With Cat Away, City Can Play With Estate

Now that Kitty Cat is dead, the city has the estate of John Bass to call its own.

City officials accepted their bequest last week with a final tribute to the tavern owner who loved his community, and his cat, which died in June at age 19.

When Bass died 12 years ago at age 82, he wanted his two-acre property with farmhouse and barn left to the city with a $100,000 trust fund. But he also wanted to make sure that his cat was cared for.

His will stipulated that Kitty Cat live in the house and benefit from his estate until the cat’s death. The city has used the house for City Council meetings, with Kitty Cat rubbing against council members’ legs.