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Exhibit: Great Smoky Mountains: Tributes |
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The life of Horace Kephart ended unexpectedly in a 1931 automobile accident.
While the National Park he campaigned to create was not yet a reality,
it was already clear that despite the obstacles to its, the park would
come to the mountains he had grown to love. Of the many individuals involved
in creating the park, Kephart was already recognized as a leader in the
movement during his later years and is currently sometimes credited with
actually founding the park.
Since Kephart's contributions came largely through his literary talents,
the North Carolina Literary and Historical Commission urged that a mountain
in the coming park be named after Kephart. In 1928 Mount Kephart in the
proposed park was officially named, an honor rarely given to living individuals.
Kephart greatly appreciated this gesture, and hoped that his remains would
ultimately be placed within the park. However the park Kephart helped
to create had already become larger than the individuals it represented.
The decision was made not to allow anyone to be buried within the park.
Thus Kephart ultimately become one of the many individuals to be excluded
from the park boundary where they once lived.
It is fitting that his final tribute emphasized the outdoor life that
he promoted. Towards the end of this life, Kephart had been granted a
lifetime membership in the Boy Scouts of America and served as a national
advisor to the organization. Following his death, it was the Boy Scouts
who prepared a simple wooden marker to commemorate his life and accomplishments
while a permanent memorial could be planned.
Horace Kephart remains best known for his involvement with the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park and the people who once lived there. But
his love for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and hunting
stretch back far beyond his arrival in the mountains he came to call home.
His passion for the outdoors led him to western North Carolina. And that
young people adopting that same passion were among the first to memorialize
his passing provides a most fitting tribute for this advocate of outdoor
sports and recreation.
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February 14, 1929
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North Carolina
Mount Kephart
Dr. Horace Kephart,
Bryson City, North Carolina.
Dear Doctor Kephart:
Due to carelessness on my part, you were not officially advised of
the action of the U. S. Geographic Board as of October 3, 1928, in naming
for you a peak in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
The board seldom approves naming features for living men - for very
obvious reasons - unless in unusual cases, which merit the honor. In this
case the board felt the name was fully merited, due to your distinguished
services to the public in connection with this peak. I congratulate you
on this honor.
I inclose herewith a copy of the decisions of the board of that date
for your information.
Very sincerely yours,
Will C. Barnes,
Secretary.
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Bryson City, N. C.
Feb. 16, 1929.
ST
North Carolina
Mount Kephart
Mr. Will C. Barnes, Secretary
United States Geographic Board
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Barnes:-
I have received your notification that the peak 1 1/2 miles northeast
of Clingman's Dome, in the Great Smoky Mountains, has been named for me
by the United States Geographic Board.
The honor thus conferred on me is deeply appreciated. For twenty-five
years I have lived in these Smoky Mountains, and my dust, I hope, will
some day mingle with them. It therefore gives me a special pleasure to
know that my name is also identified with them.
Please express to your Board my sincere thanks for the high honor
it has bestowed on me.
Very sincerely yours,
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February 20, 1929
Mr. Horace Kephart,
Bryson City, N. C.
Dear Mr. Kephart:
Have yours of the 16th. Congratulations that you have a namesake.
If anybody in this world is entitled to have one of the peaks of the Great
Smokies names after him, you're the man.
Sometime I'm coming down in that country and catch some trout from
the streams of Mount Kephart.
Sincerely yours,
R. P. Holland
Editor.
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