond, fraternal adios and headed for Cross Plains to spend the remainder of his days doing the things he likes best raising chickens, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the quietude of home.
"Smokey's" carrer as a railroader begain 55 years ago but he cares only to recall the past 43, all of which were spent in service of the Texas Central and its successor the M.K.&T. Looking back upon those 43 historic years which have brought vast changes in the railroad business the veterian fireman smiles and muses warmfully: I enjoyed every day of it and only wish I was starting the string again today."
"Smokey" didn't have the privilege of firing that first train into Cross Plains which arrived here January 12, 1911, but he began making the run two years later and continued on in 26 years. He remembers when the populace used to turn out in throngs to welcome each arrival of the train and its passengers. Those were the horse and buggy days and nothing seemed to excite a spirited buggy pony quite as much as a locamotive steaming down the track.
"Smokey's" long and eventful career was marred by few unpleasantries. Although a witness to many wrecks only three stand out as ghastly memories. The worst occured near Waco a number of years ago, when automobiles were not so common. His engine collided with a small sedan, occupid by five women. Bodies and debris were strewn for several hundred yards along the tracks: all of the women were killed. "It was terrible; I hope to never see any thing like it again", he said.
The other two wrecks happened near Walnut Springs and between Fort Worth and Sherman. Two people were killed in the first accident and one in the last.
Asked who he considered the best engineer he ever fired for. "Smokey" said without hesitation he ranked Joe Linkus "tops". He hesitated to name any conductor as outstanding saying: "We had some dandies; Cap Moragna, "Kid" Wright and all of the boys were swell fellows and knew their business."
Having made the Cross Plains run in the days when only a few stores dotted a sand-bedded Main Street, and having seen the phenominal growth of this city since. "Smokey" was asked what he thought would be the affect upon Cross Plains if the railroad should decide to pull up their lines. "Boy, we just wouldn't have a town long. Cross Plains needs a railroad and we've 'gotta' keep it."
At 71 now, "Smokey's" railroading days are over. His pension check will arrive regularly and he has a dandy little home down by the tracks, but we wonder the thoughts that will rise through his mind as he pauses in his garden to listen to that familiar rumble of locomotive wheels upon steel rails. Each arrival of the afternoon train will tell a new story., one that only "Smokey" can really understand.
Jesse Charles 'Smokey' Graham
Father* William P. Graham (88) (b. 1829, d. )
Mother* Emeline Shipley (89) (b. 1845, d. )
Birth* 20 May 1868
Witness: 1870 Census1870; William P. Graham Jefferson Co., Tennessee.
Witness: 1880 Census1880; William P. Graham Morristown, Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Baptism: 1883 Morristown, Tennessee.
Marriage* 20 May 1888 Catherine E. 'Kate' Bigham (b.
1862, d. 31 Jan 1925); Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 30 Aug 1890 Fred Graham
Daughter: 2 Jun 1893 Mary Kate Graham Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 10 Jun 1894 Louis Graham
Son: Feb 1898 Albert Graham
Daughter: Nov 1899 Carry May Graham
Census 1900 Cisco, Eastland Co., Texas.
Daughter: 1904 Artie Ann Graham
Census191 1910 Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.
Census1920 1920 McLennan Co., Texas.
Marriage* 1924 Addie (b. 1885,d. 1968)
Census* 1930 De Leon, Comanche, Texas.
The Cross Plains Review
Friday, July 23, 1937
After 55 Years of Railroading Train
Whistle Naught to Smokey Graham
After 55 years of listening to the thunder of locomotive wheels and heaving fuel into belching boilers to propel the iron monsters down the rails. J.C. "Smokey" Graham retired last week to the peaceful life of a rural squire.
When he climbed down from the cabin at DeLeon recently after finishing a run from Rotan. "Smokey" told the crew he was checking in, bade the boys a fond, fraternal adios and headed for Cross Plains to spend the remainder of his days doing the things he likes best raising chickens, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the quietude of home.
"Smokey's" carrer as a railroader begain 55 years ago but he cares only to recall the past 43, all of which were spent in service of the Texas Central and its successor the M.K.&T. Looking back upon those 43 historic years which have brought vast changes in the railroad business the veterian fireman smiles and muses warmfully: I enjoyed every day of it and only wish I was starting the string again today."
"Smokey" didn't have the privilege of firing that first train into Cross Plains which arrived here January 12, 1911, but he began making the run two years later and continued on in 26 years. He remembers when the populace used to turn out in throngs to welcome each arrival of the train and its passengers. Those were the horse and buggy days and nothing seemed to excite a spirited buggy pony quite as much as a locamotive steaming down the track.
"Smokey's" long and eventful career was marred by few unpleasantries. Although a witness to many wrecks only three stand out as ghastly memories. The worst occured near Waco a number of years ago, when automobiles were not so common. His engine collided with a small sedan, occupid by five women. Bodies and debris were strewn for several hundred yards along the tracks: all of the women were killed. "It was terrible; I hope to never see any thing like it again", he said.
