I realize Dec. 2008, is a bit old, but I'm trying to catch up on articles I've written about in my notebooks.
Since it was almost three years ago, I did some further research and after awhile found that the cannonball had been returned.
From the Dec, 30, 2008, KSAT TV.
The cannonball was found at O.P. Schnabel Park on the city's northwest side, by Nicos Esquivel, who was biking on the park's trails.
He saw an open bag, "I kicked it and it felt heavy. I looked at it and opened it up and thought it was a bowling ball at first, but then some walkers came up and said, 'That's a cannonball.'"
The cannonball had been missing from the Fairmount Hotel in San Antonio since December 22nd and a $5,000 reward had been offered. So I imagine Mr. Esquivel is a bit richer.
The cannonball had been certified as authentic from the Battle of the Alamo by the Institute of Texas Cultures.
Congratulations and Thanks. --DaCoot
Showing posts with label San Antonio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Antonio. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Cannonball Linked to the Alamo Swiped
From the Dec. 24, 2008, San Antonio News.
A softball-sized cannonball originally owned by the Mexican Army was stolen from a plastic case in the lobby of the Fairmount Hotel in San Antonio over the weekend. Police believe it was stolen sometime between 9 pm Sunday and 3 am Monday. They have no clues or suspects, but it appears to have been done skillfully. A reward is offered.
It was found in the spring of 1985 when the hotel moved from Bowie and East Commerce to its present location. This still holds the record for largest-ever structure moved on wheels.
Before the move to the new site at South Alamo and Nueva, an archaeological study had to be done of the former parking lot as per city ordinance. Archaeologist Joe Labadie did not expect to find much there, but did.
What they found was "the largest single discovery of artifacts associated with the Alamo. It was especially significant because it told the story of the Mexican side of the war."
Also found at the site was a longer, hollow cannonball along with dozens of musket balls and pieces of China dishes and a cup in am L-shaped trench beneath the parking lot.
During the battle, this is where Santa Ana's cannons were located that fired hundreds of "wall banger" cannonballs at the Alamo's south wall.
Archaeologists suspect that this particular cannonball was not fired.
Always Hate to Lose History Like This. --Cooter
A softball-sized cannonball originally owned by the Mexican Army was stolen from a plastic case in the lobby of the Fairmount Hotel in San Antonio over the weekend. Police believe it was stolen sometime between 9 pm Sunday and 3 am Monday. They have no clues or suspects, but it appears to have been done skillfully. A reward is offered.
It was found in the spring of 1985 when the hotel moved from Bowie and East Commerce to its present location. This still holds the record for largest-ever structure moved on wheels.
Before the move to the new site at South Alamo and Nueva, an archaeological study had to be done of the former parking lot as per city ordinance. Archaeologist Joe Labadie did not expect to find much there, but did.
What they found was "the largest single discovery of artifacts associated with the Alamo. It was especially significant because it told the story of the Mexican side of the war."
Also found at the site was a longer, hollow cannonball along with dozens of musket balls and pieces of China dishes and a cup in am L-shaped trench beneath the parking lot.
During the battle, this is where Santa Ana's cannons were located that fired hundreds of "wall banger" cannonballs at the Alamo's south wall.
Archaeologists suspect that this particular cannonball was not fired.
Always Hate to Lose History Like This. --Cooter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)