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BlastfromtheRiverCity’sPast!byDavidHendriks
August27th2010.Thesetting–AustinHighSchoolversusDecaturHighSchoolatOgleStadium.
10,000peoplefilledthehallowedgroundsascrosstownrivalriesbattleonthegridirontoclaimbraggingrightsforthenextyear.Theflagisliftedtothetopofthehighmastinthesoutherncornerofthe
stadium.Asthegatheringrisestotheirfeetthe“StarSpangledBanner”issungbythechorusfromthebothschoolsandtheoldergeneration,theirrighthandplacedfirmlyovertheirhearts,sangalong.Sadly,manyoftheyoungergenerationofAustinandDecaturHighschoolclassmatesseemtohave
forgottenthistraditionasseeninthisphoto.
ThecrowdisreadyforanotherDecaturversusAustinHighSchoolgame.Theteamsenterthefieldandgatherbehindtheirrespectiveendzones.Austin’sFootballteamrunsonthefieldfirst.TheDecatur
HighSchoolteamisgatheredbehindthegoalpostatthenorthsideofthefield“BOOM”thecannoneruptswithahugegunpowderexplosion.
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Decaturtakestothefieldwhilethesomewhatdazedandconfusedcrowd;reacttotheman‐madelightningbolt!
TTThhheeeDDDeeecccaaatttuuurrrRRReeedddRRRaaaiiidddeeerrrssstttaaakkkeeetttooottthhheeefffiiieeellldddwwwiiittthhhttthhheeeBBBlllaaassstttiiinnngggooofffttthhheeeCCCaaannnnnnooonnn!!!
August27,2010–PhotobyKevinNaumann
“Whattheheckwasthat?”saidBillCooktheMunicipalJudgeforDecatur.BillwassittinginfrontofmeandIwatchedashebroughtthetipsofhisshouldersdownfromhisears!“OhthatwastheDecatur
HighSchool’scannonbeingshotoff.”Iexclaimed.“It’salongstory”asIbegantorelatetohimabriefhistorybehindthecannon.Buthedidn’theartheentirestory.Andthereisastorytobetoldaboutthecannonwehearblastedthatnightthatisdeeplyrootedinthecrosstownhighschoolfootballhistory
andfolklore.
Fiction,Fact,FolkloreorFable?Manystorieshavebeentoldandretoldovertheyearsbyboth
DecaturandAustinstudents,faculty,friends,mothers,fathers,newspapersandtelevisionnewsbroadcastsabouttheDecaturHighSchoolCannonanditsrichandcolorfulhistory.
Themoretimesthestoryistold,thetallerthetalebecomesandnowit’sapproachingPaulBunyanstatusinourlocaltownofDecaturAlabama.Somuchfactionalfictionandfictionalfactshavebeen
addedovertheyearsthatmostpeopleareindeedconfusedaboutwhatreallydidhappen.Sadlythereareeventhosewhodon’tevenknowthereisastorytobetold.Thisstoryisforyouandforsettingtherecordstraight!
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Whatisatthebottomofallthistalkthat’sbeengoingonforforty‐fiveyears?Shouldwestartatthebottomandworkourwayuporweshouldwestartatthebeginningandworkourwaytothepresent?
EarliestmadepicturesoftheDHSRedRaiderCannonin1965.
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Let’sgoback,wayback,intothehistoryofthiscannon.
FromTheDecaturDailyArticle–July14,1998byKarenMiddleton‐BobHunter,DecaturHighClassof1965wasPresidentoftheKeyClub,whenmembersdecidedthattheywantedto“leavesomething
permanenttotheschool.”“Itwasthefallof’64andwewentuptoUnionCity,TennesseetosomethingcalledtheUnionGunWorksandboughtthecannon,”saidHunterinthearticle.“Itwasn’tarealCivilWarcannonbutareproduction.“MydadownedHunterFurnitureandwetookoneofthedelivery
trucksuptheretogetit.Webroughtitbacktomygrandfather’sfarmandfireditoffafewtimestoseeifitwouldwork.”ThecannonwasstoredattheStateBondedWarehousebeforeitwashauledovertoDecaturHighSchoolaccordingtoKeyClubmemberMarkLovelace.“Itwasfiredthefirsttimeatour
gamewithMuscleShoals.ItwasHomecominggamehere.”
ItbeganatraditionoffiringoffthecannonaftereachDecaturHightouchdownandtheKeyClubwasresponsibleforlightingthefuse!
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DecaturHighSchoolYearbook
Theseriesdatesbackto1965whenDecaturdefeatedAustininthefirstmeeting27‐7.Thismarkedthebeginningofarivalrythatfansscheduleandplaneventsaround.The2010gamewasagreatgameforDHSwhocameoutthevictor,50‐21butfortheAHSfansit’sanotherheartfeltloss.Decaturhighleadstheseries33‐14.
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DecaturHighSchoolYearbook
ItmusthavebeengreatfunfortheDecaturHighSchoolcrowd!FromtheAustinHighSchoolperspectivethefiringofthecannonaftereachtouchdownwasgettingontheirnerves.EverysingletimeDecaturscoredatouchdowntheyfiredtheircannonoffandtheDecaturcrowdwouldgowildwith
celebration!YearafteryearAustinHighSchoolstudentshadtolistentothisblamedthingfireagainandagainaftereachtouchdown,sothetensionhadbeenbuildingforyears.
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DecaturHighSchoolAnnual
Togetabetterunderstandingofthecross‐townrivalryIthinkitisimportantthatwelookbackalittlefurtherintothehistoryofDecaturAlabama.
TheDecaturHighSchoolKeyClubispartoftheDecaturKiwanisClub.TheDecaturKiwanisClubis
deeplyrootedintheannalsofDecatur’sHistoryandwasanintegralpartofthejoiningofthetwosistercitiesofDecatur,Alabama.
Fromthesourcewww.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur,_Alabama
NewDecatur,AlabamawasacitythatroseoutoftheashesofformerDecaturwestoftherailroadtracks.NewDecaturwasfoundedin1887andincorporatedin1889.ButresidentsoftheolderDecatur
resentedthenewtown,foundedandoccupiedbypeoplewhomovedfromthenorthernstates.AnimositybuiltuntilNewDecaturrenamedtheirtownAlbany,afterAlbany,N.Y.,inSeptember1916.Theimpetustomeldthetwotownscamefromtheneedforabridge,insteadofaferry,acrossthe
TennesseeRiver.TheDecaturKiwanisClubwasformedwithanequalnumberofmembersfromeachtowntoorganizeeffortstogetthestatetobuildthebridge.In1925,thetwocitiesmergedtoformone
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CityofDecatur.Thereisanoticeabledifferencebetweenthetwosidesoftown.Thecitiesdevelopeddifferentlyatdifferenttimes,andstilltothisdayhavesomewhatdifferentcultures.
FromtheDecaturKiwanisClubwebsite‐http://decaturkiwanis.org/history.htm
Sometimeduringtheyear1919,thirtymenfromthetownofDecaturandthirtymenfromthetownofAlbanymettogetherfortheavowedpurposeofachievingtheconsolidationofthosetwowarringanddivisivemunicipalities.Thesewereleaderswithforesightdedicatedtobuildingabettercommunityforthemselvesandforthosetocomeafterthem.Theycastaboutforanorganizationtoserveasavehiclefortheireffortsandafterreviewinganumberofformsoforganizationsandclubs,decidedthatKiwanisInternational,withitsmotto"WeBuild"wastheorganizationmostlikelytobeeffectiveintheirendeavor.
