Los Angeles Daily Herald

A Cannon with a History.

The attention of the public was considerably aroused yesterday by the exhibition of a ten or twelve foot long cannon, which was hauled up on Third street to be put in order for use on the Fourth of July. This rusty old piece of ordinance has quite a history, having doubtless been cast in Spain long before any of the present generation saw the light of day. Mr. A. S. Beard, an old resident of Los Angeles, informs us that it was discovered on the site of the old fort in Los Angeles, the rains having washed away the dirt under which it was buried by the Mexicans, doubtless to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Americans. It was used in Los Angeles to fire a salute on the occasion of the election of Franklin Pierce to the presidency in 1852. Some time afterward an incident occurred at a ball given by one of the leading citizens of Los Angeles, which resulted in this same cannon being dragged up in front of the house where the ball was going on, and fired off to cause a disturbance of the festivities, so to speak. A fight followed which resulted in the death of three or four persons. The next appearance of the old thunderer is said to have taken place in this city at a time when a conflict between the United States authorities and early Mormon settlers seemed imminent. The representatives of the United States are said to have double shotted the grim looking weapon, a proceeding which was checkmated by some of the other side driving a rat-tail file into the vent, thus effectually spiking it. It is said it was then thrown into a well where it has remained, thence to be brought forth to salute the beginning of our second century's existence as a nation. May it serve the Occasion well, and never be used for any more warlike or less pleasant purposes.-San Bernardino Times.