Jimmy Cannon is a pre-teen boy growing up in 1940s West Virginia. The railroad is a major employer in his town. Jimmy gets in trouble after a prank goes wrong. The document promotes a book about Jimmy, his town dependent on the railroad, and a secret group that helps the townspeople. It provides historical context and recommends the book for those interested in trains, adventure, and stories of change.

2. A Preview of
“When the Whistle Blows”
Jimmy Cannon is a typical pre teen boy growing
up in the 1940’s.
The men in his family work for the rail road, and
Jimmy would like nothing more that to work
for the railroad when he is old enough.
Like most boys his age he likes play pranks and
play football.

3. One of the pranks the boys played went very
wrong. On Halloween, they decided to throw
rotten cabbages at the town bully.
Instead, they threw the rotten cabbages at the
Sherriff’s Cruiser!

4. The Railroad
The rail road was a large source of income in
1940’s Rowlesburg, West Virginia. Most of
the towns people had a job that was tied to the
rail road in some way.

5. It was the largest employer in that area.
It brought goods to the townspeople,
It took goods to other towns.
It was a means of transportation.
In this mountainous area, it had a powerful
presence.
Changes are on the horizon…

6. The “Society”
Jimmy’s father belonged to the ‘Society’, it was an
group of townsmen that met in secret.
Their mission was to help right the wrongs of the towns
people.
They met in secret, late at night, on the last day of every
month.
During one meeting, the ‘Society’ closed the town
school so the students could hunt on the first day of
hunting season to help prepare for the long winter
ahead.

7. B & O Railroad Bridge at Rowelsburg, W. Va.

8. B & O Steam Train at Rowlesburg, W. Va

9. You should read this book!
If you love trains, adventure, and a good
heart warming tale.
It is a good story about growing up.
It is a story about how change can affect more
than yourself.
It is a story about a different time in America.
It is a story about children that have some of the
same ideas, hopes and fears that you have
today.

10. Bibliography
Slide 8: The Photographic Collection of Donald
R. Hensley, Jr.. Photo location, Irwin W.Va.
Website: Rowlesburg & Southern R.R., Irwin,
W. Va.
Slide 7: B & O Railroad, Rowlesburg Bridge,
Cheat River. HAER, WV-13,
www.bridgehunter.com

11. Biliography (continued)
Slide 4: Placerville – Sacramento Valley
Railroad, Photographs from1800’s to 1940’s,
from National Archives, www.psvrr.com ,
Slide 3: Delaware Antique Police Car
Association, www.antiquepolicecars.net
Slide 1: “When the Whistle Blows”, Fran
Cannon Slayton, Puffin, November 2010,
Cover Photo

12. A Power Point Presentation:
Parker Sornberger 6th
Christian Thompson 6th
Jonah Fern 6th
6th Grade Gifted and Talented Students
Elkhorn Middle School, Frankfort, Kentucky
Book fest, May, 2012.