Membershipwasoriginallylimitedtosixtymen,thirtyfromDecaturandthirtyfromAlbany.Attimestherewasawaitinglistformembership.WhenKiwanisInternationaldiscoveredthesixtymemberlimitation,somefifteenortwentyyearslater,theyrequiredtheDecaturclubtoeliminatethatrequirement.
Eventuallyin1927,aftertirelesseffortandKiwanisinfluenceinthestatelegislature,DecaturandAlbanywereunitedintotheexistingcommunityofDecatur.ItissafetosaythattheconsolidationwasbroughtaboutbytheKiwanisClubofDecatur.
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BridgeDedication–Ca1927–TheDecaturPublicLibrary
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KellerMemorialBridgeConstruction–Ca1927–TheDecaturPublicLibrary
FormoreofthehistoryofDecaturbesuretocheckoutthiswebsite.http://decatur‐al.gov/livework/decatur_then.html
Thuswehavealittleofthehistorythatstartedthisinter‐cityrivalrythatstillexiststothisday!Withthe
completionofAustinHighSchoolin1962,thecitywasagainsplitintwo.YoueitherlivedontheeastsideoftherailroadtracksandwenttoDecaturHighSchooloryoulivedonthewestsideofthetracksandwenttoAustinHighSchool.
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1965AustinHighSchoolAnnual
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1967DecaturHighSchoolAnnual
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TheDecaturHighKeyClubwasresponsibleforthepurchaseofthecannon.TheKeyClubwasresponsibleforthecannonandtheirdutiesincludedkeepingthecannoninsoundorderandfiringit
aftereachtouchdownthefootballteamedscored.
TheKeyClubisaninternationalstudent‐ledorganizationwhichprovidesitsmemberswithopportunitiestoprovideservice,buildcharacteranddevelopleadership.
TheKeyClubpledge–
“I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the Objects of Key Club International; to build my home, school and community; to serve my nation and God; and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.” Underscoreplacedherebytheauthorofthisarticleasanotationtoremember.
DecaturHighSchoolAnnual
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DecaturHighSchoolAnnual
NowletmetellyouthestoryofwhathappenedtotheDecaturHighSchoolcannonin1977.
Theideabegantospringupamongstagroupofyoung,seventeenyearoldmenfromtheAustinHighSchoolClassof1978.Theyhadheardenoughofthecannon!Theyweregoingtosilenceitforever!The
fouryoungmenwere,JayJenkins,DarrylMitchell,JeffCoffeyandBobQuarles.BobactuallywasfromtheAHSClassof1979.
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DarrylMitchell(AHSClassof1978)offersthesedetailsfromhisperspective.“WeoftengatheredtogetheratJeff’shouseon16thStreetjustdownthestreetfromAustinandwouldwalktoschool
togetherinthemorning.”Duringtheirgatheringstheideahatchedandbegantogrowthattheyweregoingtosilencethecannononceandforall.TheyweregoingtosnatchthecannonfromDecaturHighSchoolbeforetheAustinvs.Decaturgame,whichwastobeplayedonNovember4,1977.Backthen
thegamewasthelastregulargameoftheseasonforbothteams.
AccordingtoBobQuarles,theoriginalideabehindthesnatchingofthecannoncamefromJayJenkins.Theplanwasschemedandplottedandbanteredamongsteachotherastheydaredeachotheron.TheyhadthoughtaboutborrowingoneofJay’sfather’scranetrucksthenhoisttheentirecannonintothe
backofthetruckbutthatplandidn’tworkoutwhenthetruckwasonajobatthetimerightbeforethebiggame.
Thewordeventuallygotaroundtothe“RedRaiders”thatthe“BlackBears”weregoingtotakeoffwithDecaturHigh’sprizedcannon.DarrylMitchellwasdatingagirlfromDecaturHighSchoolandhelether
knowoftheirintentionsbut“Ikindofbrusheditofflikewereallywerenotgoingtodoit”.
PicturedhereareMollyWilliams,DarrylMitchell,JeffCoffey
beforethe1977HomecomingParadeforAHS.
DarrylstatesthatwhenitcametimetosnatchthecannontheyfoundthatsomeDecaturHighSchool
studentsweregatheredaroundguardingthecannonwhichstoodinthecornerofthefieldatOgle
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Stadium.Itappearsthatthesomeofthe“RedRaiders”studentstookitseriousenoughthattheypostedguardsthere‘roundtheclock’toprotecttheirprizedcannon.Howeveritbegantosprinklelate
thatFallSaturdaynightin1977sowhoeverthe“guards”were,theythrewinthetowelandwalkedoff.Mr.JohnRolandJenkins,Jay’sfather,sayshethinksthattheywenttoHardeestograbacoke.
BobQuarlesdoesn’trecallbeingforewarnedaboutany“guards”beingondutythatThursdaynightbeforetheAustinvs.Decaturgame.Bobremembersthattheydidn’tseeanyoneatall.Insteadhe
remembersthattheyheardthatstorylateronthattheremighthavebeensomeoneinthebleacherswatchingthecannon.Hesaidthatiftherewasanyonekeepinganeyeonthecannon,thentheyweregonebythetimetheyarrived.Dr.RobertQuarlesnowpracticesnuclearradiology,diagnosticradiology
andnuclearmedicine.
Darrylrelatesthestory.“Itwasacold,rainy,nastynight.”ThisgroupoffouryoungmenwerecirclingaroundtheDHScampusinJayJenkinsfather’s1973ElCamino(whitewithwoodgrainsides).Canyouimaginethemsittinglikesardinesinthislittlecar‐truckonthisdrizzlynightwaitingfortheopportunity
toseizetheDecaturHighcannon?
“Wewerewellprepared.”saysJeffCoffey,oftenreferredtoas“Theo”byhisfriends.Jeffsays“WehadathreefootlongboltcuttertocutthelockandchainonthegatetotheOglestadiumfield.”Thesedaringyoungopportunists,rushedinquickly,togathertheirtreasureintheearlyeveninghoursof
November3rd,1977.SwiftlytheyparkedtheElCaminoandJay,Bob,DarrylandJeffrushedinhopingnoonewasaround.Butnoonewasaroundatleastnonethatcouldbeobserved.Buttheywerestillatriskofsomeonecatchingtheminthemiddleofwhattheyweredoing!
Theirwelllaidplanssoonturnedouttohaveafewproblems.Theygatheredaroundthecannonsitting
thereallbyitself.Theytriedpushingitbackandforthabitbutitwasheavy!Theyponderedfirsttothemselvesthentoeachother.Howdoyougeta900poundcannon‐wheelsandall‐intothebackof
anElCamino?Eveniftheygotitbacktothetruck,theywouldn’tbeabletoliftitupintothebednorwouldithavefit!
SoyoungMr.DarrylMitchell,beingthecleveryoungmanhewas,startedtuggingandtwistingonthebarrelanditslowlystartedtoslipandgive.Theyquicklyundidthestrapsthatheldthebarrelofthe
cannontothecarriage.Allfourheavedandliftedthe350poundcannonbarreloffthelargewoodenwheelsandwalkedtogethertothebackoftheElCamino.
Theyleftbehindthecarriageandwheels.Mr.RolandJenkinsremembersthatJaytoldhimthathis
adrenalinewasflowingsofastthat“Wedidn’tevenfeeltheweightofthecannon”asthefourranoffwithit.
