Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-12-16
FRIDAY. DECEMBER I6, 1910.
CAM ELS HUMP.

LlOn 10 The generous OlIeT IndUe by
Colonel Joseph Battell of Middlebury to
donate Cancels Hump and certain sur
rounding territory to Vermont upon
condition that the mountain be named
after Ethan Allen and that certain re-
strictions be made as to the use of
automobiles on roads leading thereto,
suggesting that in view of the strides
made by science and invention regula-
tons based upon present definitions of
motor cars might serve in the future to
prevent desirable means of reaching the
mountain top. In response to our sug
gestions we have received the follow
ing interesting and timely letter from
Colonel Battell with reference to this
whole matter:
Middlebury, December 9, 1910.
Editor Burlington Free Press.
Dear Sir
| notice your editorial of yesterday
which refers to Cancels Hump and
my offer of same to the State for
State Park. For the complimentary
tone of your remarks, please accept
thanks; but there would appear to be
some misunderstanding as to the nature
of the conditions connected with the
gift.
In the first place the exact wording
of the letter upon this subject, addressed
to His EXcellency the Governor, |
have nowhere seen published, and en-
close the same for publication with sucll
explanation as is necessary.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
propose to give to the State of Yer
mont for State Park, Cancels Hump,
so called, consisting of over one thous-
and acres, including on its western
slope beautiful specimen of the orig
inal spruce forest from which Vermont
received her name.
If my offer is accepted, | will deed
the property to the State under proper
conditions as to the preservation of the
forest and provision for suitable paths;
and, as this park is intended for the
safe use of the whole population of
Vermont, automobiles are to be exclud-
ed from the same.
We would also suggest that the name
be changed to mount Ethan Allen"
in memory of him, to whose great
courage and remarkable ability Yer
mont is largely indebted for her indie
pendent existence as State. This
change of name was first suggested to
US by President Buckham of the Uni
versity of Vermont and we feel sure
will be most acceptable to all YER
monters.
This mountain stands very much bv
itself and is, too, one of the most unique
and one of the highest of the range. 1t
has long been noted for its individuality.
and the wonderful views in all directions
from its summit.
If my offer is accepted upon the con-
ditions herein expressed, by joint res
olution of the General Assembly, l will
at your convenience execute the neces-
sary deed therefor.
JOSEPH BATTELL.
You will perceive that the conditions
are few and simple. AS to the sugges-
ton of change of name, it was, as
stated, not my thought, but suggested
to me several years since by the late
President Buckham of the University
of Vermont, who was at the time at
tending the annual Forefathers' Cee-
bration at Middlebury. do not think
would have ever thought of it myself,
but its appropriateness, coming from
such authority, impressed me.
We all recognize the most important
services of Ethan Allen in the establish
ing of our State. But for his great
courage and ability Vermont might
never have become sovereign State.
1t is quite common to occasionally
name a mountain after some noted
man, as illustrated in the Presidential
range in New Hampshire, the highest
of which is Mount Washington, or in
the Adirondack range of New York.
as Mount Marcy or Dix Peak.
This seemed a good opportunity to
name one of Vermont's most prominent
mountains, Ethan Allen. For although
there is strong similarity in the shape
of the mountain to camel's hump, there
is nothing especially important or attrac-
tive in the name. Indeed, it is hardly
any more so than Hog-back, which is
occasionally given to a mountain. To
change names of mountains or localities
is quite common, and if the change is
an Improvement it generally soon be-
comes established. In this case had
the original name given to this noun
tain by the French-LeOn COuchant
(Couchant Lion remained, there would
be far more reason to retain it than
that of Cancels Hump. But it seems
to me that President Buckhams sug-
geston of Mount Ethan Allen is
most proper change and will be accept
able to our people.
You criticise one other suggestion
made in the letter, i. e. "And as this
Park is intended for the safe use of the
whole population of Vermont, auto
mobiles are to be excluded from the
same"
In regard to this you say:
Could the mortal eye of Colonel Bat
tell pierce the future he might see a
time when no one more than he would
regret any limitation as to the means
of approaching the summit of the mount
ain he proposes to give our common
wealth forever. Colonel Battell's own
writings have given the world valuable
hints of the marked progress of our time
and Fair Ellen" of the Whispering