TUSCUMBIA-In a small, grassy meadow, deep in the rich, thick wilderness of Freedom Hills, Key Underwood sadly buried his faithful coondog, Troop. They had hunted together for more than 15 years. On that dreary Labor Day of 1937, Underwood said good-bye to his legendary coonhound. He wrapped Troop in a cotton pick sack, buried him three feet down, and marked the grave with a rock from a nearby old chimney. On the rock, with a hammer and a screwdriver he had chiseled out Troop’s name and the date. A special marker was erected in his memory.
Now every Labor Day there is a celebration with Bluegrass music, BBQ plates, vendors, liar’s contest, and buck dancing and of course coon dogs.
This year was no different….the Quad Cities Daily was on hand to capture the event in photos. Enjoy!