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Offtheyroaredintothedark,tiresspinning,withthecannonslidingaroundandbangingintothesidesofthebedoftheElCaminotruck/carastheymadeeachturn.Jayhadtheforesighttotakeoneofhis
mother’squiltswithhimwhichtheysupposedlyusedthattowrapupthebarrelofthecannon.Theydiscussedamongstthemselves“Whatarewegoingtodowithitnow?”JaysuggestedthattheytakeitbackHisfather’sbusiness,“ValleySteelConstruction”ontheriveronHwy20andfillitwithconcrete.
ThentheywouldreturnitbacktoitsrightfulplaceonthefieldatOgleStadium,nevertobeblastedagainafteratouchdown.
DarrylMitchellsaid“Let’sgoovertoMadisonandgetsomebeerandwe’llfigureoutwhattodowithitafterthat.”
Atthetime,Decaturwasadrytownandifyouwantedanybeer,youhadtocrossthe1and3/4mile
wide,TennesseeRiver,togoovertothewetcountyofMadisontobuybeer.Thereweretwobridgescrossingtheriveratthistimein1977.Onewasreferredtoatthetimeasthe“newbridge”builtin1963andtheotherwastheold“KellerMemorialBridge”builtin1928,namedinhonorofHelenKellerfrom
Tuscumbia,Alabama.
DecaturAlabama’sBridges–Fall1977
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So“thebestlaidplansofmiceandmen”seemedtoerodewhentheycametothebridge.“Lookaround.Thereisnotacarinsight,notanyone”saidDarryl.Jeffsuggested“Let’sjustgetridofitnowandtossit
offthebridge”andquicklyallfouragreed.TheyweredrivingnorthonthenewbridgeheadingoutofDecatur;theystoppedtheElCaminosomewherealongthetopofthebridge.AllfourjumpedoutofthecrampedElCaminoandgrabbedthecannonbarrelinthebed.Allfouroftheboysliftedthecannon
andhurriedlysetitontherightside(eastside)oftheconcreterail.“Alltogethernow–heave!”Darrylsaid.Theyheardabellringingsound.“Ithinkitshungup”.Darrylthoughtithadlodgedonthelargemetalstructurerunningdirectlyunderthebridgebecauseitmadeitlarge“gong”bellsound.
“No,no,Ihearditsplash”saidJayJenkins.Notwantingtostandaroundanddiscussitanyfurther,they
wentofftoMadisontogetsomebeer.“We’rewantedmen,we’llstrikeagain,butfirstlet’shaveabeer!”asJimmyBuffettimmortalizedinhis1973song,“TheGreatFillingStationHoldUp.”
JeffandDarrylreturnedtoDarryl’shouseandBobandJaywenthome.Darryl,JeffandDarryl’sbrotherTimMitchellsatarounddiscussingthenight’seventsattheMitchellresidence.Soontheconversation
cameabout,thattheyshouldhaveacheertoshoutoutatthenextnight’sAustinversusDecaturHighSchoolfootballgame.WiththehelpofDarryl’sbrother,Tim,theycameupwiththischeerorrather
shouldIsay,insult!
“Givealittleshake”
“Givealittlequiver”
“Your’redamnedole’cannon”
“Isinthebottomoftheriver.”
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ToaddinsulttoinjuryanothergroupofAustinStudentshadputtogetheraplanoftheirown,not
knowingaboutthecannonscheme.TheyweregoingtopaintabigAustin“AA”onthefieldonThursday
nightbeforetheNovember4th1977game.DannyGibsonfromtheAHSClassof1979recalls“I’mnotsayingIknowwhostolethecannonbutthesamenightthecannonwasstolensomeonepaintedabig
AustinAonDecatursideofthefield.“Ittookabouttwelvecansofblackpaintandfourguystopaint
it."JimBreedingaskedtheartteachertohelphimmakeastencilfortheAandshedid.Itwasa10footcardboardcut‐out.MikeKrueger,JimBreeding,RickyWatson,andDannyGibsonsnuckoutthatnight.TheboysfromAustinclimbedthetallfenceoftheDHSstadiumaroundmidnightandwiththestencil
andspraypaint,paintedtheAustinAonthefootballfield.
AsDannyGibsonexplains“Ihadbrokemyleg(tibiaandfibula)infootballpracticeearlierintheyear
afterhavingacastuptomyposterior,itwaslaterputinacastuptomyknee.Iwasinthatstupidcast
forthreemonths.Imanagedtoclimbthefencewiththerestoftheguys.WepaintedthebigAnearthesidelineswheretheDecaturHighFootballsquadwouldbestandingsotheycouldseeit.”Theymanagedtogetthejobdoneandsneakbackintotheirrooms.Thenextdayitbegantorain,anditappearedtothemthattheirhandyworkhadbeentrampledandstompedtonothingbutablackmess.
Thesewerethesortofthingsthatwentonbetweenthetwohighschools.ArrivingatAustinone
morningthestudentsandfacultyaregreetedwiththisview.Someonehadrearrangedthewords,justalittle.
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DecaturHighSchoolchangesthelettersontheAustin“ComingEvents’sign.
Theplotthickens…amodernday“CivilWar”breakout.JeffCoffeyrelatesthestory.“IwasonhiswayhomethatThursdaynightaftertossingthecannonintheriverandasIwentbyAustinHighSchool,near
myhome,Inoticedacarandagroupofboysbashingoutthewindowsattheschool”Jeffsaid,“ItookdownthecartagnumberandcalleditintotheDecaturPoliceanonymously.”Whathadhappenedwas
thatthesupposedDHSguardsondutyatOgleStadiumcamebackandfoundtheircannongone!Soinretribution,somemembersofDecaturHighcametoAustin’scampusandbustedoutnearlytwohundredglasswindows.Iremembercomingtoschoolandseeingallthebustedoutwindows.Itwas
quietascandal.ThenamesofthevandalsweresoonfoundoutandtheyorshouldIsay,theirparents,hadtopayforreplacementofallthewindows.Itrulydon’tknowwhowasinvolved.
AnotheranthemwasquicklyputtogetherbytheboysfromAustin.
“Youbrokeafewwindows,
Youplayedalittleprank,
Whataboutthecannon,
thedamnedthingsank.”
FridaymorningcamearoundandasthegroupmetatJeff’shousetheywalkedtoschool.Darrylexplains,“Evenbeforewehadcrossedthestreet,studentswerecominguptousandsayingthatthey
hadheardthatwewereinvolvedinthestealingofthecannon!”JayJenkinswassaidtohaveexclaimedtothestudentswhoaskedaboutit,“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Youthinkwewereinvolved?”Jayhadaknackfortellingthetruthandbeingabletoskatearoundthedirectquestionsaccordingtowriter
ofthisarticle.“JayandIwerebestfriends”recallsDavidHendriks,sothisshortstoryisdedicatedtohim.
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JayJenkinsDied–June23rd,1978inaonepersoncaraccidenthavingfallenasleepatthewheel.Jayhaddiabetesandsometimeswentintoinsulinshockandwouldbecomegroggy.
Thewordquicklyspreadandtheculpritssoonspreadwordtoeachotheratschoolthattheyneeded
somedamagecontrol.DarrylcalledameetingattheAHScampus“Keepalidonit.”Darrylexplainedthatnoonewithinthegroupwastosaytheyhadanythingtodowithit,especiallyinlightofwhathadhappenedtothewindowsofAustin’sschool.Therumorssoonswirledandbeforelongtherewaseven
anAustinstudentwhoactuallytookcreditforsnatchingthecannon.Stillothershaveclaimedthattherewasanentiregroupthathadgatheredaroundthebridgeandwatchedthecannonasitwasthrownoff!
