Huntsville gazette., 1884-01-05
A Queer Bank.

In the alley running from FOurteentn
| street to Fifteenth, between the City Hall
and Public Library, may be seen dis
mounted cannon. Many persons have
passed through this thoroughfare and
have undoubtedly gazed at the useless
| piece of artillery, which lies partially
| imbedded in the ground with its muzzle
pointed menacingly toward Fourteenth
street. Had any of these passing or
lettering passers-by obeyed an inspira-
ton and probed the interior of this old
cannon for days prior to Monday even
ing last, rich yield would have re-
suited from the act.
On the evening stated, about nine
o'clock, an old man was observed on
his knees at the cannon's mouth. One
arm rested upon the muzzle the other was
thrust far into the throat of the antique
weapon. The night was dark, but few
footballs were heard in the distance, and
the old man doubtless imagined his po-
sition and actions were not seen by
mortal man. He suddenly withdrew
from the interior of the cannon some
thing that jingled as it touched the
ground. Muttering to himself, he made
motion as if to arise, at the same time
grasping the article extracted from the
cannon.
The person spying the old mans
movements was perplexed to account
for what he saw. Was it lunatic
busted in some fantastic caprice, imag-
ining, for instance, hoard of broken
glass was gold? Or was it a thief draw
ing from concealment his ill-gotton
gains? Actuated by an impulse he
could not master, the watcher took sew
eral steps forward. AT the noise made
by squeaking shoes the old man hastily
gathered himself up and started to flee
down the lane. A renewal of the jing-
ling sound followed Hold on, old
fellow!'' was called after him. But the
words only quickened his pace, The
owner of the voice pursued him, catch
the Health Office.
What have you got there IN your
hand?' was the first question put to
him. The old man attempted to thrust
the object into his bosom. but his hand
was stayed. "Nho are you and what
do you want of me?" he tremblingly
exclaimed. 1t was light enough to scan
the old fellow form and face. Hewas
short and bent, about sixty years old,
and very poorly dressed. He appeared
toothless, and his withered cheeks and
hollow eyes betokened that want as well
as age had worked together on him for
many years "What were you running
for, and what have you got in your
hand?" was demanded of him. He re-
piled: care you an officer?' An an
swer was given that contained the in
ference that the questioner was an
officer.
he old man said: "Gold; money I
thought you were a robber-so | ran"
While he spoke. in jerks, he hugged to
his breast the bag of coin. To the in
terrogation, ''Did you find that bag of
money in that cannon?' he replied
MOI and continued: II have saved
money many years. put it in banks
east. Two banks | left my money in
defrauded me. I had some property
left me in this city years ago. l came
here to live. | put money in different
hands to be used for me. | was swim
died, robbed. | lost faith in everybody.
Some time ago | saw that old cannon
laying there. The next evening L was
going home. | had money with me
that | had got that day for lot sold.
Two hCodlums looked as if they were
following me. | was about to 90 into
the police OFFICE for protection. Sud-
denly | Thought of the old cannon. |
went up the city hall steps and waited
till the hoodlums had gone back. Then
| went down the steps and out into the
lane. Nobody was around. | put my
money far back into the cannon. The
, next day | was kept in my house by
sickness. And the next. and the next
To-n;g ght felt able to get out, and |
came and g this. my money. How
much is there? $500" After some
little more questioning the old man was
left to pursue his way.
Why was that old cannon left in that
conspicuous spot-what was its history?
were ideas that the contact with the o1d
miser evoked.
1t is squatter gun" said Supt.
Carlton yesterday. ut was brought
around Cape Horn years and years ago
The squatters used it. 1t has been lying
around the city hall for years. Said
another gentleman appealed to: 1T
used to stand on Liberty plaza where
the courthouse is. 1t has been used for
salutes. and has killed two or three
men and blown off half dozen arms
Another informant said: ''That cannon
has seen several battles. In one with
the Spaniards it was spiked" Near
the vent-hole of the cannon, which is
four-pounder carronade, another per-
son said may be deciphered the inscrip-
tons B. p. & Co., and 6-3-1I.- Oakland
(Cdl) Times.