^^ . rO^ .. ,."< ..^'"V <. .sTXES. October 15. 1001. CHAPTERS. 1. Location ^^ 2. Topography ^^ 3. Environments ^^ 4. Landmarks -"^ 5. The Old Fort ^- 6. Creole Customs ^^ 7. Courts ^^ 8. Municipal ^^ 9. Police "^^ ^7 10. Newspapers no 11. Antiquities Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign ^9 90 12. 13. Clark's St. Vincents Campaign 14. Fire Protection ^^^ 15. Religion 131 IG. Finance 17. Corporations 18. Agriculture ^^^^ 144 19. Commerce 14-8 20. Fraternities 21. Education 22. Manufactures ^'^' 23. Material Progress ^^^^ -I n — 24 Personal Mention 25. Distinguished Personnel 1'^ 26. Partial List of Prominent Citizens Subsequent to 1800 . . 215 oil) 27. Conclusion - ' (2) ILLUSTRATIONS. City Hall Frontispiece Harrison House In Chapter IV Old Fort In Chapter Y Court House • ... In Chapter VII Old Catholic Church In Chapter XI Churches In Notices in Chapter XV Individual Pictures In Notices in Chapter XXV A HISTORY OF VINCENNES. CHAPTER I. LOCATIOX. A^incennes is situated on the east bank of the AYal^ash River 150 miles above its jimction with the Ohio. It is distant 192 miles west of Cincinnati, Ohio; 151 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri; 236 miles south of Chicago, Illinois; 51 miles north of the Ohio River at Evansville, and 117 miles southwest of Indianapolis, the capital of the State of Indiana. The United States Government in 1883 made an accurate geodetic survey of the United States. A^incennes was se- lected as one of the stations for observation. The station herf was located near the geographical centre of the town in the Court House yard off the northeast side of the Court House and is marked by three stones set in concrete, the centre one nearly flush with the surface and bearing an "X^' mark. Lat- itude of the station point, 38° 40' 39". Longitude west of Greenwich, 5 h, 50 min, .0888 sec, or 87° 31' 28". It is situated on high grounds beyond the possible reach of inundation and is bounded on the northeast and southwest by beautiful and fertile prairies, and on the southeast by a picturesque range of hills covered in part by forest trees and presenting from the city an attractive and pleasino- landscape view. The location is peculiarly fortunate and safe, occupying as it does a level depression surrounded on most sides l3y elevated grounds and hills which protect it from the chill v blasts of winter and the destructive storms of summer so prevalent and 12 A History of Vixcexnes. desolating in portions of the west. The surrounding hills operate as a bulwark to divert and elevate the course of pass- ing winds and thus shield and protect it from their fury, so that during the long period of time the site has 1)een the home of civilization no occasion for alarm has been furnished and not the least damage has been done to life or property within its limits on this account. It has numbered amono; its struc- tures, steeples and towers insecurely anchored, but which stood for years unharmed and until removed by design. Yincennes in early times was a fine field for sportsmen. As late as 1852 the quail in. the fall of the year invaded the town and as many as desired could be killed without leaving its corporate limits. And during the same time prairie chickens were so numerous that as many as sufficient to satisfy the most grasping sportsman could be killed in its immediate vicinity. There are on the southeast side of the city three beautiful mounds, the most noted and picturesque evidences of the work of the mound builders to be found anywhere. Tliesc mounds overlook and arc in full view from the city. The} add much to the physical appearance and beauty of the loca- tion, and are in fact a handsome background, and from their summits the best view of the city can be obtained. And when viewed from their heights, the city, located as it is upon a level plain, and the streets on either side ornamented with shade trees, appears to advantage and seems as if located in one large, unbroken forest. There is a fiction connected with these mounds that Gen. Clark, when he approached the place in February, 1779, marched his troops around one of them in a circle many times to impress the inhaljitants with the magnitude of his force. 1^0 such performance ever took place. Gen. Clark says in his account that he did not wish to surprise the people. He met two Frenchmen of the village when he was at Warrior's Is- Locality. 13 land, two miles below the place, and by them sent a message to the inhabitants of the town to the effect that he did not wish to surprise them^ and warning all who were friendly to the ^'hair buyer'^ general, as he called Hamilton, to join him in the fort. Warrior's Island in the prairie two miles below Yincennes was in full view of the town and his force could be seen and numbered there, and any such performance as marching around one of the mounds to create a false impres- sion of his force would have been detected and inspired merit- ed contempt and disgust. This alleged performance may be credited to many others designed to magnify the exploits of Clark and invest them with colors of romance akin to the deeds of chivalry. Gen. Clark himself says in his report that when he sent his message to the inhabitants of the town by the two Frenchmen from Warrior's Island that he knew that the French inhabitants were friendly to him, as was also "■'Tobacco's Son/' the most powerful Indian chief in the coun- try. It seems cruel to spoil this romantic story, but regard for truth compels it to be done. The streets of the city are all level and graded with gravel containing a co-hesive substance wdiich w4ien first taken from its bed is of a dull red color, but upon exposure to the air soon cements and makes a hard and substantial road bed, and also bleaches and presents a bright and shining appearance, and gives the city streets the appearance of threads of silver wind- ing through shaded avenues. The sidewalks are as level as a sheet of paper, and when improved with granitoid, of which many miles have already l)een constructed, and many more miles are being added each year, gives the city sidewalks that cannot be surpassed any- where, and but rarely equaled. The site of Yincennes has always been admired and praised l^y all travellers, who ever visited the place. Count Yolney in his account of his travels refers to it as a garden spot remind- 14 A History of Vixcennes. ing him of some of the vine-clad provinces of France. It was in 1796 that he visited the place, and he sa3^s the village on all sides Avas surrounded by the most luxurious vineyards from which abundance of the purest wines were made by the villagers, and that the prairies adjoining the village were cov- ered with the finest fruit orchards he ever saw. This condi- tion as to the fruit orchards continued in the lower prairies until within the memory of men still living. But the vine- yards and orchards have now disappeared and their placi-h have been given up to the cultivation of wheat and corn. Mr. Scott, in a gazetteer, published in 1793, says that a pleasant wine was made here of old. In 1765 Col. Croghan came here to treat Avith the Miami and Illinois tribes. In his report he praised Post Yincennes as "one of the finest situations that can be found." He praised the soil as very rich, "producing wheat and tobacco, and that the tobacco raised here is preferable and superior to that of Maryland and Virginia, and that Post Yincennes is a place of great importance for trade. '^ William H. English, when he first visited the place in 1891^ thus speaks of it in his history of the Northwest: "In addition to its early settlement and the multitude of interesting incidents connected with its history, its locatioii and surroundings are so attractive that one can readily under- stand why it was a favorite of the Indians in the earliest times, and subsequently of the French and others of the white race. There are few places where life at all periods has been more thoroughly and philosophically enjoyed than at the 'Old Post' St. Yincents, the modern city of Yincennes.' ' Topography. 15 CHAPTER II. Topography. Tlio topographical situation and site upon winch the city of Yincennes stands is remarkalde and worth}' of attention. The area it occupies may he called a gravel bank extending from the surface to the water line below. Xo point in tliis area has been pierced and penetrated where this gravel form- ation has not been exposed. In 1880 the city authorities ex- cavated on Busseron street between Second and Third streets, for a cistern for the use of the fire department. It was exca- vated to the water line below and gravel and sand were only found in the progress of the work. At a considerable depth below the surface a large isolated lump of coal was found im- l)edded in gravel both above and below. The conformation of the surrounding hills indicate that m the remote past they were the restraining barriers of volumes of water either in a flowing stream or confined lake. Every- thing around the site of a natural formation indicates the former presence and active agency of water which has been expelled from the surface and the site of the city elevated by some mighty upheaval. A similar but gradual and quiet process has beeU' observable since the adveut of civilized men. In 1804, and for many years after the village was annually surrounded by water and the pirogwa, as they were called, used by the early French settlers, circamnavigated the village at tlood seasons and unloaded their cargoes in the rear of the high ground upon which the Court House stands. As late as 183G the topographical appearance of the place was unique. The river front at Hart street was called the stone landing. From tliat point abruptly rose and extended 16 A History of Yixcenxes. along tliG entire river front to the prairie below, a pure gravel hill fifteen or twenty-five feet in height above the present level of the city streets. It presented an abrupt face to the river but gradually sloped in the direction of First street. This gravel hill has been removed by the city authorities to grade streets and fill depressions in other parts of the city. Between this gravel hill and the elevated ground upon which the Court House stands the village was originally located and mostly below Broadway street. This space in many places was unfit for occupation owing to the presence of ponds and sur- face water. From a point near the intersection of Perry and Fifth streets, running diagonally through the town in the direction of the |)ublic cemetery, the ground was low and little better than a pond, and was covered by water most of the year. Immediately be3ond the high ground upon which the Court House stands was an immense pond called ^'Dinah's ])ond,''" having a depth of several feet, and which was sus- tained to a considerable depth throughout the year. The first road leading from Yincennes to the east in the direction of Louisville, Kentucky, was by way of Petersburg over what Avas called the "•''Buffalo trace,'" so-called as stated by old residents who had travelled over it from the fact that it had been originally traced through the intervening forest Ijy the immense herds of buffalo that passed over it in their annual migrations back and forth from the blue grass re- gions of Kentucky. They crossed the Kentucky River at the '•great crossings'' in Scott county, the Ohio River at the falls at Louisville, and the Wabash at the ford just below this 1)1 ace, and thence to the rich prairie lands of Illinois beyond. This ^'buffalo trace'' was the only and usual route of travel from Yincennes to the east for many 3'ears after ISOi. As late as 1846 the road to Louisville passed out of town on the southeast and thence to what is now called ''Burnet heights."' and over what was tlien in its course an impassible Topography 17 swamp the road itself being an artificial construction called "^^Cordnroy,'' and animals running at large would mire any- where outside the roadway itself. The land on the southeast side of the town as far as the high land beyond was covered with scrub oak bushes that never attained a height greater than ten feet. The town at first huddled and centered around the present locality of the Catholic Church. The old fort built by Fran- cois Morgan de Yincenne in 1T02, was located on the river between what is now the Catholic Church square and the river, and between Barnet and Yigo streets. The main en- trance to the fort was on what is now Church street. The following diagram will give a better idea of the location of the old fort than any mere description. Wabash Elver. iVJiV.Vi.A'.V.':' " «<»««. »"«»*»<»».»«.»«i«"»<««<»«.»"««"><«w»«iif«.«M<'»<»«»»""/>".".""*"' •••■««"H'»«>»1»"I»"««'*«'««»"«»"«»"««' OLD FORT Gate -I i- Calvery Street Church Catholic Cemetery and Catholic Church Square Around these two places, the church and the fort as a iiucleuS; the town gathered and sprung up. The hotel of Mark Barnet, long tlie principal one, was on the river below 18 A History of Vincexxes. Barnet street, and that of Peter Jones, of a mneh later date, was also on the river l^elow Broadway street where Jordan"* elevator now stands. The space between these points, and extending- a short distance hack from the river, was all the >]3ace occupied by the town. On the northeast side of the (own above Broadway street Avas located the Piankeshaw vil- lage and fields, and their Council Honse stood on the high gravel hill where the B. & 0. S. AV. E. K. freight depot no\\ stands. This high hill w^as for many years, and as late as 1850, selected for raising the liberty pole and firing the can- non on the Fourth of July, which was always obser\'ed wiili tlie annual return of that day until Philander Fellows was killed there by a premature explosion. Tliere lias been expressed by some of late 3'ears a douljt as to tlie location of the old fort. But the doubt thus expressed is not founded upon any authentic or reliable information. The location of the fort as given a1:>ove i< sustained by ail authentic evidence and was always called by the old resideutft of the place ''The Old Bloclc House Lotr The plot of ground was only sulxlivided and sold in parcels as now held as late as 1839. Its location, as stated above, is consistent with all his- toric references to it, and the happening of known events con- nected with it. and there is no evidence of its location else- where. According to the report of the State Geologist. Yincennes is situated in one of the richest coal districts in the west. The town itself is built upon coal deposits. The surface within the limits of the city has been pierced in several places and veins of coal have always been found, one layer below the first, and of a superior quality, which will in the future be worked with profit. A coal shaft has been sunk on the east outskirts of the city and superior coal is taken out and has been suc- cessfully and profitably operated for several years, and fur- nishes the cheapest coal used in the city. EXVIRONMEXT.S. 19 CHAPTEK III. EXVIKOXMEXTS. The country surrounding Yineennes gives the town a loca- tion unsurpassed for heauty. It was originally situated he- tween two handsome prairies one above and the other below. The upper prairie extended about t^^'o miles from the limits of the town to Prairie Creek on the north. But this beautiful prairie has been encroached upon by the expansion of the city. Within the past two years it has l^een covered with manufact- uring- plants^ Imsiness houses and dwellings and with the same.23rocess continued for a year or two longer it will pre- sent a city appearance. But the two prairies l)elow the town remain as they were when the town was settled. They are beautiful and fertile prairies extending from the lower limits of the city some six miles Ixdow. The land was originally granted to the early French settlers by the commandants of the fort. These prairie lands as well as the lots granted in the village were designated upon small slips of paper and no record kept or made of any of the grants so far as known. The titles of the French settlers and claimants rested wholly upon actual possession and occupancy. And the transfer of lots in the village and prairie lands from one to another was made without documentary or written evidence of transfer, but simply Ijy changing possession and occupancy in the same way personal property changed hands. This custom and transfer of real property without any written evidence of transfer gave the commissioners ap|)ointed by tbe Ignited States to examine and report upon the claims of the French to lots and lands much trouble and compelled them to rely upon 20 A HiSTOKY OF YlXCENNES. verbal testimony in such cases. The lots in the village were not numbered, but onh' identified as adjoining lots of other persons. The same disposition of lands was made in the lower and Cathlinette prairies, which adjoin each other in the same imperfect manner and evidenced by descriptions on small slips of paper of which no record was made. The grants in the two prairies l)elow Vincennes except the first granted the church, which contains four arpents, all contain two arpents in front by forty arpents in depth, French measure. A French arpent is a little less than an English acre. The grants in the lov.er prairie were thus divided in small slips so that each proprietor could have a frontage on the Wabash river. The grants in the prairies were not numljered and in transferring them long after deeds were in use, were simply described as bonded by lands of different owners. These prairie lands were afterwards surveyed by the United States government, after it acquired the territor}', and numV)ered. The lower prairie containing b}^ the survey 52 tracts and the Cath- linette prairie 18 tracts. But for years after the survey and numljering of the lands in the two prairies iu all deeds, the same defective mode of conveyance was continued, causing much confusion. The lands in the two prairies below Vin- cennes were never enclosed by the Frencli. They were culti- vated by the owners in a common field. They all lived in the town, French fashion, and went out to the fields each day to cultivate the lands. A turning row was allowed for between each grant to enable the adjoining owners to cultivate their respective portions without trespassing on his neighbor in turning his team. These prairie lands and lots in the town in that part called "French Town,*' were originally, and as late as 1850, owned l)y the French people. But since that time they have changed liands and passed into the possession of other proprietors and but few lots or lands are now owned by the descendants of the original French proprietors. Environmeiits. 2L The lots in the viUage and the hinds in the neighhorhood were all granted hy the commandants of the Post commenc- ing with Francois jMorganne de Yincenne, the huilder of the fort and first conimaiidant^ and all his successors. This is shown by the official report of the judges of the court, dated July 3d, 1790, to Winthrop Sargeant, the secretary of the Territory, in which tliey expressly state that Francois Mor- gaiine de Yincenne was the builder of the fort and its first commandant. This report can be found in the American state papers and is authentic, and settles beyond question who built the tort. On the Illinois side of the Wabash adjoining Yincennes is the large and fertile "Allison'^ prairie extending from the river back about eight miles and up and down the river about fifteen miles. This prairie is very rich and produces abund- ant crops of all kinds and throws upon the Yincennes market as large a volume of produce almost as the County of Knox. It is thickly settled with an industrious population and adds much to the business and prosperity of Yincennes. By an act of Congress passed March 5, 1791, there was appropriated a large tract of land adjoining Yincennes con- taining about 5,000 acres for a commons, for the use of all the inhabitants of Yincennes. This tract of land was not enclosed but was used by all the inhabitants of the town for purposes of pasturing their stock of all kinds. This use of the commons continued until the commons lands were sold by the borough trustees from and after 1825. The inhabitants of the town in 1816 joined in a petition to Congress for au- thority to sell tlie commons lands. In accordance with this petition Congress on April 20, 1818, passed an act transferring the commons lands to the trustees of the borough of Yin- cennes in trust, however, for the purpose of selling the same, and with the proceeds of sales to drain a pond on the east of the town and to pay any balance remaining to the Yincennes 22 A History of \'ixcennes. T'liiversity. The trustees of the horough ]jy an ordinance passed Sei^tember 28. 1818, accepted the trust and proceeded to execute the same. The commons lands were surve3^ed and divided in three divisions, A, B and C divisions. A was di- vided into 138 lots of 5 acres each, division B was divided into 20-1 lots of 10 acres each and division C was divided into D6 lots of twenty acres each. The lots in these three divisions were sold Ijy the trustees of the borough at different times from and after 1825, and are now held by individual proprie- tors under the sales inade by the trustees. But the pond ad- joining the city Avas not drained by the borough trustees and no part of the proceeds were paid to the Vincennes Univer- sity. On the Illinois side of the Waljash Eiver a chain of hills rise near the river and extend along its bank about three miles above and which add much to the scenery surrounding Vin- cennes. On the Indiana side of the river the picturesque hills on which Fort Knox Avas erected, rise from the water's edge and add much to the scenery in that locality. And these hills commencing at Fort Knox with slight interruptions extend continuously in a circle around Vincennes, terminating with Bunker Hill below the limits of the city. Upon these hills thus surrounding the city, on the east and south, beautiful sites for sulmrban residences are afforded Avliich are being rapidly taken up by wealthy citizens and fine private resi- dences erected thereon. And on these hills on the east is erected the Knox County Poor Asylum, a fine brick structure. On Avhat is usually called the ^'Highlands,'' a splendid struct- ure has been built, some three miles from the city, but in full view from all parts of it, for St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum. Vincennes has four magnificent parks in close proximity to the city. ''Harrison Park'' is situated in the city limits in Xorth Vincennes and is finely shaded and ])rovided with Avalks and seats for the convenience of visitors. ""Fairview Park," Environments. 23 also well shaded and improved, near the limits of the city on the northeast. "Fairgronnd Park,'' a little farther out, is also well shaded and has nnmerons bnil dings for the nse and con- venience of visitors. "Harmonic Park/' a half mile still farther out, is also well shaded and improved. All these j^arks can be reached by the cars of the electric railroad. In the summer they are daily resorted to by all parties for pic- nics, recreation or pleasure and no better places can be found in the vicinity of any city for tlie purpose of amusement and pleasure and escaping from the heat of the city. Yincennes is blessed with driveways in all directions around the city. And these afford any variety of route and scenery that may be desired. On one route the driver can pass over picturesque hills on a road well improved. On another he can pass over a road well graded and improved and as level as a floor. And on another he can pass over the most beauti- ful undulating country to be found anywhere. And on an- other, along a shaded road running by a running stream, which tends to moisten and cool the air. x\nd on the other side of the Wabash he can drive either up or down the river on its banks, well shaded, and on a road as smooth as possible. And on any of the routes he may take he can drive for an evening airing a distance of ten miles through beautiful rural scenery and return to the city without passing twice over the same roadwav. <3) 24 A History of Yincennes. CHAPTER IV. Laxd:makks. The first houses erected in Vincennes by the French settlers as well as those erected by their Creole descendants, were of timbers set upon end, thatched with straw and plastered with adobe. They were durable and lasting structures. Some &uch hoiicec^ were knoAvn to have stood for upwards of a hundred j'eai.?, and were still in good preservation when torn down to give place to more modern structures. They even resisted much longer the destroying ravages of lire than frame houses. Oiie of them caught fire in the early part of the night between the years 1840 and 1850, and after burning all night, with the aid of the volunteer fire department, was consumed as the sun was casting its first rays over the eastern horizon. They wert comfortable residences, being warm in winter and cool in summer. The first church erected in this way for St. Francis Xavier was used for church purposes for about eighty years, and then for a pastoral residence many years afterwards. Xone of the structures now remain in Vincennes. The building occupied by the Territorial Government dur- ing the time Vincennes was the capitol of the Territory, wai^ situated on the southwest side of Main street about niidwav between Second and Third streets. It was a two story frame building which about fifty years ago was removed to the southeast side of Upper Third street and located just below "Harrison" Park, where it yet stands in a good state of pret- ervation. The upper prairie survey, now in part occupied by ^'Harri- son'' Park, was covered over on the river front by many hand-^ Landmark; 25 some brick residences. These remained as late as 18-14, but have since entirely disappeared. The brick in these build- ings was used in the constrnction of brick buildings in var- ious parts of the city, and may be said to be the beginning of the erection of brick buildings in the city. The survey upon which these buildings stood on the failure of the Steam Mill Company was mortgaged to the United States for $100,000, and the title subject to the mortgage passed to Hall Xeilson, FIRST CAPITOL OF INDIANA TERRITORY. of Washington €ity. The United States was subjected to a long litigation to establish its claim, which was not finally settled until 1880, when the government claim was finally quited. The Government then had the survey subdivided into lots and sold all the lots except that portion fronting on the river which was donated to the city for a public park, and is now known as "Harrison'^ Park. The Harrison mansion is the oldest building in Vincennes, and is truly an ancient landmark. Many fictitious stories 26 A History of Vixcexnes. connected with the old mansion have been circulated. One to the effect that there was a subterraneous passage leading from the mansion to the river as a means of escape in case of an}^ hostile attack. Xo such passageway ever had any exist- ence. The mansion itself was the best protection in case oi danger of any place in the vicinity. Another to the effect that in tlie basement there was a duno'eon in which slaves and HARRISON MANSION. others were confined. No dungeon was ever in the basement. These stories are akin to anotlier that the huge boulder in the yard of the Eabb residence on Sixth street was the trystring place where Jefferson Davis and Jessie Taylor often met. Jessie Taylor left the place when an infant and never return- ed to it, and Jefferson Davis was never in Yincennes. The mansion was the centre of attraction during its occu- pation by Gen. Harrison, and long afterwards. When the Axn.NrAKKi general left in ISll, it was oceupicd hy his son, John C'leves Symmes Harrison, who was as popular and as great a favorite with the people as his father. He was a cultured man. He married the daughter and only child of G-eneral Pike, who was equally cultured. The Vincennes Lihrary was kept in the mansion during the time it was oc-cupied by Symmes Harri- son, and it continued to be the resort of the elite and cultured of the place. When he left, a public banquet was tendered him by the citizens of the place, at which he delivered an ad- dress. In part, he said: "I had fondly hoped to spend my life here, but cruel fate has decreed otherwise. But rest as- sured I can never forget the place or the many friends I leave behind me.