Talkaboutlyinglow,thesefouryoungmendidtheirbesttokeepoutofthelimelightandtotheircreditnotmanypeopletothisdayknowwhowereinvolved.Butthescandalwasalreadythetalkofeveryone
atAustinHighonthedayofthe“biggame.”Everyonewasasking“Whodidit?Whostolethecannon?Whereisthecannonat?”Keepingthelidoniteventuallyledtomorerumorsandthelistofculpritssoonexpanded.
TheAssistantPrincipalofAustinHighSchoolin1977wasMr.LorenzoJackson.CoachJacksontaught
CivicswhileIwasatAustinandwaswellrespected.Hetaughtwithanairofauthorityandknewhissubjectwell.Hewasknownforhisinterestinglessonsandforhisfairnessbuthewasalsofearedforhisabilitytodishoutapaddlingonthebuttthatyouweren’tsoontoforget.Youdidn’twanttobecalledin
tohisofficeforaconversationasIcanpersonallyattest!
Mr.JacksoncalledWilliamLittrellintohisofficethatfatefulMondaymorning.EveryoneknewtheLittrell
brothersincludingMr.Jackson.HewasespeciallyfamiliarwithWilliam.
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WilliamisseenhereinoneofhismugshotsbehindbarsandwearinghisWillieNelsont‐shirt.TheBruin1976
IhadaconversationwithWilliamandheexplainsthestorytomethisway.Mr.LorenzoJacksonasked,“William,didyouhaveanythingtodowiththis?Williamknewthevastconsequencesofwhatwould
happentohim‐hadhebeenapartytothisillustriousevent.Hepleaded“NoMr.Jackson,Iswear,Ididn’thaveanypartofit.IwassickasadogathomeandyoucanevenaskmyDad!”ThisconversationwentonlikethisforaboutahalfhouraccordingtoWilliam.Williamhappenedtobeguiltyby
associationonly.PooroleWilliamwasthinkingtohimself“WhymeLord?WhatdidIeverdo?”
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“Don't cross him, don't boss him. He's wild in his sorrow:
He's ridin' an' hidin his pain. Don't fight him, don't spite him;
Just wait till tomorrow, Maybe he'll ride on again.”
Willie Nelson “The Red Headed Stranger”
“Iswear,itwasn’tme,Iwassickathomeinthebed”saysWilliam.CoachLorenzoJacksonkeptasking
me“Whereisthecannonat?”Williamfinallyofferedup”Idon’tknowbutifyouwanttofindoutforyourself,you’dbettergetyourskinsuitonandgolookingforitintheriver!”AccordingtoWilliamasapersonaltestimony“Ineverrattedoutmyfriends”whomheknewwereinvolvedinthisescapade.And
no,hedidnotgoaroundsayinghehadanythingtodowiththecannonbeingtossedoffthebridge!
Mr.Jacksonsaid“William,Ibelieveyouinspiteofyourself.”Mr.JacksonletWilliamgowithouthavingthefacethebroadsideofalargewoodenpaddlekeptinhisdesk.Somethirty‐fouryearslater,WilliamLittrellconfessedtome“IwouldhavebeenpartofitifIcould,butItrulywassickthatnight.”William
residesinVinemontAlabamawherehewiththehelpofhisfivebrothersrunthe“LittrellBrothersLumberCompany”HecanbefoundeverySundaymorningsinginginthechoirathischurchandplaystheoccasionalguitar.Perhapsifyou’llhumafewbarsto“TheRedHeadedStranger”he’llwhipouthis
guitaranddemonstratehistalent.
Buttheinvestigationwasfarfromover.Mr.BearlWhitsett,PrincipalofAustinHighSchoolcalledJayJenkinsintohisoffice.
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Mr.WhitsettaskedJayalotofquestionsandfinallylethimgowithnoformalpunishment.Jay’sfather,Mr.Jenkins,askedJaylateronifhehadtoldMr.Whitsettthetruth.Jaysaid“Yes,Itoldthetruth,hejustdidn’tasktherightquestions!ApparentlyJayhadarealtalentforskirtingaroundtheissues.He
wouldhavemadeagreatlawyer.
Mrs.JenkinssaidshethinksanotherreasonJaywasletgosoeasilythatdayisthattheJenkins’wereneighborswiththeWhitsett’safewyearsbeforewhentheywerelivingon12thAvenue.Mrs.Jenkinssaid“Bearl,justreallydidn’twanttoknow.”Shethinksitwasbecauseoftheirrelationshipwithhim.
TheJenkinshadmovedfromSouthwestDecaturtoSoutheastDecaturandtheywerelivingonCountry
ClubRoadbackin1976.JaycontinuedatAustinHighSchoolandhisyoungersister,Jan,transferredtoDecaturHighSchoolhersophomoreyear.JanwasaJuniorCheerleaderatDHSwhenallthishappenedandshehadtoendurequiteabitofsuspicionandcriticismherself,fromherolderbrother’s
involvementwiththedisappearanceofthecannon,hermotherexplainedtome.Mr.andMrs.JenkinsnowresideinMariettaGeorgiahavingmovedtherefromDecaturin2005.
Butthequestioningdidn’tstopthere.“Itmusthavebeenaweeklater,whenPoochieO’Haracallsmeonthetelephone”recallsGlendaJenkins.“Isee,un‐huh,dotell,youdon’tsay!”ishowIimaginethe
conversationwent.Glendawas38yearsoldatthetimeandshespeakstoherhusband,JohnRolandJenkinsabouttheincidentassoonasshecould.Mr.Jenkinssaid“Ihadalotofsortingouttodo!”
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Mr.andMrs.JenkinsrecallthattheysatJaydownandaskedhimaboutthecannonincident.“Jaytold
me,thatDecaturwasgoing‘BBang,bang, bangang,bang, bang ’’ everytimetheyscoredatouchdown.”Mr.Jenkins
continuesthestory,“DadwejustgottiredofhearingthatcannongooffallthetimeagainstAustin.”Mr.JenkinsaskedJay‐“Whereisthecannonatnow?”Jaybeingevasiveashewas,said“Well,DadallIcantellyouisthatnobody’sgoingtostealitagain!”
Thatexplanationwasn’tgoingtoworkthistime.Mr.JenkinsaskedJayagain.“Whereisthecannonat?”
Jaysaid,“Well,it’sinsomewatersomewhere.”Mr.Jenkinssaid,“Whatdoyoumean?”Jayreplied“Wellifyouaregoingtogofindit,you’llhavetoswim!”Jaywasliterallyoverabarrel,thistimenotthebarrelofthecannonbutthebarrelhewassoongoingtobetarredandfeatheredin,ifhedidn’tcome
upwithsomeplausiblefacts.
Mr.Jenkinsgettingalittlemiffedbythistimesays“Ok,JayI’mgoingtoaskyouonemoretime,whereisthecannonat?”Jaysays“Well,doyouknowwherethemiddleofthebridgeiscrossingtheriver?It’sthereatthebottomoftheriver!”Thenonly,then,Jay‘fessesup’tohisparentsthewholestory.
Thatdidn’t“settle”toowellwithRolandJenkins.Jay’swas“grounded”andpartofhispunishmentwas
thathewasgoingtohavetofindawaytogetitoutoftheriverandreturnittoDecaturHighSchool.Mr.JenkinsrecallsthatbothheandJayhadbecomecertifiedscubadiversin1976.Mr.JenkinsplanwasthatheandJaywoulddivedowntothebottomoftheTennesseeRiverandfindthecannon.Hetoldme
thattheywouldrigaballoonbagandfloatittothesurfaceortieachainarounditandhoistituptotheirboat.TheynevergotaroundtodoingthatasJaydiedinatragicaccidentsoonaftergraduatingAustininJune1978.
