THE CANNONS OF THE COURTHOUSE LAWN

The large cannon is from the Civil War and was presented in 1900 by the Steele Bros. Post, G.A.R. #441 to the citizens of Ingham County for those who fought in the War between the States.

The small cannon is from Company F, 31st Infantry of the Michigan National Guard and has a unique history. In April of 1898, Company F left Mason for Nashville, then Georgia for training, and then to Rodrigo, Cuba during the Spanish American War. Troops then were at Rembios, Cuba where they did some fighting and also helped the villagers restore the buildings and roads in the area. When their job was finished and Commandore Dewey had destroyed the entire Spanish Fleet in Manila Bay, they were told to return home. The Cubans wanted to give them something to remember them by, but they were very poor and did not have much. They did not want the Americans to leave without a souvenier. In the mountains were some old cannons that were used to keep the pirates and enemies away from shore. The gave the company one of these cannons and cannon balls to take home. This 3 pound parrott gun and 40 cannon balls were sent to the Steel Bros. G.A.R. Post then later placed on the Courthouse lawn. The inscription reads:

                              "Company F. 31 Mich Vol presented by the
                                   citizens of Rembios Cuba 1898-1899."


To end this story, the cannon balls do not fit either cannon.

FINALE

As we finish the tour, the Golden Eagle is watching you leave this Historical Site. The eagle on top of the building is three feet tall and has a wingspan of over three feet. Purchased from a traveling salesman, taxpayers from around the county were outraged by this extravagant use of their taxes. A month later during a storm, it blew off and was put into storage. Years went by and a man doing odd jobs around the Courthouse found it in the basement and asked if he could repair it and put it back on top of the dome. Henry Verhelst and his son, using block and tackle replaced the golden eagle weathervane back to its place in history. A photograph of the eagle being held by his son can be seen in the museum.