New-York tribune., 1902-08-17
COL. PRATTS CARVINGS.
AIJ.EGORICAI. HISTORY OF HIS LIFE ON
THE ROCKS AT PRATTSVILLE.

rrattsyiIle Y Aug 1G-In this beautiful
Western Catskil district. where natural Won
ders are so plentiful. there is one creation OF
man which claims even more attention from
summer visitors. 1t is the carved rocks OF
Prattsvilles only park intended as an ever
fasting memorial to the name and fame OF the
late Colonel Zadock Pratt, ex-Congressman
banker and the tanner who started Jay Gould
In business. A visit to these rocks is favorite
expedition for those who spend the summer in
Stamford and other towns of the region.
The carvings are on the face Of the cliff which
rises above this quaint little village. They are
covered with white paint. and stand out in such
bold relief that they can be seen from a long
distance There is a horse, lie size; arm
with a sledge hammer in the hand, the head of
Colonel Pratt a hernlock tree, cashet, spring
and other devices. The whole fellows allie
gorical scheme. and outlines the history of the
who had them carved.
1t about in this way, according to the
local traditions: Colonel Pratt walking
along the highway his house. when he was
stopped by a man who begged for assistance.
The fellow dressed like workman, and
carried bag of tools over his shoulder. He
said that be wanted to reach his home, the
Hudson.
What can you do?" asked the colonel
"I am a stonecarver by trade" replied the
man, but there is nothing in my line in this
part of the country
How do you know there isn't?" said
Pratt What could you make out of that rock
there7" He pointed to a huge bowlder along
side the road
"I could make anything you might want if
you gave time" said the man.
Carve horsei" ordered Pratt, and the man
started to work without delay.
In the afternoon the workman came to the
colonel and said that he had been forced to stop
the carving by neighbor who claimed to
the rock.
$50 he stopped your carving, did hep" said the
banker Does not want to rear works of
art about the countryside, eh? Well, I'll show
him I've got rocks of my own Go up the cliff
and carve the horse there. 1t is my land, and
no one can stop you
Colonel Pratt liked the mans work, and en-
polyed him by the month. Other figures began
to appear upon the rocks, and when finished
were painted white the astonshment of the
villagers. Sofas and chairs carved out of solid
rock scattered in the grove about the Pratt
homestead. Elaborate tombstones were erected
to several horses and dogs which died while the
stone mason sculptor at work.
Colonel Pratt had two children. and q tablet
bearing their names is a part of the decoration
OF the cliff. Underneath is this
Let virtue your greatest care.
So shall your days he always fair,
And Ttac, able your nights.
He explained the aegCrical references
In the carvings by saying: "I am tanner and
j have children. There is the reproduction
Of the tannery and the number of sides of hem
lock leather which have tanned. The tree rep
resents the material by which 1 gained wealth
the sedge hammer that it 10y hard knocks"
While in Congress Colonel Pratt was instru-
mental in having a Bureau of Statistics organ
lied. He most proud OF this effort, and il