Gamenight–November4,1977.AustinfacedDecaturatOgleStadium.Tensionwasreallytight.
DecaturHighSchoolstudentswerenotamused,notintheleast!Thenightwasdampenedbyacoldhardrain.Thankfullynofightsbrokeoutthatnight.
Irememberthisnightverywell.Asa17yearoldstudentofAHSatthetime,IhadtakenontheroleofphotographerfortheAustinHighSchoolannualstaff.Thephotographbelowisoneofthepicturesthat
appearedintheAustinyearbook.Itookthispicturethatnightwithmyfather’sCanonF‐1camera.IrememberitwellbecauseIfoundoutlaterthe135mmcameralensewasnotwaterproof!Ihadtopay$135.00tohavethelensecleanedupfromthejobIhadworkingatagasstationon6thAvenue.
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PhotoandCommentsmadeatthetime‐DavidHendriks.
“Takeoffyourpants
GetonaBoat,
Gottagoswimming
Causeyourcannonwon’tfloat.”
AbannerwasmadeanditwasplacedoverthefencerailsfortheDecaturHighstudentstosee.Kelley
O’HaraHollowayrecalls“IremembermakingabighugesignthatsaidBANG!EverytimeDHSscored
duringthegameweheldupthatsign.Notmuchconsolation.Austinwent3and9thatyearinfootball.
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DecaturHighSchoolYearbook‐1978
EventhoughthehecklingcheersfromAustinstudentshelpedencouragetheteam,theBlackBearswentdowntotheRedRaiders,21‐0asthefinalbuzzersounded.TheRedRaidersgotthefinalsayonwho
wascitychampsthatyear.TheAustinBlackBearswentdown,butyouwanttoknowsomethingelsefriendsandneighbors–sodidthecannon!Thecannondidnotgetfiredafterthethreetouchdownstimesthatnight.Andformanynightstocome!
Fromthe1998DecaturDailyarticle.“FormerDecaturHighprincipal,JamesMilnerisreluctanttopoint
fingers.”“Onenightitjustcameupmissing.”“ItwasrumoredthattheAustinBoysjustgottiredofhearingitshotoffandtheyranoffwithit.”“WehadthatcaissonrollingaroundwithoutabarrelforIdon’tknowhowlong,thenwehadanothermade.Butitneverdidlookthesame.”Truthis“Itlooked
awful.”accordingtoJohnGodwin,DHSClassof1979–Johnsaid“SomeDadhadtakenawhitePVCpipe,sprayeditblackandmountedittothecarriage.”“TheytriedshootingafewM‐80sinitbutitwasneverthesame.”TheoldDHSKeyClubcannon,minusthebarrel,wasunseenandunheardofforyearsand
yearstocome.Thetraditionofshootingoffthecannonhaddiedbutthetensionremained.
Astheoldsayinggoes“Whatgoesaroundcomesaround.”Therearealwaysconsequencestoourbehavior.NotonlyhadabunchofwindowsbeenknockedoutatAustinHighSchool,theshenaniganscontinuedbackin1977.ArrivingatAustinHighSchoolsoonafterthisillustriousevent,thewordsoon
spreadaroundtheAustincampusthattheheadofourillustriousmascotfigure,theAustinHighBlackBear,wasamiss!
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TheBlackBearstoodaboutsixfoothighandeightfootlonginthefoyerofthegymnasiumwhichistodaycalledthe“JoeJonesGymnasium”inhonorofCoachJoneswhohadmadeareputationforhard
workandwinning.
SomeonehadcuttheheadcompletelyofftheAustinHighBlackBear,muchtothechagrinoftheAustin
studentsandfaculty.Studentsweregatheredaroundandtalkingamongstthemselveswonderingwhathadhappenedandwhocouldhavepulledoffsuchatumultuousstunt?
DecaturHighSchoolhaditstraditionofhavingitscheerleaderswiththecannonasthebackgroundofmanyphotographsasshownhereinthesephotographs.
1966DecaturHighSchoolAnnual
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1966DecaturHighSchoolAnnual
AustinHighSchooltoohaditstraditionofhavingitscheerleaderphotographstakeninfrontofthebig
BlackBear.
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LeeMiles,wasasophomoreatDecaturHighSchoolinthefallof1977anda“Classof1980”graduate.Hedescribesthestoryofthecaperthisway.“MarkKingcameupwiththeidea.”“HeandIwerebuddiesatthetimeandI’mnotsureofthemonthbutitwasonaFridaynight.”Markclimbedupthe
sideofLee’shousearound2:00AMtoLee’ssecondfloorbedroom.MarkandLeehadsnuckoutseveraltimesinthepastandthiswasnotunusualforthem.Mark,knocksonthewindowandwakesLeeupfromasoundsleepandsays“Heywakeup!Wearegoingtogosomewhere!”Leeexclaims“Huh,what,
where?”Marksays“WearegoingtoAustinandwearegoingtogetbackatthoseguysforthrowingthecannonintheRiver!WearegoingtogettheBear!”
“That’sfine,let’sdoit”Leesays.Inthepre‐dawnhoursMarkandLeerideovertothecampusofAustinHighSchool.Markdrivesaroundtothebackofthegym.Nowonfoottheywerelookingforan
entranceintothegym.Theysoonfoundanunlockedwindow.Thewindowswereabout“4’x1.5’andswungoutwardsfromthebottom.LeehelpedMarkthroughthewindowandMarkthenracedaroundtothefrontandopenedupadoorforLee.MarkhadbroughtahacksawandaBBgunhehadgottenin
thefourthgrade.Theycameloadedforbear!
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Theywerefullypreparedforactionandspoilingforafight.
“TheBlackBear”stoodapproximatelysixfeettallandwassixfootlongonaplywoodplatformwithitsleftfootonastump.Thebearwasonrollerssoitcouldberolledaround.ItstoodproudlyinAustin’s
gymfoyer.
EveniftheywantedtotakethewholeBear,itwouldn’thavegonethroughthedoors!Buttheycouldn’tleavewithouttryingtodecapitatethebear’shead.CanyouimaginethesetwosixteenyearoldboystryingtocutthroughtheBear’sneck,approximatelyfivefeetincircumference,withalittlemetalhack
sawblade?
“Ittookanhourandhalftocutthebear’sheadoff”anexasperatedLeeexplains!“Wetookturnshackingatit!Theytwisted,pulled,yankedandfinallygottheheadoff.“Iwassweatingtodeathitwassohotandwewerescaredoutofourwitsthatwewouldbecaught.”“WehadaBBgunwithusandwe
shotafewlightsoutsandadingedafewwindows.”IcanjustimagineifthepolicehadshownupatthattimeandcaughttheminthemiddleoftheirlittleendeavorholdingaBBgunandtheBlackBear’shead!Isupposethepolice,notknowingwhatwasgoingonandonlyseeingariflewouldhaveimmediately
pulleddownonthem‐thenandthere.
TheyoungmenranoffputtingtheBear’sheadinthebackofMark’scaranddrovebacktoLee’shousejustasthesunwascomingup.LeeputtheBear’sheadinhisbedroomcloset.LeewasexhaustedandhesleepsinonSaturdaymorning.About10o’clockthenextmorning,Markknocksonthedoor.Mrs.
