In 1907 a young Mexican Train Engineer saw a train loaded with Dynamite sitting next to a storage house filled with dynamite catch on fire from sparks of a passing locomotive. He jumped in the cab of the train, gave it full throttle and roared out of town, just as he got clear of the main part of town the Dynamite exploded, 13 people including the engineer died in the blast but the rest of the town was saved thanks to the bravery of Jesus Garcia Corona.
My wife was teaching English in The Hero of Nacozari High School in Apizaco, Tlaxcala and the Director asked her to prepare a Commemorative Speech about the Hero of Nacozari in the following month for the 90th Anniversary of his death. We couldnt find very much information in Apizaco so we decided to take a trip to Nacozari, Sonora where the copper mines were.
Upon arriving there the Mayor, the local historian and museum curater and many other people were most helpful in supplying us with an abundance of information.
Jesus Garcia was 23 years old and engaged to be married. He was so well liked that the mining company rewarded him with a trip to the Worlds Fair in Saint Louis, Missouri.
The morning of November 7th, 1907 as Jesus went to work, his engine was sitting in the freight yard loaded with 10,000 lbs. of dynamite and gun powder sitting next to a Storage house filled with dynamite, Waiting to be delivered to the copper mines. He heard shouts of “Fire..it’s gonna blow”and without hesitation he jumped into the cab of the engine and gave it full throttle to get out of the town.the train exploded and eyewitnesses sait it rained gravel and metal fragments for several minutes. The only thing they found of Jesus was one of his boots.. which is interred at his gravesite in downtown Nacozari.
Every November 7th the railroad workers of Mexico have parades in his honor.
To see more photos of the town and the site of the explosion click on this link….
Mexico Mystic's Blog -- Expat In Tlaxcala 
I enjoyed this post very much. Great story.
Interesting account amigo – gracias
I feel embarrassed because I’m from Hermosillo (now living in Phoenix, AZ), but I’ve never been to Nacozari de Garcia. What a pleasant surprise to see that you and your wife went all the way from Tlaxcala to Sonora to learn more about our hero. I enjoyed your post and pictures which I had never seen before. It reminded me of my childhood, learning about him and other Mexican heroes in elementary school. I guess you’ve heard the beautiful corrido “Máquina 501” or “Corrido a Jesús García,” you can find it on YouTube. Our young generations should be inspired by heroes like Jesus Garcia. Thank you!
Thanks Alba… Every November Railroad workers everywhere in Mexico have parades to celebrate
the Hero Of Nacozari Day. And they still play that song at their parties.
I’ve NOW discovered your blog! Thanks for your comment on mine. It appears that you live near or in Tlaxcala. If so, it is one of the sweetest states of Mexico! Loved this blog post……
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Nice story! Jesus was my great grandmothers relative, either siblings or first cousins, though I was told he was Yaqui. Either way this is a wonderful story and its nice to see my family recognized fr great things. Does anyone have his bio? where he grew up? It would be a wonderful addition to this heart warming story! Now that I have the dates I too will be celebrating his bravery and his life!! Thank you