It was on this day in 1923 that Fort Benning lost its most famous and most popular mascots, a dog named Calculator. He was known to attend classes on post and hop a ride to Columbus and back regularly on the posts Chattahoochee Choo-Choo, a train that made regular trips to town and back. He was loved by all, and everyone welcomed him into their home or their barracks. Calculator earned his name for the distinctive manner in which he walked. It was said he walked on three and carried one. The leg he carried was a matter of whim, and on long walks, he would occasionally change midstride. On August 29, 1923, Calculator died of strychnine poisoning. The mystery of his murder was never solved. Shortly after his death, the post newspaper ran an article requesting donations of a quarter to fund a memorial to the beloved dog that was loved by Soldiers all across the Army who had met him at Fort Benning. More than 1,000 quarters (and 16 pesos and eight gold pieces) came in from around the country. The article said, “Let this monument stand as a permanent testimonial to the admonition that unkindness to dogs will not be tolerated-by the Infantry. Our late President Harding took an oath never to kick a dog; and this monument will stand as a pointing finger of warning to those inhuman morons who throw all the dictates of love and affection to the winds and kill one of the best friends man has, the dog-a real pal. Let this monument stand, too, as a testimonial to the love and affection with which the Infantry School regarded dear old Calc - let it be symbolic of a permanent half-mast in honor of a dead companion.” The granite memorial, said to be the first monument erected on Fort Benning, was inscribed with the words, Calculator-Born? Died Aug. 29,1923/He Made Better Dogs of Us All. The monument currently stands on Sacrifice Field near the Youth Services Campus on McIver Street.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:30:00 +0000