MilesanswersandtellsMark“Leeisinhisroom.Comeonin.”MarkopensLee’sbedroomdoorandtellsLee“Idon’tthinkthisisasafeplacetokeeptheBear’sheadsoletmetakeitwithme.”Leesays“Thatisfine,Idon’tcare‐Ijustwanttogetsomesleep!”ThatwasthelasttimethatLeesawofthe
actualBear’shead.Hedidhoweverseeaphotoin“TheDecaturDaily”withaDHCstudent,holdingtheBear’sheadinaphoto.
LetusfastforwardtoMondayafternoontotheDecaturHighSchoolcampus.Therumormillhad
alreadycrankedup.RumorwasatDecaturHighSchool,thatsomeonehadtakentheAustinHighSchoolBlackBear’sheadoffandLeewastoblame!LeessaysthatMarkKingapparentlyhadgoneoutshowingtheBear’sheadoff!HehadgonetoapartySaturdaynightatPatHennessy’shousewiththeBear’s
Headinhiscar.Markputsitonhisheadandwalksinthedoor.Whatariotthatmusthavebeen!Hethenhandsitouttothepartygoers.Severalofthemtriediton,dancedaboutandhadagoodbelly‐rippingtimewithit.
AccordingtoPeggyHueyMcKleroy,anAustinHighstudent,shewasawitnesstothefunthatthe
DecaturbunchwerehavingwiththeBear’shead.PeggytellsmeshewasatanotherpartywheretheBear’sheadshowedup.“IwasatCurtisBrannon’shousewithabunchofDecaturHighstudentsandwitnessedthefuntheywerehaving.”Peggysays“IaskedtoborrowDr.Brannon’sphoneandafter
callingseveraloftheguyswhowereinonthetakingofthecannontonoavail,gotJayJenkinsonthephoneandreportedwhatIwasseeing.”
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ThedecapitatedBear’sheadwasproudlydisplayedbyMarkKingforaweekortwo.AccordingtoLee,whenaskedwherehegotit,Mark’sstorywas“LeeMilescutthethingoffandIgotitfromhim!”Lee
exclaims“Hetooknoresponsibilityinhisinvolvementwhatsoever!”
LeetellsmethatonTuesday,thetalkgotbigger,onWednesdayitwasswelteringandbyThursdaytherumormillhadreachedepicproportions.Leewasahero!Leeevenhadajerseymadeupwiththeletters“BEARHUNTER”acrossthebackofhisjerseywhichheworeasheroamedthehallsofDecatur
HighSchool.Soapparentlyheisn’tasinnocentasheproclaims.
JamesMilnerwastheprincipalofDecaturHighSchoolin1977.ItwasThursdayafternoonandLeewassittinginclass.Theintercomblastsout“CanyousendLeeMilesdowntotheprincipal’soffice?”Everyonestoodupandclappedtheirhandstogether,accordingtoLee.OffLeegoesdragginghisheels
makinghiswaytothedreadedencounterwiththeprincipal.Leesays“Ihadbeensuspendedsomanytimesitwasn’tfunny,butthistimeitwasserious.”Leewalksintotheprincipal’soffice.TherewasMr.MilnersittingtherewithtwoofDecatur’sfinest.Mr.Milnersaid“Lee,Iwantyoutobeveryclearwith
thesegentlemenandIwantyoutotellthemexactlywhathappened.”SoLeeexplainedexactlywhathappeneddowntothelastdetail.TheDecaturpoliceofficersstoodindisbelief.Theysaid,“Areyousureofwhatyouaresaying?’Theywereastonishedbyhishonesty.Leesaid“Youaskedmetotellyou
thetruth,whatmoredoyouwantmetosay?”“It’sthetruth!
Leewasdismissedandwenthome.At7:00thatnight,therewasaknockonthedooroftheMileshousein Southeast Decatur. It was two officers from the Decatur Police Department. They introducedthemselvestoMrs.Miles.TheysaidtheyweretheretoissueanarrestforLee’sinvolvementintheBear
head’sdecapitationandthebreakinatAustinHighSchool.Leesayshegot“threeweekendsinJuvenileDetention”inHartselle,Alabamaandhadtopaya$250.00fine.Healsohadtopayrestitutionforthe
fiberglass repairneededtoput theBear’sheadbackon. Leesays thatoneof thekindpoliceofficersknewalittleaboutfiberglassrepairandofferedtohelpdothejob.
Lee says “It was a life changing event for me that is for sure!” Lee Miles now lives in the DenverColoradoarea.Leestatesthateveninthecourtoflaw,Markrefusedtotakeanyresponsibilityinthe
incidentthereforetheyarenotonthebestofterms.Inhindsight,Leeconfesses,“IreallywishwehadthrownthedarnBear’sheadoffthebridge!”
Mr. Bearl Whitsett former Austin principal recalls it being a big shock, in a Decatur Daily article.Whitsettsaidthebeast’stonguehadbeenpreviouslycutout,butnothingpreparedhimfortheghastly
sight.“Hewasafunny‐lookingthing.Wewalkedinonedayandtherehestood–abearwithnohead.”Whitsett said it appeared that the culprit had rolled the bear on hiswooden platform from the gymfoyertothebackdoor, intendingtostealthemascot. “Hecouldn’tgetitthroughthedoorbecauseit
hadoneofthosedividers,sohejustcuttheheadoff.”
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BearlWhitsett9/19/2008PhototakenbyDavidHendriks
Thebear’sheadeventuallywasputbackontheAustinHighschool’slifesizedfiberglass,BlackBear.TothisdayitstandsinthefoyerofAustin’sAuditorium,minustherollingplatform.
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Ifyouhappentogetachancetoseethisbigfellow,besuretolookaroundtheneckforthefiberglasssurgerythatwasperformedputtinghisheadbackon!
OvertheyearstheBlackBearhehashadhistonguecutout,someofhisteethpulledout,itsheadcut
offandsufferedotherindignitiesaswellasseenmanytriumphs.
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TheBruin–1982–Page31
WhateverbecameoftheHighSchoolanchormanyofmyAHSclassmatesasked?
Studentsoftengatheredaroundtheoldanchorforconversationsandphotographs.ItsatinthemiddleofAustinHighSchool’scampus.ItwaspaintedAustin’scolors–BlackandOrange.
TheAustinHighSchool“Bruin”Yearbooksfrom1975through1978
arefilledwithpicturesofstudentsgatheredaroundandontopoftheoldNavyAnchor.
Althoughitwaspaintedmanytimes,Icansafelysayitwasneverstolen.WhatIcan’tsayisthatnooneeverattemptedtostealit.Apparentlysomeonedidonenight.Accordingtosourcesthevillainsinthis
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case,backedtheircaruptotheanchorandtiedaratherlargechainaroundtheirbumpertotheAustinanchor.“Allrightnow‐giveitalittlepull,”iswhatIimaginethepranksterssaidtothedriver.That
didn’tachievetheirresults.Icanhearthemnow,“Backupafewfeetandgiveitalittleslack!Ok,ready,nowstomponit!”Icanjustseeitnow.Thedrivergavethemightyanchoramightytug!
ComingtoschoolthenextmorningthestaffandstudentsatAustinwereamusedtofindtheirAnchorwithachaintiedtothebumperofacar.Themightyanchornotonlyweighed5,000poundsitwas
weldedintotheconcreteground!Itisreportedbyanaccuratesourcethateachlinkintheanchor’schainweighed110pounds.Iwouldlovetoknowwhowasbehindthatlittleadventureandheartheirsideofthestory.
YesindeedtheironboatanchorbelongingtotheNavywaspaintedmanyatimebutitwasneverhauled
offandthrownintotheTennesseeRiver!Sothequestionremains,whereistheanchor?