^^ He died at his father's home in North Bend on the Ohio Eiver, October 30, 1830, of typhoid fever. A fine obituary notice of his death was published in the Western Sun. After S3anmes Harrison left, the mansion was occupied by G-en. James P. Drake, who was the receiver of public monies at this place, and kept his office there. Gen. Drake was one of the leading men of the State, and was afterwards elected Treasurer of State and removed to Indianapolis, where he died after 1850. After Gen. Drake left the mansion was greatly neglected and fell into the hands of men who appropriated it to im- proper use. Gen. John Myers, who lived near on Second street, used it for storing his wheat and corn. And after the completion of the railroad to St. Louis it was occupied by James Gattan as a hotel. But thanks to its durable construc- tion it exhibits no signs of misuse and is now as well pre- served and substantial as any building in Vincennes. It was at the Harrison mansion that the celebrated inter- view took place between Gen. Harrison and Chief Tecumseh. This interview is often referred to as a treaty. But it was no treatv and was not intended as such. It was called bv Gen. 28 A History of Vixcexnes. Harrison for the sole purpose of a friendly exchange of greet- ings. Gen. Harrison aware of the intrigues and mac-hinatioii of that celebrated chief requested him to come and visit him and that he would assure him of the friendly good will of the government towards the Indian tribes. He was requested to come unarmed and assured he would receive kind and courte- ous tratment. He agreed to come and did come. But in- stead of coming unarmed he came with 70 armed warriors, who encamped for the night on Prairie creek, near the preseu t residence of Mr. Kelso. Gen. Harrison, aware of his thus coming with an armed force, prepared to meet him in an in- terview on the following da}', August 15, 1810. For precau- tion in case of necessity G«n. Harrison summoned a numbei of his friends, who were well armed and occupied places in the hallway and circular parlor of the mansion This inter- view was held on the southwest front of the mansion in a grove of trees that surrounded it on that side Some conflict- ing statements have been made as to where this interview took place. But there should Ix' no doubt about it. Eobert G. McClure and Elihu Stout and many others who were part of Gen. Harrison's guard at the time all stated that this inter- view was held in the grove in front of the porch on the south- west side of the mansion. Gen. Harrison never left the porch and Tecumseh refused to take a seat on it, but stood in the grove. Gen. Harrison 2:)roceeded to address Tecumseh and his warriors and to assure them of the friendly feeling and good wishes of the government towards the Indians, and was willing to do all possible to promote their comfort and happi- ness and iDreserve peace. Tecumseh, who understood Englisii imperfectly, here interrupted the general and told the inter- preter to tell him he lied. The interpreter fearing if the ex- act language was given it would produce trouble modified it. But Tecumseh interrupted him and told him to state his exact language and to tell Gen. Harrison he lied when he said the Landmarks. 29 government was friendly to the Indians, but had cheated them and stolen their lands. When this was communicated to the general he terminated the interview and Tecumseh and liis warriors withdrew. This porch and the grove of trees that surrounded it where this interview was held remained until 1840. It was here the great mass meeting and barbecue was held during the exciting political campaign of "Tippe- canoe and Tyler too'^ in 1840. The meeting was composed of such numbers that four speakers of national reputation ad- dressed it at the same time. The names of these four speak- ers were George Gr. Dunn of Bedford, Eichard W. Thompson of Terre Haute, George H. Proffit of Petersburg and John Ewing of Vincennes. The grounds around the Harrison mansion, extending to the river, were artistically laid out and filled with the choicest fruits and flowers. It was in fact a thing of beauty and a joy and remained in good preservation as late as 1855. The river front and for some distance back was enclosed with a picket fence of locust timbers firmly planted in the ground. The square in front of the mansion, on laying out Harrison's addi- tion, was reserved for a park. The brick used in the construc- tion of the mansion were manufactured by Samuel Thomp- son, who received for this work 400 acres of land about three miles above the city on the Terre Haute road. The second brick building erected in Vincennes was the old seminary, which occupied four of the present city squares, bounded by Fourth and Sixth streets and Perry and Hart streets. This seminary was 1)uilt in 1807 and was intended for use of common schools. It was sold by the school author- ities in 1839 to Bishop Hailandiere, who started St. Gabriel's College there under the managment of the Udist fathers, who conducted the college until 1844, when they left the diocese and went to New Orleans. It was then converted into an orphan asylum and so continued until the orphans were 30 A History of Vincenxes. removed to Terre Haute. The Seminary was then turned over to the Sisters of Providence who established there St. Rose Acadeni}'. Francis Silas Chatard, the present bishop of the diocese, subdivided the square and opened Fifth and Seminar}" streets through it. The old Seminary was torn down in 1883 and the lots of the subdivision have all been sold except the part reserved for St. Eose Seminary, and are now held by private persons, and for the most part covered by fine residences. As late as 1850 the survey out of which has been carved iu part Judah's addition, was enclosed with a rail fence and used for farming purposes. The part of the town back of the Court House was unoccupied and used for a race track. That portion extending back from Sixth street was Marachall'b field, and extended to the limits of the town and was culii- vated in corn. This was divided into lots by Alvin W. Tracy, his executor, in 1855, and the lots sold. All that part of the city above Hart street was vacant except the Harrison man- sion, the former residence of Judge Parke and that of Judge Law between them and the Judah square, afterwards called "the Baty place.'' In 1857 the Lutheran Church on Eighth street was built and was then the sole and solitary struetui-e of any kind ijii that quarter. So late as 1850 the Imiklings of the Steam Mill Company on the river front on what is now "Harrison"' Park remained in a good state of preservation. The main structure of bricK was 700 feet in length and two stories high. It was painted white. From the second story extended a log carriage-way to the river upon which logs floated down the river were car- ried Ijy steam power into the mill. The Terre Haute Stale Road passed l)eneath this log-way. Immediately above the mill was a tall, brick malt house, and still farther up a large distillery. Around this mill as late as 1850 there were still standing manv larae two-storv brick buildino-s for business Landmarks. 81 and residence purposes. The surroundings indicated that regular streets and paved sidewalks had been constructed. The houses were all finel}^ finished. The Masonic Hall was in one. of them and the walls were beautifully frescoed with tlio symbolical emblems of the order. The building occupied by the Bank of Vincennes, and sub- sequently by act of the State Legislature in 1816 adopted as the State Bank of Indiana, and which bank gave rise to the celebrated quo warranto proceedings in the Circuit and Su- preme Courts of the State, was located in a brick building on the east corner of First and Broadway streets. The first building used for court purposes was of logs, sit- uated on the north corner of Second and Broadway streets, and which after it was abandoned for such purposes was, while Fort Knox, was occupied by Federal troops used for hospital purposes for sick, wounded and disabled soldiers. The second building used for court purposes was purchased from Eobert Buntin, and was located on the west corner of Fourth and Buntin streets, and the county jail and estray pen were on the north corner of the same streets. The present court square was purchased from Jacob Kuy- kendall, September 20, 1830, and has ever since been used for court and county purposes. The old fort built by Francois Morgan de Vincenne in 1702 was built of logs and remained until 1820, when it was torn down and the I'ogs used in its construction were used in build- ing private houses in various parts of the city, and which houses were durable and remained until torn down. One of the houses built of logs from the old fort was situate I on Low^er Sixth street near the Catholic cemetery, and was only torn down a few years ago. 32 A History of Vincennes. chapti!:r y. THE OLD FORT. The old fort on the WaV)ash at Vincennes owed its origin to considerations of military necessity. The French were aware as early as 1650 of the dangers that would in the future imperil their possessions on this continent and prudently en- deavored to counteract them. Their colonies on the St. Law- rence river in the north, were widely separated from those on the Gulf of Mexico in the south. It was necessary for pro- tection in a military point of view to connect them by a direct communication. This could not be done along the Atlantic coast as the English, their menacing and hostile rivals, occu- pied the intervening space in that quarter. It was only feasi- ble by a line of forts through the unbroken and unexplored wilderness of the West. This connection was determined on as early as 1650 by the French ministry in control of affairs. But to execute it was a work requiring time. A survey had to be made and a practicaljle route adopted. It required years to explore this vast expanse of country through which the pro- posed connection was to be made. Exploring parties would have to grope their way through this extended stretch of wil- derness, not only presenting natural obstacles, but filled with savage and in many cases hostile Indian tribes. The entire field stretching for thousands of miles had to be viewed in order to select the most feasiljle route and locate the forts in the proper places. The Mississippi river flowing almost di- rectly north and south, was a natural highway affording easy ingress to the north from the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Law- rence river and the great chain of lakes connected with it were a natural highway opening the heart of the continent to ap- The Old Fort, 33 roach from the Atlantic. It was determined to connect these two great natural highways. The St. Lawrence route was direct and continous from the Atlantic to Detroit river. But here its direction was broken and only sustained by a long de- tour to the north and then an equal distance to the south. To ayoid this circuity and waste of time, it was determined to make the connection from Detroit to the Mississippi at the junction of the Ohio. The site of Vincennes was selected as the place to locate one of the forts. This route was practica- ))le and afforded a water communication in a direct course THE OLD FORT. almost the entire distance. The waters of the Maumee, the St. Joseph, the St. Mary and Wabash riyers, presented nat- ural facilities for cominunication only interrupted by a yery narrow portage. This diyide separating the waters of these riyers is so narrow and contracted that the crystal drops fall- ing on the earth from their home in the sky, are at first puz- zled to determine which course to take, whether to seek the cold and sparkling waters of the Atlantic through the gi'eat lakes and the St. Lawrence riyer or the warm and rosy bosom of the Gulf of Mexico through the Wabash, Ohio and Missis- sippi riyers. This route had been selected and determined 34 A History of Vincenxes. upon by the French government before 1700. It was sup- posed for many years that tlie "Ouabasche" was the river that emptied into the Mississippi Eiver. Judge Law in his address of February 22, 1838, says: ''It is a singuhir fact that the Wabash river was known and navigated by the whites long before the Ohio was known to exist."' But this is not a sin- gular fact and results as a natural sequence from the way the country was settled. This continent was first settled by the Europeans along the Atlantic coast, but the Allegheny mountains and the Blue Eidge were barriers forbidding the discovery and settlement of the Mississippi valley from that direction. This could only be done Ijy way of the St. Law- rence and its connecting lakes. And this is the way it was explored and settled. The head waters of the Wabash river being nearer this route of travel from the north was neces- sarily discovered and navigated before the Ohio. The old fort here was Iniilt in the fall of 1702. The first of the military forts in the Xorth of the contemplated chain built by the French, was at Detroit in 1701. The next year Francois Morgan de Yincenne, according to the Quebec an- nals, a trusted officer in the service of the French, was sent with a military force to Iniild three forts on the route selected for the chain of French forts to connect Canada and Louisi- ana. One at the junction of the St. Joseph and St. Mary rivers where the city of Fort Wayne now stands, two on the Wabash river, one about seven miles below the present city of Lafayette called "Ouianon/" The third at the site of Vin- cennes. These forts were certainly built in the order named as that would naturally folloA\', considering the point where the force engaged in their construction started to do the work which was Detroit. It was the custom of the Frencli in all tlieir explorations and settlements on this coniinent to operate with two forces, the sword and the cross. The one represented the civil, and The Old Fort. 35 the other the spiritual power. Aecordiiigly the force tliat came here with de Vincenne in IT 02 to biiikl the fort, and thus hiy the foundation of civilization in these parts, was ac- companied by a French Jesuit missionary, who in the fall of 1702 celebrated the holy sacrifice of the mass at this place, in the open air, before the troops, the villagers and thousands of Indians. This mass was said near where the fort was to be built and near where the cathedral now stands. This act of the Jesuit missionary is recited in the Quebec annals and may be taken as the date when the site of Yincennes was conse- crated and dedicated to civilization and Christianity. When the French came here in 1702 to build the fort they were welcomed and kindly received by the Indian tribes in- habiting the Wal3ash country about here. It is certain they gave them no active opposition but made them concessions of land in the village and surrounding country. It is stated in documents still preserved in Quebec that the Indians assisted the French in building both the church and the fort. And this is reasonable to believe from the known amicable rela- tions that always existed between the French and the various Indian tril)es, with whom they came in contact. The French and Indian tribes always lived in peace and concord. Judge Law says in his adress of Februar}', 1838: ^'The French have always succeeded in conciliating the Indians and gaining their coniidence and good will, while the Anglo Saxon has made but little 'progress in claiming their confidence and af- fection." The countr}^ around Vincennes has been subject to the sov- ereignty of several different nationalities. It was first claimed, occupied and colonized by the French. It remained subject to this jurisdiction until the year 1763, when by the treaty of Paris of that year, it was ceded to Great Britain. It remained subject to that power until the capture of Ivas- kaskia and other French posts on the ^lississippi river in 36 A History of Vixcenxes. July, 1778, and the capture of the old fort here in February, 1779, by Virginia troops under command of George Rogers Clark. It then became a part of the commonwealth of old Virginia. It so remained until 1784, when that state ceded to the general government the territory northwest of the river Ohio, only stipulating in the act of cession that the ter- ritory thus ceded, should be divided into new states and ad- mitted into the Union without slavery. And in accordance with this stipulation in the grant of A^'irginia to the general government, the live states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, ^lichi- gan and Wisconsin, have been carved out of the territory and admitted into the Union as free states. The old fort here was called by many different names but never during all the time the French continued in possession, was it ever called by the name of ^'Sackville.'^ It was never so called until the British acquired the Northwest Territory after the close of the old French war by the treaty of Paris. The British wishing to obliterate from the minds of the in- habitants all recollection of the French regime named the fort here "Sackville." This was intended as a compliment to Sir Thomas Sackville, earl of Dorset, an English scholar and statesman, who was a great favorite of the English govern- ment and who was employed in many important foreign mis- sions. On the death of Lord Burleigh he succeeded him as Prime Minister of England, in which capacity he was regarded in sagacity and fidelity, as equal to his great predecessor, and in his honor the English named the fort here. But the object of the English in naming the fort failed of its purpose. The French did not approve or accept the name and never as long as the fort stood referred to it in any other way than the ''old fort," and would not have known what fort was referred to as "Sackville/' The town itself has been called by many different names. I have seen it stated that the name of the original village that The Old Fort. 37 occupied this site was ''Chippccoke/' But I do not know upon what authority the statement is made. Xo reliable document calling the Indian village upon the Wabash at this place l)y that name has yet come under my observation. x\s to the dif- ferent names the place has been called, Bishop Brute says: "Few places have received so many different appellations in the public documents either of old Virginia, of Congress or even of the territory where it would seem it would be best pre- served ; few had their orthography more wonderfully diversi- fied. Beside the "Ancient Poste/"'* "The Poste/' "Au Poste/' "Post Ouabache," "Post St. Francis Xavier/' and finally "Poste Vincents." The town was never called A'incennes until after IT 36. It has been frequently stated that the place received its name from a place so called in the vicinity of Paris in France. But this is a mistake. The place derives its name from no city in France or elsewhere, but from the French officer who came here in 1702, and built the fort. And this name w^as given the place to jDcrpetuate the memory and heroism of its founder. This was done in consequence of the tragic death and self sacrifice of de Vincenne in a disastrous battle with the Chickasaw Indians. In 1736 the French to force their way and complete their chain of forts, were at war with these Indians who inhabited the country midway between here and the fort at Vicksburg. It was determined by the French in order to complete the chain of forts, to attack them both from the north and south. Accordingly two armies were organized for the purpose. The force from the south was under the command of Bienville. The one from the north under the command of D'Artegette and Francois JMorgan de Vincenne. It was intended the forces should form a conjunction before risking a decisive battle with the Chickasaws. But the forces from the south under Bienville were delayed and failed to form a junction. D'Artegette, unfortunately determined to 3S A History of Vixcexnes. attack the Indians with the northern forces alone. He did so and was successful in several minor engagements and capt- ured several of their smaller villages. When they approached the stronghold of the Chickasaws in the vicinity of the present city of Memphis, they halted before it in hopes they would be joined by the force from the south under Bienville. As long as that officer remained in the vicinity in a threatening atti- tude, the Indians and French remained quietly confronting each other. When Bienville retreated with his force and re- turned to Louisiana, the savages Ijecame emboldened and at- tacked the French, and defeated them in a bloody engage- ment. In consequence of this defeat, ^I. D'Artegette, de Vin- cenne and Father Antoninus Senat, then pastor of St. Fran- cis Xavier church here, who accompanied the expedition as spiritual adviser, were all taken prisoners by the Indians. Father Senat and de Yincenne could have easily escaped with the remnant of the troops that retreated, and came back, and were entreated to do so. The retreat was conducted by M. Yoisin, a young French officer, but both Father Senat and de Yincenne, with self sacrificing devotion of true heroes and martyrs, refused to join the retreating forces and thus save tliemselves, but leave the wounded and dying soldiers to the fury of the savages. Tliey remained with the wounded sold- iers and were l)oth Imrned at the stake on Easter Sunday, K3G. This day has always been observed as a holiday in all Catholic churches throughout the world and was a fitting day for the introduction of two martyr saints into the glories of the church triumphant. And from the time the troops who survived and returned to the fort here, this place has been called Alncennes and will ever be called as long as the rec- ollection of lieroism and noble deeds will be appreciated among men. And thus it is clear Yincennes derives its name from an honorable source in perpetuation and remembrance of its founder. On this subject. Bishop Brute, says: "Al- The Old Fort. 39 though W8 find no deliberation^ no special act, no express monnment for attaching the name of dc Vincenne to tlie Post, we see how effectually that honorable gratitude gave his name to iV' Of the three forts built by Francois Morgan de Vincenne in 1702;, the one at this place was destined to endure the long- est and become of historic importance. The one built at the junction of the St. Mary^s and St. Joseph's rivers was de- stroyed by the Indians and the remains seen and described by Gen. Wayne in 1794. The one called Outanon, on the Wa- bash, was destroyed by the Indians in 1765. But the old fort built here remained until torn down after 1816. (4) 40 A History of Yincennes. CHAPTEK VI. FEEXCH CUSTO:iIS. Vincennes was originally settled by the French, as already stated. When they came here and settled they found the country filled with various Indian tribes living together in peace and amity. These tribes were Delawares^ Kickapoos, Mascontens, Miamis, Shawnees, Pottawatomies and Pianke- shaws. This place^, from its location on high ground when the whole surrounding country was subject to overflow, made the site of Yincennes a favorite place of resort and abode for the Indian tribes. When the French came here they associated and affiliated with them on terms of equality. The marriages between the French and the Indian races were frequent. From this admixture of blood a dual race was produced called ''Creoles/' This race was for many years the dominant race about here in both town and country, and could, as late as 1855, control all elections in Knox county. The Creole French occupied almost exclusively all tliat part of town be- low Main street, and the Lower and Cathilinette prairies. Their Indian ancesti'y was easily discernible in their personal appearance with high cheek bones and straight, black hair. They stood erect and held their head high and walked with long strides, and carried their persons upright and as straight as an airow. Many of tlie Creoles were here until long after 1850. But very few specimens are left now surviving in the town or country. This mixed stock embodied in combination the qualities of the two races or sources of derivation. They inherited all the virtues as well as the vices of the French and Indian in com- bination. From the French vivacity and good nature, and French Customs. 