Wreck Of The Old 97 (Larry W. Jones 11/03/2008) (song#5825)

The route from Monroe to Spencer was rolling terrain
Mail was there on time on the Southern Railway fast train
The day, t’was a Sunday, in the year nineteen oh three
September twenty seven went down in history

The train had late arrival in Monroe, Virginia
Ninety Seven had the speed like a fire within ya
Just one hour late was nothing for this steam condenser
Old Ninety Seven would make up that time to Spencer

Many signs were posted to warn of steep grades and curves
But the Fast Mail was driven by guts and steady nerves
North Carolina was a hundred sixty six miles
Engineer Broadey said he would make it there in style

Danville’s Stillhouse Trestle was seventy five feet high
And old Ninety Seven made the approach on the fly
To make that curve before the trestle was looking bleak
Nine good men died at the bottom of Cherrystone Creek

The wreck of the old Ninety Seven is history
And just why it left the tracks is no man’s mystery
Now, Southern Railway wanted the mail to be on time
But Danville’s Stillhouse trestle was the end of the line

All you fair ladies, when you write your love a letter
Don’t be so worried about getting it there on time
Some engineer may speed even though he knows better
The wreck of Old Ninety Seven wasn’t worth your dime

Kingwood Kowboy