4th of July Trivia Quiz (Page 5): That information is in several books/articles about the Mexican American war and/or Santa Anna. Texas has been trying to get Illinois to give the cork...

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Chris T wrote:

Jerry - how would you know this? About Santa Anna's fake legs? Did you see them at the museum in ILL?

That information is in several books/articles about the Mexican American war and/or Santa Anna.
Texas has been trying to get Illinois to give the cork leg to them for a long time. And now a group wants it returned to Mexico.
A couple of articles I found say the cork leg, some gold etc was in a carriage Santa Anna abandoned after he lost a battle and had to flee the US troops. Others claim they were taken from his house - maybe one was in a carriage and one in a house.
Most do agree that the leg, with dress boot was made in New York by special order for Santa Anna.

One Texas newspaper article about the dispute over possession of the cork leg:
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2016/11/02/illinois-holds-fast-santa-annas-leg-texas-never-surrenders

It seems the persistence of Texas over getting it from Illinois has resulted in Illinois's answers getting a bit testy with the latest being the equivalent of a shouted "HELL NO".

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

robertjerl wrote:

That information is in several books/articles abou... (show quote)

It seems to me - a composite of the leg - could be easily made. All one has to do is chase down the firm in NY which made the boot - and I'm sure they probably made a mock-up. What do you think, Jerry?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Chris T wrote:

It seems to me - a composite of the leg - could be easily made. All one has to do is chase down the firm in NY which made the boot - and I'm sure they probably made a mock-up. What do you think, Jerry?

As far as I know they don't make cork legs anymore and we are talking aprx 180 years ago. The company probably doesn't exist anymore and wouldn't keep a form for a customer dead for well over a century even if they are still around.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

robertjerl wrote:

As far as I know they don't make cork legs anymore and we are talking aprx 180 years ago. The company probably doesn't exist anymore and wouldn't keep a form for a customer dead for well over a century even if they are still around.

You'd be SURPRISED what companies keep, LONG AFTER - the reason for them - is dead and gone! ….

Just got through that article. But, I take real exception to them aligning Santa Anna's character with that of George III … as far as I can see - the former was just an outright scoundrel. The King was definitely erratic - but there was a physical reason for his behavior in the mid part of his reign. Early on - he was quite pleasant, and after he got over his illness - he returned to that. But, during the middle of his reign - he was a very sick man - physically - which took over his mind, as well. Santa Anna - has absolutely NO EXCUSE!

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Chris T wrote:

You'd be SURPRISED what companies keep, LONG AFTER... (show quote)

Chris T, I understand that King George III reigned for 60 years. Quite impressive for someone who had periodic episodes of insanity. It was believed he had porphyria ("blue urine"), a disease which is usually inherited and can cause mental disturbances (e.g., mood swings, depression). Others say he had bipolar disorder (in today's psychiatric term) or manic-depressive illness (the old term) and not porphyria. Nowadays, doing some blood, urine and genetic testing will differentiate one from the other.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Sunnely wrote:

Chris T, I understand that King George III reigned... (show quote)

Sunnely … King George III - became severely depressed, after losing some of his offspring. He was treated for this depression with arsenic - which was fashionable at the time. This, of course - made him quite physically sick - which led to further depression. Also fashionable, at the time - was the supposed cure - created by bloodletting - the overuse of - caused the death of his arch-nemesis, George Washington - in 1799. King George III died 21 years later, after having reigned as King for 59 years, 96 days. Only Victoria - his descendant (all his children died, or - in the case of two sons - left no direct descendants of their own) and the current Queen - have reigned longer. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II - has lasted longer than any other monarch of England.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Lots of fun, but, who is Thomas Monroe?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

phlash46 wrote:

Lots of fun, but, who is Thomas Monroe?

Sunnely made a mistake, Bruce - when he made up the slide - should've been James Monroe.

He's apologized for it, several times, already - earlier in the thread. Had you read it all, you would've seen!

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Chris T wrote:

Sunnely made a mistake, Bruce - when he made up the slide - should've been James Monroe.

He's apologized for it, several times, already - earlier in the thread. Had you read it all, you would've seen!

Ooops! Mea culpa! I rarely go back in a thread and then insert foot in mouth