41 from the Indian wild, roving and irascible traits of character. The result was that the Creole population was of rather a w Jd and intractable disposition, and mingled with it a love of ease and pleasure. Labor was distasteful and only perform- ed as a matter of necessity to provide for the wants of life and not from any desire to accumulate worldly goods and possessions. Hunting, fishing and dancing and all manner of sports and amusements Avere practiced. The sanu social state was observable here during the Creole supremacy as ex- ists today in the French Arcadian settlements of Lousiana back of the Mississippi River. The dance was a favorite pastime, and the sound of the fiddle and the tread of feei to its strains were more frequently heard than that of the loom or the anvil. This has bsen so within the memory of men still living who well remember the Joyous, free and easy times when Mitchel Eichardville was king of the ball room and led the dance with the strains of his fiddle, and the stamp of his right foot at one and the same time making as mu-h noise with the one as the other. A favorite dance with the F'rench was the king ball on New Year's niglit. On this occasion the young man chosen as king for the ball had the privilege of selecting his queen for the dance and during the evening. The king and queen were tht most important persons at the ball and enjoyed themselves to their heart's content. The next day the king was expected, by custom, to present his queen with a new dress. Chicken fighting and horse racing were also resorted to, and were favorite diversions among the Creole French, and all manner of means devised by them to pass away the time and enjoy life without work. The Creoles were a very sociable and hospitable people. On Easter Sunday it was an invariable custom among them to visit their neighbors and acquaintances and make presents of colored eggs. On Christmas day it was expected that all 42 A History of Vixcexnes. among them, both 3'oung and old, male and female, should exchange presents with their friends and acquaintances. On N'ew Year's day it was general for them to exchange visits from house to house, and every one was welcome to any house and was expected to partake of the many good things provided for the occasion. Fighting was common among them and all the Creole men were boastful of their personal prowess. But these fights were all in old fashioned style with such arms only as nature provided. Up to 1844 the elections were attended in the town by all the voters and they were not confined to the townships in which they resided. The great volume of the vote was cast here at the county seat. Election day was a great event, and the voters generally flocked to the county seat to vote and see the sights usual on such occasions. It was the time set apart by custom to settle personal disputes by trial, by battle and many difficulties were adjusted that way on election day. Tiie result was that thousands flocked here on election day to wit- ness these personal encounters. Persons yet living in Vm- cennes can remember that on election day as many as a dozen fights would take place one after the other, and when one would cry, "Hold, enough V hostilities would instantly cea&e and the difficulty was settled and at rest. The main battle ground was the intersection of Main and Third streets, and thousands there assembled to witness these pugilistic exercises, and elevated places of observation were at a premium. The only vehicles to be seen on the streets of Vmcennes as late as 1845 were French carts called "calesclie/' One of them would be a curiosity now. They were creations of necessity, as the old Creole French in their isolated condition here were cut off in a manner from the outside world. These French carts were of home made manufacture. They were two- wheeled vehicles with shafts for only one horse. They were entirelv constructed of wood without the use of anv metal French Customs. 43 whatever. They were used for hauling wood and produce oi every kind, and for every kind of farm work. They were the only vehicle provided for the use of the family either male oi female. In these carts, the body of which was in size and shape very similar to a large dry goods box, an entire Creole family, man, wife and children, would huddle together and jostle along going to church or on a visit, the horse maintain- ing a brisk trot, and the heads of the household bobbing up and down at a lively rate. These Creole customs and practices were legitimate fruits of the blending of the French and Indian races. They were all professed Catholics in religion, but paid little attention to the precepts of the church. They, as a general rule, only en- tered the church on three occasions during life. First, when baptised; then when married, and lastly when carried there to have the last rites of the church performed over their dead bodies. When Father Flaget, afterwards first bishop of Bardstow^n, Ky., came here as resident pastor, December 21, 1792, he tried to curb the Creole population and reform their habits and enforce conformity to church discipline. He con- demned their wild and roving habits and fr>olous amuse- ments as being contrary to the teachings of the church. He encouraged agriculture and the mechanic arts and started a free industrial school to instill into their minds habits of in- dustry. He urged them to see that their children attended re- ligious schools where they would form habits of honor, piet^ and virtue and become an honor to their name and a consola- tion to their grey hairs. He exhorted them to fence about their homes so they would be structures of Christian virtue. He exhorted them to be faithful Catholics and their country would be proud of them as models of religious enlightenment and patriotism. Ite accomplished much good, but was re- called before he had finished his good work. It is a singular fact that both Indians and negro slaves 44 A History of Vtxcennes. were held here among the Creoles, as ^vell as other settlers from A^irginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky long after the passage of the ordinance of 1T8T and the state con- stitution of 1816. In 1830 the trustees of the Borough di- rected the Marshal to take a census of the population. He did so, and his official return to the Trustees shows the fol- lowing result: White males, 768; white females, 639; free black males, 63 ; free black females, 63 ; slave males, 12 ; slave females, 20; total population, 1,565. Vincennes was for a long time after it was founded an out- post in the wilderness. It had no communication with the colonies on the x\tlantic and was to them a ''terra incognita." But the formation of the Territorial Government in 1800 changed all this. When the first comers after that arrived here they found a French settlement speaking that language exclusively, and no more than a dozen English speaking peo- ple in the place. The Creole population never learned to speak the English language. When the Territorial Govern- ment was formed and Vincennes named as the capital, the sea- board States poured their overflow population composed of u restless, battling swarm of home seekers through the Alleghen- ies out upon the rich prairies of the west. All these adven- turous men directel their steps to Vincennes as a common mecca. As the curtain rose upon the advancing Saxon and Celt they beheld with awe the mystery of a new civilization. The native Indian and Latin races mingled in fraternal ac- cord on the banks of the W^abash. The town was a marvel, a page torn from some book of enchantment. A fragment of Europe suddenly dropped in his path could scarce have awak- ened more astonishment. He beheld long lines of whito houses thatched with straw and covered with adobe, each with its arcade festooned with trailing vines and half hidden in season under the bloom of peach, cherry and apple trees. In the centre the frowning walls of a citadel overlooking a bel • fried church, and a necropolis entombing a century's dead. French Customs. 45 Its streets thronged with brightly dressed, dark-eyed women and well-dressed men chatting in a strange tongue. These people were all seekers after pleasure and social enjoyment, and were not wedded to the acquisition of wealth. He min- gled with them in their balls and festive days. In the church the altar blazing with lights before which robed priests chant- ed Latin prayers and intoned the music of the mass. With such scenes were the first adventurers of the English speak- ing race confronted on their arrival among the ancient in- habitants of Vincennes. But what became of this civiliza- tion ? Where are the lords of the forest who reigned with un- bounded sway over these fertile regions? Where the Dela- wares, the Kickapoos, the Miamis, the Shawees, the Potta- watomies ; nay ! even the half civilized Piankeshaws who with their village occupied one-half the town? Their bows are broken, their council fires extinguished, the graves of their fathers deserted. The white man came, civilization attended him, and desolation and death followed in his train. And what became of the patriarchs of the Post, the gay, the polite, the lively and the hospitable French and Canadians who set- tled it? The dance has ceased, the sound of the viol is no longer heard. The Anglo-Saxon has usurped the place of the descendants of St. Louis. How many French families whose members were formerly almost as numerous as the leaves ol the forest are now represented by any living members ? Where are the Busserons, the Lasselles, the Geueroms, the Andres, the Burdalows, the Cardinals, the Bazadous, the Amlins, the Richardvilles, the Laderouts, the Eacines? They are all gone. This result is attributable in part to the frequent in- termarriage of blood relations, and the impoverishment of the stock. In part from having come in contact with the Anglo-Saxon, that strong and aggressive blood race that al)- sorbs, eliminates, appropriates, enslaves or extinguishes ali races that come into its way, and the result is the stronger has supplanted the weaker. 46 A History of Vixcenxes. CHAPTEPt YII. Courts. As long as the French held possession of the Northwest Territory there were no courts of justice at A^incennes or anj'- where else in the French settlements, so far as known. All matters of dispute were decided by the various commandants of the Post, who were de Yincennes, St. Auge, LeGrand and Legras. All concessions of land to the inhabitants were made by them on little slips of paper. Of all these transactions no record was ever made so far as known, and the slips of paper evidencing concessions of land were not recorded. The trans- fers of land were made by actual transfer of possession as per- sonal property was transferred. This was much the same as the old livery of seizure in English practice. This manner of transferring lands' without record or deed gave the United States commissioners appointed to adjust French grants much trouble, as these old French grants had to be ascer- tained and adjusted by parole testimony. After the English acquired the territory in 1763 they only held it until 1779, a period of nineteen years, and nothing was done by them in the matter of establishing civil government in the Northwest Territory. When Virginia acquired the territory in 1779 by her troops under George Eogers Clark, in the spring of that year an act was passed by the Virginia Legislature for the government of the territory thus acquired. John Todd was appointed ^'Lieutenant of the Country and Comnwnder-in-ChieC He im- mediately came to Vincennes and issued a proclamation an- nouncing his power and purposes. In June, 1779, he organ- ized ''A Court for the District of Post Vincmnes/' This Courts. COURT HOUSE. 48 A History of Vixcexxes. court possessed both civil and criminal jurisdiction and was com^^osed of the following judges: F. Busseron, L. E. Do- line, Pierre Gamelin and Pierre Queray. This court contin- ued in existence until it was superseded by the courts of the United States, appointed under the ordinance of 1787. When the United States acquired the territory steps were taken by Congress to establish civil government for the terri- tory. On the 13th of July, 1787, an act of Congress was passed organizing the ''Territory Northwest of the River Ohio/' Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed the first gov- ernor of the territory. In January, 1790, he sent Wilthrop Sargeant, secretary of the territory, to Post Vincennes to or- ganize the county. Sargeant accordingly came to Vincennes: and did this in the summer of 1790, and named the county he organized ''Knox/' after Gen. Henry Knox, the secretary of war. The court established Ijy him for Knox county was called ''Gvieral Quarter Sessions of the Peace/' It held its first session at the house of John Small, who was appointed sheriff on July -1, 1790. There were present at this session as judges, Antoine Gamelin, Paul Gamelin, Francois Busser- on, James Johnson and Luke Decker. Samuel Baird was ap- pointed clerk of this court. It continued until Indiana Terri- tory was organized in 1800. There was a court of ''Oyer and Terminer, and General Jail Delivery and Nisi Priiis" held at Vincennes in October, 1795, before John Cleves Symmes, senior judge of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio. But little business was done at this session, and was the only term of said court ever held here of which there is any record. "When Indiana Territory was organized. Henry Vander- burg, William Clark and John Griffin were appointed the first Federal judges of the Territory. Under the Federal Govern- ment there were two Courts that exercised jurisdiction in this countv. One was called the ''General Court/' and exercised Courts. 49 jurisdiction tlirouglioiit the territory. The other was called ^'Common Pleas/' and its jurisdiction was limited to the sev- eral counties and possessed jurisdiction in probate matters. Henry Hurst was clerk of both these courts from their organ- ization until the}^- were superseded by the courts organized by the State Government in 1816. Since the organization of the State Government probate matters have been transacted by different courts. The first ■one in point of time was the ''Court of Probate.'' The fol- lowing judges presided in this court in the order named: William Caruthers, William K. McCall, John Ewing, John B. Drennon, Henry Ruble^ Mark Barnett, William L. Coleman, William Polke, John Moore and Eichard P. Price. This •court was adjourned sine die Saturda}^, August 15, 1829. The above court was succeeded by the ''Probate CouH," which was organized September 7, 1829. The following per- sons presided as judges in this court in the order named: William Polke, George W. Ewing, Abner T. Ellis, Eobert N. Carnan, George E. Gibson, Eobert P. McCounghey, John H. Harrison, James Thorne and Clark Willis. This court was m 1852 abolished by act of the Legislature. The Probate Court was succeeded by the ''Court of Com- mon Pleas." This court was organized in this county Jaa- iiary 3, 1853. This was not strictly speaking a county court. It v\^as called a district L-ourt and eml)raced several counties, presided over by the same judge. This district, in which IVnox county was situated, was composed of the counties oi Xnox, Daviess, Martin and Pike. This court had jurisdiction •of all probate matters and civil cases when the amount in controversy did not exceed one thousand dollars, but not in cases of slander or where the title to real estate was involved, and in criminal cases less than felony. The following per- sons presided as judges in this court in this county in the order named: Eichard A. Clements, James C. Deniw, Eich- 50 A History of Vincexxes. arc! A. Clements. Jr., "William E. Gardner and James T. Pierce. This conrt was al)olished by an act of the Legisia- tnre in 18T3, and its jurisdiction and business was transferred to the Circuit Court. The most important court in dignity and jurisdiction in the county has ever been the Circuit Court. It has always pos- sessed general common law and equity powers in all cases, both civil and criminal. It was first created by an act of the Territorial liCgislature passed at Corydon in 1814. The first court met in this county May 9, 1814, but no business was transacted, as only the clerk and sheriff were present, but no president judge. The same thing occurred at the following August term, as no president judge appeared. The first term of this court at which any business was transacted was held March 16, 1815, when Isaac Blackford appeared as the pres- ident judge, and Daniel Sullivan and James B. McCall a^ associate judges. It was for many years that in this court in addition to the president judge, who was to be a la^v^^er, there were two associate judges who were not necessarily required to be lawyers. The president judges in this court have been in the order named: Isaac Blackford, David Raymond, William Prince, Thomas H. Blake, General W. Johnson, Jon- athan Doty, Jacob Call, John R. Porter, John Law, General W. Johnson, Amory Kinney, Elisha M. Huntington, William P. Bryant, John Law, Samuel B. Gookins, Delano R. Eccles, Alvin P. Hovey, William E. Xiblack, Ballard Smith, Michael F. Burke, James C. Denny, John Baker, !N"ewton F. Malott, George W. Shaw, and Orlando H. Cobb, the present incum- bent. Municipal. 51 CHAPTER YIIL Municipal. Vincennes enjoys the mnqiie distinction as having been known and recognized by name long before she was legally ])orn. It was frequently mentioned as ^'Borough of A^in- eennes'' in many official documents and reports and acts of legislatures before any specific act incorporating it was ev^er passed. It was referred to as the ^'Borough of Yincennes" in the act of the Territorial Legislature incorporating the "Vin- cennes University/' which was passed m 1806. The first act incorporating Vincennes was passed by the Territorial Legis- lature in 1807. By this act the following persons were cre- ated its first board of trustees: Robert Buntin. William Bul- litt, Charles Smith, Hyacinthe Lasselle, Joshua Bend, Henr}^ Hurst, Jacob Kuykendall, Touissant Dubois and Peter Jones. The act declared the territory included within the following boundaries to be the limits of the borough: Hart street on the northeast, the church lands on the southwest, the Wabash river on the northwest and Eleventh street on the southeast. These boundaries continued to l)e the limits of the old borough uutil the act of the state legislature passed January 3, 1817, annexed to it "Harrison's Addition." The limits of the borough thus extended, continued to be its limits during the life of the borough organization. The subsequent annex- ■ations to include the present limits of the city have all been the work of the city organization. A number of acts were afterwards passed Ijy the state leg- islature amendatory in character, but the most important one was the act passed February 14, 1838. This borough organi- 52 A History of Vincennes. zation remained in operation until it was succeeded by the present city organization in 1856. The old Borough of Vincennes during its long continued existence called into her ser^'ice many trustworthy men. Among these I will name the following who filled various positions of trust and honor under the old borough of Vin- cennes: Jacob D. Early, John Moore, General W. Johnson, Charles H. Tillinghast, Valentine I. Bradle}^, Andrew Gard- ner, Martin Robinson, Abner T. Ellis, George R. C. Sullivan, Owen Reily, John Ewing, John Collins, Elihu Stout, Sam- uel Hill, Henry D. Wheeler, J. C. S. Harrison and Jeremiah Donovan. The last meeting of the board of trustees under the old borough organization, was held on the 7th day of February, 1856. An election was held on the 25th day of January, 1856, to decide the question whether to abandon the old borough or- ganization and incorporate under the general law of the state providing for the incorporation of cities. This election called out but a light vote. The whole number of votes cast was only 255 of which 181 were in favor and 74 against the adop- tion, being an affirmative majority of 107 votes in favor of the adoption of the general law of the state for the incorpora- tion of cities. This majority was sufficient, however, to de- stroy the borough organization and that historical old borough ceased to exist and the new bom city of Vincennes succeeded to its powers and franchises. The following persons have filled the office of Mayor of Vincennes in the order named: John ^loore, James Dick, William A. Jones, Richard J. ]\lcKenney, Henry V. Somes, George E. Greene, William B. Robinson, James S. Pritchett, William H. Beeson, William B. Searight, James H. Shouse, John Wilhelm, Francis ^lurphy, Oliver G. ^lillcr and George E. Greene. Municipal. 53^ The following persons have filled the office of clerk : James S. Mayes, John Ewing, Albert ^Montgomery, Charles G. Mathesie, George G. Turney, Eniil Grill, Charles W. East- ham, Charles A. Cripps, Cyrns M. Allen, George E. Greene and Charles Laugel. The following have been treasurer: Andrew Armstrong, Isaac N. Eastham, Gerhard H. Duesterberg, Joseph Bey, Charles W. Jones, Peter E. McCarthy, Henry B. Duesterberg, Charles G. ]\Iathesie, Frank II. Hoffman and Thomas East- ham. 54 A History of Vixcennes CHAPTEK IX. Police. For a century after the town was founded it was without any incorporation or police guardianship. During all that time the inhabitants were honest and everybody attended to his own business and suffered his neighbor to do the same. The distinction between meiim and tuum was strictly ob- served. In fact the doors of the houses were without locks or Ijars of any kind. This was the condition of affairs during the French supremacy. With the influx of strangers from the Atlantic States came the necessity for civil organization and police protection. Accordingly, in 1807^ the town was incor- porated for the first time as a borough. For many years after this the police protection of the town was satisfactorily per- formed by the marshal alone. And for a long time after- wards, with the assistance of a single deputy. This continued to be the case during the life of the borough organization. The following persons filled the office of marshal during this period: Jeremiah Donovan, Thomas J. Beeler, Benjamin F. Thorne and A. L. Cornoyer. After the organization of the city government the common council, September 1, 1871, passed an ordinance organizing a police force to assist the marshal in keeping order and preserving the peace. The members of the police force were to be elected by the cily council and were subject to its control, and could be removed l)y the council. This police force was sufficient for the pur- pose intended. The following persons filled the office of city marshal under the city organization: Emanuel Meisenhelter, John J. Worman, Jeremiah Donovan, Jacob Metzger, John A. Pulliam, William Sachs, John T. McBride, Louis Ilahn, Frank Johnson, George ^>I. White and Thomas Robertson. The General Asseml)lv at the session of 1901 amended the Police. 55 act providing for a metropolitan police so as to include Vincennes within the provisions of that law. This law had already been in force as to many cities of the State for many years. But its provisions only included such cities as had a larger population than Vincennes. The amendment of 1901 made the law applicable to cities having a population as large as Vincennes. Under the metropolitan system the governor of the State is authorized to appoint three police commis- sioners in cities within its operation, only requiring him to select members so far as possible from the two leading politi- cal parties. This restriction on the appointing power of the governor insures a non-partisan board of police commission- ers. The governor under this act appointed as the first board of police commissioners for Vincennes, Schuyler C. Beard, Daniel L. Bonner and Dexter Gardner. These appointees are all good and competent men and their appointment gave gen- eral satisfaction to the people of the city. These police com- missioners are empowered to make rules for the government of the police force, to fix the number of the force ana their compensation, and can remove the members for cause wnen they see proper. The compensation of the commissioners is not fixed by themselves, but by the governor. This police sys- tem will in all probability give the city better police protec- tion than the old. This, for the reason that there is no di- vided responsibility in the appointment of the commissioners or members of the force. The responsibility for the character and qualifications' of the police commissioners rests indi- vidually with the governor, and his reputation in the matter is directly and solely at stake and will cause him on that ac- count to appoint qualified and worthy men without bias or prejudice. The same responsibility rests upon the commis- sioners in the appointment of members of the police force, and will oj)erate upon them in the appointments they make, and thus a competent and trustworthy police force will al- (5) 56 A History of Vincennes. ways be assured. For these reasons^ in all probability the metropolitan police system will afford the city as good protec- tion as possible. A^Tien this system first went into operation here there was manifested in some quarters opposition to it. But this oppo- sition and criticism was premature and not well founded. The system has not yet been given a fair trial, and its work- ings are not yet known. This opposition was in part due to personal considerations, but mainly to partisan prejudice on account of its being supposed to be a Kepublican measure. But this view is erroneous. It is not a Republican measure, but was originally introduced as a Democratic measure and supported by such men as Thomas A. Hendricks, Joseph E. McDonald, William H. English, Isaac P. Gray and Richard J. Bright. But this partisan view should not be entertained. The system should be given a fair trial, and it will be devel- oped that it is a better system than the old. Newspapers. 