In 1867, a group of citizens, resentful of Northern control of the state and county, attempted to secede from Texas and the U.S. General Philip Sheridan, commander at New Orleans, sent federal troops to restore order, resulting in a battle won by local citizens. When the men returned to Canton to celebrate, federal soldiers overtook them and placed them under guard in a log stockade near Canton for several months. W.A. Allen, using a knife hidden in his boot, cut off all the men's ankle restraints and they escaped. Some never returned. In memory of Don Plemmons.