xxvii AUDUBON THE NATURALIST 
1812 
The annus mirabilis in Kentucky, marked by a series of earth- 
quakes, which begins December 16, 1811, and furnishes 
material for “Episodes.” 
Commission house of Audubon and Bakewell is opened by the 
latter in New Orleans, but is quickly suppressed by the 
war, which breaks out in June. 
Spring.—Starts a retail store, on his own account, at Hender- 
son. 
November 30.—John Woodhouse Audubon, born at “Meadow 
Brook” farm, Dr. Adam Rankin’s home near Henderson. 
1812-1813 
Storekeeping at Henderson, where he purchases four town 
lots and settles down. 
1816 
March 16.—Enters into another partnership with Bakewell; 
planning to build a steam grist- and sawmill at Henderson, 
they lease land on the river front. 
1817 
Thomas W. Pears joins the partnership, and the steam mill, 
which later became famous, is erected. (After long disuse 
or conversion to other purposes, “Audubon’s Mill” was 
finally burned to the ground on March 18, 1913.) 
1818 
Summer.—Receives a visit from Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, 
who becomes the subject of certain practical jokes, at 
zodlogy’s future expense, and figures in a later “Episode.” 
