John Deering who was principal of Highlands at the time wrote the following article as to the history of the cannon. Thought it might be interesting given the recent events, debate, and the fact that we have probably seen the last of it.

 

Keep in mind that this was written prior to last Friday's accident.

 

 

 

Where Did Olde Betsy Come from Anyhow?

 

By John Deering

 

 

 

“Mr. Deering, maybe we should have checked with you first, but Boonie is on his way to Tennessee to buy a canon!” This was the way I, the principal, found out Highlands High School was going to have a canon to announce to Fort Thomas and the rest of the civilized world every home football touchdown from that moment to perpetuity. “Doc” Waite had obviously been selected to be the spokesman to inform me that “just what Highlands needs is a canon.” And who was “Boonie”? It is Boonie Fennell, a partner in this kind of wonderful conspiracy. (Did I suspect that this was a put-up job? Naw, of course, not! Not from Doc and Boonie!)

 

“Why is he going to buy a canon, Doc?” I naively responded.

 

“Well, some of us thought it would be nice to fire a canon every time the boys make a touchdown here at home. Do you mind?”

 

“No, I don’t mind, but I don’t know how Harold [Miller, the superintendent] and the board of education might ‘mind.’” Of course, by this time, Boonie and Gloria were indeed on their way to the Dixie Gun Works in Union, Tennessee, to buy a canon; and in that day of no cell phones, there was no way to recall them anyway. Of course, I suppose we could have said, “Take it back where you got it,” but it was soon apparent we were destined to have a canon. And it has been fun to have ever since. When they had returned with the canon, it was put into service immediately; and as everyone in town knows, it has been in constant service ever since. That was the football season of the 1968-69 school year. Mike Murphy was the head coach; and whether he knew of the “conspiracy of the canon,” I really don’t remember, but I’d not be surprised if he did know. That was a great football season, but then when have we not had a great football season? Of course, it goes without saying to lose a game or two is some kind of disaster in Fort Thomas, and we’ll have to “rebuild.” But somehow we have always survived whenever that has happened. (Yes, it’s been known to happen, but not often!)

 

Well, we used the canon all that undefeated season, and it came time for the playoffs and we were to meet the Paul Blazer High School team in Ashland and the question I should have anticipated was, “May we take the canon to Ashland?” It was commonly and universally known that we were going to beat Paul Blazer High School quite handily, and to take the canon there presented a problem to me personally. Principals do get to know each other and have to work together usually through athletics. Therefore, I knew the principal there and this one, Clyde Hunsinger, was a particularly nice fellow; so I said, “No, we’ll not take ‘Olde Betsy’ there.” I felt that blasting a canon into the faces – figuratively, anyway – of the enthusiastic Ashland fans would not be the thing to do. This did not set will with the men of the “conspiracy,” but they were both patient and understanding. Well, we did beat Blazer very soundly and then we were headed for Lexington and the playoffs. Again, there was the question, “May we take ‘Olde Betsy’?”

 

I said, “I’ll call Ted Sanford [the commissioner of athletics] and see if I can get permission to bring her since it is on a neutral field.” Mr. Sandford laughed as he gave us permission since he had already heard of “Olde Betsey.” As a matter of fact, I think he rather enjoyed the idea of having a canon there.

 

Boonie agreed to take her in a trailer towed by his station wagon; so with a supply of gunpowder, he, Gloria, the children, and their mothers were off to Lexington. Now, you may not be surprised to know the arrival of a canon in Lexington did not go unnoticed by a reasonably curious policeman. Boonie, the station wagon, everybody inside, and the canon were indeed stopped on their way into Stoll Field. “Just where do you think you are going with this canon?” asked this naturally inquisitive policeman. Anyone has to admit that was an appropriate question.

 

“To the football game,” answered Boonie, but for reasons known only to the policeman, he wanted more details.

 

“What football game and what are you going to do with it once you get it there?”

 

“Well, we’ll fire it whenever the boys make a touchdown.’

 

“Where you from?” he asked, ignoring the fact that he was ending that question with a preposition.

 

“Highlands.”

 

“Ye gads, you’ll be firing that thing all evening!” he replied. Yea, that policeman was not only curious, but prophetic because that’s exactly what happened. Well, to make a short story even shorter and to remember it was years before the insanity of terrorists became “popular,” Boonie was verified as sane and not bent on the destruction of Lexington and the surrounding environment. Of course, having women and children in the car helped prove he was not a terrorist. Not many who are bent on destruction are likely to take their families on such an endeavor; (at least not then) so they got the canon inside the stadium.