The other two wrecks happened near Walnut Springs and between Fort Worth and Sherman. Two people were killed in the first accident and one in the last.
Asked who he considered the best engineer he ever fired for. "Smokey" said without hesitation he ranked Joe Linkus "tops". He hesitated to name any conductor as outstanding saying: "We had some dandies; Cap Moragna, "Kid" Wright and all of the boys were swell fellows and knew their business."
Having made the Cross Plains run in the days when only a few stores dotted a sand-bedded Main Street, and having seen the phenominal growth of this city since. "Smokey" was asked what he thought would be the affect upon Cross Plains if the railroad should decide to pull up their lines. "Boy, we just wouldn't have a town long. Cross Plains needs a railroad and we've 'gotta' keep it."
At 71 now, "Smokey's" railroading days are over. His pension check will arrive regularly and he has a dandy little home down by the tracks, but we wonder the thoughts that will rise through his mind as he pauses in his garden to listen to that familiar rumble of locomotive wheels upon steel rails. Each arrival of the afternoon train will tell a new story., one that only "Smokey" can really understand.
Father* William P. Graham (88) (b. 1829, d. )
Mother* Emeline Shipley (89) (b. 1845, d. )
Birth* 20 May 1868
Witness: 1870 Census1870; William P. Graham Jefferson Co., Tennessee.
Witness: 1880 Census1880; William P. Graham Morristown, Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Baptism: 1883 Morristown, Tennessee.
Marriage* 20 May 1888 Catherine E. 'Kate' Bigham (b.
1862, d. 31 Jan 1925); Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 30 Aug 1890 Fred Graham
Daughter: 2 Jun 1893 Mary Kate Graham Morristown,
Hamblen Co., Tennessee.
Son: 10 Jun 1894 Louis Graham
Son: Feb 1898 Albert Graham
Daughter: Nov 1899 Carry May Graham
Census 1900 Cisco, Eastland Co., Texas.
Daughter: 1904 Artie Ann Graham
Census191 1910 Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.
Census1920 1920 McLennan Co., Texas.
Marriage* 1924 Addie (b. 1885,d. 1968)
Census* 1930 De Leon, Comanche, Texas.
The Cross Plains Review
Friday, July 23, 1937
After 55 Years of Railroading Train
Whistle Naught to Smokey Graham
After 55 years of listening to the thunder of locomotive wheels and heaving fuel into belching boilers to propel the iron monsters down the rails. J.C. "Smokey" Graham retired last week to the peaceful life of a rural squire.
When he climbed down from the cabin at DeLeon recently after finishing a run from Rotan. "Smokey" told the crew he was checking in, bade the boys a fond, fraternal adios and headed for Cross Plains to spend the remainder of his days doing the things he likes best raising chickens, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the quietude of home.
"Smokey's" carrer as a railroader begain 55 years ago but he cares only to recall the past 43, all of which were spent in service of the Texas Central and its successor the M.K.&T. Looking back upon those 43 historic years which have brought vast changes in the railroad business the veterian fireman smiles and muses warmfully: I enjoyed every day of it and only wish I was starting the string again today."
"Smokey" didn't have the privilege of firing that first train into Cross Plains which arrived here January 12, 1911, but he began making the run two years later and continued on in 26 years. He remembers when the populace used to turn out in throngs to welcome each arrival of the train and its passengers. Those were the horse and buggy days and nothing seemed to excite a spirited buggy pony quite as much as a locamotive steaming down the track.
"Smokey's" long and eventful career was marred by few unpleasantries. Although a witness to many wrecks only three stand out as ghastly memories. The worst occured near Waco a number of years ago, when automobiles were not so common. His engine collided with a small sedan, occupid by five women. Bodies and debris were strewn for several hundred yards along the tracks: all of the women were killed. "It was terrible; I hope to never see any thing like it again", he said.
The other two wrecks happened near Walnut Springs and between Fort Worth and Sherman. Two people were killed in the first accident and one in the last.
Asked who he considered the best engineer he ever fired for. "Smokey" said without hesitation he ranked Joe Linkus "tops". He hesitated to name any conductor as outstanding saying: "We had some dandies; Cap Moragna, "Kid" Wright and all of the boys were swell fellows and knew their business."
Having made the Cross Plains run in the days when only a few stores dotted a sand-bedded Main Street, and having seen the phenominal growth of this city since. "Smokey" was asked what he thought would be the affect upon Cross Plains if the railroad should decide to pull up their lines. "Boy, we just wouldn't have a town long. Cross Plains needs a railroad and we've 'gotta' keep it."
At 71 now, "Smokey's" railroading days are over. His pension check will arrive regularly and he has a dandy little home down by the tracks, but we wonder the thoughts that will rise through his mind as he pauses in his garden to listen to that familiar rumble of locomotive wheels upon steel rails. Each arrival of the afternoon train will tell a new story., one that only "Smokey" can really understand.
