Norm Cohen, in the "Long Steel Rail," p. 377, (University of Illinois Press, 1981) says the "Daddy Claxton of Acuff's last verse has yet to be identified with any historical character." In many early versions, the person has a different name, including Clark, Clarkston, Greenwood, Cleaton- as well as Boston Blackie and Long Slim Perkins.
Originally a hobo song, many changes have been made by various singers. One notable one was the change from "'boes accommodation" to "regular combination" or some such. (Norm Cohen