Another Bird for the Mem. Bldg.
Mr. James Blanton and others went about ten miles above Rutherfordton to hunt Thanksgiving day and as they were returning a large hawk or mountain eagle had caught a full grown Rhode Island cock and was making Thanksgiving meal of it when Mr. Blanton interfered. The hawk flew to the top of a tall pine and Mr. Blanson (sic) returned to his car for his gun and shot the bird. He brought it home and Mr. B. E. Roach sent it to a taxidermist to have it mounted. The bird measured fifty-four inches from tip to tip of its wings when spread.
The large hawk, or Mountain Eagle killed by Mr. James Blanton on last Thanksgiving day has been mounted and is on display in the lobby of the Memorial Building.
The other stuffed raptor that watched over the Memorial Building lobby was shot in 1920 while trying to make off with a small pig.
Courtesy Don Bailey
