Editing Skule Cannon (section)

===1959: Meds steal the Cannon===

On February 1959, the Meds finally succeeded in stealing the Mark II Cannon for the first time. In order to publicize the annual Blood Drive, the engineers had agreed to take the Cannon to the Blood Donor Clinic for a photo shoot. They had been guaranteed a safe conduct, so the Cannon was only accompanied by two engineers instead of the usual guard. However, the whole thing was a plot by the meds and the Varsity to lure the Cannon to a place where it could be captured by brute force. As the Cannoneers left the Blood Clinic, a large group of Medsmen attacked them from all directions and made off with the Cannon. A whole week of kidnappings and attacks ensued, until the meds finally saw the light and agreed to return it. The following is a calendar of the events as published in the Toike:

'''Monday, Feb. 2'''<br/>
Safe conduct to and from the Blood Clinic promised for the Cannon and the Cannoneers.

'''Tuesday, Feb. 3'''<br/>
Cannon stolen from two Engineers by fifty Medsmen. Meds getaway car traced to the Lee Chemical Co. Two carloads of Engineers block off car as it leaves company parking lot. Driver found to be company President; he was released with a warning. SAC-Varsity office raided by forty SkuleTMmen, one roll of film confiscated.

'''Wednesday, Feb. 4'''<br/>
Handcuffs and miscellaneous chemicals purchased. Medical Society film disappears. Premeds attack SkuleTM in attempt to recover same. Grand brawl including over 200 students. Two Medsmen and one Engineer taken prisoner. One Meds student chained to tree in front of SkuleTM, another sent packing minus shoes.
Four stink bombs planted in Medical Building.
Attempt to kidnap Engineer at night fails.

'''Thursday, Feb. 5'''<br/>
Three first year Meds students kidnapped and removed to remote hideaway.

'''Friday, Feb. 6'''<br/>
Medsmen released at 5 A.M. (they had an Anatomy test). Rick Schaeff (EngSoc President) denies any knowledge of the kidnapping of Medical Society President Doug Wilson. Varsity report branded hoax. Attempts to kidnap Jim Lewis and Rick Schaeff fail.

'''Saturday, Feb. 7'''<br/>
Negotiations completed for return of Cannon.

The terms of the pact established that the Cannon was to be returned exactly as it was when it was stolen, and the meds would be presented with a replica of the Cannon. All kidnapping on both sides was to halt immediately, and no attacks of any kind were to be made on the Engineering or Meds Dances the following week. The SkuleTM Cannon was returned, and the replica cannon given to the meds was later stolen from the trophy case where it was displayed and promptly destroyed.

'''BFC Reorganized'''<br/>
On March the Brute Force Committee was reorganized. The SkuleTM Cannon and the LGMB would become divisions of the BFC, and the BFC would provide protection during events. This arrangement would go on for many years, although eventually all three became completely independent and separate entities.

'''1959 Cannon introduced'''<br/>
After 9 eventful years of service, the numerous battles had finally taken their toll on the Mark II Cannon. The barrel was pitted from the corrosive action of black powder, and the plating was coming off. Chief Attiliator Bill Riggs made a request to the Engineering Society to replace this barrel with a new one, and oversaw the construction of the replacement during the summer. The new barrel was machined from a solid stainless steel bar, and it was 12" long with a 2 ½" diameter and ¾" bore. The old carriage of the Mark II Cannon was reused. The Mark II was later immortalized by being placed in the cornerstone of the new Galbraith Building.

'''Cannon stops Homecoming show'''<br/>
In conjunction with the LGMB, the Cannon was used to literally stop the Homecoming show for ten minutes while a presentation was made to Jim Vasoff, a former SkuleTMman. The crowd, consisting mainly of artsmen, managed no protest other than a few feeble boos.