ManystudentsatAustinHighSchoolrememberCommanderHatton.AfterheleftAustinin1979,hetaughtatHeadlandHighSchoolinHeadlandAlabama.
AccordingtoWilliamC.HattonJr.“IntheSummerof1979mydadhadtheNationalGuardpickuptheanchoranditwasstoredattheArmoryontheBeltlineuntilhearrangedforahelicopterfromFortRucker(TrainingMission)toswingbyandpickitupanddeliverittoHeadlandInternationalAirport.It
wasloadedonaflatbedtrailerandasyourpictureshowsitissittinginfrontofHeadlandHighSchool.
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“HedidthiswithoutpermissionfromanyoneatAHS.ButitwasstillUSNavypropertyandtheschool
couldnotstopitfrombeingmoved.HedidnotseeeyetoeyewithcertainpeopleorpersonifyouknowwhatImean.Dadpassedawayin2003.”
RonnieMorgan(AHSClassof1978)reportedtomethattheNavyanchorhasjustrecentlybeenmovedinSeptember2010toRehobethHighSchoolinDothanAlabama.
KellerBridgeDemolition.
Inthesummerof1998theKellerMemorialBridgewasattheendofitslifespan,havingbeingopenedin1928.
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ThebeautifulstructurehadlongbeenafixtureoftheDecaturCommunity.ItwasbeingforcedouttomakewayforthenewbridgethatwasbeingbuiltacrosstheTennesseeRiverinDecaturinthenameof
progress. Thebargesand tugs thatworked themightyTennesseehadoften collidedwith thebridgetryingtomaketheirwaythroughthenarrowdrawbridgeopening. Ipersonallysawthescarsofsuchaccidents from the water level. I love the Tennessee River and I loved this old bridge and often
wonderedofthestoriesshecouldtell.
Iwasgivena love for theriver frommyfather, JohnHendriksandhetoo fromhis fatherLouisVictorHendriksoftencalled“Skipper”byhis friends, forhis loveof theOuachitaRiverandhismanycustommadeboatsCamdenArkansas.Thisisaphotographtakenin1924ofmygrandfatherandtheair‐boat
hemade.
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Mygrandfather claimed itwas the secondboatof its kindevermade. He saw the firstone inBatonRougeLouisianaandhecamebacktoCamdenArkansasandmadehisownfrommemory.Iremember
sittingonGrandpasknee.Hesaiditwouldgoabout75milesperhouracrossthewater.“Icamearoundabendintheriverreallyfastandgoingside‐ways.Itscaredthepeoplescrubbingtheirclothesonthewashboard somuch that they threw their clothes in the air and ran off screaming “Jesus, is coming,
Jesusiscoming!”IrememberGrandpachucklingaboutthisandmetooashetickledme.
Icouldn’twaitformyDadtocomehomefromhisjobatRedstoneArsenalbecausewewouldtakeofftotheTennesseeRiver.ManytimeswewouldclimbthespiresoftheKellerMemorialBridgetojumpoffintotheriver.Oftentimeswewouldsitdirectlyunderthedrawbridgeandjustwatchandlistentothe
carshumacrossthedrawbridgesectionsabove.Ithadadistinctsoundthatrefusestobeerasedfrommymemory.Manytimeswewatchedasthetowboatcaptainofthe“MaryEthel”maneuveredhisbargesbetweentheKellerBridgeandtherailroadtrackswhichwouldspinaroundonitsaxis.
The Port of Decatur's Mary Ethel towboat pushes barges up and down the Tennessee River. Mary Ethel, a twin screw push boat with 800 horsepower, was built in 1971.
Butupontopofthe“Kellerbridge”theautomobiledriverswouldhavetowaitforuptoahalfhourforallthetraffictoclearoncethedrawbridgewaslowered.TothecitizensofDecaturitwasjustparfor
thecourseandapartofourlives.Itwasaslowerpacedbackthen.Noinstantcommunicationsviacellphones. Itwasa time togetoutof thecarand justwatchwhatwasgoingonand talk to the fellowonlookers.
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Phototaken1978byDavidHendriks
ManycivicmindedcitizensdidnotwanttheKellerbridgetobecompletelydestroyed.Attemptsweremadetokeepitpartiallyintactsothatvisitorscouldwalkthebridge.Proposalswereofferedtosetupshopsalongthebridgetopromotetourismandothercommercialinterests.Effortsweremadetosave
the bridge from destruction but to no avail. It would cost too much to maintain the old “KellerMemorialBridge”andnoneofthemoneythatwasbudgetedtodemolishthebridgecouldbeobtainedforfutureuses.Theoldbridgewasdoomedandhadtocomedown.Itwastakendowninstageswith
dynamite blasts that took down sections at a time. It was carefully orchestrated with manyenvironmentalconcernsaswell.
AnarticleappearedinTheDecaturDailyonSaturdaymorning,July11,1998.
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Thispublicitysetoffafirestormofinterestinthestoryofthiscannonfind.ManycitizensofDecaturAlabamahadtheirownstoryaboutthecannonfoundatthebottomoftheTennesseeRiver.TheDecaturDailywasinundatedwithphonecallseachwiththeirownstoryofthecannonfoundatthe
bottomoftheriver.WasitacivilwarrelictossedintotherivertokeepitoutofthehandsofadvancingUnionforces?Orcouldthisbethesamecannonthatwastossedoffthebridgebackin1977?TheDecaturDailyfollowedupwithafewmorearticles.
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In this article thewriterKarenMiddleton says that the takingof the cannonwas in retaliationof theBear’sheadbeingdecapitated.Thatiswrong.Itwastheotherwayaround.Thearticlealsoreportsthat
theyfoundthecannon150feetfromtheKellerMemorialBridge.IfindeedtheydiscoveredacannoninthatareathenitwouldnotbethecannontossedoffthebridgethatnightonNovember3rd1977.Butwiththesecuritybeingsotightatthetime,Ihavewonderedifperhapstheysaidthis,tothrowthescent
offthetrail.Acivilwarcannonwasestimatedtobeworth$20,000to$50,000.TheofficialsofDecaturdidn’twantanyonedivingaroundlookingforspoilsandbesidesthattheMayorofDecaturhadalreadylaidclaimtothecannon.Certainlythecannonthrownoffthebridgethatnightin1977wouldnothave
drifted two feetafterhitting thewaterand itwouldhavesatexactlywhere it landed. Noamountofcurrentwouldhavepusheditanywhere.
Still another article appears that says “4 cannons believed sightedunder historic Keller bridge.” Thisonlyaddedfueltothefire.
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Indeedtheplotthickens.Thearticleabovewasneversubstantiated.JoeHollisisnowdeceased.Therewerenofollowuparticlesconcerningthecannonoranyothercannonsbeingraisedfromtheriver.Thequestionremains–“Whereisthecannonat?”
RobertParhamistheownerofthe“BlueandGrayMuseum”onBankStreetandaDHSClassof1966.
http://www.rparhamsrelics.com/Mr.ParhamisconsideredanexpertonCivilWarhistoryinthecityofDecatur.
Robert has heard the story of the DHS cannon barrel being tossed into the river many times. IinterviewedMr.Parhamathisshopandhesaid.“Certainly if therewereanyCivilWarCannonat the
bottomoftheriver,itwouldhavebeenraised!”“Itwouldhavetakenmanypermitsandauthorizationsfromstateandfederalagenciesbutitwouldhavebeenbroughttothesurface.”Mr.Parhamcontinues.
“If it was the old Decatur High cannon it would have been recovered by now.” Robert is not tooconvincedthatitwasevertossedintheriverinthefirstplaceinthefirstplace.
