Harold "Cherokee" Allinson
Mayor, judge and town council is Vietnam era Special Forces veteran
Harold "Cherokee" Allinson, Vietnam Special Forces Veteran, is the Mayor, Judge and Town Council, all in one, in the now private village of Dirigo in southern Adair County.
DIRIGO, KY: An Adair County village has mysterious, almost mythical aura
Arkansawyer bought whole town, lock, stock, and barrel, 20 years ago
Several photos accompany this story
By Ed Waggener
ed@columbiamagazine.com
A never ending story: Tips, facts, anecdotes, corrections, and photos, maps, and directions are welcome for additions from time to time
To most Adair Countians, Dirigo, KY, is a place of mythical proportions. Nearly everyone has heard about it. They know it is in Southern Adair County. And the main resident, a transplanted Arkansawyer, is about as famous as any among us.....
For the most part, there is little agri- or horticulture. But Cherokee does have some kiwi plants growing. They've never borne fruit. Grapes he's planted did bear, but not for his benefit. "The deer ate them," he says, "before I could get any." Cherokee has a wall of medals and says he turned down the Congressional medal of Honor "because they wouldn't also give them to the two Montaignards who had fought beside me."
He says missed getting one medal for some rowdiness....
You understand the Fourth of July here
By Amy Wilson
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
INDEPENDENCE RIDGE, OVERLOOKING PICNIC - The ridge road is high and filled to overflowing with early morning mist. ...
Allinson, 58, is a Vietnam War veteran with a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars, citations for valorous conduct, heroism in battle and gallantry in action.
The medals he displays are old, rusty, dirty and mounted on poster board. He can, even dead drunk, recite his name, rank and serial number, which is also tattooed on his arm alongside the words "I don't care if tomorrow never comes."....
Allinson says he was in the Special Forces and has the right papers to back that up. He says he was a scout, once staying 121 days by himself watching the enemy and relaying positions. ....
Reach Amy Wilson at (859) 231-3305 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3305, or awilson1@herald-leader.com.
