Son of: Stephen D. Cooper and Susan Reynolds
HISTORY EXPERT
ASTOUNDER OF COLLEGIANS,
RAILROAD JACK FALLS DEAD
It was custom for him to travel about the country offering as high as $100 to anyone who could meet him in a "remembering, contest for the heavyweight history champion."
"Railroad Jack" Curious About His Own Memory
----------------------------------------------------
Vagabond, Scholar, Found Dead Near Coldwater, To Be Buried in Washtenaw
----------------------------------------------------
"Railroad Jack, who died suddenly Friday at a gasoline station near Coldwater, was himself curious as to the anatomical explanation of his phenomenal memory for historical data, it was revealed here today when it became known that he desired his remains be turned over to experts at University of Michigan to determine, if possible what peculiarity made his unusual memory possible.
Railroad Jack, as he is familiarly known here and throughout the state in private life was Harry Cooper. He frequently came to Ann Arbor to add to his remarkable mental compilation of facts and was accustomed to make use of the facilities at University of Michigan during his visits.
Mr. Cooper made his living by demonstrating his historical knowledge and trudged from town to town moving his gaudily painted equipment with him. At the time of his death he was 69 years old. His body was found by a gasoline station attendant after he had been allowed to spend the night at the station. He is believed to have had a heart attack.
He was born near Oshkosh, Wis., and was not a graduate of University of Michigan although he referred to that institution as his alma mater. He began his career on the court house lawn here in 1896 when a crowd became interested in his uncanny ability to give accurate information about almost any historical personage.
Frequently, on his trips across the state, he visited Ypsilanti, speaking at the luncheon clubs here, and visiting leading citizens. At the time of his death he had with him the "camp on wheels," gift of Henry Ford, which was one of his most cherished possessions. The vagabond scholar died penniless and without known friends. His dearest possession, his memory.
He will be buried by Washtenaw County.
------------------------------------------------------
Because he knew and liked a man who worked on a railroad, he took the name of "Railroad Jack" and made it famous by proving to acquaintances that he could tell which side of the track any depot in Michigan was located. Starting in a small way, pulling his own cart by hand, he went about the country from his birthplace, Oshkosh, Wis., offering only $10 to folk who might challenge his ability to "spell them down with dates and facts." Early in his nomadic career, he established rights to the name Railroad Jack, but he traveled not on or in but under the steam cars. He had contrived a specially designed hammock, which he was able to sling to the underworks of the cars. There, apparently, he slept well.
WANTED BRAIN EXAMINED
"I want anatomists to examine my brain," he stated two years ago, "so they can find out what gives me the power to remember." All his worldly possessions he left to his self-designated "Alma Mater,." But his odd looking cart that was pulled by an automobile, a present from Henry Ford, will not be among them. The cart he used to take about the country and which he was towing from Chicago to Washington, was struck and demolished by an automobile recently. He was waiting in Coldwater for a new cart to replace it when he died. The request for his brain was not fulfilled. Jack lies in the local Catholic Cemetery occupying a plot in unconsecrated ground, rugged individualist to the last!
ALUMNAE TOK HIM UP
At the University of Michigan he found his utopia, where students, his greatest favorites, took up collections to keep him in food and clothes. Alumnae remembered Jack and as time went on he was called in at considerable sums per appearance to astound luncheon clubs and other gatherings. That's when his rates went up to $100 a challenge. Meeting him pulling his cart down the road one day, Henry Ford spoke to him, but Jack's memory for facts and figures did not apply to faces. "If you're my old friend, Ford, I'm John D. Rockefeller," he said. Laughing, Mr. Ford gave him an order for an automobile to pull his cart. With this Jack roamed through America's college towns, always returning, however, to his shack in Ann Arbor called "home."
A research on Railroad Jack reveals that there never was a hobo like him, probably never will be such another. His career was romantic, exciting and unique. Nobody seems to know under what circumstances he took to the road, a member of the strolling brotherhood and an educated member at that, for sometimes he took pride in calling himself the intellectual hobo.
"There are 10,000 characters in history," he would say by way of opening a conversation. "The average person can't name more than 100. I can name 5,000."
Courtesy of Matt Kinsler from the scrapbook of Mildred "Mille" Coft Schek. Research and transcription by Sherri L. Czuchra.
Researcher's Note: Death day and year varies depending upon the source; Headstone states October 5 1933, Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952 states October 6, 1933 and Monroe County, Michigan Obituary Index, 1821-2012, states, September 29, 1933.
