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photo by Steve VanGunda
Former Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne stands near the grave of Tripod “The City’s Kitty,” which is located in front of City Hall.
Tripod the three-legged cat spent four years in City Hall
Published Thursday, October 2, 2008
NATCHEZ — One of the greatest ambassadors the City of Natchez ever had left this life 25 years ago.
Surmounting hardships of having no teeth and missing one appendage, this furry feline befriended politicians and brought nationwide attention to Natchez.
Tripod, “The City’s Kitty,” died Oct. 9, 1983, and with him left a hole in City Hall that may never again be filled.
In remembrance of the joy he brought to City Hall for a “full four-year term,” as former mayor Tony Byrne said, a memorial will take place at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in front of City Hall by Tripod’s grave.
“It’s going to be very simple,” Byrne said.
A prayer will be said and attendees can then move to the council chambers where a short 10-minute newscast done by PM Magazine during Tripod’s life will be shown.
Not only is this a remembrance of Tripod, but it will also be to help raise funds for the new Natchez-Adams Humane Society building.
From June 1979 to October 1983, Tripod became a permanent resident of City Hall.
The beginning is mysterious and his origin unknown, but one day Tripod showed up at City Hall and employees began to feed him scraps.
As he began to soften the hearts of even the stoniest politicians, Tripod was given a bed, actual cat food, a litter box and plenty of love.
“It was just a feel-good situation with Tripod,” Byrne said.
Byrne said the cat began to pick up national attention and he would get phone calls from talk shows from across the country.
“You could always tell when Tripod was on TV,” he said.
Phone calls, money and cat food donations would pour in from as far away as the West coast.
People would come in on the paddleboats and flock to City Hall to see the city’s kitty.
“They may not remember the city, but they’d remember the cat,” Byrne said.
Tripod’s four-year term did meet a few bumps in the road, however.
Former alderman Hall Wilson was vying to get the cat banned from City Hall.
“Hall was allergic to cats,” Byrne said.
So during one alderman meeting, Wilson made a motion to remove Tripod, but it died due to the lack of a second.
Byrne said former alderman Al Graning then made a motion to remove Wilson from City Hall.
The vote was split and Byrne broke the tie by voting to keep Wilson.
“Hall Wilson ended up being the villain,” he said.
But any animosity Wilson felt for Tripod soon dissolved during a snowstorm.
Bryne said no one could make it to city hall one day because it was snowing too heavily, except for Wilson, who lived in a downtown apartment.
So Wilson and Tripod became friends after all.
Tripod also made memories when he unexpectedly disappeared from City Hall.
For several days, the cat could not be found.
“We thought he had been cat-napped,” Byrne said.
Word got out that Tripod was missing and the woman who took him soon returned him.
“She didn’t think we were taking good enough care of Tripod,” Byrne said of her reasoning.
From time to time, it seemed Tripod could be taken again as people would call in and try to claim the cat, but Byrne wasn’t about to let him go anywhere.
A companion, a friend, a belly to scratch, Byrne said it was tough to see Tripod die from an illness after four years, but can still reflect on his good qualities.
“Having lost his front paw and his teeth and to continue his life as an ordinary cat, I think that took a lot of courage,” he said.
The event next week is open to the public.
Donations can be made in Tripod’s memory or for any other reason and will be collected either at the memorial or beginning now to the humane society at P.O. Box 332, Natchez, MS, 39120.
Anyone willing to share a fond memory of the city’s kitty is encouraged to do so at the event.
Comments
Posted by StuWhoMoved (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 3:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this the best story ND can come up with? Come on guys you can surely do better than this. Ok well maybe not.
Posted by traceb (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If anyone remembers old Judge Luscombe? They will remember Tripod sprawled out across the counter in the city tax assessor's office. I remember Tripod as a very personable cat and I was so sad when he passed away. I didn't realize that so much time has passed since then. You know, the sins of Natchez get pretty boring to read.It's an embarrassment to all the decent folks here. I'm not impressed with them at all. It's a pleasant relief to read something nice for a change.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on October 2, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm so sorry I never had the opportunity to scratch under Tripod's chin. He sounds like he was a politician of the highest integrity.
It's a wonderful story, Stu, you souless crank.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cute story ND, good to hear something nice instead of all the bad stuff going on.
Stu you need to find a better life instead of waiting on the local paper to give you one
Posted by generoberts (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Awesome story!!! Way to go ND.
p.s. Go McCain!!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's great to remember some good things that have happened in Natchez. It seems so full of hate and violence now.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good story, ND! I remember Tripod!!! I remember being upset when he died. Though I was just a teenager, some memories stand strong.
Posted by comminatcha (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sweetest story!!! RIP Tripod.
Posted by sunkitty (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How wonderful! I remember Tripod. I can't believe it has been 25 years.
Stu - go away. Your attitude stinks.
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is good idea for a fund raiser for the Humane Society.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone that lived in Natchez/Vidalia should remember Tripod. I remember the news of him dying spread like wildfire. Animals ususlly bring the best out in people. They show unconditional love that many humans are not capable of.
(StuWhoMoved) MOVE AGAIN this time away from the comment board we can do without your comments. This is about sharing good memories not your attitude.
(traceb)
Judge Luscombe was always such a friendly man & would go out of his way to help someone.
Posted by ladyrider (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really enjoyed this story. Great to have something light-hearted to read for a change. The article captured Tony Byrne's fantastic personality.
Posted by ladyrider (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very good idea for a fund raiser, also.
Posted by noneya (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That Tony Byrne is one heck of a nice guy. Leave it to him to honor a tiny little animal that brought so much joy to so many people. We should all learn to value our little friends as they do love us so.
Posted by zzzzipy (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When I visit Natchez, I love to visit the City Kitty.
Stu just likes rapes, murders and robberies.
Posted by Whisper (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When Tripod died. I went to the court house. And asked them to pick out a new mascot from the humane society. I got a flat NO, and a turned back.
Posted by iameubu (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have had more than a dozen kitty companions in my life. Currently two. One inside only and one outside. My favorite, who survived being abandoned underneath an oilwell pumping unit by her mother (Lacy air balance unit as I recall), moved with me 4 times, across the country, lived for 13 years, is buried in a place of honor, 6' deep directly under my house, her last home. I like all animals. Had one pet I donated to the Audibon Zoo because they didn't have one. Jim Fowler took him on the Johnnie Carson show a couple of years later. But, animals are not people.
Posted by StuWhoMoved (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok folks i aint bashing Tripod. Nice cat amd i remember him as all of you do. Love animals just dont see how this makes the headlines. If you wanna acuse me of being being heartless toward something it is this paper not the cat.
Posted by JEMorris (anonymous) on October 25, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I loved this story. What a nice community you must have there in Natchez to show such kindness and to befriend such a precious city mascot. I live in Texas and heard about Tripod from my cousin who read about him in your newspaper.
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