Whisper: Historical Bull

Smithtown, New York

According to local legend, 17th century pioneer Richard Smythe was granted land by the local natives -- but only as much as he could circle in one day, sunrise to sunset. Also, he had to do it riding a bull, an animal not known for speed or cooperation. Smythe cleverly chose the longest day of the year, and had previously led cows along his preferred path, guaranteeing that the randy bull would eagerly keep moving. By the end of the day he had ridden 55 miles. The enclosed land became Smithtown.

In 1903 one of Smythe's descendents, Lawrence Smith Butler, talked sculptor Charles Cary Rumsey into creating a giant bull, 14 feet tall, as a tribute to Smythe. Made of bronze in the pre-fiberglass age, the bull took 20 years to complete, and weighed five tons.

Unfortunately, Smithtown refused to pay Rumsey, so the bull sat in storage for 18 more years until the money was finally raised and the bull unveiled on May 10, 1941. Local elementary school kids named it "Whisper."