 

Well, we had the canon for the game and each time the boys made a touchdown, ‘Olde Betsy” let the world know of our boys’ athletic prowess and talent of winning the championship for 1968.

 

It was a grand day when Doc Waite came into the office feigning innocence about buying “Olde Betsy” because she has been a team member ever since. In fact, in May when we had the groundbreaking ceremony for all the new and great Phase One construction, Olde Betsy was there to tell the world the news: “…But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell…the heavens shall bruit again, Re-speaking earthly thunder…”

 

The “firing squad” announcing to Fort Thomas, the heavens, and the world that our boys have made another touchdown is Troy Kramer, Mick Abner, Charlie Kemplin, Steve Roller, Jim Abner, and Bill Johnson. Fire away, boys!

 

Long live “Olde Betsy”!

Thanks for that walk down history lane, that was my first State Championship game I ever went to!!

My Grandmother has the story of the cannon hanging in a frame in her spare bedroom! It has been hanging in the house as long as I can remember! I just love the Tradition that Highlands has and can't wait to have a son and or daughter to become Cake eaters! Our Family tradition at Highlands goes back 43 years, when my grandmother started working in the Bird Rock Cafe! Back then they were known as the Bird Feeders! My Grandfather ran the scoreboard for many years until he passed away in 1990. Even with him gone, my grandmother still attends ALL football games, she has watched 2 grandson's shine on winning teams 89' state champions and the 95' runner ups, she is now is watching her oldest, coach the team of Champions! May the Highlands Tradition live on! GO BIRDS!

John Deering who was principal of Highlands at the time wrote the following article as to the history of the cannon. Thought it might be interesting given the recent events, debate, and the fact that we have probably seen the last of it.

 

Keep in mind that this was written prior to last Friday's accident.

 

 

 

Where Did Olde Betsy Come from Anyhow?

 

By John Deering

 

 

 

“Mr. Deering, maybe we should have checked with you first, but Boonie is on his way to Tennessee to buy a canon!” This was the way I, the principal, found out Highlands High School was going to have a canon to announce to Fort Thomas and the rest of the civilized world every home football touchdown from that moment to perpetuity. “Doc” Waite had obviously been selected to be the spokesman to inform me that “just what Highlands needs is a canon.” And who was “Boonie”? It is Boonie Fennell, a partner in this kind of wonderful conspiracy. (Did I suspect that this was a put-up job? Naw, of course, not! Not from Doc and Boonie!)

 

“Why is he going to buy a canon, Doc?” I naively responded.

 

“Well, some of us thought it would be nice to fire a canon every time the boys make a touchdown here at home. Do you mind?”

 

“No, I don’t mind, but I don’t know how Harold [Miller, the superintendent] and the board of education might ‘mind.’” Of course, by this time, Boonie and Gloria were indeed on their way to the Dixie Gun Works in Union, Tennessee, to buy a canon; and in that day of no cell phones, there was no way to recall them anyway. Of course, I suppose we could have said, “Take it back where you got it,” but it was soon apparent we were destined to have a canon. And it has been fun to have ever since. When they had returned with the canon, it was put into service immediately; and as everyone in town knows, it has been in constant service ever since. That was the football season of the 1968-69 school year. Mike Murphy was the head coach; and whether he knew of the “conspiracy of the canon,” I really don’t remember, but I’d not be surprised if he did know. That was a great football season, but then when have we not had a great football season? Of course, it goes without saying to lose a game or two is some kind of disaster in Fort Thomas, and we’ll have to “rebuild.” But somehow we have always survived whenever that has happened. (Yes, it’s been known to happen, but not often!)

 

Well, we used the canon all that undefeated season, and it came time for the playoffs and we were to meet the Paul Blazer High School team in Ashland and the question I should have anticipated was, “May we take the canon to Ashland?” It was commonly and universally known that we were going to beat Paul Blazer High School quite handily, and to take the canon there presented a problem to me personally. Principals do get to know each other and have to work together usually through athletics. Therefore, I knew the principal there and this one, Clyde Hunsinger, was a particularly nice fellow; so I said, “No, we’ll not take ‘Olde Betsy’ there.” I felt that blasting a canon into the faces – figuratively, anyway – of the enthusiastic Ashland fans would not be the thing to do. This did not set will with the men of the “conspiracy,” but they were both patient and understanding. Well, we did beat Blazer very soundly and then we were headed for Lexington and the playoffs. Again, there was the question, “May we take ‘Olde Betsy’?”

