The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-15
Ths Gutland daily Globe
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1876.
Correspondence Of THE GLoBE,l
THE CATAMOUNT MONUMENT.
The Model Catamount Now on Exhibition in
Bennington-How Mr.. Bartlett was En-
gagged for the Work-Interesting Details.

BENNrNoroN, Sept. IL.
Prof. Bartlett arrived here few days
since with very fine specimen OF Yer
mont catamount, and row has ii on exhibit
tioa at the old Stark LINK, on Main street,
where any one with a curiosity for such
things can have tue chance to see the ami
mai for the small sum oil ten cents. The
proceeds are to be turned over to the Ben
nngton historical society. This animal
was caught in Wardsboro last November.
A party was out hunting and ran across
what they supposed to be a bears track,
and followed it until the trai ended, near
the foot of a tree. Upon looking up into
the tree, instead of seeing the object of
their search, this large catamount (Which
measures seven feet seven inches from tip
to tip was poised ready for spring. One
of the party Immediately fired ct him, and
the ball penetrated his body, but not before
he made leap. He landed in small
tree, and owing to the gun wound was
unable to extricate himself from the crotch
of the tree, where he was held fast. In a
moment the animal lay at their feet in a
pool of his own blood.
Mr.. G. NJ. Bliss and Mr.. Bartlett, hear
ing of this animal, went to Wardsboro and
procured him for model for MI. Bartlett
to work from. Mr.. Bartlett is the sculptor
who is to make the bronze figure for the
monument in Bennington Center to mark
the spot Of the old Catamount tavern,
which was destroyed by fire few years
ago. The pedestal of the monument was
erected, the sixteenth of August last. The
success of The monument 10 TO be credited
to one of our most public spirited men, Mr..
Charles NJ Bliss. Mr.. Bliss being the cor
responding secretary of the Bennington
historical society, all the work was left for
him to carry out as he saw fit and he i'm
mediately opened correspondence with sew
eral first-class artists to design and carry
out some appropriate figure to place upon
the monument, when ready to receive it.
Among the artists correspondent with
was Mr.. Bartlett of Paris, and the
most satisfactory answers came from
him in relation to the monument.
Arrangements were made by him to visit
Bennington and arrange more fully for his
work. In the mean time huge pedestal
Of Vermont granite was procured aud
placed as before mentioned, ready to re-
ceive tome manner of figure, in after
years, as no one supposed that the ar
rangements would be perfected SO soon, or
had they any idea what figure would be the
most appropriate. After much consulta-
ton ebout the figure, it was fipally decided
to have a catsmount placed on the top,
grinning defiance in the same manner as
the enc Landlord Fay placed on a pole in
front Of his tavern, which gave that build
ing its name.
Mr.. Bartlett arrived here a few days ago
from Paris and with Mr.. Bliss they imme-
digt4ly started out 10 procure model,
which they found Che one on exhibitlon)
after considerable trouble. This model
will be taken to Paris where the bronze
figure will be made and forwarded in due
season. Considerable work has yet to be
done on The pedestal before it will be ready
figure Mr.. Bartlett the artist is a native
OF Vermont and manifests great deal of
interest in the work he is about to prepare.
L. NJ. A.