Hide Article Text (OCR)
)UNTY REFORMER, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1903crlt-I hn* * Idaatlngrrand*day9 nn-rlol irch-WUHf nf-it to Af4 t lea* i*h inTHE FRIEND OF ANIMALSMRS. JENNIE B. POWERS OF BRAT-TLEBORO AND HER WORK.Windham County Agent of 8tate Human# Society—Small, But Fearleee and Determined—Her History—Some Cases 8be Has Found.The Billowing tribute to Mr*. Jennie B. Powers, local agent of the humane society, has recently appeared In the Hprlngfleld. Minis., Union. Burlington Clipper and other stale papers:If animals were hut gifted with the power of speech a grand chorus of voices from the streets and farmyards of Windham county and the adjoiningpart of the exhibition of the natural history society ctf Brattleboro. She nlso gave to the society a collection of snakes. Including the rattlesnakes she killed In Rattlesnake Den on Want-nstIcjuet mountain, one of which Is four feet long and has 10 rattles. She spent five years In this kind of work.While studying entomology she also studied comparative anatomy and xo-ology. The past year she took a partial course In veterinary surgery at Amherst college, reciting to a Brat-tleboro veterinary. From a natural Inclination to be merciful she has volunteered to stop abuse. One day she saw a man mercilessly beating his horses across I heir knees with a cart stake. She Jumped out of a window and ran to their assistance. Thees of city n all suchf ac-ween theVer-Id In t poire-theuss-lem-i noting. Bur-'om-tstl-iesn. it Ion nexttollyting.fireom.1000.Thetnu-elc.5ep-forirorkthe I atvjthvcr*ep-lateess.I hat ! by •use I red ded*r-outlet-en-em'n*-lay.thecn-ofHehie.entofiset-ng.led•rl-lnhistoIheawomasire.'A-Imther.»sttertof»r**ntIn'rsir-ndanrs.Inri-^l-neg-rlyIt.rs.n-ryIr.kl.Ine-lieL»Pn-tkii- 1IS.ryId -counties in New Hampshire and Massachusetts would b- raised In exuber-ant praise at th- mention of the name of Mrs. Jennie R l*owers of Brattleboro. She is th«* animals* friend and unscrupulously protect* their rights.man’s act made an Indelible Impression on her mind and led to the reorganization of the Brattleboro society for the Prevention of cruelty to Animals Mrs Power* was made a director of the society, and Is now itsalthough to do sometime* require* agentof her a courugeouMiie** and determln-ntion of purpose which would be found wanting even In most men.Many times she works beyond her strength for the pool beasts whose cause she champions and always defend* a helpless animal whether the funds which are thereto Involved nr-the contribution of friend* or must come out of her own povketbook. Mrs. Powers is the Windham county agent for the Vermont Humane society, but frequently she i* called to other parts of the state and to other states and her work hits am u ted wide attention. Although small in stature, weighing little more than 10O pound*. she does not fear the mom brutish man. but In cases of cruelty points out to him in a way that l.sives no doubt as to her meaning the course he is to pursue. In cases of extreme suffering she sometimes ends the matter then and there, for she can shoot with unerring aim. The accompanying cut shows her In the attitude she assumes while waiting for some hopeless creature to be led before her that she may end its misery with a mendful bulletMrs. Powers was born In Brattleboro and has spent most of her life there. When five years old she went to Canada where she lived for nine years. She lived In Cambridge. Vt.. three years and 1n Amherst. Mass.. one year. She was married to Frank A. Power* in Amherst over 22 years ago. Her husband has given her valuable assistance In her work. Mrs Power*'* father was the late Capt. E. W. Carter of the 4th Vermont volunteers.Before entering actively Inti* her chosen work Mr* Power* was a taxidermist for which she studied in St. Johnsbury and Providence. R I. She took a course in entomology at the Insectary connected with Amherst agricultural college rind stuffed spider* and collected their nesb* for Amherst college and collected locusts for Wellesley college. Over 2000 Species of Insect* which sin* .lollected form* aIt |.i nlt;*t an ununual thing for Mrs. Power* to get up at 3 o'clock In the morning in order to catch some man unawares or to shoot some worn out animal without attracting curlou* attention. When visiting the surrounding towns she Is nearly always accompanied by a sheriff or constable. She Is absolutely Impartial In her work, never neglecting to Investigate or to prosecute in order that some prominent person may escape being humiliated. She ha* investigated over 200 cases the post year. She I* often hired to dispatch some household pet when the end* of mercy require it.In all the prosecution* Mrs. Power* has Instituted not one has come to trial. The respondent In each case bn* pleaded guilty. Although the people with whom she deals differ widely In temperament they nil trcnt her with courtesy and kindness. In only one case was she ever cursed. That was when she attempted to go into a man's barn. The man ordered her ofT his premises and said she never would go Into the barn except over his dead body. His threats were unheeded and Mrs. Powers went Into the burn, found a horse which was unfit for use and had it turned out for the summer. When she left, the man's conscience had so tilled him with remorse that he plucked a bouquet of Mower* and presented to her as n pnrt-ing gift.A* agent of the state society Mrs. Power* has special charge of Windham county, with tin assistant In each town, but with two or three exceptions she has never heard from the assistants. In May, 1908. she was appointed special agent of the Keene. N. I!., society, which embraces Cheshire County, so she can follow case* Into New Hampshire, whereas formerly .i person could get out .if her reach by crossing the river. She ha* organized four bands of mercy, and has furnished the members with badges andliterature.MRS. JENNIE 0. POWERS.
Newspaper Details
Windham County Reformer
Brattleboro, Vermont, US
Fri, Oct 16, 1903
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Jennifer C.
USA 30 Mar 2023
Other Publications Near Brattleboro, Vermont
The Brattleboro Daily Reformer
Windham County Reformer
Brattleboro Windham County Democrat
Brattleboro Vermont Phonix
Brattleboro Reformer
