Have a look at the two pages of The Morris Chronicle linked below. In the May article details of the dedication coming up on May 30th, 1872 are given. The June page recounts the events of the day. Town Historian Gertrude Sanderson wrote about the monument also.
I think that I can read Volney J. Hoke on the sign on the building if I vary the brightness and contrast.
Detail of Hoke store from above postcard. The building we now call the Morris Inn was once known as The Gardner House and the sign is in the image above, but not the Inn.