Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-20
TO ETHAN ALLEN.
Monument to Memory of Hero Of
Ticonderoga.

burlington, VI, June l9.-On August
16, a holiday known in Vermont as
Bennington Battle Day, there will be
dedicated on the farm at one time
owned by General Ethan Allen, of Rev
dictionary fame tower in memory of
the hero of TiconderOga. Ethan Allen
Hitchcock, Secretary Of the Interior and
a direct descendant of Ethan Allen,
will be present as the official repre-
sentative of President Roosevelt, and 1t
is also expected that Vice President
Fairbanks will be one of the guests of
the occasion.
The farm of about three hundred
acres, is located within the limits of
the city of Burlington, about three
miles from the City hall. Before the
time OF the Revolution it was owned by
a staunch Tory, who on account of his
disloyalty to the then embryo state of
Vermont was forced to leave the coun-
try. His estate was subsequently con-
fiscated by the state of Vermont and
the property turned over to the Land
Commissioner of the state. BY him it
was sold to General Ethan Allen, and
he was living upon it at the time of his
death. in 1899. The farm then became
the property of Governor Van Ness,
and was known as the Van Ness farm
for half n century. In 1902 it was pur-
chased by w. J. Van Patten Of this
city. and last fall he presented that
part of tn" farm known as Indian Rock,
bluff from the summit of which the
AdirOndacks and Green Mountains are
seen. to the Vermont Society of tie
e he
condition that they take steps without
delay to erect on the rock a memorial
tower to Nermont's great hero, General
Ethan Allen. The project has been
pushed by the society with considerable
enthusiasm, and practically all of the
necessary fun1s have been secured.
The design for the tower is of 4 bold
military order. The dimensions are
forty feet high twenty-four feet square
at the base and twenty feet at the mar
row part. the bGttlements being wide
enough so that the top corresponds in
size with the base. 1t will be built of
stone quarricd near the spot.
The name Indian Rock has been
given to the spot by reason of the
legend, which is said to be well estab-
lisned. tina. it was the point of outlook
for the Indians for long ages before the
white man came into this country. The
rock has an elevation of nearly two
hundred feet. and affords an extensive
view in all directions Immediately in
front stretches Il fiat plain extending tn
the lake shore. The view of Lake,
Champlain from Split Rock Mountain
on the south extends to the north as
far as the eye can reach, giving the en-
tire range of the Adirondack
Mountains on the west and towns
along the lake shore from Essex
to PlattsburE. To the north can
be seen Mallett's Bay and the
course of the Winooski River.
From the top OF the tower the whole
Green Mountain range will be plainly
visible. with the valley lying between
the lake and the mountain. The ma
tural picturesrucness or the location is
enhanced by the rugged rocks. which
comprise the bluff. ana which give 4
wildness to the whole scene. which one
would hardly expect to find so near the
city.
The Daughters of the Revolution
some years ago placed n bronze tablet
on the rock by the roadway, marking
the site as being the residence of Ethan
Allen at the time of his death, which
occurred near that spot.
The board of managers of the Sons
of the Revolution. who are to have
charge of the dedicatory exercises. has
appointed the necessary committees.
and is now preparing a program for the
day.