Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-03-05

and its beautiful mountain peaks, was
deep and abiding, and should be inspir-
ing"
The Bennington Banner, whose editor
knew Mr.. Battell in the legislature,
comments as follows:
"In the death of Col. Joseph Battell
of Middebury the State of Vermont
and his home town, Middlebury, have
lost a citizen who had the interests of
his commonwealth and community at
heart. Col. Battell had his peculiari-
ties, pecularities with which many peo-
pie at times had no patience, but if
he had done nothing more than the part
he took in the restoration of the Nor
gan breed of horses he would have
created for himself lasting memorial "
The Brattleboro Reformer contained
the following
vermont has lost one of its most
picturesque characters in the death of
Col. Joseph Battell. He was a man of
great wealth, varied interests and YER
satle attainments. He gave 500 acres
of virgin forest, including the peak
known as Cancels Hump to the State
for park, and a farm of 500 acres in
Weybridge to the United States as a
breeding station of Morgan horses. He
owned thousands of acres of timber
lands, which he refused to have denuded
for commercial purposes. He was an
authority on the Morgan horses, and
his pronounced eccentricities are re-
vealed in his writings on scientific and
other subjects, but it should be said to
his credit that for years he had been an
honored, active and useful citizen in
many walks of life.
The resolutions adopted by the House
of Representatives Friday afternoon
were particularly appropriate. They
were as follows:-
Resolved by the House of Repre-
sentatives That we learn with sorrow
and deep regret of the death of the
Hon. Joseph Battell of Middlebury, fol
several sessions a member of this
House Mr.. Battell Tor many years
| had been one OF the most prominent
public spirited, self-sacrificing citizens
Of the State, bold and fearless in his
actions and influenced ever by the high
est motives Joseph Battell never
/ flinched from what he deemed right fol-
! the sake of personal favor or profit
His was a noble and inspiring life anC
we firmly believe that in the realms
above he will meet with the reward
which that noble life deserves, anC
that the grand old forest which he ha.
donated to the State, with its majestic
mountain peak, will for all time remain
as his most fitting monument"
Appreciation of Mr. Battell from
Hon. d. X. Simonds of Manchester:
Editor Register;
Perhaps your readers will pardon mi
for few words of appreciation in ad
dition to those already given to thu
memory of the late Joseph Battell.
am satisfied that he performed yer,
many deeds of kindness which were un
known to the public, but should b.
known to get just estimate of hi
character. A few weeks before tn
College Centennial very much to m,
surprise | received a letter from hin
saying that there would be large at
tendance and the place would be YER
much crowded and it might be Difficult
to get good room, and, if intende
to come, he would be glad to place hi
rooms in Battell block at nv dispose
for as long as liked, replied thank
ing him for his offer and gladly accept
ing it. Arriving in Middlebury no on
knew where he was or when he woul
be back, but his stenographer gave m
the keys to his rooms and fine suite i
was, sitting room, library and writing
room, bed room and bath room with
splendid outlook from the windows
Remaining week | met him just one
on the street and he inquired if | like
the rooms and replied they We're YER
fine and he passed on. Now, had onl
very casual acquaintance with Mr.
Battell, but had been told that he wa
odd, and | can believe it, but there wa
nearly always Method in his Mad
ness"
He was an original thinker as is show
in much of the work he accomplished
He was more far sighted than mos
men. He bought large tract of timbe
land when the price was very low, look
ing forward to the time when the pric
would be ten fold or more greater. Tn
forest was also needed to preserve tn
springs and water courses. More roor
was needed in Middlebury for bushes
l.