57 CHAPTER X. Newspapers. Vincennes almost from the organization of the territory, has been liberally supplied with newspapers. The establish- ment of a newspaper in a place is an important era in its history. The press is the great conduit through which intel- ligence is generally disseminated among the masses. It brings communities in close contact with each other and tends in an eminent degree to enlighten, refine and elevate the character of the masses generally. The first newspaper established in Vincennes, and in fact in the whole territory, now comprising the State of Indiana, was the Western Sun, by Elihu Stout. The first number of tills paper was issued on July 4th, 1804. It required much labor and endurance to establish this paper. The material for the purpose had to be procured in Kentucky and transported here on pack horses. There were no roads leading from Vin- cennes to the East at that time. Mr. Stout was compelled to take three horses on his trip to Kentucky to procure material and travel through the wilderness. One of the horses was for himself to ride and the other two for the purpose of carry- ing the material. But lie persevered and issued his first num- ber July 4, 1804. The publication was regularly continued for nearly two years, when the office was destroyed by fire. But not discouraged, he procured from Kentucky other ma- terial, and on the 4th of Jul}^, 1807, issued the first number of his resurrected paper. He continued its publication with regularity until November, 1845, when he was appointed Postmaster at Vincennes, and sold the paper to John R. 58 A History of Yincenxes. Jones. During the time Mr. Stout published the paper he took in partnership many different persons who soon became discouraged and fell by the wayside. The names of these persons it is not necessary to state. After he sold the paper to Jones, it was neglected and for a time its publication sus- pended. During this time attempts were made to start vari- ous papers under different names, but they were all short lived, and soon passed away and were forgotten. Among the number may be mentioned: "Jones' Vincennes Sentinel,'^ "Tlie Indiana Patriot,'^ "The Vincennes Courant,". "The Patriot and Courant." Finally George E. Greene in 1856, purchased the paper and re-issued it under its old name, "Western Sun." From the time he took possession, the paper has been a success, financially and politically, and has become a leading Democratic paper in Southern Indiana. Mr. Greene commenced the publication of a semi-weekly when he took charge and Mr. Purcell, the present proprietor, in 1879 com- menced the publication of a daily. Mr. Greene died in 1870 and the paper was purchased by Gen. Eeuben C. Kise. He soon died and the paper was purchased by Dr. Alfred Patton. He subsequently sold the establishment to Andrew J. Thomas & Co. It passed from them to the possession of Eoyal E. Purcell, the present proprietor. In the early days of the territory many different news- papers were attempted to be started here by Samuel Hill, John Ewing and ^Ir. Osborn, but all these ventures were fail- ures, and the papers they started soon passed out of existence. In 1816 the Indiana Sentinel was started by X. Blackman, for Willis Fellows, and was published in a brick building opposite the Vincennes steam mill in the upper part of the city, now occupied by "'Harrison Park." This paper was started in the interest of the steam mill company and to ad- Neavspapebs. 59 vance and advertise its business. The publication of the paper was continued until the failure of the steam mill com- pany some four or five 3'ears after, when its publication ceased. In 1808 a paper was started here in the interest of Jona- than Jennings, who Avas a candidate for Territorial Delegate to Congress against Thomas Eandolph, who was then District Attorney of the United States for the Indiana territory. Jen- nings was strongly opposed to the introduction of slavery in the territor}^ and he claimed that Eandolph was at heart in favor of its introduction. To advance his political interests, a paper was started here which took strong ground against the introduction of slavery in the teiTitory and warmly advo- cated the election of Jennings. But this venture, like all its predecessors, was short lived and ceased to exist with the occasion that called it forth. The- first paper that can be said to have been founded here in opposition to the Sun was the Vincennes Gazette, started by Eichard Y. Caddington in 1830. This paper was ably edited and became the organ. of the Whig party, and was a success. Mr. Caddington continued its publication until 1855. The paper was then sold to Harvey Mason & Co., who successfully continued its publication until May 28, 1859, when it became the property of Dr. II. M. Smith and ]\I. P. Gee. In 1861 William Denny became proprietor and con- tinued its publication until 1862, when Cyrus M. Allen and Dr. H. M. Smith became OA\Tiers. In a few months Cliarles • I. Williams became proprietor and Cyrus M. Allen continued as editor. In May, 1863, John M. Wilson became proprietor with T. C. Shuber as editor. In January, 1864, William H. Jackson succeeded Shul)er as editor. In a few months it passed into the hands of William H. Jackson and John M. Griffin. On October M, 1865, John M. Griffin became sole 60 A History of Vincenxes. proprietor and the old Vineennes Gazette soon ceased to exist. On the 24th February, 1854, AYilliam H. Jackson and James G. Hutchinson commenced the pul^lication of the "News of the Day/' This was a paper devoted to the cause of the Know Xothing party and being located in a community hostile to that party, it soon expired a natural death for want of patronage. The "Old Post Union" was started by James G. Hutchinson, March 7, 1862. This paper survived but a very short time, and was succeeeded by the "Vineennes Times," the publica- tion of which was commenced by R. Y. Caddington and Will- iam H. Jackson. Mr. Jackson, re tired from the paper and was succeeded by Gen. Lazarus Xoble, December 6, 1873. The paper was sold to Malachi Krebs, October 17, 1875, but Krebs failed to pay the purchase money and the paper passed to James J. Mayes, John Mallet and A. V. Crotts. ^ir. Crotts ceased his connection with the paper in 18T9 and it soon after ceased to exist. The "Vineennes Commercial"' was established by S. F. Horrall, A. Horrall and X. Horrall, March 13, 1877, under the firm name of S. F. Horrall & Sons. This paper was de- voted to the interests of the Republican party and was con- tinued by its founders until February 15, 1881, when it passed into the hands of the "Commercial Company," with T. H. Adams as editor. The paper was subsequently purchased by Mr. Adams, who became the sole proprietor and editor, and has continued its publication until the present time. In ad- dition to a weekly a daily edition has been successfully and profitably issued. It is ably conducted and edited and claims to be the organ of the Republican party in this county. The "Vineennes Xews" was established by W. W. Bailey & Co. with Warren AVorth Bailev as editor in 1877. This was Neavspapers. 61 a weekly paper and was edited with marked ability. It claimed to be a Democratic paper, but was erratic in its course, and was never recognized as tlie organ of the Democratic party. It was generally thought to be a political guerilla. It advocated the Henry George theory of a single tax and for want of sufficient patronage ceased to exist about 1884. I must not omit to notice the "Vincennes Joker and Jocu- lar Jingler/' a small newspaper started here in 1846, in the interest of merriment and good feeling. It was a spicy little sheet and was devoted to personal criticism of a harmless nature. It was ably edited by D. C. Eobinson and William H. Jackson, and was very popular as long as published, but was short lived and soon disappeared. The "National Era" was founded here by D. W. and A. L. Harbison, devoted to the principles of the Populist party. But with the passing of that party it lost its prestige although its publication is still continued. The "Knox County Democrat'' was started by Allen Camp- bell. It was originally started in Monroe City, but was sub- sequently removed to this place and its publication continued here for several years by Mr. Campbell. It was a weekly paper and strongly advocated the free coinage of silver. Mr. Campbell sold the paper to Frank Signer and the paper was published by him for some time. He finally sold it to its present proprietors, Chancellor and Comfort. Its publication is still continued and it is Democratic in politics. The "Ladies' Home Ideal'' is a monthly periodical pub- lished by Thomas H. Adams. It was started a few years ago and its publication is still continued. It is especially de- signed to advertise and promote the sale of patent medicines, of which Mr. Adams is proprietor. The "Vincennes Capital" is the last newspaper venture in Vincennes. It has rapidly worked its way to the front and 62 A History of Vincexnes. although young in years, is now regarded as the peer of any paper published in Vincennes. It is entei-prising and strives to give its patrons the latest news and in this is successful. It is always alive to the best interests of Vincennes and is ever planning and suggesting means to advance the city and help build it up. It publishes both a weekly and daily edi- tion. It is ably edited and is strongly in the interest of Ee- publican principles and men. Antiquities. 63 CHAPTEK XI. ANTIQUITIES. Vincennes is rich in material of historic interest. Tiiere centre around her memories of a past extending be3^ond the recollections of the living, and reaching farther and farther backward till they gradually fade away and are lost and shrouded in the mists of conjecture. The date when the site of Vincennes was first visited by civilized man cannot be de- termined with precision at this time, and probably never can be. But it was in all probability as early as the year IGGO. This is not mere speculation, but can be reasoned out as a necessar}^ sequitur by comparison with the happening bf well known and authentic occurrences. Bancroft, in his history of the United States, says, "That no bay, no lake, no river, no mountain in all the vast expanse of this continent has ever 3^et been visited by any explorer but that a Jesuit missionary had been there before him." It is a well known and admitted fact that the early Jesuit missionaries in the Northwest were actuated by no love of gain, but for the sole purpose of dis- covery and the conversion of the Indian tribes to Christianity. To accomplish this they traversed the vast wilderness of the Northwest, visiting the Indians in their villages throughout the vast country bordering on the great lakes, the Mississippi, the Illinois and the Wabash Elvers. Jacques Marquette was one of the most celebrated and intrepid of these missionaries. He visited all parts of the NortliAvest. He circumnavigated Lake Superior, the largest and most westerly of the great lakes, and with Joliet sailed down the Mississippi river and is well known to have l^een in the Wabash country. Bishop Brute in his writings, says, "That the St. Joseph portage was 64 A History of Vincexnes. used by Father Marquette long l)efore La Salle and Hennepin passed through that portage." He further says that "Father Marquette and Allonez passed through that portage on their way to the 'Ouachasche' country soon after IGGO. While there is no positive evidence that Father Marquette Tva? ever at the site of Yincennes, 3'et reasoning by the inductive pro- cess we are hound to conclude he was here as early as 1660. It would he unreasonable to suppose that this indefatigable worker for the conversion of the Indians would fail to visit so important a point in the Wabash Valley as this when he ■HH^-- . OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH. Avas known to be in its vicinity. This site was a favorite re- sort for all the Indian tribes on both sides of the Wabiish River. It was a safe place of almde for them in consequence of its high situation and the conditions then existing in this part of the surrounding country. From the earliest times until in very recent years the entire country on both sides of the Wabash Eiver were covered with water many feet deep twice during each year during the January and June freshets. During these flood seasons the country for hundreds of miles in all directions from the site of Yincennes was covered with Antiquities. 65 water many feet deep and offered no suitable abiding i^lace for the Indians. As late as 1846 the Wabash and Embarras Eivers annnall}^ overflowed their banks and united their waters, covering the intervening space of eight miles to a depth of seven or eight feet. And in the same way by overflow the White Eiver united its waters with the Wabash to the east to a like depth. In 1846 the steamboat Daniel Boone was carried by the force of the overflow current a short distance above Vincennes from the channel of the Wabash River out into the iDrairie for over a mile, and was only re- turned to the river with difficulty. And in the same year the United States mail was carried from Vincennes over the over- flowed prairies on the Illinois side to the high ground on the Embarras River at Lawrenceville. And this was not an un- nsual or singular occurrence, but happened frequently, until the country was protected by levies. These conditions made the site of Vincennes a resort and place of abode for the Indians, as it was always on high ground above the reach of any flood. It was here they had their permanent village and fields which were still visible when the white settlers came to ihe place. It was here they had their council houses and where all the surrounding tribes assembled many times dur- ing the year when they returned from the chase or forage. And such a place, where so many of the Indians could be ■easily found, it is contrary to reason to suppose that such a :zealous missionary as Father Marquette would fail to visit Avhen he was in the Wabash countrv. I wish to locate Father Marquette at the site of Vincennes, as it will fix the probable date of his visit. It is well known that he left the Jesuit mission at Kaskaskia a sick and worn- out man in consequence of his labors and exposure, to return to St, Ignace, a few days after Easter, 16 « 5. On this, his final trip, he travelled by way of the St. Joseph portage. He •died May 18, 1675, ascending the eastern shore of Lake Mich- 66 A History of Vincenxes. igan^ and was buried in the sands of the lake shore before he reached his destination. Therefore he must have visited the site of A^incennes, if at all, prior to 1675, and in all proba- bility about 1060. I have endeavored to locate Father Mar- quette here, as he is a well-known historic character. However it may be whether Father Marquette was ever at the site of Yincennes, it is certain beyond a reasonable doubt that some Jesuit missionary had been here prior to 1700. They had accomplished wonderful results in convert- ing the Indians that inhabited the country about the present site of Vincennes. The records of St. Francis Xavier Church, as preserved (I use the words '^as preser\-ed''' as Bishop Brute used them whenever he referred to these records) show from April, 1749, for half a century after the greater part of the entries of baptisms, marriages and funerals were of Indian converts. This vast number of Indian converts to the faith as evidenced by these records as preserved show that the work :0f the missionaries, while fruitful of good, was not the wopk of a day or month, but of many years. The untamed savages of the forest could not be converted to Christianity at short notice. The labors of the missionaries were not only slow, but dangerous. In this connection Judge Law in his address delivered on February 22, 1838, says: "It was not only toil of hunger and cold that the Jesuit missionaries of the cross were called upon to endure, but many, very many were tomahawked, or what was far worse, burned at the stake. No sooner was it known that their pre- decessors had perished at the stake or by the scalping knife than new recruit^ offered their services to fill their places^ In fact a mission among the Indians was a labor of love ta these heralds of the cross.'' From the statements already made it seems clear that the site of Vincennes had been visited by white men long before 1700, and probably as early as 1660. But these visits of civ- Antiquities. G7 ilized men were made in some eases for purposes of trade and traffic with the Indians, or b}'' Jesuit missionaries for the pur- pose of spreading the true faith among the Indian tribes. x\nd these early visits cannot be referred to as the date of the actual founding and permanent settlement of Ymcennes. But there are other evidences more tangible and reliable thai will throw much light on the subject to which I shall now refer^ and which fixes the true date of its founding about 1700. When tlie Indiana Territory was organized in 1800 and the capital of the Territory fixed at Vincennes, it at once became a centre of interest and attracted the cream of the energetic, aspiring and cultivated men from all the older States of the Union. Vincennes was a prominent point in the west before 1800, and many eminent men came and settled here as early as 1780. But the organization of the territory gave fresh im- pulse and prominence to the place and greatly accelerated its increase in population and wealth. John Law, Elihu Stout, John Ewing and Samuel Judah and other prominent citizens who came and located here between 1800 and 1820 asserted that the population of the place by 1820 was as great as it is today. But the loss of the capital and the dreadful epidemic of 1820 that visited the place that year discouraged and terri- fied the citizens and depopulated the place, and for years re- tarded its growth. The many educated and distinguished men who came and located at A^incennes when the territory was organized, took a deep interest in everything calculated to promote and ad- vance the prosperity of the place. In the early days of the territorial government, and before 1809, they procured the passage by the territorial legislature of many incorporations with this object in view. Among these incorporations 1 will enumerate the following three: The Vincennes Universit}', The Vincennes Librarv, and The Vincennes Historical and 68 A History of Yixcennes. Antiquarian Society. The object of the last named corpora- tion, as its name impUes, was to investige and establish au- thentic evidence concerning the early history of the place. Among the many distinguished men who were members of the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society I will enumer- ate the following: William Henry Harrison, John Gibson, Waller Taylor, Nathaniel Ewing, John Badollet, Elihu Stout, Moses Tabbs, Isaac Blackford, Thomas Randolph, John Law, John Ewing, Benjamin Parke, George Rodgers Clark Sullivan, Samuel Judah and many others equally dis- tinguished. Nearly all of these distinguished men came here about the year 1800. They found when they came old set- tlers who had been connected with the place for periods rang- ing from twenty-five to seventy-five years before 1800. And these old people had knowledge of the place from those who had been living here before them extending back to a period prior to ITOO. Among these old people I will enumerate Francis Vigo Laurent Bazadone, Angeline Burdalow, Paul Gamelin, John Rice Jones and General W. Johnson. One of the first subjects that occupied the attention of the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society was fixing the date when Vincennes was settled by the French. Before 1820 the date of the settlement of Vincennes by the French was fixed by the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society at the year 1680. Here the matter quietly rasted until the ad- vent of Bishop Brute in 183L He found in the church li- brary connected with St. Francis Xavier church registers and many manuscript documents which had been neglected, as no one had before him been inclined to burn the midnight oil in looking them over, page by page, the only way to ob- tain the valuable historic information they contained, as they were not indexed, but a confused mass. But Bishop Brute did this. He furnished the public, from time to time, through the columns of the Western San newspaper the re- Antiquities. G9 suits of this investigation. He Avas a. studious, careful and tiTithful man, and made no statement unless fully sustained by authority in making it, and which can be relied on as coi- rect. He stated that he had found evidence in the church records here and in the records of the Mission of St. Louis of Peoria, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary at Kaskaskia, Illinois, and the recorder's office there, that both the town of Vincennes (not then known by that name), and the Church of St. Francis Xavier here were both in existence as early as 1708, and perhaps earlier. And in one of his last communications published in the Western Sun he says he will continue the search, and if any- thing additional is found indicating an earlier date he will communicate it to the public. But his investigations were unfortunately terminated by his death in June, 1839. In this connection I will remark that in 1835 Bishop Brute, to familiarize himself with the wants of his immenss diocese, embracing all of Indiana and Illinois, made a pastoral visit in person, travelling on horseback, to all the missionary sta- tions in that vast territory and carefully examined the church records they contained. He made a detailed report of this pastoral visit through his diocese in his own happy manner to the Leopoldine Association in France in return for assist- ance lent him to build up his diocese, a great part of which report is inserted in Father AUerding's (now bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana) History of the Diocese of Vincennes. The communications of Bishop Brute on the subject of the early settlement of Vincennes published in the Western Sun revived interest in the question and the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society again considered it. John Law, at the request of this society, delivered his celebrated address on February 22, 1839, when the question was under discussion by this society for the second time. Upon this reconsidera- tion that society before 1840, settled upon 1683 as the date 70 A History of Vincennes. of the settlement of ViDcennes by the French. This decision of that society was generally accepted by the citizens of V^in- cennes as conclusive of the question, and it became a common saying, as I well remember, and as many old citizens of Vin- cennes now living also remember, that Vincennes -was settled the ymr after Philadelijliia. It is well known as a historic fact that Philadelphia was settled in 1682. Were these men qualified and competent to examine, adju- dicate and detennine this question? It is sure they were far better qualified than persons living at a distance who have written upon and expressed opinions as to the true date of the settlement of Vincennes. To illustrate this I will only refer to three members of the Vincennes Historical and An- tiquarian Society, and the peculiar opportunities they pos- sessed of examining and passing a reliable judgment upon the question. These three meml>ers are Nathaniel Ewing, John Badollet and Elihu Stout. The two first came to Vincennes almost with the advent of the territorial government in 1800. The first as receiver of public monies, and the second as the register of the United States land office in this land district. The third came a little later in the spring of 1801. They were all members of that society and took an active part in the discussion of the question. Messrs. Ewing and Badollet were the equals intellectually of any of the able men who came to Vincennes in territorial days. They all located here permanently and died and were buried here. They all pos- sessed superior advantages for examining and determining this question above others from the very nature of their sev- eral employments. Elihu Stout ])ublished the first newspaper in the N'orthwest Territory at this place, commencing on July 1, 1801, and continuing its publication until the fall of 1815, ' and from the nature of his business came in contact with the people generally and ascertained their views upon all public questions. ^lessrs. Ewing and Badollet constituted the board Antiquities. 71 of commissioners appointed by the Federal Government to examine and adjust land titles founded upon the grants of land to the early French settlers from the different com- mandants of the post while the country was under the juris- diction of France, and which grants had been secured to the several grantees by treaty stipulations and acts of Congress. These commissioners held their sessions at Vincennes from 1804: to 1810, and examined and passed upon these old French land grants reaching back to the first settlement of Vincennes by the French. And as there was no record or documentary evidence of these old French grants, the commissioners were compelled to hear oral testimony to establish them. This nec- essarily brought them in close contact in their official capacity with the old French settlers who could give testimony con- cerning these French land grants extending back in many cases to the first settlement of Vincennes by the French. These were the men who took an active part in the discus- sion of the question as to the date of the settlement of Vin- cennes by the French, and who finally fix:ed the date of settle- ment at 1683. Messrs Ewing and Badollet were perhaps bet- ter qualified to determine this question than any other per- sons from the very nature of their employment in tracing back matters to the very beginning. Is not more reliance and confidence due and should be given in determining this ques- tion to the opinions and conclusions of men who lived and died in Vincennes and were actually a part of its history than upon the mere dicta and opinions of men who never lived here, nor visited the place, or who were here only for a few days, and with these crude and imperfect impressions thus obtained in hasty visits went off and published books purport- ing to give facts? Count Volney, the celebrated traveller, who was here in 1796 for a few days only, states in the history of his travels that the place was settled by the French in 1735. David Thomas, who was here at a much later date, and for a (6) 72 A History of Vixcexnes. few days only, follows in his wake and gives the erroneous date given by Count Yolney. Monette, Flint and Scott, who have all given an opinion on the subject of the date of the settlement of Yincennes by the French were never here so far as I know, and derived their information from second-hand sources upon which they based their opinions and conclusions. John B. Dillon, who published a book purporting to be a his- tory of Indiana, on the question of the date of the settlement of Vincennes by the French, cannot be regarded as any au- thority on the subject against the combined opinions of such men as I have referred to. It is matter of sincere regret that the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society was permitted to perish for want of appreciation and support. The valuable collection of im- portant physical specimens contained in its museum, and its documents and records were suffered to be carried off and scattered, and are not now for the greater part in existence, or at least are not accessible to the public. But there are other evidences bearing on the subject of the date of the settlement of Vincennes by the French to which I will now refer. It is recorded in the Quebec annals that Francois Morganne de Vincenne, an officer in the service of the King of France, was commissioned for the purpose and started from Detroit in the early spring of 1702 with Frencli troops to build three forts. One was to be built at the junc- tion of the St. Mary^s and St. Joseph rivers, where they form the Maumee river, where the city of Fort Wayne now stands. The second was to be l^uilt on the Wabash river on the Weco plains, about seven miles below the site of the present city of Lafayette. The third was to be built on the "Colline gravois." on the Wabash river, the site of the present city of Vincennes. The Quebec annals also state that he came to this place on that mission and actually built a fort in the fall of 1702. He was accompanied according to the annals bv a Jesuit mission- Antiquities. 