Troy University - Palladium Yearbook (Troy, AL)

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and rallied to have the ordi- times tell their freshman groups and appreciation for TSU. fnendletl ted classes, staged demonstra- theater. tions, and marched to city hall The third step of the TSU am- council members. Their efforts were not in vain. The ordinance was revoked a short time afterwards. Although their mission was successful it did not bring their friend back from the dead, or did it? Legend has it that OT Bullet was very grateful to the stu- dents and showed his apprecia- tion by making brief appear- ances around the campus. Not all TSU legends are his- mythological than legendary. Myths are traditional stories pertaining to historical events that serve to explain a belief, practice or natural phenom- enon. Many of TSU ' s myths be- gin at a typical pre-orientation. Pre-orientation leaders some- tain powers of persuasion. If a young man proposes to his sweetheart while she is sitting on the third step of the am- phitheater, she will be com- pelled to accept his proposal. However, the young man must possess a true and sincere bve for his betrothed or else the magical powers will not hold sway over her. Another typical orientation myth is the Troy State Wall. Wall, which is located along the side of the Bibb Craves building. through a phenominal change; The clinging ivy that grows alongside the wall begins to spell out the words Troy State. When this feat is accomplished the small pink flowers of the ivy come into full bloom. Probably the most popular myth on campus is that of SaKy Shack. There are several ver- sions of the story but the one most popular is the one in which Sally is jilted by her lover. 1 1. [■ im i w Tm «Ui 5 t 7j of the year when the flowers and trees bear their l eaves and blossoms, spirits of by-gone TSU students rise and roam freely about the campus. At the peak of spring quarter activities, these spirits gather at the Troy State Wall to show their bve posedly, the youngest and most beautiful daughter of Dr. Ed- ward Shackelford. She lived on the third floor of Shackelford Hall. She came to Troy State to be with her boyfriend, who during his freshman year be- came a football hero. Her boy- tl ' Ml 1l.-,V»y ' I «f» - r ' ilffX ' , j ' »J less and less time with Saty. and more and more time with the dons about her boyfriend ' s fi- delity were confirmed when she caught her lover in the arms of another woman. Her heart was broken and she suffered an emotional breakdown. A few days later she was found hang- ing from the third floor stair rats of Shackelford Hat. It is said that Saty Shade, as she is now caked, st occupies a room on the third floor, and that she sometimes roams the hat- searching for the love that she so tragkaty lost. Myths and legends are fun to read as long as one remembers that they are only stories. They are just stories . . . aren ' t they? SHACKELFORD HKLL

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Legends are stories coming down from the past, especially those popularly regarded as his- torical, although not verifiable. The legends of Troy State are few but colorful, many not nec- essarily the whole truth, but rather based on true stories. One such example is the Ghost the Presidential Mansion. Dr. Frank Ross Stewart be- came president of Troy State University in 196 1 and held the position until his death in 1964. It is rumored that the ghost of Dr. Stewart, who suffered a stroke while sitting in the dining room of the mansion, can be described as a typical ghost, if there is such a thing. His foot- steps can be heard as he roams the house, certain pictures hang crooked on the walls no matter how many times they are straightened or where they are hung, and doors mysteriously open and close by themselves. Another typical legend is that of OP Bullet. He was a very old and faithful friend to the TSU students of the 1950s. He was, supposedly, a philosopher and humanitarian who hap- pened to enjoy the atmosphere of this small southern college. Perhaps it should also be men- tioned that OP Bullet was of the canine persuasion. Yes, OP Bullet was a dog. But, to the students of the 1950s he was a legend, and his story is indeed special. In the late 1950s there came a rabies epidemic that swept through Troy, Alabama. The epidemic was of such large pro- portion that the Troy City Coun- cil passed a city ordinance al- lowing policemen to shoot stray dogs on sight. OP Bullet , al- though he did not have the dis- ease, was one of the dogs shot. TSU students became angry over the death of their friend E D WA R D

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