HISTORY EXPERT
ASTOUNDER OF COLLEGIANS,
RAILROAD JACK FALLS DEAD
It was custom for him to travel about the country offering as high as $100 to anyone who could meet him in a "remembering, contest for the heavyweight history champion."
"Railroad Jack" Curious About His Own Memory
----------------------------------------------------
Vagabond, Scholar, Found Dead Near Coldwater, To Be Buried in Washtenaw
----------------------------------------------------
"Railroad Jack, who died suddenly Friday at a gasoline station near Coldwater, was himself curious as to the anatomical explanation of his phenomenal memory for historical data, it was revealed here today when it became known that he desired his remains be turned over to experts at University of Michigan to determine, if possible what peculiarity made his unusual memory possible.
Railroad Jack, as he is familiarly known here and throughout the state in private life was Harry Cooper. He frequently came to Ann Arbor to add to his remarkable mental compilation of facts and was accustomed to make use of the facilities at University of Michigan during his visits.
Mr. Cooper made his living by demonstrating his historical knowledge and trudged from town to town moving his gaudily painted equipment with him. At the time of his death he was 69 years old. His body was found by a gasoline station attendant after he had been allowed to spend the night at the station. He is believed to have had a heart attack.
He was born near Oshkosh, Wis., and was not a graduate of University of Michigan although he referred to that institution as his alma mater. He began his career on the court house lawn here in 1896 when a crowd became interested in his uncanny ability to give accurate information about almost any historical personage.
Frequently, on his trips across the state, he visited Ypsilanti, speaking at the luncheon clubs here, and visiting leading citizens. At the time of his death he had with him the "camp on wheels," gift of Henry Ford, which was one of his most cherished possessions. The vagabond scholar died penniless and without known friends. His dearest possession, his memory.
He will be buried by Washtenaw County.
------------------------------------------------------
Because he knew and liked a man who worked on a railroad, he took the name of "Railroad Jack" and made it famous by proving to acquaintances that he could tell which side of the track any depot in Michigan was located. Starting in a small way, pulling his own cart by hand, he went about the country from his birthplace, Oshkosh, Wis., offering only $10 to folk who might challenge his ability to "spell them down with dates and facts." Early in his nomadic career, he established rights to the name Railroad Jack, but he traveled not on or in but under the steam cars. He had contrived a specially designed hammock, which he was able to sling to the underworks of the cars. There, apparently, he slept well.
WANTED BRAIN EXAMINED
"I want anatomists to examine my brain," he stated two years ago, "so they can find out what gives me the power to remember." All his worldly possessions he left to his self-designated "Alma Mater,." But his odd looking cart that was pulled by an automobile, a present from Henry Ford, will not be among them. The cart he used to take about the country and which he was towing from Chicago to Washington, was struck and demolished by an automobile recently. He was waiting in Coldwater for a new cart to replace it when he died. The request for his brain was not fulfilled. Jack lies in the local Catholic Cemetery occupying a plot in unconsecrated ground, rugged individualist to the last!
ALUMNAE TOK HIM UP
At the University of Michigan he found his utopia, where students, his greatest favorites, took up collections to keep him in food and clothes. Alumnae remembered Jack and as time went on he was called in at considerable sums per appearance to astound luncheon clubs and other gatherings. That's when his rates went up to $100 a challenge. Meeting him pulling his cart down the road one day, Henry Ford spoke to him, but Jack's memory for facts and figures did not apply to faces. "If you're my old friend, Ford, I'm John D. Rockefeller," he said. Laughing, Mr. Ford gave him an order for an automobile to pull his cart. With this Jack roamed through America's college towns, always returning, however, to his shack in Ann Arbor called "home."
A research on Railroad Jack reveals that there never was a hobo like him, probably never will be such another. His career was romantic, exciting and unique. Nobody seems to know under what circumstances he took to the road, a member of the strolling brotherhood and an educated member at that, for sometimes he took pride in calling himself the intellectual hobo.
"There are 10,000 characters in history," he would say by way of opening a conversation. "The average person can't name more than 100. I can name 5,000."
Courtesy of Matt Kinsler from the scrapbook of Mildred "Mille" Coft Schek. Research and transcription by Sherri L. Czuchra.
Researcher's Note: Death day and year varies depending upon the source; Headstone states October 5 1933, Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952 states October 6, 1933 and Monroe County, Michigan Obituary Index, 1821-2012, states, September 29, 1933.
