The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1886-11-27
The Centennial Records

turning over of the Centennial records
to the city took place at the Opera
House Thursday afternoon in the
presence of a large audience.
Mayor +. II. Taylor, Jr., presided
and introduced Col. John l.. Scott,
Chairman of the Committee having
the records in charge. who opened
the exercises with a presentation adj
dress Of some length, and was fol.
lowed by Miss Nellie Orbison, who
sang "My Pretty Jane" in her best
style, and being loudly applauded,
repeated the last verse. Mayor Tay-
Tor then replied to Col. SCOTS address
as follows:
In behalf OF the City of Frankfort, ac-
cept the trust that has been imposed, GOV.
e-"r the guardianship Of the CENTENNIAL
RECORDS. These records are thoroughly
representative in character. What Ken
lucky was and is-what social. commercial
and tragic events have attended its birth
and growth-and what honorS and digni-
ties have fallen to the lot Of this first.born
Of Nirginia.-are inseparable from the facts
and incidents Of our local history. Frank.
fort has been the pulse Of the Common
wealth, rejecting its heartbeat in the eager
march to honor and prosperity. These
records, here presented, span a period
reaching almost to the natal day OF the
great Republic itself They begin when
the news Of the last victory OF the Revou-
ton had scarcely penetrated to the remote
settlements OF the then western world.
They date from a time when all this valley,
these bordering hills, and the vast territory
beyond were covered with primal forest and
wrapped in the profound solitude of nature
und,,urbed. They tell of past when
those who new sleep on yonder hill were
vigorous with lusty life, and brigh, and gay
with the lastic spirit Of youth. What they
did, and ow they planted here the seeds
OF individual prosperity, and how they laid
the foundations OF our municipal growth. is
no longer a sealed book, but from this
porderous volume, and these interesting
papers and manuscripts. the thrilling story
may be gathered.
These records represent, as you have
SD aptly stated, a iount Of inspiration for
the historian, the antiquarian, and the
biogi apher. Containing ample materials
for illustrating not only the progress of our
city, they equally form the bright silver
thread that shines conspicuous in the web
OF Kentucky history. Especially do they
provide rich treat for those OF our citizens
who rave crossed, and are yearly crossing,
the meridian OF life. and are verging on the
land of shadows. For it is the old who
love most to talk Of the days long ago.
When the eye is no longer bright, when
the blood is chilled under the lrosts Of age,
and when the limbs refuse to do their
office, then those representatives. Of the |
olden time delight to dwell on the events |
OF youth. 1t is not strange. For in every
human breast is implanted a hero worship |
that dolzes the athletic personally Of the
past. In that remote period--that halcyon |
land of the long aso-,he sun shone
brighter. the flowers bloomed gayer, and
there was sweeter music in the ripping
stream and grander rhythm in the deep
flowing river, than will ever come again to
the senses of the aged. In these pages you
lntrust to the city's charge. rest an hun.
bred years OF municipal and personal his.
tory. What field Of stored action they
cover. Reaching from the rudely I'M
orovised bark shelter to the imposing stone
the isolated log cabin to the
lc'es of dwellings, stores and factories
ON the Indian canoe 10 the stately river
ieamer-from The pine torch and trickling
pring to the brilliant gas jet and abundant
compass the combined area
u barbarism and civilization.
The history of Frankfort is almos, the
history Of iomance. Here Aaron Burr ,
robably first entertained his Utopian
chemc OF q new empire. Here was nur-
ured an inland traffic tina, spread to the
cart Of Tennessee. Here, from bud to
lossom, grew the thrilling eloquence of ]
.owan, OF Hardin aud Of Menilee-of ,
and Clay and Breckenridge. .
rom this city were recruited the soldiers :,
three wars, and their deeds of valor are
,nspicuous from the bloody soil OF Raisin /
, the burning fields Of Mexico. or 7
lch stuff as grew under the shadow Of r
ese hills, were Generals and Senators
ade, and to-day, on land and sea, our gal.
mt boys are unfolding the flag OF our com.
on nationality.
In the streets Of this city has been dis Il
aged the pageantry Of kenlucky's most n
liable eveDts-whether we include the G
ception Of Lafayette, the burial of Daniel -
bone, the Inauguration of our Governors,
t dedication of our State monument, or q
{ recent superb and GROWING centennial II
this, our capital city. May we not hope
at these records are but the foundation of
+ growth and prosperity, and that they
ali constitute the glorious youth of a
old age.
In behalf of the City Of Frankfort, and
its official head, again pledge you
thlul custodianship OF these records.