The Cannon
Still thinking about stories of our hometown. Let’s just say this is about two boys that grew up in Grabill. The second reminded me of a story, which triggered half dozen more, so perhaps I’ll try to include two stories.
They were a year and a half apart and as thick as thieves. The oldest was probably the instigator, but the second was right behind him. This was the story the second was talking about. They were both smart, and I think sometimes got away with things that others would get punished for.
The boys were courteous to people and I think the teachers enjoyed having them. The oldest got the idea to make a real cannon. He drew up extensive plans, bought a solid steel cylinder about 2 inches in diameter from somewhere, and took them to a grade school buddy of mine that had a machine shop.
My buddy showed him how to turn the lathe on and was there to answer questions. The finished product was beautiful. They had a friend that owned a chrome factory and it is a truly beautiful piece. The carriage is made of black walnut. It is small enough for one person to carry but quite heavy. It is a bit over 2 ft long, with a 3/4-in bore and a bit over 2 inch in diameter.
They pour a couple inches of black powder, stuff the rest of it with paper, and there is a small hole for a fuse a foot long. The boom can be heard from quite a distance. He took it to school and on an inclement day the shop teacher let him set it off inside the building. It knocked every nail and screw off the shelves and created a dust where you couldn’t see anyone. It also shook about half the school.
The boys went through a phase of making bombs out of black powder. Simply crimping the ends of a 3/4 in copper pipe, and a small hole for the fuse. One day mama came home and the house was filled with smoke. No one ever confessed to this day what had happened.
One beautiful Sunday afternoon my wife had her relation over for a gathering, and we decided that the canon would be the afternoon entertainment. Well, we all gathered around for the suspicious occasion. We all stood back as the fuse was lit. Now I need to tell you that the mayors front porch is directly across the street from our back yard. The cannon went off and the mayor shot out of the front door like he had gun powder up his rear end. We all stood there dumbfounded as the mayor yelled something in Low German that sounded pretty bad. Well so much for the canon experience. The boys still have that cannon and use it for rare occasions.
They both had paper routes and I think everyone in town took, “The News Sentinel.” I think they pretty well covered the entire town with two routes, and pity the guy that didn’t take a paper. I can recall all sorts of adventures these boys did and perhaps I’ll try to include a couple more of them.
—James Neuhouse
