Newspaper article:Creston Cannon 1812 DR16May1967 p10 - The Daily Record May 16 1967
- Article title
- 1812 Cannon On Creston Square Is Also Center Of Modern Day 'Battle'
- Newspaper title
- The Daily Record
- Date of publication
- 1967/05/16
- Page number
- 10
- Industry
- Public Administration > City and County Administration
- Information > Libraries and Archives
Full text
"1812 Cannon On Creston Square Is Also Center Of Modern Day 'Battle'. CRESTON -- Wooster isn't the only town wondering whether "to keep or not to keep" its cannon on the public square.
Creston is having discussions, too, about the piece of battle equipment which has been at its main intersection for more than 75 years.
Faye Grunder, a member of the Wayne County's library staff, found a clipping from the new defunct Creston Journal printed June 18, 1913 with a tale of "The Little Old Cannon."
Miss Grunder remembers the late W. I. McGlennan, know affectionately as "Mr. Creston" and even, "Mr. Canaan Township" for many years, was the one credited largely with saving the little Creston Cannon.
It stood in front of the bandstand which has now been replaced by the public library in the village. The cannon, she recalls, provided a good backdrop for camera fans, youngsters learned it was an ideal spot on which to stand to watch parades and more than once, the kids hid behind the cannon to pelt unsuspecting friends who walked by.
Here is the story printed in the Creston weekly more than a half century ago: THE LITTLE OLD CANNON "Few in Creston realize that we have a relic here."
"The old cannon which stands on the lawn in front of the council chamber has quite a history, and as this is the year when the Perry Centennial will be celebrated it is now the proper time to give as much of this history as can be obtained.
"In the first place the peaceful looking little iron cannon which now stands on a pile of concrete, at one time, many years ago, belched forth charges of grape and canister and mowed down men by the score. Whether it is a British or American gun cannot be ascertained, but that it was used in Perry's famous battle on Lake Erie is certain. The story of how Creston obtained this cannon is as follows:
"About 41 or 42 years ago James Boyce was a druggist in Seville, and while in Cleveland one day went to visit a friend of his. This friend operated a dredge, and at the time was working with a gang dredging for the old Cleveland water works crib. This friend invited Mr. Boyce to go out and watch the work.
"During the course of the day the dredge came up bearing the cannon, and it was of such odd shape the men around began to speculate on it, and finally decided that it was a cannon off from Perry's Fleet. Mr. Boyce promptly offered to buy it, and after a short time the bargain was made and the cannon was shipped to Seville where it was mounted on wheels.
"For many years this cannon was used at Fourth of July celebrations, election nights, etc. and many time different persons tried to steal it and carry it away, but as far as is known only once were the thieves successful, and at that time the cannon was traced to West Salem and brought back.
"When Mr. Bryce died the cannon was sold by his widow to Captain Wheeler who brought it to Creston, where he later sold it to J. H. Smith. When A. C. Whonsetler bought the hardware story of Mr. Smith, the cannon was invoiced with the stock and once more changed hands.
"For a number of years the old cannon rested in the basement of the hardware store, and then council, mayor and clerk went together and bought it for the town.
"This short history is given so that when Creston people read and hear of things at the Perry Centennial, they can look at our own little cannon and think what it has gone through."
