15 Comments
Mar 9Liked by Frederick R Smith

Great bit of history. Nothing to add to the John Henry mythology except to say that I worked with men who could have been John Henry in my early railroad career when small track construction projects were still done largely by hand. Impressive feats of brute human strength.

The N&W Jawn Henry locomotive was a last ditch effort to save a role for coal power as the industry was converting to diesel electric power. As you alluded, the mix of coal and precision machinery was ill-fated. The corrosive and abrasive effects of coal doomed the effort but made for some very impressive engineering projects.

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Good read, and brings back the songs of the time. Excellent as usual.

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Mar 8·edited Mar 8Liked by Frederick R Smith

Legend of John Henry's Hammer~Johnny Cash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TzQiJQiXMA

Sixteen TonsTennessee Ernie Ford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1980WfKC0o

Big Bad John Jimmy Dean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_qX5bPbPUo

Boots on the Ground by Frank Foster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtvbKZaJRhI

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Mar 8Liked by Frederick R Smith

Thank You for continuing to make it fun to read again. We are all use to reading about things that make us mad, but this makes us glad. Glad to have happened across it. It is just delightful getting a historical lesson while having so much fun, thank you again and again.

-Edwin

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Mar 8Liked by Frederick R Smith

You are quite talented. Thank you for all you are doing -and for sharing it. I’m a retired teacher who loves history. My step son was married to precious Sarah Lee Guthrie for 20 years. I was able to learn so much about the Guthrie history and meet Pete Seeger and others. They had an interesting journey in a different time. Wish our youth today was taught true history and what it took to build this great beloved country. My heart hurts, as I watch many try to destroy it due to ignorance. Our great civilization has been short. We can look back and see why this has occurred, and most had no clue what was going on. I pray about it every day. Thank you again.

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Mar 8Liked by Frederick R Smith

Thank you for this beautiful presentation❤️

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Fantastical historical summary and analysis - remember reciting the song as a kid and feelings its inspirational qualities as you mention. Always assumed that it was based on a true incident but never knew the details that you have assembled. Heroes can be very important examples and inspiration for children. Too bad that so many on the left want to rewrite history and trsr them all down. Thanks 👍👍👍

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