73 ary, who offered up the Holy Sacrifice of the mass on the bank of the Wabash river in the open air near where the fort was to be built in the presence of the troops who came to build the fort and many Indians. If the Quebec annals are reliable and satisfactory authority then the evidence of the actual founding of Vincennes may be regarded as conclusive. But it has been claimed by some^ on what authority I do not know, that the Quebec annals are not in all cases accurate and reliable in fixing the dates of the happening of events. This may be true in some cases, especially concerning some of the Jesuit missions in the wilderness of the West. This in- accuracy in some instances results from the fact that many of these missions were 2,500 miles distant from the place where the annals were compiled and published. This inaccuracy results also, if there is found any inaccuracy which I do not admit from the great distance of some of the missions from Quebec where they were published, the uncertain and difficult mode of communication between them and the lapse of time after the happening of the events related and their communi- cation to the mother house of the Jesuit order and before the information was received and the record made and published. But in no instance can it be shown that the events related did not actually happen and the date assigned, if inaccurate in any case which I deny, is more apt to be too recent rather than too remote. The Quebec annals state that the French came here in 1702 and built a fort, which actually remained standing to a period within the recollection of persons living in Vincennes at the present time. If it cannot be shown that this fact re- cited in the Quebec annals is not correct then I hold the Que- bec annals should definitely settle the question if there is any question about the matter. The writer has not personally inspected the Quebec annals and makes the above statement of their contents on the au- thority of Bishop Brute, Bishop Hailandiere, Father Aller- 74 A History of Vincennes. ding in liis history and Edmund Mallet of the Carroll Insti- tute at Washington City, D. C. What are the Quebec annals? They comprise 72 volumes, printed by the Jesuit Fathers at Quebec, containing the rela- tions and transactions of the Jesuit missionaries in the dif- ferent missions of the Jesuit order in the Northwest. They commence in the year 1610 and continue to the year 1780, when the Jesuit order was suppressed. They are either in the French, Latin or Italian languages according to the national- ity of the missionary who wrote them. Twenty of these vol- umes are now in the library connected with St. Francis Xavier Church of this city. But unfortunately they do not go back to the date of the settlement of Vincennes. These annals were not until very recently within reach of the gen- eral student. It is certain these annals contain the most re- liable historic information concerning discoveries and settle- ments in the Xorthwest Territory. So important is the his- torical knowledge contained in these annals that the Histor- ical Society of Wisconsin which has done so much to deter- mine historic events in the west when the celebrated historian, Lyman C. Draper, was secretary of that society determined in 1894 to have the Quebec annals translated and published in the English language. This herculean task was immediately commenced by a competent force of translators and prose- cuted until the work was completed, and the important his- toric information contained in the annals brought within reach of the general student. The writer endeavored to pro- cure a copy of this translation covering the period of the early settlement of Vincennes, but could not procure them, as no broken volumes would be sold, but the entire set must be taken. An effort was then made to have those important vol- umes purchased and placed in the city library, but the effort failed and these important works were not secured for the city library, but their places have been filled with useless Antiquities. 75 works of fiction of no real value. This action was akin to that want of foresight which permitted the Harrison mansion to pass into private hands instead of being purchased for a public museum and library for the use of the city, as it was from 1812 to 1832, when occupied by John Cleves Symmes Harrison, a son of General Harrison. The work of translating and publishing in the English lan- guage has just been completed. The English edition was published by Burrows Bros., publishers of Cleveland, 0., un- der the title of "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents Containing the Travels and Explorations of the Jesuit Mis- sionaries in New France from IGIO to 1791.'^ The work is edited by Eeuben Gold Thwaites, the present secretary of the Wisconsin Historical Society. In the conclusion of the 72nd and last volume he writes as follows : "The editors decided to go to the sources never depending on a printed version when ever the original manuscript could be obtained, thereby elminating so far as might be the changes introduced by such earlier copyists and repr inters as had taken more or less liberties with the text. Approaching the task with no conscious prejudices of race or religion, it has been the sole desire of the editor impartially to collect, pre- serve and annotate the great body of documents having so im- portant a bearing upon the foundations of American history." The 72nd and last volume of these relations has just been issued from the press of Burrows Bros., of Cleveland, 0., tiie present year. But there are other and abundant evidence of equal au- thenticity and credibility upon the subject of the settlement of Vincennes by the French to which I will now refer. There is abundant and conclusive evidence in the writings of Bishop Brute that the French built a fort and made a permanent set- tlement here about the beginning of the year 1700. In a 76 A History or Vincennes. communication published in the Western Sun newspaper of Saturday, April 27, 1839, he states: "We find that Father John Mermet came from Quebec to St. Louis of Peoria in 1708 on his way to the post on the 'Ouabasche.' " The Mission of St. Louis of Peoria referred to by the Bishop was situated on what was then called Lake Peoria, but which in fact was only an expansion of the Illinois Kiver where the city of Peoria in Illinois, is now located. This was one of the Jesuit missionary stations which Bishop Brute vis- ited and examined its church records on his pastoral visit in 1835. This Father Mermet is no myth, but on the contrary a well-known historic character. He remained at this place as a missionary priest from the time he came in 1708 until the latter part of November, 1712, when he returned to Kas- kaskai, where he remained until his death in 1728, and was buried there in the church of the Immaculate Conception. He left writings which Bishop Brute personally inspected on his visit to Kaskaskia in 1835, and which conclusively show that Father Mermet was here in 1708. Prom his writings Bishop Brute made an extract which he pnblishi'd in the Western Sun of Saturday, April 27, 1839, as follows : "An epidemic desolated the village in 1708, and the In- dians died in great numbers. The jugglers kept up their de- lusions. They ordered a great sacrifice of their dogs. Forty of these poor animals, innocent as they were of the cause of the epidemic, to satisfy their manitoes, were immolated and carried on poles in a solemn procession around the fori. Eealize, if you can in mind, the wretched procession on one side led on by these fanatical jugglers, and the gaze of the soldiers and their officers, of the traders and the whole popu- lation of the village at that time listening to tlie loud appeals of the Indians." This unquestioned evidence of Father Mermet shows con- Antiquities. 77 clnsively that the fort and village were here in 1708. It shows also that he was the resident priest or missionary here in 1708. Bnt there is other and very sufficient evidence to corrob- orate the statement of Father Mermet. Father Gabriel Marest, missionary of the Society of Jesus, stationed at Kas- kaskai, from a date as early as 1700, until long after 1725, conclusively corroborates the fact that Father Mermet was sent here as a missionary some time before 1712, but the pre- cise date when he was sent is not given. The Mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin atKaskaskia, 111., was the principal mission and headquarters of the Jesuits in the Northwest Territory. From a letter written by him, dated at Kaskaskia, November 9, 1712, and addressed to Father German General of the Jesuit Order in Paris, France we quote as follows : ''The French having lately established a fort on the river •"Onabasche,'' demanded a priest or missionary, and Father J ohn Mermet was sent to them.^^ This latter is inserted in a historic work of undoubted re- liability published in Paris, France, in the year 1761. It is inserted in that historic work on page 325 thereof. It will be observed that the letter does not give the precise date when the French built or established a fort on the "Ouabasche," but it must have been some years before November 9, 1712, the date of the letter, for the French inhabitants to have so in- creased in numbers at that early date to have merited and demanded the services of a missionary. In the year 1837 an old oak tree standing on the west bank of the Wabash Elver in Vermillion county, Indiana, near the town of Eugene, was felled. An axe of French manufacture was found embedded in the tree. The annual growths around the axe were counted by persons skilled in matter of that kind and it was found that the annual groAvths around the axe in- 78 A History of Vincennes. dicated that it had been inserted in the tree at a period pos- sibly as early as 1700, and certainly not later than 1705. The difficulty in fixing the exact date when the axe was inserted was in consequence of the blending of the growths around the axe where the wound was inflicted on the tree. On this ac- count the blending and confusion of growths the exact date of its insertion could not be determined with greater precis- ion than between the year 1700 and 1705. One hundred and twenty-seven growths were distinct, and a number immediate- ly around the axe confused. It was stated at the time the axe was found that it had been inserted in the tree by some Jesuit missionary on his lonely journey through the wilderness. But this could not be in the nature of things as it is well known that the Jesuit missionaries among the Indians of the iSTorthAvest never carried axes or weapons of any kind. They only carried crosses on their lonely pilgrimage through the wilderness. Neither could it have been inserted by one of a small party who carried few axes, as its loss would have been noticed and the implement recovered. It was inserted by one of a large party, and its loss was not noticed on account of the large number they carried. It is reasonable to suppose tins axe was inserted in that oak tree by one of the men accom- panying de Vincenne on his way down the Wabash Eiver lo this place in the fall of 1702 to build the fort here. And I claim, with reason, that this is a natural record aiding and contributing by its silent and unimpeachable testimony in fixing the date of the building of the fort here, and the actual foundmo^ of Vincennes about the vear 1700. Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign. 79 CHAPTER XII. Clark's kaskaskia campaigx. The inhabitants in the Xorthwest at the time of its acqui- sition by Great Britain in 1763, were almost, if not excln- sively, French people or the descendants of French, and were all animated by that common race prejudice that then ex- isted and still exists between the English and French people. They were not reconciled to the change of ruler and always regretted that by the terms of the treaty of Paris this promis- ing and rich country had been wrested from their beloved France. This race prejudice is well known to exist among all peoples of different nationalities and can never be oblit- erated, and is still active and potent after the lapse of centuries. As an illustration, take the Irish race, and it is well known that a bitter hatred exists between the Celt and the Anglo Saxon. Show me an Irish Catholic in any quarter of the habitable globe, whether be- neath the burning rays of a tropical sun, or the frozen regions -7 of the ^orth, and I will at the same time show you a bitter , and determined foe of the British government. This hatred has been engendered by the centuries of injustice and oppres- sion that relentless power has inflicted upon their native isle. They are ever ready to seize upon any occasion to raise their hand against the oppressor. During the Revolutionary War it filled the roster of officers and the ranks of the revo- lutionary soldiery with Irishmen, ilmong the forces under George Rogers Clark, that took part in the capture of Kaskas- kia, there were many Irishmen, and found there in conse- quence of this race prejudice. Of the 150 men that are said to have composed his force when he started upon his Kaskas- 80 A History of Vincennes. kia campaign, the following were Irislimen, either by birth or descent: Lieutenant- Colonel John Montgomery, Major Thomas Quick, Captain Kichard McCarty, John Eodgers, John Williams, Lieutenant Valentine Dalton, James Mont- gomery, James Eobertson, Lawrence Slaughter, John Swann, Sergeants John Brand, James Brown, Michael ^Miles, John Moore, John O'Eear, Eobert Patterson, John Vaughan, John Williams, Privates John Ash, Thomas Batten, William Bell, James Bigger, John Bayle, James Bryant, Edward Bulger, N'icholas Burke, John Campbell, Andrew Conore, Thomas Clifton, Dennis Chohern, Cornelius Copeland, John Cowan, James Curr}', Eobert Davis, Frederick Doherty, i^eal Doh- erty, Patrick Dorn, John Duff, Edward Fear, Samuel Finle}^, James Finley, James Finn, John McFlanagan, Michael Glass, David Grlenn, Francis Godfrey, John Green, John Grimes, William Gwin, Silas Harland, Hugh Henry, Barney Higgins, John Hughes, Edward Johnson, Mathew Jones, John Jaynes, William Learne, Eichard Lutterell, John Lyons, Joseph Lyons, Isaac McBride, Francis McDermott, David ^IcDonald, John McGann, Alexander Mclntyre, George McManus, John McManus, John McManus, Jr., Samuel McMillen, James IMcXutt, Francis Malioney, Patrick Marr, Charles ]\Iartin, John Montgomery, John Moore, Thomas Moore, John Murphy, Edward Murray, Peter Newton, ]\Iichael O'Hara, Daniel O'Bear, Peter Preist, William Parcell, William Slack, Francis Spellman, John Talley, Joseph Thornton, Daniel Tiger, Barney Whallen and Dominique Welch. And what, was it that induced ^larquie de La Fayette Count de Grasse and Count de Eochambeau to come and take part in our revolution ? It was not for any love of liber t)^, as we understand, and use that word. The two latter were offi- cers in the service of the King of France, long before and long afterwards. It was a desire to aid their own country. It was a military stratagem to attack the English as it were in the Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign. 81 rear by aiding her revolted colonies, and thns effect lier dis- memberment and weakening of that power. And all this was brought about b}^ race prejudice. By this, I do not wish to detract in the least, from the debt of gratitude we owe these men, and all others who rendered our country assistance in time of need. I only go beneath the outward surface of things and indicate the controlling motives that prompted their action. The idea that originated the military movement against Kaskaskia was based upon the race prejudice, known to exist between the French and English. It was known to the au- thorities of Virginia that all the inhabitants of Kaskaskia were Frenchmen, either by birth or descent. It was also equally known that they all chafed under Britsh domination and would be willing at any favorable opportunity to throw it off. This knowledge justified the authorities of Virginia in making the attempt. It could not be supposed that any force Virginia could send at that time against Kaskaskia, if met with active opposition, would be crowned with success. The condition of affairs at Kaskaskia may have been obtained from some of the French officers in tlie American army. There can be no doubt in the mind of an intelligent man that the Vir- ginia authorities obtained it from some source before they countenanced and authorized the expedition against Kaskas- kia. Otherwise the project in view of the fact that the state was involved in a death struggle at home, would have been fool- hardy and ridiculous. And this debt of gratitude or moral obligation which the American people were under to the ''French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the Kas'kas'k.ia, 8t. Vincents and the nnghhoring villages" of the territory northwest of the Ohio Kiver for their throwing off the allegiance of Great Britain and acknowledging themselves citizens of Virginia at the bare request of Col. Clarke, with- out offering any resistance, was tacitly acknowledged by the 82 A History of Vixcennes, Federal Government npon acquiring the territory from Vir- ginia in 1783. It will be remembered that the territory northwest of the Ohio River was acquired by the State of Virginia by her troops under Col. Clarke, acting under the commission of Patrick Henry, the Governor of Virginia, Kaskaskia in July, 1778, and St. Vincents in February, 1779. This was during the Eevolutionary War and before the independence of the American colonies had been acknowledged by Great Britain. The United States by their act of September 6th, 1780, rec- ommended to the several states having claims to waste and unappropriated lands in the western country, "to make a lib- eral cession of such lands to the United States for the com- mon benefit of the Union."' The State of Virginia in ac- cordance with said recommendation of Congress, did by her act passed on the 2d day of January, 1781, agree to the rec- ommendation of Congress sul)jeet to the following conditions, viz: 1st, that the territory so ceded should be divided into states and admitted into the Union on the same footing as the original states; 2d, that the expenses of Virginia in acquiring said territory should be paid to her l)y the United States : 3d, 'Hhat the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the Kasl'asUa, St. Vincents and neighboring villages, ivho professed themselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and titles confirmed to them." It is further known that the United States by the act of September, 1783, acceded to these conditions. It is further known that the State of Virginia subsequently by an act of her legislature in 1783, authorized her delegates in Congress to cede and transfer to tlie United States her landed posses- sions northwest of the Ohio River, and that by the authority of said act, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, the delegates in Congress from the State Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign. 83 of Yirginia, on the 1st day of March, 1781, conveyed said ter- ritory to the United States by deed of that date. It is thus apparent by the mere recital of legislative and historical facts that the only obligation resting upon the United States in consideration of said cession, was that ^'tlie French and Canadian inliah Hants and other settlers of the Kasfcashia , St. Vincents and the neighboring villages who had professed themselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and titlis confirmed to them/' There was no condition or obligation whatever that the United States should make such inhabitants any additional grants of land, but simply to confirm to them such lands and titles as they already possessed. In discharge of the obligation thus im- posed upon the United States a commission was appointed by the United States to investigate and determine what lands and titles said inhabitants possessed and when ascertained by said commission which sat and held session at Vincennes from 1804 to 1810, the said lands were confirmed to them by Con- gress. But it is well known the United States did more than the condition and obligation imposed by the act of Virginia required to be done. By resolution of Congress, passed Aug. 29, 1788, and the act of Congress of March 3d, 1791, it was provided that 400 acres of land should be donated to every head of a family at Post Vincennes and Kaskaskia, at and prior to 1783, the date of the acquisition of the territory by the United States from Virginia. And this grant of 400 acres of land applied to every head of a family who had ever been at Post Vincennes or the Kaskaskias at any time prior to 1783, whether they remained such inhabitants or had left the territory. To provide for filling this voluntary grant, a tract of land in Knox County, Indiana, ten miles square, was sur- veyed and divided into 400 acre lots for this purpose. And such original tract not being sufficient to supply all such in- habitants as was subsequently ascertained, two additional do- 84 ' A History of Yincexnes. nation tracts were surveyed and set apart for such purpose so that all of such inhabitants as aforesaid, should receive a 400 acre tract of land or their heirs or assigns. This grant of 400 acres of land was in addition to an}' obligation resting upon the United States by virtue of the cession froip. Vi^gina, and was a voluntary offering or gift to such inhabitants and was given them as a free will offering to reward them for their promptly espousing the cause of the American colonies and discarding all allegiance to Great Britain, upon the sim- ple request of Col. Clarke, without firing a gun or showing the slightest resistance. The town of Kaskaskia was the oldest of the settlements of the French in the northwest. It was the most populous set- tlement containing probably 3,500 population, was well forti- fied and supplied with cannon, small arms and munitions of war and defended by a strong garrison. But without excep- tion they were all French people. Governor John Reynolds in his pioneer history of Illinois, referring to Kaskaskia at the date of Clarke's arrival there in July, 1778, sa3'S : "Kaskaskia was to Illnois then what Paris is at this day to France. Both were in their respective days the great em- poriums of fashion, gaiety and happiness. Kaskaskia was for many years the largest town west of the Allegheny mountains. It was a tolerable place before Pittsburg or Cincinnati had any existence." But Kaskaskia since that period has gone back until it is not now a station for a postotfice. For many years afterwards Kaskaskia continued to be the most populous and important town in Illinois. It was the first capital of the territor}' and state and remained such until 1820, when it was removed to Vandalia. But it still maintained its prominence and all the printing of the state, even for years after the removal of the capital to Yandalia in 1820, was done at Kaskaskia. The first tenn of the Supreme Court of Illinois was held at Vandalia Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign. 85 in December, 1820, but the first volume of its reports, by Sid- ney Breese, was published in November, 1831, at Kaskaskia. Yet it was such a town and fortress that Col. George Eogers Clarke, with only 150 men, captured in the short space of a few hours, before Kochblave, the British commander, had risen from his bed, without firing a gun or losing a man. When Col. Clarke's force arrived before Kaskaskia they had been since leaving the falls of the Ohio, on the go for eleven days, seven of which had been spent marching through a desert country. They were without cannon, horses or any provisions, except what they carried. They were hungry and footsore. Would it not seem incredible that such a force could capture such a place as Kaskaskia is represented to have been at that time, without some cause, except brute force, operating in their favor, that made it possible. Such a cause did operate in his favor and Col. Clarke knew it would oper- ate. He knew from two men from Kaskaslda, he met on his overland march to that place, that the race prejudice between the French and English, would operate in his favor. He knew the inhabitants of Kaskaskia were all French people and hos- tile to the British and ready to throw off the yoke at any fa- vorable opportunity. It is a well known fact from the journal of Major Bowman, an officer in Clarke's command, that the supplies and men authorized to be furnished him by Virginia, were owing to many causes and difficulties never actually furnished. On ac- count of this failure the prospects of a successful issue of the campaign before starting from the falls of the Ohio, were anything but encouraging. It was thought for a time it would be abandoned altogether. But Gen. Clarke was a man of undoubted courage and determination and relying upon the race prejudice that was known to exist he determined to make the attempt with the small force he had gathered. He started from the falls of the Ohio Eiver on his way to 86 A History of Yincennes. Kaskaskia on June 28th, 1778. That Kaskaskia was the ob- jective point of his expedition is clear from the commission of Gov. Henry from which we extract as follows : "You are to proceed with all convenient speed to raise seven companies of soldiers to consist of fifty men each, officered in the usual manner and armed most properly for the enterprise, and with this force attack the British post at Kaskaskia. It is conjectured there are many pieces of cannon and military stores in considerable amount at that place, the taking and preservation of which, would be a valuable acquisition to the state. * * * If the inhabitants at the post will give evi- dence of their attachment to this state, let them be treated as fellow citizens and their persons and propert}^ duly secured. Assistance and protection against all enemies, whatever shall be afforded them, and the Commonwealth of Virginia is pledged to accomplish it." This objective point of the expedition is also manifest from the journal of Major Bowman, who does not mention or hint any other ulterior point being in contemplation. The force of Col. Clarke proceeded down the Ohio River in boats to a point a few miles below the mouth of the Tennessee River. There the boats were abandoned and a march overland to Kas- kaskia was begun. The route of this march was over a desert country with no road and no convenience to cheer them on the way. They only carried muskets and such provisions as they could carry on their back. After a tedious march of seven days through this wilderness, they arrived weary and worn out before Kaskaskia, on the 3rd of July, 