Son of: Stephen D. Cooper and Susan Reynolds
HISTORY EXPERT
ASTOUNDER OF COLLEGIANS,
RAILROAD JACK FALLS DEAD
It was custom for him to travel about the country offering as high as $100 to anyone who could meet him in a "remembering, contest for the heavyweight history champion."
"Railroad Jack" Curious About His Own Memory
----------------------------------------------------
Vagabond, Scholar, Found Dead Near Coldwater, To Be Buried in Washtenaw
----------------------------------------------------
"Railroad Jack, who died suddenly Friday at a gasoline station near Coldwater, was himself curious as to the anatomical explanation of his phenomenal memory for historical data, it was revealed here today when it became known that he desired his remains be turned over to experts at University of Michigan to determine, if possible what peculiarity made his unusual memory possible.
Railroad Jack, as he is familiarly known here and throughout the state in private life was Harry Cooper. He frequently came to Ann Arbor to add to his remarkable mental compilation of facts and was accustomed to make use of the facilities at University of Michigan during his visits.
Mr. Cooper made his living by demonstrating his historical knowledge and trudged from town to town moving his gaudily painted equipment with him. At the time of his death he was 69 years old. His body was found by a gasoline station attendant after he had been allowed to spend the night at the station. He is believed to have had a heart attack.
He was born near Oshkosh, Wis., and was not a graduate of University of Michigan although he referred to that institution as his alma mater. He began his career on the court house lawn here in 1896 when a crowd became interested in his uncanny ability to give accurate information about almost any historical personage.
Frequently, on his trips across the state, he visited Ypsilanti, speaking at the luncheon clubs here, and visiting leading citizens. At the time of his death he had with him the "camp on wheels," gift of Henry Ford, which was one of his most cherished possessions. The vagabond scholar died penniless and without known friends. His dearest possession, his memory.
He will be buried by Washtenaw County.
------------------------------------------------------
Because he knew and liked a man who worked on a railroad, he took the name of "Railroad Jack" and made it famous by proving to acquaintances that he could tell which side of the track any depot in Michigan was located. Starting in a small way, pulling his own cart by hand, he went about the country from his birthplace, Oshkosh, Wis., offering only $10 to folk who might challenge his ability to "spell them down with dates and facts." Early in his nomadic career, he established rights to the name Railroad Jack, but he traveled not on or in but under the steam cars. He had contrived a specially designed hammock, which he was able to sling to the underworks of the cars. There, apparently, he slept well.
WANTED BRAIN EXAMINED
"I want anatomists to examine my brain," he stated two years ago, "so they can find out what gives me the power to remember." All his worldly possessions he left to his self-designated "Alma Mater,." But his odd looking cart that was pulled by an automobile, a present from Henry Ford, will not be among them. The cart he used to take about the country and which he was towing from Chicago to Washington, was struck and demolished by an automobile recently. He was waiting in Coldwater for a new cart to replace it when he died. The request for his brain was not fulfilled. Jack lies in the local Catholic Cemetery occupying a plot in unconsecrated ground, rugged individualist to the last!
ALUMNAE TOK HIM UP
At the University of Michigan he found his utopia, where students, his greatest favorites, took up collections to keep him in food and clothes. Alumnae remembered Jack and as time went on he was called in at considerable sums per appearance to astound luncheon clubs and other gatherings. That's when his rates went up to $100 a challenge. Meeting him pulling his cart down the road one day, Henry Ford spoke to him, but Jack's memory for facts and figures did not apply to faces. "If you're my old friend, Ford, I'm John D. Rockefeller," he said. Laughing, Mr. Ford gave him an order for an automobile to pull his cart. With this Jack roamed through America's college towns, always returning, however, to his shack in Ann Arbor called "home."
A research on Railroad Jack reveals that there never was a hobo like him, probably never will be such another. His career was romantic, exciting and unique. Nobody seems to know under what circumstances he took to the road, a member of the strolling brotherhood and an educated member at that, for sometimes he took pride in calling himself the intellectual hobo.
"There are 10,000 characters in history," he would say by way of opening a conversation. "The average person can't name more than 100. I can name 5,000."
Courtesy of Matt Kinsler from the scrapbook of Mildred "Mille" Coft Schek. Research and transcription by Sherri L. Czuchra.
Researcher's Note: Death day and year varies depending upon the source; Headstone states October 5 1933, Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952 states October 6, 1933 and Monroe County, Michigan Obituary Index, 1821-2012, states, September 29, 1933.
