Audubon Tablet Duly Dedicated With Ceremony
Henderson Morning Gleaner Friday, May 15, 1925
Pausing amidst the hum of business quite a large crowd gathered at Mann Brothers Department
Store yesterday afternoon and witnessed the dedication of a bronze tablet to the memory of the great ornithologist, John James Audubon, who between the years of 1810 and 1820 operated a store at that particular corner of Main and Second streets.
The handsome bronze tablet some two feet in length, and a foot in width was the gift of the patriotic firm of Mann Brothers, and was unveiled and dedicated under the auspices of the Henderson Historical Society.
Invocation By Rev. Akin
Promptly at o’clock yesterday afternoon Mayor Hall called the meeting to order, and the exercises were opened with an appropriate invocation by the Rev. J. G. Akin of the First Methodist church in which he said in part, “We pause in the midst of a busy life to pay tribute to whom honor is due.”
He expressed thanks for the citizenship of our country and state and for the sturdy pioneers who blazed the way.
Continuing he gave thanks for the life and character of John James Audubon who did much to promote the scholarship of the world, and whose monument is in the hearts of those he leaves behind “may we be true to that sacred trust.”
Mayor Hall
Mayor Hall said that more than one hundred years ago John James Audubon settled here at what was then known as Red Banks, and from that time on accomplished much which he has handed down as a benefit to posterity.
He recounted Audubon’s life here, calling him the “Hero of the Woods.”
“On this corner,” said the Mayor, “stood the general merchandise store of Audubon, and the patriotic firm of Mann Brothers who have been doing business on this corner since 1872 have seen fit to mark this spot with this memorial which I now have the honor of unveiling.”
So saying, Mayor Hall drew the national colors aside thus exhibiting the handsome bronze memorial on which is the following inscription:
“On this corner stood the general merchandise store of John James Audubon 1810 to 1820. Erected by Mann Brothers May 14, 1925.”
Miss Sue Towles
In a brief address Miss Sue S. Towles, president of the Henderson Historical Society, told something of the life of Audubon while in this vicinity, and that the Historical Society thanked Mann Brothers for thus marking this historic spot. She said that the placing of the tablet would cause the children and others to study and inquire more in to the life of this great man and the other pioneers of this locality. Concluding she said: “Happy is the community that has a local hero.”
Among those conspicuously present were the members of the Henderson County Historical Society and members of the General Samuel Hopkins Chapter Doughters of the American Revolution and Hon.
Young E. Allison of Louisville.
