Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1897-02-12
TnE cArAMouNT TAVERN.
The Three Celebrations That Have
Already Occurred at a Monument
e ected In it's Honor.

The Three Celebrations That Have
Already Occurred at a Monument
e ected In it's Honor.
The Catamount Tavern monument is
to have its third cersmonious notice
this summer, says DR.. Day. in the
Troy Times. Ground was formally
broken for it July 4th, 1876 by the
late Governor Hall, as the president Of
the Bennington Historical Society,
under whose auspices the monument
was begun. A foundation was at once
put in, the stones for which were taE.
en- from the foundation walls Of the
old tavern, and it remains there to-
day, though slightly enlarged for the
new pedestal which was set up last
October On the 10th Of August fol-
lowing the anniversary of the battle of
Bennington, more ceremonious Oh
servance was had in placing in posi-
tion the pedestal Of the monument,
which was to be surmounted by a
bronze catamount at some future time.
The president of the Historical Socie-
ty, Governor Hall, presided over this
celebration, as before, and his hand
placed the large stone in position.
Rev. Isaac Jennings delivered an ora
tion and Henry Squircs, of Paris, a
world famous tenor of Bennington or.
igin, sang the Star NSpangled Ban
ner." The Tibbits Corps of Troy,
was in attendance, as were officers Of
the Vermont National Guard and the
Bennington Military Company.
These celebrations, though we'll con-
Quoted and the exercises most interest
ing, will be greatly SURPASSED by the
one planned for this year. The lnonu-
nent is completed as originally intend
ed by the historical society, and as the
Grand Army of the Republic. DEPART
meDt Of Vermont, has decided to hold
its annual encampment at Bennington
during the week OF June 18th, the an
adversary Of the battle Of Bunker Hill,
the dedication OF the monument will
be on that day. President Mckinley
will probably be IN attendance if his
public duties will permit. The Ben
gton Historical Society gave its old
monument, on which it had expended
about 500, to certain citizens Of Ben
niDgton and vicinity, who used it for
another patriotic purpose aud erected
a new one in its place, though one Of
the same kind. These citizens in
turn have given both and the Stark
camping ground marker to the Ben
nington Battle Monument and Histori.
cal Association, which has appointed
a committee, with General McCul-
Tough as chairman, to cooperate with
toe Grand Army IN acelsb alton. 1t
is expected that this Will be fine
affair. August 10th, legal holiday in
Vermont, would have been chosen as
more appropriate day but for other
rlans for that day elsewhere.
The old tavern, burned in 1871, was
the headquarters Of General Stark at
the time Ct the battle aud there the
Vermont Council OF Safety was in SEES
sion during the battle and before.
The building was, however, still more
famous for its ante-revolutionary his
tory, having been the rendezvous Of
Colonel Ethan Allen and the Green
Mountain Boys during the contest be-
tween the settlers OF the New Hamp-
shire grants and the New York au-
thorities. The tavern took its name
from the fast that a stuffed catamount
surm6unted the swinging sign post,
erinning defiance at New York.