HISTORY EXPERT
ASTOUNDER OF COLLEGIANS,
RAILROAD JACK FALLS DEAD
It was custom for him to travel about the country offering as high as $100 to anyone who could meet him in a "remembering, contest for the heavyweight history champion."
"Railroad Jack" Curious About His Own Memory
----------------------------------------------------
Vagabond, Scholar, Found Dead Near Coldwater, To Be Buried in Washtenaw
----------------------------------------------------
"Railroad Jack, who died suddenly Friday at a gasoline station near Coldwater, was himself curious as to the anatomical explanation of his phenomenal memory for historical data, it was revealed here today when it became known that he desired his remains be turned over to experts at University of Michigan to determine, if possible what peculiarity made his unusual memory possible.
Railroad Jack, as he is familiarly known here and throughout the state in private life was Harry Cooper. He frequently came to Ann Arbor to add to his remarkable mental compilation of facts and was accustomed to make use of the facilities at University of Michigan during his visits.
Mr. Cooper made his living by demonstrating his historical knowledge and trudged from town to town moving his gaudily painted equipment with him. At the time of his death he was 69 years old. His body was found by a gasoline station attendant after he had been allowed to spend the night at the station. He is believed to have had a heart attack.
He was born near Oshkosh, Wis., and was not a graduate of University of Michigan although he referred to that institution as his alma mater. He began his career on the court house lawn here in 1896 when a crowd became interested in his uncanny ability to give accurate information about almost any historical personage.
Frequently, on his trips across the state, he visited Ypsilanti, speaking at the luncheon clubs here, and visiting leading citizens. At the time of his death he had with him the "camp on wheels," gift of Henry Ford, which was one of his most cherished possessions. The vagabond scholar died penniless and without known friends. His dearest possession, his memory.
He will be buried by Washtenaw County.
------------------------------------------------------
Because he knew and liked a man who worked on a railroad, he took the name of "Railroad Jack" and made it famous by proving to acquaintances that he could tell which side of the track any depot in Michigan was located. Starting in a small way, pulling his own cart by hand, he went about the country from his birthplace, Oshkosh, Wis., offering only $10 to folk who might challenge his ability to "spell them down with dates and facts." Early in his nomadic career, he established rights to the name Railroad Jack, but he traveled not on or in but under the steam cars. He had contrived a specially designed hammock, which he was able to sling to the underworks of the cars. There, apparently, he slept well.
WANTED BRAIN EXAMINED
"I want anatomists to examine my brain," he stated two years ago, "so they can find out what gives me the power to remember." All his worldly possessions he left to his self-designated "Alma Mater,." But his odd looking cart that was pulled by an automobile, a present from Henry Ford, will not be among them. The cart he used to take about the country and which he was towing from Chicago to Washington, was struck and demolished by an automobile recently. He was waiting in Coldwater for a new cart to replace it when he died. The request for his brain was not fulfilled. Jack lies in the local Catholic Cemetery occupying a plot in unconsecrated ground, rugged individualist to the last!
ALUMNAE TOK HIM UP
At the University of Michigan he found his utopia, where students, his greatest favorites, took up collections to keep him in food and clothes. Alumnae remembered Jack and as time went on he was called in at considerable sums per appearance to astound luncheon clubs and other gatherings. That's when his rates went up to $100 a challenge. Meeting him pulling his cart down the road one day, Henry Ford spoke to him, but Jack's memory for facts and figures did not apply to faces. "If you're my old friend, Ford, I'm John D. Rockefeller," he said. Laughing, Mr. Ford gave him an order for an automobile to pull his cart. With this Jack roamed through America's college towns, always returning, however, to his shack in Ann Arbor called "home."
A research on Railroad Jack reveals that there never was a hobo like him, probably never will be such another. His career was romantic, exciting and unique. Nobody seems to know under what circumstances he took to the road, a member of the strolling brotherhood and an educated member at that, for sometimes he took pride in calling himself the intellectual hobo.
"There are 10,000 characters in history," he would say by way of opening a conversation. "The average person can't name more than 100. I can name 5,000."
Courtesy of Matt Kinsler from the scrapbook of Mildred "Mille" Coft Schek. Research and transcription by Sherri L. Czuchra.
Researcher's Note: Death day and year varies depending upon the source; Headstone states October 5 1933, Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952 states October 6, 1933 and Monroe County, Michigan Obituary Index, 1821-2012, states, September 29, 1933.
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