 

I said, “I’ll call Ted Sanford [the commissioner of athletics] and see if I can get permission to bring her since it is on a neutral field.” Mr. Sandford laughed as he gave us permission since he had already heard of “Olde Betsey.” As a matter of fact, I think he rather enjoyed the idea of having a canon there.

 

Boonie agreed to take her in a trailer towed by his station wagon; so with a supply of gunpowder, he, Gloria, the children, and their mothers were off to Lexington. Now, you may not be surprised to know the arrival of a canon in Lexington did not go unnoticed by a reasonably curious policeman. Boonie, the station wagon, everybody inside, and the canon were indeed stopped on their way into Stoll Field. “Just where do you think you are going with this canon?” asked this naturally inquisitive policeman. Anyone has to admit that was an appropriate question.

 

“To the football game,” answered Boonie, but for reasons known only to the policeman, he wanted more details.

 

“What football game and what are you going to do with it once you get it there?”

 

“Well, we’ll fire it whenever the boys make a touchdown.’

 

“Where you from?” he asked, ignoring the fact that he was ending that question with a preposition.

 

“Highlands.”

 

“Ye gads, you’ll be firing that thing all evening!” he replied. Yea, that policeman was not only curious, but prophetic because that’s exactly what happened. Well, to make a short story even shorter and to remember it was years before the insanity of terrorists became “popular,” Boonie was verified as sane and not bent on the destruction of Lexington and the surrounding environment. Of course, having women and children in the car helped prove he was not a terrorist. Not many who are bent on destruction are likely to take their families on such an endeavor; (at least not then) so they got the canon inside the stadium.

 

Well, we had the canon for the game and each time the boys made a touchdown, ‘Olde Betsy” let the world know of our boys’ athletic prowess and talent of winning the championship for 1968.

 

It was a grand day when Doc Waite came into the office feigning innocence about buying “Olde Betsy” because she has been a team member ever since. In fact, in May when we had the groundbreaking ceremony for all the new and great Phase One construction, Olde Betsy was there to tell the world the news: “…But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell…the heavens shall bruit again, Re-speaking earthly thunder…”

 

The “firing squad” announcing to Fort Thomas, the heavens, and the world that our boys have made another touchdown is Troy Kramer, Mick Abner, Charlie Kemplin, Steve Roller, Jim Abner, and Bill Johnson. Fire away, boys!

 

Long live “Olde Betsy”!

 

Thanks for sharing this Oldbird. I always admired John Deering as an educator as he was my principal in grade school and later was an Advanced English Teacher. I enjoy reading his articles in the Ft. Thomas paper that is published locally. What a great read.

That's a nice article and I love hearing stories about the cannon. John is just a super nice person. One thing I didn't understand about the article was the reference to the cannon as Ole Betsy. I think John is the only one that has ever called it that. :lol:

That's a great story and a lesson in HHS History. I'm glad you posted it. I'm sure my son will be very interested to read the article. These are the type of stories that make communities like Ft. Thomas so special.

Henry,

 

Has there only ever been one cannon?

That's a nice article and I love hearing stories about the cannon. John is just a super nice person. One thing I didn't understand about the article was the reference to the cannon as Ole Betsy. I think John is the only one that has ever called it that. :lol:

 

Henry, any idea what a cannon went for in 68? What gave him the idea?

 

I will miss the cannon, but I am certainly glad/thankful that I have the memories of it that I do. I have always enjoyed sitting down around the visitors side. It is less croweded and it has always given our kids space to move around more. From there you get a great view of how shocking the boom of the cannon is to those visitors, who are not used to hearing it after each TD. I will really miss that.

No matter what happens with the cannon I will always remember it and all the tradition that came with it. People talk about it all the time and you just don't get it until your on the field and hear it go off. The rush that it gives you is amazing and you can tell that some opponents get a little freaked out about it. I will never forget it.

Henry,

 

Has there only ever been one cannon?

 

Only one.

 

Henry, any idea what a cannon went for in 68? What gave him the idea?

 

I will miss the cannon, but I am certainly glad/thankful that I have the memories of it that I do. I have always enjoyed sitting down around the visitors side. It is less croweded and it has always given our kids space to move around more. From there you get a great view of how shocking the boom of the cannon is to those visitors, who are not used to hearing it after each TD. I will really miss that.

 

I priced one earlier this year. Not sure if it was exactly the same but it looked like it and it was going for $10,000.

 

Don't know what they went for in 1968 but I'm sure it was probably alot less.