Passing of the Buffalo

MUNCIE -- After spending nearly a decade in the lobby at Minnetrista cultural center, the "Passing of the Buffalo" statue arrived at its newest home Wednesday morning.

It took crews almost four hours to load, transport and erect the statue in the center of the downtown roundabout.

The 14-foot-tall bronze artwork, sculpted by Cyrus Dallin, depicts a Native American standing with his left foot on a buffalo skull and an empty bow in his left hand.

The Petty family of Muncie bought the "Passing of the Buffalo" statue in 1975 at an auction in New York.

The first Muncie home for the statue was at the corner of Walnut and Charles streets, in front of Ball Stores department store.

It remained at that location until 1999, when it was moved to Minnetrista.

Wednesday's move seemed to be a tedious task for crew members as they tried for hours to maneuver the 1,500-pound statue.

"I give them credit. They've done their homework, and they did some planning," said Mark Turner, Muncie project manager.

Turner complimented the custom-built carts, created to roll the statue out of the Minnetrista lobby.

Greg Dunsmore, project manager for the move, said, "I was up until 11 p.m. putting this thing together."

Apparently, Dunsmore underestimated the statue's weight when creating the carts.

The front cart, which secured the statue's head, began to bow when the bronze figure was lifted onto it.

In response, Dunsmore then reinforced the cart with 2x4 planks.

Frances Petty Sargent intently watched every moment, often sighing when she thought there might be trouble moving the statue.

"My heart is in my throat," said Sargent, who often became emotional during the four-hour process. "I think it's wonderful. My son is happy, and my husband would be very happy," Sargent, referring to the late Edmund F. Petty, who purchased the "Passing of the Buffalo."

Betty Brewer, CEO of Minnetrista, said she and staff members will have a lot of explaining to do when visitors notice the statue has been removed from the lobby.

"He's been such a popular fixture here," Brewer said. "One lady told me every time (she and her daughter) go to the Farmer's Market, the daughter says she wants to go see the big man."

Brewer said the removal of the statue was "bittersweet." But she's happy it will become a public fixture once again.

"Passing of the Buffalo" now stands on its original boulder, which weighs about 40 tons.

The boulder was placed at the downtown roundabout a few weeks ago, attracting some unwanted attention. Someone spray-painted a sad face on the boulder, which has since been washed off with a chemical wash.

The center circle of the roundabout will include landscaping and lighting to illuminate the statue.

The entire roundabout project is scheduled for completion by the end of October.

"Passing of the Buffalo" move
to roundabout a success