1778. Kaskas- kia was situated on the opposite bank of the river and the journal of ^lajor Bowman says their advance was discovered from the town. Gen. Clarke crossed the river the next day, July 4th, 1778, and appeared before the fortified town of Kaskaskia. In accounts originating from Gen. Clarke and his com- Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign. 87 niand. it is stated that when his small force appeared before the walls of the town of Kaskaskia, from indications ob- served, they feared they would meet with resistance, but a Catholic priest opened the gates of the fort and approached Gen. Clarke and had an interview with him. This priest w,^ undoubtedly Pierre Gibault, the patriot priest of the West. It was quite natural that seeing an armed force of strangers approaching the place that the inhabitants should wish to be c.dvised of the cause and object of their coming. It is also stated that this priest and Gen. Clarke had an interview. It is fair to presume that in this interview Gen. Clarke informed this priest of their object and intentions, and that they would be protected in their persons, property and religion. This priest, if the surmise is correct, was already enlisted against the English cause, returned to the fort Lud advised the admit- tance of the strangers, and soon after the gates were opened and Gen. Clarke entered the fortified town and the bloodless capture of Kaskaskia was accomplished without firing a gun or loosing a man, even before the British commander wls aware of the fact. It is fair to conclude that it all happened as stated and that the above is a true account of the case. In after yei.rs it be- came necessary to magnify the achievement for the purpotje of self aggTandizement and to stimulate rewards and land grants. In reading some accounts of this reniLrkable achieve- ment, the intelligent reader is led to recall the wonderful and Don Quixotic performances of Sir John Falstaff, as related by that master and thorough probe of human nature, and espec- iall-y of Anglo-Saxon braggadocio, William Shakespeare. Hon. William H. English in vol. 1 on page 171 of his work, quotes Major Bowman, an officer in Clarke's command, who was writing concerning Kaskaskia at the time of its capture by Clark, as using this strong and forcible langui^ge : (7) 88 A History of Yincennes. "Kaskaskia was so fortified that it niiglit liave resisted a thousand men.'' And Governor Reynolds in his history of the capture of Kaskaskia by Gen. Clarlve in 17T8, says: "Clarke had no cannon or means of assaulting the fort and therefore was compelled to use strategem." This language by learned men concerning the capture of Kaskaskiu sounds strange in the ears of men acquainted with the facts in the case. How could Gen. Clark use strategem w^hen his own account states their advance was detected a day before the surrender. And how could a bloodless issue have been achieved against s^ich a fortified fort? There is no question but that Kaskaskia was well fortified at the time and supplied with cannon and ammunition. One blast from these heavy guns would have scattered the weak and weary forces of Gen. Clarke as autumn winds scatter faded leaves from the forest trees. After gaining possession of Kaskaskia as above stated, Gen. Clark sent small detachments from his own small force and in succession obtained peacealjle possession of Cahokia, Prai- rie du Eocher and all the French villages on the Mississippi River in the same bloodless maaner. And it is reasonable to conclude, and we do conclude, that all these l)loodless tri- umphs were the result of some influence other than military necessity. They all fell into the hands of Gen. Clark as the ripe apple falls to the ground from the parent stem. It is fair and just we think to attribute these bloodless results to the influence of Gibault from the necessary operation of well known causes. He had been laboring at all these French set- tlements for more than ton years. He was unquestionably tlie ablest man in the entire northwest territory. He labored day and night, teaching the children and adults, not only on Sun- day but on week days. He was so successful that in about six months after his arrival there in September, 17G8, he Clark's Kaskaskia Campaign. 89 brought them all l)ack within the fold of the church, and al- most the entire population received communion on Easter Sunday, 1769. The same thing he accomplished at Cahokia and Prairie du Eocher and all the missions on both sides of the Mississippi Eiver. He built and blessed the first chapel on the site of the present city of St. Louis, when Col. Francis Tigo resided there. When Gen. Clark had thus obtained possession of Kaskas- kia and all the French villages on the Mississippi Eiver, he had fully accomplished the objects embraced in his commis- sion from Gov. Henry. But he was not to receive his dis- charge. His invaluable services and his undoubted courage, were not to be dispensed with. He was to receive a new com- mission, not from Gov. Henry, but in all probability from Pierre Gibault. It was then for the first time it was heard mentioned that the capture of the fort on the Wabash Eiver at this place, was to be midertaken. It was represented to Gen. Clark that the fort here was the real key to the posses- :sion of the northwest territory. That the capture of Kaskas- kia was not so important, as the capture of the fort on the Wabash would be, which was in the heart of the northwest while Kaskaskia was only an outpost on the frontier and ad- joining a foreign, if not a hostile state. He therefore urged upon Gen. Clark to undertake the capture of the fort on the Wabash here. He represented to him how easy it was of ac- complishment and how the same conditions on the part of the inhaljitants in the post here would operate in his favor, as they had operated at Kaskaskia. He promised and agreed to furnish him additional men and means to render the expedi- tion successful. Gen. Clark was convinced and agreed to com- mand the expedition and thus was organized at Kaskaskia the expedition to capture the fort at Yincennes. The intelligent reader of the transaction will come to the conclusion that it .all liapj^ened as stated above. 90 A History of Yincennes. CHAPTER XIII. Clark's st. vincext campaigx. In 1770 there came to Vincennes as the parish priest here the Eev. Pierre Gibault. He came to the Nortliwest from Quebec, as the vicar general of the Archbishop of that place. He remained here as tlie parish priest with the exception of an interregnum in 1778, when he was expelled by Governor Hamilton, until 1789. He was without question the most learned and influential man in the Northwest at that early day. He had almost unbounded influence over the inhabit- ants here who were all French by birth or descent. In the winter of 1778 he received information of the pending strug- gle of the American colonies against Great Britain for inde- pendence. This information had been studiously concealed from the inhabitants of the Northwest by the British author- ities in Canada. The struggle had been actively in progress for upwards of two years before it was known here. There were no roads or means of communication with the Atlantic from this place at that early day. All information came by way of the lake region of the north. When Rev. Pierre Gibault heard of this struggle with the natural instincts ani- mating every cultured Frenchman he at once decided to join the rebellious colonies and cast his lot and influence in their favor. In the latter part of the winter of 1778 he announced at mass to his parishoners that he wished them to meet him at a stated time as he had important information to commun- icate to them. That meeting so announced was accordingly held. It has been frequently stated this meeting was held in the old church here. But it was not held there. All accounts we have of this remarkable man and his austere church dis- Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 91 cipline indicate he would have considered it a desecration to hokl such a meeting in the church. Besides the church was not a suitable place for such a meeting. It was a small struc- ture with no windows or openings except a door. It had no pews or any floor except the eath. This meeting was held in the old fort, which was large and a better place, and was then unoccupied. When the meeting so called was assembled the Eev. Father Gibault addressed them in French to this purport : "My Beloved Brethren and Fellow Citizens: "I have received authentic and reliable information that the American colonies on the Atlantic Ocean have revolted and are now at war with England in a struggle for independ- ence. This war has now been going on for upwards of two years with varying success. We have just received the first account of its being waged. The English authorities in Canada have studiously kept us in ignorance of the fact, fearing we would follow the example of so many of our French brethren and join the colonists and throw off our allegiance to them. This is a just struggle of the weak against the strong. It is our duty as Frenchmen and lovers of our native land to render aH the assistance we can to the struggling colonies. Everything we do in this way will in reality be done in the interest of our French brethren. Therefore I propose that we throw off all allegiance to the English nation and declare ourselves citizens of the revolted colonies. I propose that you manifest this declaration and intention by taking the oath of allegiance to the American cause, and if you are agreed I will now admin- ister the oath of allegiance to you and will assist in hauling down the English emblem of its sovereignty over this fort." At the conclusion of this address the entire population of the place with one accord agreed to take the oath of allegiance to the American cause and asknowledo^ed themselves citizens 92 A History of Yincennes. thereof. The oath of allegiance was thereupon administered to them hy Father Gihault, and the English flag was hauled down over the old fort on the ^^Onabasclie." When the British authorities in Canada became aware cf these proceedings Governor Henry Hamilton was sent here to re-take possession of the old fort. He came a.nd the fort being practically unguarded, only Lieutenant Helm and one other person with him being in the fort, he had no difficulty in gaining possession of it. Father Gibault, in consequence of his connection with this affair, incurred the displeasure of the English. They could not brook the idea of letting the key to the possession of the Xorthwest pass from their grasp. Father Gibault was arrested by Gov. Hamilton and held as a prisoner for some time. Finally it was agreed by Gov. Hamilton to liberate him if he would leave the place.- Father Gil)ault agreed to this and left, and returned to Kaskaskia. This expulsion of Gibault was a year before Gen. Clark came in February, 1779, and was providential and ultimately proved a great advantage to the American cause in the Revo- lutionary War. It placed this able and influential man where he could assist in wresting the great Xorthwest Territory from the English. It placed him very fortunately at Kas- kaskia, when Gen. Clark approached that place in July, 17 T8. After he had fully accomplished the task outlined by the commission of Governor Henry of Virginia, and secured peaceable possession of all the French villages on the ^lis- sissippi Pliver the project was for the first time broached to organize another expedition to capture the old fort here. This scheme was suggested, it is safe to assert, hx Pierre Gibault. No other character of whom any account has reach- ed us, was to be found in the entire Xorthwest possessed of the necessary knowledge, influence and ability to plan and hope to successfully carry out such an expedition. To show that the capture of th? fort on the ^'Onabasche/* Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 93 was not within the scope of Clark's original program, it is snfficient to remark it was not named in his commission from Governor Henry. It was not named by any one in his com- mand until after the bloodless capture of Kaskaskia. And in addition it may be said that the fort here was not known to Gen. Clark or his command until after his capture of Kas- kaskia. There was no road or other communications between this place and even Kentucky at that early date. If it had been within the scope of Gen. Clarke's objective point he could have reached this place by a march of only fifty miles from the Ohio Eiver, and from here he could have proceeded to Kaskaskai by a shorter, better and well known route, than the one he took from the Ohio Eiver. But upon this point there is no room for doubt or question. The capture of the fort here was not in the original plan of Clark's campaign. It was suggested and originated at Kas- kaskia by Father Gibault, the only man at the time having the ability to plan or carry out such a scheme. He represented to Gen. Clark the importance of the fort here, the general feel- ing of the French inhabitants, and the defenseless condition of the fort at the time. He proposed to furnish him addi- tional troops from Kaskaskai, and means to carry it forward, and also giiides to lead the force to this place. He did all this. He furnished Gen. Clark two companies of troops, all Catholics and all members of his congregation. One of these companies under the command of ^IcKay, and the otlier under the command of Francois Charleville. These two companies from Kaskaskai came with Gen. Clark and assisted in the capture of the fort, and many permanently settled here. He enlisted Francis Vigo, a trader at an Indian village upon the site of the present city of St. Louis in the enterprise, and in- duced him to furnish means to carry it on. Yigo was at the time a zealous and devoted Catholic and a member of Father Gil3ault"s congregation. 94 A History of Vixcennes. "Without wishing to detract in the least from the deser^-etl honor due to the men that actively took part in the cap lure of the fort here, it is due to truth and justice to give honor to whom honor is due. There was no man in the country, except Pierre Gibault, who could accomplish the above enumerated results. Gen. Clark was an entire stranger in the country, and could not be expected to have sufficient influence over a strange people speaking a different language from his own to induce them to enlist voluntarily in a hazardous enterprise through his exertions alone. Yigo was an illiterate, but ?uc- cessful trader among the untutored Indians. He could not at that time write his own name, and never could do it, except mechanically as the parrot learns to say 'Tretty Poll." But all these plans, purposes and details were within the range of accomplishment of Pierre Gibault, and to him the merit of success is primarily and principally dtte. In August, 1TT8, it was determined to send a message to Vincennes to apprise the inhabitants of the intended expedi- tion. Father Gibault selected as this messenger his confiden- tial and trusted friend, John Baptiste Laffont. This messen- ger was well known to Father Gibault and a member of his congregation. Father Gibault solemnized the marriage of his daughter Marie Laffont to Eobert McKay, one of the captains appointed to command one of the companies raised at Kaskas- kia for the St. Vincent's compaign. Mr. Laffont accordingly went to Vincennes on this mission and carried ^^dth him a commission signed by Gen. Clark, dated at Kaskaskia, Augtist 15, 1778, appointing Francois Busseron captain of a company to be raised at Vincennes. This Francois Busseron was a valued friend of Father Gibault and was one of his principal advisers and associates while he was at Vincennes, from 1770 to the date of his expulsion. He was a man of great promi- nence and influence in the place and was appointed one of the judges of the court by John Todd when he came by authority Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 95 of Virginia to organize civil government in the Territor}^ in 17? 9, and was also appointed one of the jndges of the court by Winthrop Sargeant, secretary of the Territory, when he came to organize the territory by authority of the United States in 1790. He was a distinguished pioneer citizen who had l)een previously appointed captain of a company raised when Father Gibault administered the oath of allegiance to the French inhabitants in the winter of 1778 and was the man wdio hauled down the British flag over the fort and raised in its stead the red and green serge flag. One of the streets in Yincennes is named in memory of this man. He died in 1791 and was buried in the Catholic cemetery here. "When the force was organized at Kaskaskia to come and capture the fort here it was Pierre Gibault who insisted it should be undertaken at an inclement season of the year when the whole intervening country between Kaskaskia and Vin- cennes was covered with ice and water. He did this because he knew of the existing condition of the fort here. It was practically unguarded and in total want of supplies of all kinds. These were expected from Canada in the early spring- time. Success, therefore, depended upon speedy action before the expected supplies arrived. These matters w^ere all within the knowledge of Pierre Gibault, who was well acquainted with the French inhabitants here, and communication between "this place and Kaskaskia was frequent. But these important facts were not known to Gen. Clark or any of the command that accompanied him from the falls of the Ohio to Kaskaskin. And when the force was fully armed and equipped, ready co proceed to come and capture the fort here, it was Pierre Gi- hault who gave them cheer and encouragement. G-en. Clark in his report of this expedition, says that when the force w^as Teady to depart from Kaskaskai for the Wabash on February 5, 1779, that Father Gibault appeared before the two Illinois ^companies he had been instrumental in raising and addressed 96 A History of Yincexnes. them and gave them his blessing. Gen. Clark does not give the substance of the address of Father Gibault to the two Illi- nois companies on that interesting and momentous occasion. We will supply this omission. The address was delivered in French, bnt we give the substance of it in English for the ben- efit of the reader : "My Dear Brethren and Felloiv Citizens: "You are about to start on a glorious mission, the succe^.> of which will cover you with everlasting glory. And of the entire success of it there can be no doubt. The French peopJe residing in the village on the Wabash are animated by the same feelings and impulses as you are. I am well acquainted with them, having resided among them as their pastor from 1770 until I was driven away l3y the English in the spring of last year. These French people are no friends of the EnglisJ"*, and are ready at any favoral)le opportunity to strike them a deadly blow. They unanimously, at my request, in the wint tr of 1778, manifested this by renouncing allegiance to the Eng- lish and taking an oath to support the American cause in the revolution now in progress against the English. You are now going forward to furnish them this opportunity, as you rep- resent the same cause that is now at war with the Engliob. Go then with stout hearts and fearless souls knowing in ad- vance that 3'our efforts will be crowned with complete success. And I specially charge that you do not forget that what you do in this glorious cause is really done in the interest of your beloved France, for which you all feel a deep and abiding af- fection, as it is your fatherland. And that you may be sus- tained and cheered on your journey during the wintry weather through snow, water and ice and various hardships and pr na- tions you will have to undergo, I will now give you the bless- ing of a poor Catholic priest for your safety and protection. I now implore our Common Father, without whose knowledge not a sparrow falls to the ground, and who feeds the you Jig ravens when they cry, that He may sustain you, preserve you and crown your mission with success in the name of the Farther, and of the Son, and the Holv Ghost. Amen."" Clark's St. Yincext Campaign. 97 A representation of this imposing and dramatic scene can be seen, in W. H. English's history of the conquest of the Northwest^ Vol 1, on page 287. The expedition started from Kaskaskia on February 5, 1779. How was it that the force made its ^Yay through the intervening overflowed and icy ground on the way to Vin- cennes? Gen. Clark nor any of the men who came with hnn from the falls of the Ohio Eiver to Kaskaskia had ever l)een in the country before, and knew nothing of the route to be passed over. This was known, however, to many of the men in the two French companies furnished the expedition at Kas- kaskia. ]\rany of them, no doubt, had frequently passed over the route and were familiar with it. Without the aid of these men as guides the force of Gen. Clark could never have suc- cessfully threaded its way to the fort here. It is stated m the journal of ]Major Bowman that when Clark arrived at the Wabash Eiver on his way, with its banks all overflowed, he gave orders to his men to look out for boats and supplies. He was then nine miles below Yincennes at an inclement sea- son of the year, and surrounded on all sides by a miniature sea of water. Why should such an order have been given if there had not been a pre-arrangement that boats and supplies would be furnished him? Why, under all the circumstances, should any sane man expect boats and supplies at that point? Tlie only reason that can be assigned for Clark's order is that boats and supplies had been promised him, and therefore he ex- pected them. Who was it that had promised the boats and supplies? Who could have given such a promise with any reasonable hope of fulfilment ? It was not Gen. Clark or any of his command that he brought with him from the falls of the Ohio Eiver. They were all entire strangers in the coun- try and wholly unkno^vn to the inhabitants of Yincennes who were expected to furnish the boats and supplies. It was un- questionaljly Father Gibault, the only man at that time pos- ■98 A History of Vixcenxes. sessing the necessary influence to make such a promise with any hope of its fulfillment. After the force had secured two boats and crossed the Wa- bash Eiver to the "Mamelle Hill" they were nine miles from Yincennes. Between them and the town were the overflowed waters of the "Wabash Eiver in places fifteen and even twenty- five feet deep. The intervening space was filled with coulees, ravines, marshes, swamps and morasses. Xo man unacquainr- ed with the topography of the country could have attempted to pass safely over that space. He would have been drowned in making the attempt. Yet the French inhabitants acquaint- ed with the country could do it safely by wending their way through the waters on the ridges of high ground and reach Yincennes on their little French ponies without wetting their feet. The journal kept l)y Major Bowman says they met duck hunters who conducted them from the ^'Mamelh. HiU" to the sugar camp, and from thence to ''^Yar^io^s Island/ and theii by a detour to the south to the high grounds on which Yin- cennes is situated. This was a very tortuous and circuitous route to take to reach Yincennes from the ^'Mamelle Hill." But it was the only one that could be taken with any chance of reaching Yincennes. Who were the duck hunters spoken of by the writer of the journal? It is not reasonable to sup- pose that they were really duck hunters from Yincennes m mid-winter with the whole country covered with ice and water, when they could capture all the ducks they wanted without leaving the high grounds upon which the village was situated Xo; they were not duck hunters, but they were guides that had been provided through the influence of Father Gibault to con- duct Gen. Clark and his force to the village. And when th.-?y finally reached the village half famished, as they had not taken, according to the journal of ]\Iajor Bowman, any food for three days, and were wet and tired and foot-sore, what caused the inhabitants of the villaoe to receive an armed force Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 99- of strangers with kindness and hospitality and to furnislj them needed refreshments? It was nnqnestionably the infiii- ence of their old pastor, Pierre G-ibault. It is well know^n that the inhabitants acquainted Gen. Clar]; with the condition of things at the fort, its want of snppliefv and munitions of war, and that these were daily expected to arrive from Canada. They urged Gen. Clark to commence operations the night of his arrival before the supplies and rj inforcements conld arrive. Three-fourths of the men who- took part in the attack on the old fort were Catholics. It is both reasonable and just to claim that all this was accom- plished through the influence of Pierre Gabault. He sug- gested and planned the expedition, its execution in mid-wintei: before supplies and reinforcements could arrive, and thus crowned it with success. After the oath of allegiance to the American cause had been administer e,d to the French inhabitants. Father Gibault suc- ceeded in organizing two companies of French men, one under the command of Francois Busseron, and the other under the command of Capt. Nicholas. Capt. Helm was appointed to take possession of the old fort, which the English had named '"'Sackville/'^ Its name, when Clark captured it in February, 1779, was again changed to '"'Fort Patrick Henry.'' Captain Busseron hauled down the English flag and hoisted in ixa stead a two-colored flag made of green and red colored serge. For the expense occasioned by the flag, Capt. Busseron pre- sented an account against Capt. Helm which was paid him, of which the following is a copy: "1778 Paid to St. Marie for 5 ells of red serge for the flag, 45c. Paid to Mr. Defonet for 3 3-4 ells of green serge for flag, 37l^c. Paid to Mrs. Godare for making the flag, 25c.'' The facts connected with the haul- ing down the British flag and hoisting the two-colored flag- are proven by papers connected with the estate of Capt. Bus- seron, now in possession of Hon. Charles B. Lasselle, of Lo- LofC. 100 A History op Yincexnes. gansport, Indiana. Capt. Busseron died in 1T91, and Antoin Marachall administered on his estate. Upon his death, Hy- cinthe Lasselle administered on his estate and came into pos- session of the papers of the estate of Capt. Busseron, and upon his death Charles B. Lasselle came in possession of his father's papers and has them now. After the capture of the Fort in 1779 hy George Rogers Clark, he changed the name of the fort to Fort Patrick Henry, and many accounts and docu- ments concerning the fort after Clark got possession are all dated at "Fort Patrick Henry.'