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On July 16, 1899, the Michigan town of Three Oaks celebrated the installation of the

―

Dewey cannon

‖

with a parade, patriotic speeches, fireworks, and special electrical

decorated lighting. The cannon was awarded to the town by Admiral Dewey for raising

the most money per capita for the

USS Maine

memorial monument fund. The cannon's

installation in Three Oaks was officially dedicated on October 10, 1899 by President

William McKinley. The official unveiling, however, was planned for 1900 in hopes that

Admiral Dewey would attend.

In early May, 1900, Three Oaks received news that Admiral Dewey would visit the

town. At the end of May, Dewey announced that he would not attend. The unveiling

date was then set for June 28, 1900 with the guest of honor being Helen Miller Gould,

daughter of financier Jay Gould, a nurse during the Spanish-American War, and a

major contributor to the Spanish-American war campaign.

June 28, 1900 - Unveiling of the cannon