The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-20
4 UBLE-BARRELLED CANNON.
Fired Missile Fifty Feet Long and Was
Intended to Annihilate n orthern Invaders.


ATHENS Ga. June 16-From the unsympa-
thetc associations OF an old junkshop there
has Just been resurrected one OF the most in
teresting relics OF the civil war. 1t Is double
barrelled cannon-the only one In the world.
and the disappearance OF which after the close
OF the war has always been regretted by those
who thought the novel weapon worthy OF some-
thing more substantial than oblivion This
cannon Is now to be mounted at one OF the
most prominent points in this city. so that
any one coming to Athens will be able to view
the relic. The double barrelled cannon was in-
vented by Mr.. John Gilleland. and was cast at
the Athens foundry. 1t was the pet weapon,
the pride and hope OF an organization como
posed entirely o! patriarchs. whose object in
getting together was to defend the homes Of
Athens from the Northern invader, and who
6e e n I
MITCHELL ,u n H "
companies and regiments. -. The, double bar
relied cannon was to do it.. The idea of the in
with two cannon balls. attached together by a
long chain. Should the, enemy attack Athens.
the cannon was to be loaded, the two charges
win ITS great length OF chain. sent tearing into
the ranks OF the hostile forces
Tho effect, 1t was expected. would be fcar fu
progress enemyward the chain would be drawn
ranks the whrling thunderbolt would be nfty
feet long. catching in a deadly embrace every
being that lay along its front and leaving in
its track manged dead and dying mass II
humanity, At the end Of the chain the solid
shot would knock down whole files. and tho
moralize, all who tried to stand up before II
Soldiers have been said to dodge n cannon ball.
ortry to. the instinct OF self preservation but
who could get away from a whiring devil. that
encom passed the entire front OF II company
and flew hither and thither. breaking limbs.
Smd8nlnk neauS, cutting in two. and fol-
lowing up the fleeing ones. as though imbucd
with fendish powers Of intelligence.
1t was calculated by the inventor that tho
cannon balls at the end OF the chain would ta
given rotary moyemcnt when fired from the
gun. so that the fifty foot death dealer would
turning and doubling on it's tracks. SO as 10
strike death and terror into the hearts Of the
soldiers of an entire army Gilleland believed
that a few discharges from his double barrelrd
cannon would put to flight the finest body u
veterans that ever faced artillery fire Half
dozen, hity-toot chains, with cannon balls At
tached. would clear space several miles in cN-
tent; and leave the Mitchell Thunderholts IN
undisputed possession of that part Of the earth
WIN their cannon ready the old soldiers "
Athens felt perfectly able to take care OF their
front and keep Athens clear OF the enemy But
mere was never an occasion for the use OF tho
unique gun. and so tho men Of the North were
spared the awful experience OF having to face
TINS nbIe-rnouthed monster and the word
never knew what an Internal machine had
been set up 70 add TO the horrors OF war. After
a time the double barreled gun disappeared.
and FOR long time il was lost to sight. AS eX-
planned. It has Just been found in q junkshop.
and, should any one desire to test its powers y
destruction, a permit from the Mayor Of
Athens would probably be obtainaDle,