^ For the part taken by Father Giljault in this transaction, when Hamilton afterwards came with his eighty soldiers and 400 Indian allies and retook the fort he arrested Father Gl- bault and held him a prisoner for some time, but finally re- leased him on promise that he would leave the place. For th-s release Gov. Hamilton was censured by the British authori- ties in Canada on the ground that as Father Gibault was a British subject at the time, living in the territory of thai country, he should have been held and tried for treason. Col. Clark, in a commission dated by him at "Fort Clark," Kaskaskia, August 15, 1778, appointed Francois Busseron captain of a militia company at Post Vincenne, which con - mission is also in possession of Hon. Charles B. Lasselle, of Logansport, Indiana. Why was the fort actually captured by Gen. Clark on the 25th of February, 1779 ? It was not on account of the violence of the attack or any deadly effect produced by it. The hriiig on the fort began at 5 o'clock, February 21, 1779, and was kept up without intermission until 10 o'clock the next day, and not the least impression had been made on the walls of the fortress, and not a man within its protecting walls had been either killed or wounded. They might have kept up the fusilade with their flint-lock muskets until all their ammuni- tion was exhausted with the same fruitless result. If the fort Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 101 had been supplied with ammunition one bhist from one of tl^e large cannon within the fortress would have scattered the as- saulting force like the early spring flowers are scattered and perish before sheets of desolating wintry storm. It cannot le denied that if Governor Hamilton had possessed ammunition he could have driven off the assailants as easy as the tempest shakes the rain drops from the bending forest. This attack on the old fort with flint-lock muskets without producing any damaging result has always reminded the intelligent reader of the silly attempt of the Chinese to scare off the allied forces under the command of Lord Elgin when they approached Pekin in 1860. They assembled innumerable hordes of Chi- nese armed with gongs,^ and by the noise they could make were expected to scare off the allied forces. But the allies were not frightened away. To use the language of Lord Elgin, in his report, '^1 gave the order to sack and destroy the favorite residence of the emperor, and it would then become a solemn act of retribution. The palaces were cleared of every valuable and their walls destroyed by fire and sword.'' How, then, w^as the capture of the old fort actually accom- plished by Gen. Clark on February 25, 1779 ? It was the want of provisions and ammunition, and the fact that starvaticn confronted its inmates. It is well known that Gov. Hamilton tried to temporize and seek delay in the hope in the mean- time his expected supplies and re-inforcements would arrive. But Gen. Clark prudently refused to give any time. Gov. Hamilton knew he could get no supplies or provisions from the French inhabitants of the village, who were all hostile to his cause. This entire want of provisions and ammunition induced him to hold the conference with Gen. Clark in the old church near the fort, Avhen he signed the following articles of capitulation, February 25, ITT 9: "Agreed to for the following reasons : The remoteness from succor, the state and quantity of provisions, etc., the unan- 102 A History of Vincexnes. imity of officers and men in its expediency, the honorable terms allowed, and lastly, the confidence in a generous enemy. Hexry Hamilton^ Lieut.-Governor and Superintendent. And in consequence of this surrender the flag of Great Britain was lowered and possession of the fort surrendered to Virginia. In this connection the truth of history requires a fanciful incident to be spoiled which has been circulated in this place for many 5^ears. It has been said that the American flag was hoisted over the fort after the surrender. If any flag was hoisted it was the flag of Virginia, as Col. Clark was in command of Virginia troops, acting under a commission of the governor of that State. Various French women have been named as having made the Star Spangled Banner that was hoisted. But the Star Spangled Banner had no existence at that date, which was February, 1779. The Star Spangled Banner is a growth rather than a creation. The flags used during the Eevolutionary War were the various flags of the several revolted colonies before and after the Declaration of Independence. The Stars and Stripes then had no existence, and after it was adopted underwent many changes before tak- ing the shape at present established. During the revolution each of the colonies had its own flag. That of Virginia was of silk with a heroic figure standing erect and armed, with or.e foot upon the neck of a i^rostrate form with the motto, ''Sin Semper Tyrannisf' If any flag was hoisted at the time over the old fort when it was surrendered to Col. Clark in Febru- ary, 1779, it was the flag of Virginia. Xo person in Vin- cennes, male or female, at that early period, could have made a flag of Virginia. It is probable no flag was raised unless one that Col. Clark brought with him. But it is more rea- sonable to conclude no flag was raised, the victors being con- tent to haul down the British flag, the emblem of its sover- eignty. The date of surrender was before the flag raising Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 103 craze had arrived. And why has not the important share borne by Father Gibanlt in this important affair been prop- erly acknowledged and compensated? This neglect and want of recognition of valuable services rendered by the missionary fathers in the Xorthwest is in the main due to their own want of desiring any such recognition. A celebrated historian in alluding to this, says : ^^The priests on the missions in the Northwest were coq- tent to labor and suffer and to leave the record of their deeds to God.^^ Eev. Pierre Gibault was one of these missionaries and acted upon the principle laid down in the parable as recorded m Luke, chapter 18, verse 14 : "I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one thai: exalteth himself shall be abased : and he that humbleth him- self shall be exalted.^^ He did make a modest request that a small lot in the village of Cahokia should be given him. In reference to this request. Governor St. Clair in his report, dated in 1791, to Mr. Jeffei- son, secretary of state, says : "Xo. 24 is the request of Mr. Gibault for a small lot that has long been in the occupation of the priests at Cahokia, hav- ing been assigned them by the French. It is true he w^as veiy useful to Gen. Clark upon many occasions, and has suffered very heavy losses. I believe no injury would be done to any one by his request being granted." This French grant was within the stipulations that all the grants of the French should be respected and confirmed. But this modest and just request of Father Gibault was never granted, and the last years of this disting-uished and able man were passed in suffering and poverty. After an active iile spent by him for the benefit of his fellow men and his country he had nothing to show for it, not even a house he could call ' (8) 104 A History of Vincenxes. his own. He could truly say "the l^ircls of the air have nests, and the foxes holes, but I have no place to lay my head.'' Judge Law in his address to the Yincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society, delivered on February 22, 1839, has this to say of Father Gibault : "Xext to Clark and Vigo, the United States are indebted to Father Gibault for the accession of the States comprised within what was the original Northwest Territory more than to any other man.*' This address we note was delivered three years, lacking a month, after the death of Col. Vigo, and after he had made a remarkable will and in it confirmed the contract and employ- ment of the judge to prosecute his claim for the supplies he had furnished Gen. Clark against the government, and to take his compensation for his services from the amount allowed oy Congress. Wh}-, it may be reasonably asked, did Judge Law thus prefer the sympathetic, sociable but unlettered Sardinian to the magnetic, eloquent and learned Arcadian ? Was it tht hope that it would hasten and stimulate the passage of the claim before Congress, and thus enable him to get his fee.-; that he felt called upon to magnify the services and claims of Viofo above those of Gi1)ault ? '&^ "Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, The eternal years of God are hers; But error wounded, writhes with pain, And dies among her worshi2:)pers." These missionary priests who labored on the missions in the Northwest were in the world but not of the world. Thc) labored not for the transitory things of earth, but for the nobler and better things pertaining to eternity. They passed quietly through the turbulent scenes of this unfriendly world and found a final resting place in unknown and unmarked graves. But in the final dav the great "I am" will call Ihem Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 105 forth from their solitude clothed in robes of immortality to receive golden harps and crowns of glory. ^'Softly and noiselessly some feet tread, Lone ways on earth without leaving a mark ; They move 'mid the living, they i^ass to the dead As still as the gleam of a star thro the dark. Lonely and hiddenly in the world Tho in the world 'tis their lot to stay The tremulous wings of their hearts are furled Until they fly from the world away And find their rest On our Father's breast Where earths unknown shall be known the best, And the hidden heart shall be brightest, best." It has been frequently said that Eepublics are ungrateful. The truth of this trite saying is forcibly illustrated by the treatment of the Federal Government towards three men, who, above all others, were the main instruments in wresting from England the territory northwest of the Eiver Ohio, and thereby paving the wa}^ for its ultimate acquisition through Virginia of that vast and fertile country out of which the live rich and populous States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin have been carved and added to the sisterhood of States. The three men alluded to are Pierre Gibault, George Eogers Clark and Francis Vigo. They all went to their grav-L;s in a very similar condition, and all present a parallel of gov- ernment neglect in consideration of patriotic and valual)le services rendered the government without a counterpart in the annals of history. Rev. Pierre Gibault was a French missionary Catholic l^riest that spent his entire life after completing his educa- tion in laboring incessantly for the good of his fellow men in the wilderness of the northwest. He was finely educated, of commanding presence, superior oratorical powers and pos- sessed magnetic qualities. He exercised unbounded influence 106 A History of Vincennes. over the inhabitants of the entire conntry, as he had visited and ministered at all the mission stations in the counir\^ The inhabitants were almost exclusively French or of French descent, and Catholics. From 1770 to 1790 his influence over the inliabitants was unlimited. He was the ablest man in ihe country at that time. He did more to have the North wet- 1 Territory severed from England than any other man. It may be claimed with much reason that the expeditions that cul- minated in the conquest of the northwest was inspired by him in consequence of information furnished by him to some of the many distinguished French officers who came over and as- sisted the colonies in the war for independence. The Britibh authorities in Canada in an official report made in 1778, make S}5ecial reference to him as being the most learned, influential and dangerous enemy of British interests of any man that had appeared in the northwest. And all he did was done at great personal risk, as he was claimed by the English to be a British subject, and also at heavy pecuniary loss. His great servicot were often acknowledged in official reports of various kinds and never questioned. Compensations for his loss and val- uable services were promised, but the promises were never f al- filled. After a life of toil and privation in the wilderness iie contracted bodily infirmities incident to his arduous labors. But he was permitted by the Government to spend the las: days of his life in sufl'ering and want without even a hou^-e he could call his own, and his remains, after death, were buried in a country grave-yard and his grave remains to this day unmarked and he sleeps his last "Sleep unmarked Even by such slight memento as the hind Carves on his own coarse tombstone.'^ George Eogers Clark, the hero and patroit and active mj- chanical instrument in the acquisition of the territorj^ Clark's St. Vincent CampaicxN. 107 through whose courage, indomitable will and stuljborn deter - mination to accomplish his purpose regardless of opposition or danger survived his l)rilliant achievements in the north- west thirt3-nine years. He died at Locust Grove, near Louis* ville, Kentucky, February 13, 1818. He was buried in a coun- try grave-yard February 18, 1818. The last years of the life of this hero and patroit were also spent in penury and pain. He depended upon the charity of friends for even tb? necessaries of life. He suffered before his death a paralytic stroke, and to save his life his left leg was amputated above the knee. In this distressed and disabled physical condition he lingered many years before his death. He petitioned Con - gress for a small appropriation of money to sustain him i;a his declining years. The appropriation was never made in his lifetime, and never, so far as I know, but which if ever granted did him no benefit, and went to collateral relatives who had not come to his relief in his hour of distress. He was never married and left no issue. His remains, after his death, remained neglected for over fifty years in the country grave-yard where he was buried among many others. No mark was placed over his grave to indicate the place of inier- nient. Here they remained until private persons, in 1869, determined to disinter them and give them proper sepulture, in Cave Hill cemetery, adjoining Louisville, Ky. Great diiti- culty was experienced in finding his remains. Seven or eight bodies were dug up in the quest, and finally they were found and identified, by the want of his left leg, which had been amputated above the knee. And thus over fifty years after the death of this hero and patroit his remains were transferred from the lonely country grave-yard and buried on October 2'.), 1869, in Cave Hill cemetery, that beautiful city of the dead, and a suitable monument erected over his grave. T will conclude this brief review of the last davs and burial 108 A History of Yincenxes. of Gen. Clark by slightly changing and then adopting the poetic sentiment of Shakespeare, viz : 0. my country I my country I Had I served my God with half the zeal I have served thee, he would not in mine age Have left me naked, like a shattered Bark on the stream of time. Francis Vigo, a Sardinian by birth and a successful Indian trader, was located in 1T78 at the site on the Mississippi River Avhere the present city of St. Louis now stands. He was a zealous Catholic at the time and was a member of the congre- gation of .Father Gibault. He was induced by the request and influence of his pastor to furnish the necessary means to ao complish the conquest of the fort at St. Vincent, where the present city of A'incennes now stands. He survived the suc- cessful capture of the fort, for the accomplishment of which he had contributed so much, for over sixty years. The ia:t years of his life were spent in Vincennes. He died March 22, ]836, after a long and lingering illness, and for many A'aars before his death was in actual want of even the necessaries of life and was in reality a pensioner on the charity of the public. He petitioned Congress to allow him in his destitute condition the money adyanced by him to aid the expedition to capture the fort at this place. But this just claim, although its pay- ment was made a part of the consideration to be paid by Con- gress for the cession ]jy Virginia to the Federal Government,, was never paid by the Government during the life of Col. Vigo. He died without issue or any known relatives by blood, and the amount allowed by the Government forty years afler his death went to relatives of his childless wife who did not come to his relief during his life and in the hour of his (ilj- tress. He was buried in the public cemetery of Vincennes l)y charity at public expense, so far as any expense attending his funeral was concerned. The only expense of his funeral eve: Clark's St. Vincent Campaign. 109 paid was twenty dollars for liis plain coffin, which was noi paid until forty years after his death. He was awarded a mil- itary funeral with the honors of war, and the evening of his funeral, which the author attended, was spent in firing cannon over his grave. But this military display did no good for tbe hero and patroit, as his spirit had taken its flight and his body had been buried to return to dust from whence it came. He was buried in the public cemeter}^, as already stated, and no mark or monument was erected over his grave to mark his last resting place for many years after his death. After the lapse of many years some unknown person caused a plain, small slab of stone to be laid on the top of his grave, but so long after his death that the date thereof had been forgottsn and an erroneous date of his death carved on the small stone lying flat on the grave. And there he yet lies in a neglected grave except when the Grand Army of the Eepublic on Me- morial day scatters flowers over the graves of the heroic dead. ''Sic transit gloria mundi/' no A History of Yincenxes. CHAPTEE XIV. FIRE PROTECTIOX. For many years after Yincennes was settled there was no provision made of any kind for the extinguishment of fires. If a fire broke out in any part of the town it was left to be fought by its inmates and their neighbors, with such appliances as could be readily procured for use. This condi- tion of affairs and want of preparation in case of emergency, continued to exist long after municipal organization had taken place in 1807. The old Borough of Yincennes took no immediate step in the direction of aiding in the extingaiish- ment of fires or providing any appliances for that purpose. This total neglect of fire protection on the part of the borough authorities, was in part due to the fact, that no neces- sity was felt, as the place had never been visited by any de- structive fire. But with the increase of population this could not long continue. In 1819, the borough trustees passed an ordinance to provide six fire hooks and six ladders thirty feet long, and required every family to provide itself with two two gallon leather buckets. These buckets were to be kept by the inhabitants at their homes and brought by them to any fire that might occur. But many families failed to provide the buckets, many were lost or destroyed and many failed to bring their buckets to a fire. In case of a fire where these buckets were to be used, two lines were formed reaching to some water supply. Along one the empty buckets were passed to be filled with water and along the other the buckets when filled were passed to be used at the fire. This arrangement was very imperfect. If the fire was not near a water supply, it was practically useless. In consequence of a destructive fire which broke out in the store of George Cruikshank & Co., sit- uated midway on the northeast side of :\Iain street between Fire Protection. Ill First and Second streets, which entirely consumed all the building-s on the square except the storeroom of William Burtch on the corner of First street and the storeroom of Thomas Bishop on the corner of Second street, the borough authorities were aroused to the necessity of proyiding l)etter protection for the town. A hand fire engine was purchased from Philadelphia and a yolunteer fire company was organ- ized to use it. A building was erected on the alley adjoining the City Hall fronting on Main street. This company existed for many years and was the only fire company organized for the extinguishment of fires. Frederick A. Eeiley was em- ployed to take care of this engine, and keep it in order. As this company could not afford satisfactory fire protection, another hand engine was purchased, and a house erected for it about midway on the southwest side of Broadway between Third and Fourth streets, and another volunteer fire com- pany was organized for its use. James A. Plummer was em- ployed to take charge of this engine and keep it in order. There existed between these two yolunteer companies great rivalry as they each wished to l)e useful and to l)e the first at a fire and throw the first water on any fire. On this account many skirmishes took place ])etween the members of the two yolunteer companies as to which one should have possession of the cistern or other water supply and during the struggle between them, the burning building was entirely lost sight of. But these two volunteer fire companies, although the members used their utmost exertions to extinguish all fires that occurred, did but very little good. The members being scattered at their homes or places of business in case of a fire ^larm, took some time for a sufficient number to arrive at the engine house, locate the place of the fire and to be in suffi- cient force to enable them to move the engine and other ap- paratus to the fire. The result was that when they arrived at the fire, it had progressed so far as to be beyond relief and all 112 A History of Yincennes. the fire companie:^ could do was to endeavor to save adjoining property. And although as stated, the two fire companies used their best endeavors to extinguish a fire, it is not recorded that they ever succeeded in saving any building that took fire, but it must be said to their credit they always succeeded in saving the lot upon which the house stood. In view of the hnperfect protection in case of fires provided by the hand engines and the volunteer fire companies, the city council on the ITth January, 1810, passed an ordinance for the employment of a paid fire department. A steam fire en- gine was purchased and it was thought that there was nothing in the way of fire protection that was not then provided. It was in fact claimed that 'ne plus ultra" could be devised. This steam fire engine was certainly a great advance over all previous attempts to provide means for the extinguishment of fires. But in view of the admirable system that has since been provided and now in existence, this steam engine was as much behind the times in comparison Avith the present system as the difl;erent systems that had preceded it. In 1886 the city council authorized the construction of water works for the city. Under this ordinance a complete water supply has been obtained for the use of the citizens and of the fire department. Tbe water works plant erected has no superior in any city in the state. The water tower is over two hundred feet high and affords ample pressure to enable the fire companies to throw several streams of water at the same time over the highest buildings in the city, no matter where they may be located. And in connection with a perfect system of electric fire alarms, that has been also provided, the city is as adequately and perfectly provided with fire protec- tion as possible. Under the present fire system three compan- ies have been formed and houses erected for the reception of the apparatus. These houses are situated in different quar- ters of the city so that one company will be near the location of any fire that may take place in any part of the city. Fire Fire Protection. 113 Company Xo. 1 is located in a brick building on Fourth street, midway between Main and Vigo streets^ of which company J. J. Anderson is captain. This company is also provided with a Babcock fire extinguisher and the most improved and per- fect hook and ladder appliances manufactured. Company No. 2 is located in a brick building on the corner of Sixth and Harrison streets and James J. Hedclen is the captain. Company No. 3 is located in a brick building on the corner of Second street and Eailroad avenue and Henry H. Miller is captain. The chief engineer of the entire fire department of the city is George Fendrich, who has been retained in that position for many years, until he has become perfectly famil- iar with all the details of his position. And the fire depart- ment as now organized is ready at a moment's warning to com- mence operations on any fire that may break out in any quar- ter of the city and as often happens, the fire department will be on hand to fight the fire before the immediate neighbors are aware of its existence and in some cases before the inmates of the house know it is on fire. It is not proliable that any fire that may occur in any part of the city will have any show or chance of success when con- fronted by our efficient and faithful firemen. The alarm of fire now occasions no confusion or misgiving in the minds of our citizens, and very few go to it, only asking where it is located. They all feel that the fire department will pay its respects to the destroying element and prevent any serious re- sult. In view of this the citizens of Vincennes now feel perfectly secure and think their residences and business houses are per- fectly secure from destruction by fire so far as it is possible for human agencies to secure them. This security acts as a stiaiulant to encourage and promote the building up of the city in full confidence that what they build will sustain no loss by fire. 114 A History of Vincennes. CHAPTEH XV. Eeligiox. The first mention must be made to St. Francis Xavier church l^ecause it was first in point of time. It was founded in 1T02. It is stated in the Quebec annals that many Indian converts assisted in its erection. It was built of timbers set on end and the interstices filled with adobe. It had a dirt floor^ benches and a rude altar. It had no windows or open- ino^ except the door in the northwest end facing the fort. The second log church was built at the request of Father Gi])ault. In a letter to the Bishop of Que])ec, dated Ma}' 1785, he writes : "A new log church 90 l}y 42 feet has been built and the old church has ])een fitted up for my use as a pastoral res- idence." This second church remained standing until the present brick church was roofed over. It was then torn down about 1830. The present l)rick church was projected bv Eev. J. B. Champomier in 1825. He succeeded in raising funds for its erection and on ]\Iarch 4th. 1820, pul)lished notice in the Western Sun that the corner stone would be laid on ^larch 30. 