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Mr.ParhamrecallstalkingtotheBridgeLifttender,CoyClem,andhetoldmeheneversawathing!Mr.ClempassedawaySeptember19,2010attheageof87afterservingmanyyearswiththeDecaturDixie
YouthandtheBoysClub.
Robertrecalls thetimewhentheKellerBridgewasbeingbroughtdown. Hesaidtherewasafloatingplatformthatthediver’susedastheirbasestation.Robertsaid“Thediverswereatleast150feetwestof theKellerMemorialBridgeworking in thatarea.” Hecarefullydescribedthestoryandwitnesses
whocanattesttothisfact.“Thereisnowayacannontossedoffthebridgecouldhavedriftedthatfar!”I concurred with him. But I suggested “What if the divers were doing something else that day likerelocating mussels and not looking for the cannon?” I don’t think they were over the sight of the
Decatur High School cannon or anywhere close. I wondered to myself, if the DHS cannon werediscovered,whywasn’titbroughtup?
The storyof the cannon continues to this day. Over the yearspeople continue to ask “Where is thecannonnow?”Theanswercomesintwoparts.
Part A ‐ The barrel to the cannon is still at the bottom of the Tennessee River, sleeping with the
whiskeredcatfish.
PartB‐Thecaisson,wheelsandaxlessatunattendedhiddenawayunderthebleachersatOglestadiumsolongthatonlythepersonknewwhereitwas,wasthepersonwhoputitthere!
“Iguessitwasaround2005orso”explainsJohnGodwin–ClassofDHS1979.“Iwashelpingteardownafloatthathadbeeninthehomecomingparadethedaybefore. Nobodyhadheardfromthecannon
foryearsandIwasreminiscingaboutthecannon.Iwastellingthestoryofthecannonandwonderingaloudaboutwhereitcouldbe.”IwasoverheardbyMitchWarren.Mitchwasinchargeofmaintenanceat Decatur High School and he said “I know exactly where it is!” He led John deep beneath of the
structureoftheOgleStadiumbleachers.Johnisquoted“Itwasinaroom,behindaroom,behindtheAustinHighSchool’s lockerroom. Therewasa littleopening inthewallandMitchshineda flashlight
backsomefiftyfeetwherewecouldseethewheelofthecannon.”
JohnGodwinwasveryexcitedtoseethecannoncarriage!Hisexcitementturnedtoapersonalinterestinseeingthecannonrestoredto“itsglorydays”andJohnsetsaboutdoingjustthat.Johnsaid“Icalledupabouttenofmyoldfriendsandwegototheball field justbeforeaDecaturfootballgame.” “We
managed to move things around and brought the old cannon outside where is caused quite a stiramongstthefootballplayers.CoachAdkinswasnotpleasedwithmyactionsthatnightbecauseitwastakingthefocusofftheballgame!”
But Johnwasonamission. Hemetwith theprincipalofDHS,MikeWardand the superintendentof
education,SamHoustonandtheDecaturFireMarshall.WhytheFireMarshallyouask?Becauseifyouaregoingtofireacannonfullofgunpowderafter“nine‐eleven”,youhadbettermakesureyouhavethelawonyourside.Imaginethefussandcommotiontherewouldbeamongsttheneighbors,including
Decatur General Hospital just across the street from the stadium. You wouldn’t want to cause aproblemwiththepatientsinintensivecarewouldyou?
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Decatur High School enlisted the help of Robert Slack former History teacher and current VocationteacheratDecaturHighSchool.Hereturnedthecannontoitsformerglory.EveryFridaynightatthe
Decatur High home football games,Mr. Slack and his assistant, with the help of a golf cart, roll thecannonbacktoaspotintheNorthwestcornerofthefieldatOgleStadium.
September3,2010–RobertSlack–KeeperoftheCannon–DecaturHighSchool–OgleStadium.
AsIinterviewedRobertonFridaynight,September3rd,2010,Iwasexcitedtoseethecannonupclose.ImarveledatthejobhehaddonerestoringthereproductionCivilWarCannon.Imadementionthatthebarrelisnolongerheldbystrapstothetrunnionplate.Robertsaid,“No,Imadecertainitwasn’tgoing
anywherethistime!”Indeeditisnot,asitisweldedtothecarriageandforanothergoodreasontoo,itpacksamightymeanpunch!
Roberthaddonehisresearchwell,backin2005.Hefoundtheplacewhereithadbeenoriginallypurchasedinthefallof1964.DixieGunWorksofUnionCityTennesseeisstillinbusinesstoday.
www.dixiegunworks.com“IwasabletoordertheexactsamereplicabarrelthattheRedRaiderscannonhadonitoriginally.”Robertcontinues.“Whenwegotthecannonitwasamess.Severalofthewoodenspindleswerecrackedandmissingwhenwefoundit.”Hepointedoutseveralofthespindleshehad
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madeintheVocationalEducationshoptomeaswewalkedaroundit.“Ithadbeenpaintedallkindsofdifferentcolorsovertheyearsnodoubtbyopposingteams.”heoffereduptotheauthorofthisarticle.
JohnGodwinsaystheywerehopingtoblastthecannonoffatthefirstgameoftheyearin2006but
thingsweredelayedabit.Robertrecallsthefirsttimehefiredthecannonoffataballgame.Wehadagreedwiththecoacheswhentoshootoffthecannon.”Thefootballteamgatheredupbehindthegoalpostsinthenorthendzone.CoachAdkinstoldhisteam“Whenyouhearthecannon‐chargethrough
thepaperbannerthatthecheerleadershaveacrossthegoalposts.”Theboysweregatheredaround,pumpingthemselves,highfivingandchestbumpingintheair,whensuddenlyfromoutofnowhereit
seemed,“BOOM”.
Notexpectinganythinglikethatthey“BoysofFall”hunkereddowntothegroundwiththeirelbowsintheair,explainedMr.Slack.Theydidn’tknowwhathadhappenedbutaftertheyregainedtheircomposuretheyburstthroughthebanner,thusrenewingthetraditionatDecaturHighSchool.
Howevernowitisnotblastedaftereachtouchdownbutatthebeginningofeachgameandsometimesattheendofthegame.
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September3,2010–Photograph–DavidHendriks
JohnGodwindoestheradiobroadcastsofthelivefootballgame.“RightbeforeIheartheblastfrom
thecannon,theairisliterallysuckedoutofthepressbox,then“BOOM”.”EventhoughIam
somewhatexpectingitthesedaysitstillcausesmetojump.”Anobservationsharedbymany!
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RobertSlackhasheardandseenitall.“LastyearwehadaDecaturPoliceofficerwhohadbeenstationedinDesertStorm,drawhisweaponandhitthegroundonhisbelly!”“Don’tshoot,it’sonly
me!”Mr.Slacksaid“AnelderlygentlemanstandingoverhereontheDecatursidelinewethispantsandhadtogohomeandchange”.IaskedRobert,“Justhowmuchgunpowderdoyouputinthecannon?”Hesaidthathestartedoffputtingalittleinatatimeasheexperimented.“OverthepastfewyearsI’ve
experimentedwithanywherefromtwoouncesofgunpowdertofiveounces.”Ok,Iask,“Howmuchdoyouusenow?“Fiveounces!”Hereplied.“Holysmoke!”Iexclaimed.“That’sthestuffthatlegendsaremadefrom!”
Thestorieswillgoonandonaswelltheyshould.Butnowweknowthetruestoryofthe“TheCannon&
theBear.”Fiction,Fact,FolkloreorFable?Youdecide!
DavidHendriks–September3,2010