Game thread: Phoenix at Seattle Storm 2011 home opener

SEATTLE WINS: Seattle quit on the game about two-minutes early but was able to win 78-71 in a margin that should have been a lot bigger. Taurasi scored 11 of her game-high 31 points in the final two minutes of the game, but surprising couldn't get the officials to notice her deliberately trying to draw a foul in the waning seconds to possibly win the game. "She was playing like she had something to prove," Bird said of her close friend. Instead, Cash was left open for a layin as everyone else quit on the game, scoring the bucket to end the season-opener. All of Seattle's ghosts have been properly exorcised as the Storm won its first game following a championship ring ceremony. In 2005, the Storm was dismantled by Los Angeles. Playing before 11,548 fans -- the largest since May 2008, Seattle showed there's plenty of work to do. But Little looked solid, the bench outscored the Mercury's 19-4 and the Storm has its defensive bite, outrebounding the Mercury 38-28. The Storm should also be commended, as Agler mentioned, for their ability to play well following a fun ring celebration. Jackson said it was difficult because she still doesn't feel she's properly celebrated it with the city. "We did a great job of making the transition smoothly," said Cash, who finished with 10 points and four boards. "After the ring ceremony was done, we got in a huddle and were like, 'This is what has to be done right now, focus.' I think T said 2010 is officially over and we all were feeding off each other, talking." The Storm (1-0) will take Sunday off and return to practice on Monday. They host Minnesota (0-1) on Thursday at KeyArena.

INJURY REPORT: Bird actually fell on her right hand and has a bruise above her thumb. She said she's fine, finishing with 10 assists and 13 points for her 19th career double-double. Little has a right knee sprain and is listed as day-to-day. "It's pretty good," Little said afterward, the knee encased in multiple packs of ice. "It's just scary. Somebody ran into it and it was nerve-racking to feel. I've never been in that position before. So, it was really scary. But it's intact and I'll be fine."

SPOTTED: First-year Washington coach Kevin McGuff and his staff were at KeyArena along with former LA Sparks assistant Steve Smith. Husky legend Kayla Burt, Seattle University coach Joan Bonvicini and athletic director Bill Hogan were also seen. Courtside was graced by politicians in Governor Christine Gregoire and King County Executive Dow Constantine.

mudcat.org: Tune Req: Wreck of the N&W Cannonball

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wreck of the N&W Cannonball
From: GUEST,999
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 10:40 PM

Look also for WRECK OF THE NORFOLK & WESTERN CANNONBALL

"NW Train wreck at Petersburg VA 1903
The picture depicts the head-on collision between the N&W Cannonball Express and an Atlantic Coast Line freight at Dunlop (not Dunlap) near Petersburg VA on the Saturday, 27th June 1903. The Cannonball was one of N&W crack expresses and on this day it was hauled by N-class 4-4-0 No 29 ( the engine closest to the camera). The train ran from Richmond to Norfolk twice a day and on this day the accident befell the 9 am from Richmond. Running on time, the Cannonball was passing at speed through Dunlop when it collided at speed with a stationary ACL freight hauled by Copperhead 4-6-0 No 335. The freight had stopped to pick up a car but in doing so had fouled the interlocking preventing the pointsman at Dunlop to set the road. This should have indicated to the driver Harry Covington, of the Cannonball that the line was blocked and to slow down but he either did not see the signal or ignored it. He must have seen the standing freight at the last minute as the air brakes were applied and he jumped. Unfortunately, he hit his head on a rail and was killed.

Harry's nephew Robert was the fireman. He was caught in the wreckage and also killed. In all 2 died and 25 were injured. Amongst the injured was captain Robert Eckles the conductor of the Cannonball. he was attended to by Dr George Font who was a passenger on the train. Less seriously injured were distiguished passengers Judge Mann and Rev. Henry Johnson a well known methodist minister. The crew of the ACL freight were not injured as they jumped when they saw the Cannonball coming. The Coroner's inquest blamed the ACL for blocking the line in the first place. However, Driver Covington must carry the most blame for driving beyond his ability to stop at the signal.

In an interesting sequal the wreck was the subject of a song by Cleburne Meeks who published it uder the title The Wreck of the N&W Cannonball. This was written long after the wreck in 1927 after Meeks was told the story by W.C. Cousins who had been a flagman on the Cannonball. Meeks himself was a hostler for N&W.

Songs about railroad wrecks were popular and often took liberties with the accuracy of the events. Meek's song held very much to the details of the accident.

Rural builder

Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series, 1967: January-June

Building a Shed

Cannonball!

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