1826. The walls of the church and the roof were com- pleted by the time Bishop Brute came in 1831:. The church has been finished l)y different bishops, but was not fully com- pleted until 1850. There have l^een five bishops connected with this church. Bishops Brute, Hailandiere, Bazin, St. Palais and Chatard. The four first are dead and their re- mains are deposited in the l)asement chapel of the cathedral. Bisliop Chatard is the present bishop. His residence and the name of the diocese has ])een changed to that of ^Tndiana- polis." The following persons have been pastors of this church: Keligious. 115 CATHEDRAL CHURCH. 116 A History op Yincennes. METHODIST CHURCH. Religious. 117 John Mermet, Antoninus Senat, Mereurin Conic, Sebastian Louis Meurin, Pierre Du Jaunay, Louis Yivier, Julian Duver- na}', Pierre Gibault, Louis Payet, Benedict J. Flaget, Michael Levadoux, John F. Piivet, Donatieu Oliver, G. J. Chabrat, Jo- seph Eosati, John B. Ac^uironi, Anthony Blanc, Augustus Jean Jeans, A. Ferrari, M. Dolimen, John B. Champomier, S. P. Lalumiere, Louis X. Petit, Anthony Parret, L. Picot, John Corbe, Celestine Hailandiere, August Martin, Michael E. Shawe, Ernest Andrau, John Contin. Bede O'Connor, John Gueguen, Hugh Peythieu, James Stremler and Louis Gue- guen. Of the above pastors seven have reached high positions in the church. Benedict J. Flaget, Bishop of Bardstown; An- thony Blanc, Archbishop of Xew Orleans; G. J. Chabrat, Bisliop of Louisville; August Martin, Bishop of Xachitoches; Joseph Eosati, Bishop of St. Louis; Celestine Hailandiere Bishop of Vincennes. The congregation now comprises five hundred families with a membership of over fifteen hunderd members. The Methodist church was founded here April IS, 1S2S. Before that time itinerant ministers of that denomination, occasionally visited the place and held services. The first of these was Eev. Mr. Winans, who was here in 1808. The next was John M. Baker in 1810, then Thomas Stillwell in 1811, James Turner in 1812. Eichard Eichardson in 1813, Zacha- riah Chilton in 181L John Shrader in 1815, Thomas Davis in 1816. James McCord in 1817, Charles Slocum in 1817, John McCord in 1818. But all the above came of their own voli- tion without the appointment of any authority of the church and made only passing visits of short duration. During the time of the visits of the al)ove ministers there was no congre- gation here and no church building. On April 18. 1828, steps Avere taken to form a congregation and a lot on the cor- ner of Third and Buntin streets was purchased and a brick 118 A History of Vincenxes. church erected on the lot. This church •\vas enlarged and im- proved from time to time and was used by the congregation until the present new stone church was read}' for use in 1900. Several years previous to this a fine lot in one of the choicest locations in the city on the corner of Fourth and Perry streets^ was purchased. Upon this lot the congregation erected a fine durable stone church which will last for centuries, and it is now used by the congregation. The corner stone of this stone church was laid by Bishop Fowler, April 17, 1899, and it was dedicated by Bishop ]\IcCabe, April 1, 1900. I give from rec- ollection the name's of the following pastors of the church : Elijah AYhitten, Aaron Wood, John W. Jackson, William McK. Hester, W. H. Grim, Mr. Walker, Mr. Clippinger and Mr. Willis, the present incumbent. The Presbyterian church was founded here in 1833. Before that date the Presbyterians had services at the two Indiana churches in the country about four miles east of the to\vji. In 1806 Samuel B. Eobertson of Kentucky, came here and or- ganized the church in the country. He was succeeded by Samuel T. Scott in 180T. He was succeeded by Samuel E. Alexander, who continued to preach for many years. Before 1833 the Presbyterians of Yincennes held religious services either in private houses or the Court Hous.e and occasionally attended the upper or lower Indiana churches in the country. But on January o, 1833, which date is the real founding of the church, the following persons organized a church in town. John Bruner, Samuel Harris, Lidia Harris, Samuel Smith, James Kuykendall, Sarah Hay, Patsy Hill, Elizabeth Decker, Mrs. Shadduck, John McGifiin, Elizabeth Wyant, Minerva Roseman, Andrew Graham, Mrs. Graham, Elizabeth Graham. Jane Shuler, Mr. Driatt, Francis Bruner, Joseph Maddox, ^lary Small, Elizabeth Smith, Catharine Kuykendall, J. D. Hay, E. Dooley, Elizabeth MdCall. William E. McCall, John C. Holland, Elias Beedle, Hannah Wise, [Mrs. Lucree and Mrs. Keligious. 11! PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (0) 120 A History of Yincexnes. — *-^f I'-f : ^ ^|f?r^"_ CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Religious. 121 XvcewaBger. A lot on ihe corner of Fifth and Busseron streets was donated Ijy ^h\ Bnmer and a l^rick church was erected on it. This church was remodelled from time to time and continued to be used by the congregation until 1862, when a division took place and a portion ceceded and built a brick church on the corner of ]\Iain and Sixth streets. This divis- ion was subsequently harmonized and the two congregations united. A fine new church was erected on the old location in 1884, but was not completed according to plans until 1898. The. church as it stands today is in appearance the finest church building in Vincennes. The pastors of the Presby- terian church have been: W. W. Martin, John McXair, Thomas Alexander, Samuel E. Alexander, John F. Smith, John W. Blythe, J. F. Jennison, Eli B. Smith, John F. Hendy, Joseph Vance, E. P. Whallen, George Knox and Dr. Hunter, the present pastor. The Christian church was organized in 1833. The first members of the church were: Henry D. Wheeler and wife, ]\Irs. Harriet Judah, Dr. John K. Mantle and Stephen Bur- net. The congregation worshipped in private houses and in the To^Ti Hall until 1846, when a lot was purchased on Sec- ond street and a ])rick church erected. The first trustees of the church were Henry D. Wheeler, John E. Mantle and Al- phens Draper. In 1878, the church building was improved by an addition in front and a tower and subsequently a baptistry and pastoral residence were erected. In 1901, Clar- ence B. Kessinger, one of the members, donated to the congre- gation a lot on the corner of Third and Broadway streets, upon which it is intended to erect a fine church at an early day. The funds for this ]3urpose are being rapidly gathered. The following persons have been pastors of this church : Eli- jah Goodwin,' P. K. Dibble, I. ^L :\i:athews, W. W. Eccles, 0. A. Bartholomew, T. T. Holton. W. H. Tiller. Thomas J. 122 A History of Vincenxes. Clark, W. Corter and W. Oestricher. It has a membership of 500. The i)arish of St. James of the Episcopal church was organ- ized by Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, October 27, 1839. The fol- lowing members w^ere elected vestry men: George Davis, George Criiikshank, John Cruikshank, James W. Greenhow, Samuel Langdon, Abner T. Ellis and Joseph Somes. George Davis and James W. Greenhow^ were chosen wardens. Joseph Somes, treasurer and George "W. Eathbone, clerk of the vestry. The use of the Town Hall was obtained and fitted up as a place of worship. Services were commenced to be held in the Town ELall on the 5th February, 1840, and were continued to be held there until August, 1813. A lot was purchased on the corner of Fourth and Busseron streets and on this lot a brick church was erected in 1813, and has been improved from time to time by additions and improvements until it is at present a very imposing church edifice. This church was founded in 1841 and dedicated in August, 1843, by Rev. B. B. Killikelly, D. D., who was the first rector. The following otlier persons have been pastors of the church : Foster Thayer, Mr. Carter,. Mr. Roberts, Dr. Austin and De Lou Burke. The African Methodist EpiscojDal church was organized about 1845 by Rev. W. F. Quinn. The first members of the church were: Samuel Clark, Cornelius Sims, A. McGill,. James Brunswick, William Johnson, Mary Johnson, Henry Rider, Anna Rider, T. Paryear and H. H. Stewart. Services were first held at the residences of the members. But in 1850 a frame church was erected on the corner of Tenth and Buntin streets. This was succeeded in 18T5 by a brick church on the same lot. The following persons have been pastors of this church : Daniel Winslow, G. W. Johnson, Robert Johnson, James Curtis, Robert Jones, W. R. Revels, Benjamin Hill, Emanuel Williamson, John Turner, B. L. Brook, Levi W. Bass, Thomas Strotter, H. C. Xelson, Madison Pattison, G. Keligious. 123 A i EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 124 A History of Vincenxes. ST. JOHNS CATHOLIC CHURCH. Religious. 125 W. Black, ^Yilliam Jackson, H. B. Smith, J. H. Alexander, J. S. Lewis, Jesso Bass, H. H. Wilson, J. E. Ferguson and Jason Bundy. The African Baptist church was organized here about 1860. A frame church was erected for the congregation on Tenth street and has been occupied 1\v the congregation until the present time. St. John's Catholic church was organized in 1851. Prior to that time the German Catholics of Vincennes worship]ied at the cathedral. They were served by Charles Opperman in 18-1:6 and afterwards by Conrad Sneiderjeans. In 1851 Xicho- las Strauber built the first church of brick on Main street be- tween Eighth and Xinth streets. He was succeeded by Leon- ard Brandt, and he by William Engeln, who remained until 1863. Eev. Aegidius Merz took charge in September, 1863, and remained until his death in 1897. He made many addi- tions and improvements to the church and also built a pastoral residence and a large school building all of brick. The church property of this congregation, considering its tine lo- cation and surroundings, is unquestionably the finest church property in the city. The congregation is also the largest in the city. The present rector is Eev. Meinrad Fleischmann. St. John's Lutheran church for a number of years held ser^■ices in the Town Hall. A brick church was built on the corner of Eighth and Scott streets and was used for some years by the Lutheran and Evangelical churches jointly. But in 1859 a division of the congregations took place and the Lutherans remained in possession of the church property pay- ing the Evangelical branch a consideration agreed upon for their interest. The present congregation was organized Au- gust 29. 1859, by Eev. Peter Senel. He was succeeded by J. D. F. Mayer and he l^y J. W. Mueller. Carl Kretzman is the present pastor. The first brick church was torn down in 1876 and the present substantial edifice erected in its stead. This 126 A History of Yixcennes. congregation has a large school Ijuilding and maintains a flourishing school for 1joys and girls, and the church is in a flourishing condition. St. John's Evangelical church was organized on the separa- tion of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church in August, 1859, by Eev. C. Hoffmeister. The leading members of the church at the time of organization were : John Hamm, Fred- erick, Peter and William Eitterskamp, Jacob Breuhans, Louis Bonsil and August Kircher. A frame church was erected in 1862 on the corner of Fifth and Scott streets, and occupied by the congregation until the erection of the splendid brick struc- ture on the corner of Fifth and Shelby streets which is an architectural ornament to the city. This congregation has a large and commodious pastoral residence and a fine school building and maintains schools for 1)oth lioys and girls. This congregation is in a flourishing condition. The follow- ing have been pastors of this church: C. Hoffmeistcr, F. Dar- litz. William Jung. X. Burkhart. P. Welter, Albert Scliorey and Henry ^lehl. The Baptist church was organized in 18(30. Meetings were first held in the City Hall and in private residences. The church was formally organized May 1, 1862, with the follow- ing membership: Mrs. ^Fary S. Heberd, Mrs. Buck, Mrs. Flora, Mrs. Augustits J. Wise, Miss L. Duree, Miss M. Gilles- pie, Mrs. L. Gillespie, Eev. J. S. Gillespie and Christian Eal- len. A lot was purchased on the corner of Fifth and Broad- way streets, and a frame church erected on it which has been used ever since by the congregation. The following persons have been pastors of this church : J. S. Gillespie, L. D. Eob- inson, B. F. Cavins, Dr. Stinson, A. Brandenburg, I. H. But- ler, T. J. Keith, James E. Wolford and G. W. Law. St. Eose Chapel in connection with St. Eose Female Acad- emy has a fine place of worship on the corner of Fifth and Seminary streets. Tbis chapel is regularly attended every day Religious. 12; LUTHERAN CHURCH. 128 A History of Vincexnes. EVANGELICAL CHURCH. Religious. 130 A History of Vixcennes. by the clergy attached to St. Francis Xavier church. The Baptist congregation divided a few years ago and a portion separated from the main Ijody and formed a new con- gregation called the Immanuel Holiness Baptist church. Eev. Thomas J. Keith is pastor of this congregation and regular services are held in the old Pres'byterian church on ]\Iain street. The Free Methodist church has a frame building on the cor- ner of Fourth and Sycamore streets and regular services are held there on Sundays. Enos C, Eobbins is the pastor. The B'nai Israel congregation of the Hebrews have a con- gregation and hold regular services on the corner of Seventh and Broadway streets, on the second Sunday of each month. The congregation is wealthy and will erect a synagogue in a short time. M. Eindskopf and Victor Schoenfeld are trustees and B. Kuhn. treasurer of the congregation. Finance 131 CHAPTER XVI. FlNAXCE. Yineennes has always been supplied with a sufficient num- ber of banking institutions. The Bank of Vincennes was in- corporated by the Territorial Legislature. This bank was or- ganized by Nathaniel Ewing, Charles Smith and others. It continued to do business until the state government was or- ganized. By an act of the state legislature it was adopted as the State Bank of Indiana. This bank failed in 1824. The Wabash Insurance Company was organized here and was invested with banking privileges and issued notes to cir- culate as money. Joseph Somes was secretary of this institu- tion. A branch of the State Bank of Indiana was located here in 1834 on the organization of the State Bank of Indiana. John Ross was cashier of this branch from its organization until it ceased to exist upon the expiration of the charter of the State Bank of Indiana. This branch and all the branches of the State Bank of Indiana were honestly and prudently man- aged and were a source of profit to the stockholders. The New York Stock Bank was organized here in 1855 under the law passed by the legislature of Indiana, providing for the formation of Stock Banks. These banks were required by the law to deposit with the Auditor of State the stocks of any state in the Union and receive circulating notes to the face value of the securities less ten per cent. The defect in this law was that the bonds of some of the states were not of equal value and some only worth fifty cents on the dollar. This bank, as its name implies, was supposed to be founded on the bonds of New York state which were above par. In 132 A History of Vincennes. fact- it was founded on the stock of the State of Mississippi, which were worth only about fifty cents on the doHar. The capital of this bank was $500,000. It was soon forced out of existence. On the expiration of the charter of the State Bank of In- diana, the legislature passed a law in 1855, creating the Bank of the State of Indiana with branches. A branch of this bank was located here and John Eoss was elected cashier and pru- dently managed this Ijranch until it went out of existence. This bank secured a large line of business and had the entire confidence of the community and would have successfully continued in business, but was taxed out of existence b}- the United States laws, passed in the interest and for the benefit of the Xational Bank system. The Vincennes Xational Bank was organized as the suc- cessor and principally with the capital of the Vincennes branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana. The capital of this branch when first organized, was $'250,000, but Avas su1> sequently reduced to $100,000. This l)ranch for a number of years while it was under the management and control of John Ross and Wilson J. Williams, did a fine and legitimate busi- ness. But it passed from their control by reason of their death and failed in Juh', 1893. It passed into the hands of Thomas E. Paxton of Princeton, who was appointed by the Controller of the Currency Eeceiver of the defunct bank. It was found to be a very 1jacl failure. The stockholders were compelled to pay in addition to the loss of their stock, an amount equal thereto to pay the debts and liabilities of the ))ank. The officers at the time of its failure were Wilson M. Tyler, president ; and Hiram A. Foulk, cashier. The first private bank organized here was the Vincennes Deposit Bank of E. J. :\[cKenney & Co. It was organized in September. ISnr 1,v Eichard J. :\[cKenney, Peter E. LaPlante, Hiram A. Foulk, William Helierd, Ulvsses Heberd and Finance. 133 Henry S. Cauthorii, on a capital of $25,000, which was sub- sequently increased to $50,000. This was simply a private partnership for banking purposes and did a very large and lucrative business until 18T9, when it went into voluntary liquidation. Eichard J. Mclvenney was the business manager of this partnership from its opening to its close. The German Banking Company was organized here in 18T1 by Henry Knirihm, Louis L. Watson, Joseph L. Bayard, Marcelle D. Lacroix and others with a capital of $50,000. This was simply a partnership for banking purposes and did a large and profitable business. Joseph L. Bayard was cash- ier and manager of this business from its organization and during its existence. This banking company went out of busi- ness and the partners interested organized in its stead, the First National Bank of Yincennes with its capital. John H. Eabb was elected president of this bank and Joseph L. Bay- ard, cashier. The banks now doing business in the City of Yincennes are three. The First National Bank, the Second Xational Bank and the German N'ational Bank. The First Xational Bank with a capital of $100,000 and a large surplus, was organized in ISTl, as the successor of the German Banking Company, and succeeded to its business house and Inisiness. On the ex- piration of its first charter the bank was re-organized as it ex- ists today. The present oflicers of this l)ank are Joseph L. Bayard, president; P. ]\I. O'Donnell, cashier; and Henry Somes, Jr., assistant cashier. The Second N'ational Bank was organized in 1893, with a capital of $100,000, and has been doing a safe and profitable business ever since its organization. The officers of this bank are George W. Donaldson, president: William J. Freeman, cashier; J. T. Boyd, assistant cashier. The German Xational Bank was organized in 1888 with a capital of $100,000 and immediately secured a large line of 134 A History of Yincexnes. deposits and has from the start done a hierative and prosper- ous business. The otftcers of this bank are William Baker, president: Gerard Eeiter, vice-president; George E. Alsop, cashier ; Henry J. Boechman, assistant cashier. All three of the above Xational Banks are prudently and honestly managed and have the confidence of the entire com- munity. In consequence they are all doing a heavy and pros- perous business. I here insert the consolidated condition of the First Xa- tional Bankj the Second Xational Bank and the German Xa- tional Bank as indicated by their reports under the call of the comptroller of the currency at the close of Imsiness on Feb- ruary 25, 1902: Loans and Discounts $1,57-1,870 49 Deposits 2,684,183 41 Eesources 3,873,632 94 We doubt whether there is another city of the population of Vincennes that can show as strong banking facilities as these. Corporations. 135 CHAPTER XVII. Corporations. Vincennes has originated many corporations in the past The Vincennes Steam Mill Company organized August 6, 1817, for the manufacture of flour, lumber and spirits, was started on a grand scale on the survey now occupied in part by Harrison Park. This company erected extensive and sub- stantial buildings and for many years did a large and pros- perous business. Nathaniel Ewing, John D. Hay, Willis Fel- lows and Benjamin Parke, were members of this corporation. The Wabash Insurance Company possessing also banking privileges in addition to general insurance. The Knox In- surance Company organized about 1850, for a time, did a large business and would have continued except for extending its business to marine risks on the Galf of Mexico and the At- lantic Ocean, which so increased its losses as to compel it to go into liquidation. The American Live Stock Insurance Company, the first one of the kind ever organized anywhere for the insurance of live stock. These corporations have all passed away. The corporations yet in existence in the city are the follow- ing : The Vincennes University, organized in 1806, under an act of the territorial legislature, is now in a flourishing condition and doing as good educational work as any similar institution in the state. It originally possessed a large donation of lands granted by the United States for the purpose of endowment. It started out with bright prospects, but its advance was re- tarded by the unjust attempt of the state legislaure to rob it of its donation of land and divert the same to the use of the (10) 136 A History of Vincexnes. Indiana University at Bloomington. This legislation is con- sistent with all state legislation which has never been favora- ble, but inimical to Yincennes. But this unlawful misappro- priation of its lands was partially prevented by the Supreme court of the United States which declared this action of the state legislature to be unlawful and void. But the univer- sity was crippled in its operations for years. But it weathered this storm of unfriendly legislation and is yet as successfully performing its work as any university in the state, not ex- cepting the State University, supported as it is by large ap- propriations and endowment funds from the state treasury. The Yincennes Board of Trade, organized for the purpose of aiding and building up the city in every way, is doing good service. If such an organization had been in existence years before, it would have been of great advantage to this city. The Home Building and Loan ^Association, incorporated in 1893 with a capital of $200,000. The Knox Building Loan Fund and Savings xlssociation, incorporated in 1883 with a capital of $1,000,000. The Peoples' Savings Loan and Building Association, in- corporated in 1889 with a capital of $1,000,000. The Yincennes and Knox County Building and Loan Fund Association, incorporated in 1890 with a capital of $1,000,000. The Wabash Building and Loan Fund Association, incor- porated in 1898 with a capital of $500,000. The Prosi)ect Hill Coal Mining Company, operating mines adjoining the city. The Prospect Hill Brick Yard Company, operating works in the immediate vicinity of the city. The A^incennes ]\Iutual Fire Insurance Company, organized for the purpose of insuring such property only as is situated within the city limits. The Wabash Mutual Benefit Association, The Knox County Corporations. 137 Agricultural and Mechanical Association, organized in 1870, and which has already held thirty-one successful fairs, almost equalling the state fairs of Indiana. The Yincennes Gas Light Company, originally organized in 1859 by Charles P. McCrady, N'athaniel Usher, W. H. H. Terrell, under a twenty years' franchise. This company and its property was merged in the Citizens' Gas Light Company which is yet in existence and doing a fine business. The Vincennes Electric Light and Power company, organ- ized in 1891, and which has a fine plant and is doing a fine business. The City Electric Lighting Company, organized in 1899, and which has erected a fine plant and under a contract with the city, is now lighting it in all its parts, all night and every night. The Central Foundry Company, for the manufacture of soil pipe, is the second largest establishment of the kind in the L^nited States and has very extensive works and employs a large force of men. The Central Union Telephone Company has a complete plant making connections T\T.th all parts of the city, and in connection with the long distance telephone company with all parts of the United States. The Vincennes Citizens' Street Railway Company which manufactures its own electric power and operates a railway extending from the principal business portions of the city, and to the adjoining suburbs. The Vincennes Water Supply Company, with a splendid plant and the highest water tower in the west (except one at Cleveland) being 210 feet high and of a capacity sufficient to throw several streams of water at the same time over the high- est buildings in the city. The Citizens' Gas Light Company with a fine plant and doing a successful business. 138 A History of Yincennes. The Vincennes Egg Case Company doing a large and in- creasing business. The Vincennes Paper Mill Company with the most im- proved machinery and with a large capacity for the manu- facture of paper, and running both day and night to supply the demand for its product. The John Ebner Ice Company having a large plant and capable of manufacting 200 tons of ice each day. The Eagle Brewing Company of Hack & Simon, manufact- uring the finest beer of any establishment in the state and furnishing its product to the city and surrounding toAvns. Agriculture. 139 CHAPTER XVIII. Agriculture. Xo city can expect to attract and retain a dense popula Lion without adequate resources. They must have a sure base upon which to depend to supply the wants of the citizens. Vin- cennes in this regard is highly favored by its location and sur- roundings. Situated in one of the finest agricultural locali- ties in the West, it has in its favor that paramount interest which is the corner-stone upon which rests all enterprizes. The county of Knox in Indiana, and Lawrence in Illinois, art directly tributary to this city, and several other counties in both States to a great extent. The report of the state geologist gives the first place to Knox county as possessing soil suitable for the production of all kinds of fruit, grain and other pro- ducts that go to make up the general volume of agricultural resources. This great interest has been in the past what has sustained and built up Vincennes. The citizens of Vincennc^ for many years paid no attention to manufacturing interest-^, and consequently until within a few years past there were no manufacturing establishments in the city. It has been bu