Green’s Dictionary of Slang

jerk n.2

[abbr. SE jerk line]

1. (US tramp) a minor railroad line.

[US]J. London ‘And ’Frisco Kid Came Back’ in High School Aegis X 4 Nov. 2–4: I struck a jay town on de C.B. and Q. jerk an’ got hoodooed.

2. see jerkwater town under jerkwater adj.