From "Ask Mr. Music" by Jerry Osborne:

"Here's to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand
Long to be remembered in the courts throughout the land
His earthly race is over, and the curtains round him fall
We'll carry him home to victory on the Wabash Cannonball"

Slight variations in the lyrics can be found, depending on whose version is being heard. Some, for example, sing His earthly "reign" is over, while others substitute Daddy Claxton with Boston Blackey.

"The Wabash Cannonball" first became a hit in 1938 for Roy Acuff (Vocalion 4466) — the follow-up to perhaps his best-known tune, "The Great Speckle Bird."

As originally written, with several additional verses, Daddy Claxton is the engineer of the Wabash Cannonball. Still, we know of no authenticated, real-life events involving anyone named Claxton and any train named Cannonball. I'd rate it as railroad fiction.

Coincidence no doubt, Roy Acuff's middle name is Claxton and some historians believe that is why the name is respectfully included in "The Wabash Cannonball."

Those who disagree contend that a man named Claxton was a friend of the Acuff clan, and that is where Roy's middle name came from. If so, there would be no connection to the use of the name in the song.

Though he may not have known anything about Daddy Claxton, I'm a bit surprised he didn't mention the connection to his middle name when you and he spoke.