The Cairo bulletin., 1906-04-06
GRIM RELIC OF
CIVIL WAR TIMES
CANNON FORMERLY IN CAIRO
WILL BE SENT TO MEMPHIS
FROM COLUMBUS, Ky.
WAS CAST IN MEMPHIS
Once Reposed in Ohio Rivera Com
panion Piece to the Lady
Polk of Tragic
Fame.

| An interesting report relative TO the
present and future Of Confederate
! Park was submitted yesterday after
noon at a meeting Of the Memphis
park commissioners, Col. Galloway as
a committee of one has accomplished
wonders and his report shows just
how much progress he has made in
redeeming the unattractive bluff, says
the Memphis COmmercialAppeal
There rests in Columbus. Ky, can
non with a history and the owner de
clares that it can never be removed
unless il Is to be shipped to Memphis
II is about this cannon that Col Gallo
way yesterday submitted an interest
ing report Ii is the mate OF the Lady
Polk, a cannon known to the tragic
pages of local history. II was made
in Memphis and weighs $4,000 pounds
The two big guns wee cast at the
same time. and both figured promi-
nently in the scenes of strife which
followed 1t was back in the days of
guns We're destined for great achieve
ments. and both were conspicuous in
the campaign of Memphis.
After the war the gun which is now
at Columbus. Ky. was dumped into
the river and the fatality which fol
lowed The destruction Of the Lady
Polk is one of the tragic episodes of
the history of the early days Of the
COS. John f. Bell was recently visit
ing in Columbus. Ky and discovered
The old Memphis gun. He talked to !
Capt. Hale, who at the time was the /
town marshal. and learned from him |
the history of the cannon.
After the war he paid $50 to have |
he big cannon dragged from the river.
Il was hauled to the bluff, where il
ay for al years Later on he gave
his consent that il should be taken TO
cairo, H., where for many years Il
opposed In the court of the Halliday
House, and attracted a great deal Of
Lttention When in the course Of
vents changes were made in Cairo.
he cannon was taken TO Columbus.
Ky. by Capt. Hale, and viii remain
here unless the park conn ion de
ides to bring it back to the city Of
IS birth and scene of is early asso-
iaiiOns
The mate to this aHon the Lady
'olk, was named f, ne wife of
Polk, and al.a served with |
istinction until the date of her de.
truction. The Lady Polk hal been in
elton during the day The barrel wa,
Gated by repeated firing The gun
as loaded for a final shot when the
rider to cease firing was received
his order was obeyed but the charge
"a not drawn. The following morn
lg an order was given to discharge
he cannon. The gunner in charge de |
lined TO obey the order. explaining
lat after the gun had cooled there
as a neces sary contraction and he
jared an explosion. Another gunner
as called and the order wa, exc
lted. An explosion followed. result. u
x in the death OF fifteen men. OF the u
vim cannon manufactured in Mem.
lis, and The only big guns ever made
ere, only one is preserved. II is pos
bic TO bring this cannon home and
ace ii in Confederate Park and thi
what Col Galloway is anxious TO
}. Yesterday he asked Chairman God.
In 10 communicate with Capt Hale. u
Columbus, Ky. and also with the
20 Line. with the view OF seeing If II
e company would agree 10 transport ~
g gun TO Memphis. II was also de-
led 10 have Mr.. Bell also communi- II
te with Capt Hale on the subject. d
fun report will be made at the next ST
Getting. in