Eufaula's History Shaped by One Boy's Illness

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The speaker at this week's Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library is Kay Foley Owens, granddaughter of Eufaula's first mayor, Cornelius E. Foley. Owens will share how her granduncle's unexpected appendicitis attack in 1912 prevented the Foley family from sailing on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, ultimately shaping the history of Eufaula.

Why it matters

This story highlights how a single unexpected event can have far-reaching impacts on a community's history. The Foley family's brush with the Titanic disaster preserved the legacy of Eufaula's founding, as the town's first mayor would not have survived the sinking. This near-miss provides insight into the unpredictable nature of history.

The details

In 1911, Cornelius E. Foley, Eufaula's first mayor, was living in England with his family on a business trip. They were scheduled to sail back to America on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic in April 1912, but Foley's son Arthur fell ill with appendicitis and required emergency surgery. This unexpected illness forced the family to cancel their Titanic trip, ultimately saving their lives and preserving Foley's legacy as Eufaula's founding mayor.

• In 1911, the Foley family was living in England on a business trip.
• In April 1912, the Foley family was scheduled to sail back to America on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic.
• In April 1912, Foley's son Arthur fell ill with appendicitis and required emergency surgery, forcing the family to cancel their Titanic trip.

What’s next

Kay Foley Owens will be speaking at the Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library event on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. to share memories of Eufaula's early days.