The recently-restored “Indian Hunter” sculpture was rededicated Saturday morning Oct. 27, 2018 at
Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana.
 
Mayor Bill Bean presided and first introduced Marty Reich who described the project and how it came
about.  He thanked all sponsors who are listed on a plaque attached to the base of the sculpture.
Mayor Bean then introduced Dr. Ward Lutz who distributed copies of the original program held
June 29, 1914.  
 
Dr. Lutz went on to list some of the accomplishments of John Quincy Adams Ward, America’s premier sculptor in the Nineteenth Century and suggested that Ward, an Urbana native, would have been pleased to have this sculpture marking his grave.  He then read a letter lauding Ward written for the 1914 dedication by sculptor Daniel Chester French, a student of Ward’s, and noted that French was best known for his design of Abraham Lincoln’s statue in the Lincoln Memorial.  
 
Artist Mike Major then spoke to the aesthetic details of the sculpture and the restoration process
which he did.  
 
About 35 people attended in inclement weather.

Celebrate our common heritage by visiting historical landmarks in Champaign County normally not open to the public! All sites free and open 12-5pm!