Extended Entries to the ASDM Scrapbook

GEORGE L. MOUNTAINLION'S MONUMENT
An extended entry for A Scrapbook,
by Peggy Pickering Larson

Immediately following the death of George L. Mountainlion in 1955, Bill Carr wrote the lion's last will and testament. It was engraved on a large stone and for many years stood over the lion's grave opposite his enclosure. When the old animal line cages were dismantled, the stone was moved and now is located in the Museum's History Wall.

I FREELY GIVE ALL SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF NATURE I HAVE KNOWN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE GRACE TO ENJOY NOT MAN-MADE MATERIALISM BUT GOD-MADE BEAUTY.

THE MAGNIFICENT ARIZONA SUNSETS I HAVE WATCHED FROM MY ENCLOSURE, I BEQUEATH TO ALL WHO SEE NOT ONLY WITH THEIR EYES BUT WITH THEIR HEARTS.

TO HUMANS WHO ARE TIRED, WORRIED OR DISCOURAGED, I BEQUEATH THE SILENCE, MAJESTY AND PEACE OF OUR GREAT AMERICAN DESERT.

TO THOSE WHO WALK THE TRAILS, I BEQUEATH THE EARLY MORNING VOICES OF THE BIRDS AND THE GLORY OF THE FLOWERING DESERT IN THE SPRINGTIME.

TO THE CHILDRN WHO HAVE ENJOYED SEEING ME, HEARING ME PURR, AND WATCING ME TURN MY SOMERSAULTS, I OFFER THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF LAUGHTER AND JOY. THE WORLD SO NEEDS THESE THINGS.

AND LASTELY, I BEQUEATH MY OWN HAPPY SPIRIT, AND AFFECTION FOR OTHERS, TO ALL WHO MAY REMEMBER ME AND MY MUSEUM WHERE FOR THREE YEARS, I DID MY BEST TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT IT TRULY LIKED THEM.