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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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Faces on the Courthouse Columns By Mike Watson Since many courthouses were used to store military supplies and to house soldiers, many were burned during the Civil War. Adair came close to losing her courthouse to Confederate General John Hunt Morgan on one of his passes through the county... In the years after the War, our courthouse was in dire need of replacement or remodeling in the 1860s and the Court took up the question at least once, but money was tight and they delayed. At a special session of the Adair County Court in August 1884, Judge A.E. Sallee and James G. Conover, John Eubank, E.W. Burton, Peter Tarter, W.A. Richards, G.W. Carter, C.W. Pile, William England, W.S. Dudgeon and J.F. Morris, justices of the peace, moved to build a new courthouse to replace the old structure which was in poor condition. William Henry Hudson & Columbus Stone bid to build the new courthouse and the Court accepted their bid of $17,486.50. The new structure was to be erected on the site of the present one and seventy-five percent of the money was to be provided as needed, the remainder upon completion of the project. The firm of Harry, Kenneth and Donald McDonald of Louisville submitted the plans for the structure. C.J. and Uriah L. Taylor purchased the old courthouse for the sum of $180. This did not include the bell, chairs, stoves, tables, or the stone under the columns. At this time a petition was presented to the court to build on Greensburg Street. There was considerable disagreement before a decision was made to remain in the original location. An unusual feature of the new courthouse were the two carved faces on the capitals of the two pillars that face Jamestown Street, one of a woman and the other a man. There is no way to determine who these were meant to represent. Many have speculated and some believe Stone, who was a gifted stoneworker, honored his partner, William Henry Hudson and his wife with the portraits. No one knows for sure--I say that because Nancy Berley and Ruth Paull Burdette tried for many years to determine the identity of the faces, but no proof was ever found. There have been numerous news features that mentioned the Hudsons, but that is naught but speculation and supposition. I tend to believe they are the Hudsons, but until I can find definitive proof, I cannot say they were the Hudsons. Related: Letter: Face carvings on the courthouse This story was posted on 2022-07-14 13:53:02
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Mike Watson - History:
Let it Rain or Make it Rain Doom Awaits Those Who Ignore Plain Instructions Ginseng Association 1905 Lantern Tour: Cemeteries once like public parks Adair Co. Genealogical Society Meeting: 1950 Federal Census Remarkable Sunday School Heritage group to meet at Genealogy and History Center Lived in... The Weather Outside is Frightful... or Soon Will Be Brandy Held's mini-Hereford brings back memories View even more articles in topic Mike Watson - History |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
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