USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
National Road, The, 78. Natural Gas, 138.
Nash, Darius A., 1080. Nerly, Thomas S., $9; 195. Neiswanger, Charles W., 678. Neison, Joseph A., 693.
New Burlington, 101. New Corner, 100; 105. Newspapers, History of, 278, fol.
Nihart, Charles L., 682.
Nihart, David HI., 990.
Niles township. 38. Nineteenth Regiment, 357. Ninetieth Regiment, 394. Nixon, George W., 842. Northwest Territory, Conquest of, 6. Nolin, Peter, 59.
Oakville, 102. Oard. James, 1055. Oleserver, The, 256.
Odd Fellows, Independent Order of, bodies -Muncie Lodge. 507; Energy Lodge,. 507: Muncie Encampment, 508: Canton Muncie. 508; Eaton Lodge, 508; York- town Lodge, 509; New Corner Lodge, 509: Cowan Lodge. 509; Bethel Lodge, 500; Charity Lodge. 510; Heart and Hand Lodge, 510; Daleville Lodge, 510; Wheeling Lodge, 510; Naomi Rebekah Lodge, 511; Omega Rebekah Lodge, 511. Official Lists, 529. fol.
Oil Production in Delaware County, 219. "Old Fort," The. 19. Old Letters, Historie, 52. Oliver, Hortense L., 684. One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, 597.
One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment. 395. One Hundred and First Regiment, 394. One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, 405. One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment, 407.
-
One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment, 395.
One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, 396.
One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, 399.
One Hundred und Thirtieth Regiment, 403. One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment, 403.
One Hundred nud Thirty-fourth Regiment, 404.
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regi- ment, 401.
Ordinance of 1787, 7. Over Glass Works, 150. Owens, O. W., 640.
Pace, William B., 331.
Panic of 1893, 154.
Parker, Archibald, 332.
Parkison, Isaac N., 726.
Patterson, Arthur F., 195; 550.
Patterson, Harriet L., 271.
Patterson, Robert I., 498; 583.
Patterson, William MI., 550.
Paving in Muncie, 180.
Payton, Lewis, 671.
Peacock, James R., 1052.
Peacock, William H., 419; 1043.
Perdine, Lewis L., 662.
Perdine. Stafford B., 563.
People's Home and Savings Assn., 306.
People's National Bank, 305.
Perry Township, 23.
Perry Township Schools, 251.
Peyton, Jacob, 332.
Peyton, William, 333. .
Physicians. List of, 297. Phillips, William H., 999.
Pierce, Calaway, 1061.
Pierce. Walter F., 678.
Pinneers, The, 44; Association of Dela- ware County, 185; Mentioned in Putnam Diary, 116; Incidents and Customs, 53; (sec Chronology, 167 fol .; ) (see Sol- diers of Early Wars.)
Plank Roads, 85.
Poland, Albert M., 931.
Poland, Samuel, 927. Poland, Ulysses G., 649.
Political History of Delaware County, 527. Pontiac's War, 4.
Post Coaches, 108. Potter, J. O., 623.
Powers, Mark, 166; 711. Powers, James H., 294. Powers, Ulysses G., 933.
Presbyterian Churches - First Preghyte- rian, Muncie, 447; First United Pres- byterinn. Muncie, 449. Price, Alexander, 333. Probate Court, 67.
xiv
INDEX
Probate Judges, 534. Prophet, The, 10.
Prophet 's Town, 11.
Props, J. Cooper, 822.
Props, William H., 819.
Prosecuting Attorneys, 530. Public Roads, 2t8.
Pugh, Edwin R., 937. Putnam, Frederick E., 116; 194.
Quaker Settlers, 9; 50. Quinn, John, 310.
Polone, 81: 4; io 1007, 1; in North- Del , " manty, 165; Recent
Randal, Cynthia A., 310. " Rat Row, " 131.
Rea, Clarence G., 634.
Real Estate Boom, 145.
Reasoner, Archibald, 332.
Recorders, 532.
Rector, Arthur, 894.
Rector, Charles W., 845.
Rector, James A., 892.
Red Men, Improved Order of, bodies- De Ember Tribe, 513; Munsy Tribe, 514; Twa Twa Tribe, 514; Tomahawk Tribe, 514; Kecchewa Tribe, 515; lonia Council, D. of P., 515; Washatella Coun- eil D. of P., 515; Musco Council, D. of P., 515; Seneca Council, D. of P., 516; Kickapoo Tribe, 516; Iola Coun- vil, D. of P., 516; Ouray Tribe, 517; Sioux Tribe, 517; Delaware Tribe, 517; Pueblo Tribe, 518; Pueblo Council, D. of P., 518; Mocassin Tribe, 518; White Feather Tribe, 519; Nodawa Tribe, 519; Koka Trihe, 519. Rees. Carl, 1030. Renner, W. G., 69.
Revolutionary Soldiers in Delaware Coun- ty, 307.
Reynolds, James A., 1051.
Richards, Daniel, 758.
Richardson, George H., 262.
Richey, Webster S., 674.
Richey, William HI., 980.
Richwood, 102.
Riverside, 159.
Rivers and Settlement, 41.
Roads, 77; to Delaware County, 82.
Rose, T. F., 135: 146.
Ross, Garret, 1034.
Ross, John C., 688.
Ross, William W., 1030.
Ross, Wycliffe W:, 946.
Round Table Club, 487.
Rowlett, George W., 618.
Royerton, 94; 102.
Royerton, schools, 251; 255; 257.
Rural Free Delivery, 96; 188; 219, Ryan, John W., 71.
St. Clair, James W., 945.
Salem township, 28. Salvation Army, 450. Sample, Thomas J., 72. Sanders, Asa B., 757.
Sanders, Robert, 320; 334.
Saunders, George, 335.
Schmidt, William G., 469; 471.
School Supervision in County, 244. Schools, 237; fol.
Schools, Mt. Plengant township, 245; Delaware township, 246; Salem town- ship, 246; Liberty township, 247; Mon- roe township, 247; Hamilton township, 247; Union township, 247; Niles town- ship, 248; Ilarrison township, 248; Washington township, 248.
Scott, William, 335.
Secrist, Jacob, 335.
Selma, 96; 166; 219; 203; schools, 249; 256.
Selvy, Clarrenda, 907.
Selvy, Samuel G., 966.
Settlement, General Course of, 41.
Settlers, Early, Classification of, 44; from North Atlantic States, 45; from South Atlantic States, 50.
Seventy-first Regiment, 386.
Shafer, John W., 653.
Shaffer, Peter R., 839.
Shannon, Joseph, 336.
Sharp, Florence A., 790.
Sharp, Jacob E., 789.
Sharp, Thompson, 773.
Shaw, Francis A., 694.
Shellenberger, Isaac, 336.
Sheller. George S., 942.
Sheriffs, 532, Shideler, 94; 102. Shideler, Isaac 11., 915.
Shiner's Point, 234.
Shipley, Carlton E., 72; 204.
Shroyer, George W., 101.
Shroyer, John A., 993.
. Shroyer, Sherman J., 991. Shults, Henry, 336. Simmons, Daniel, 337.
Sites, John A., 872. Sixteenth Regiment, 356. Sixty-ninth Regiment, 383. Skiff, Clark, 295.
. Slack. George W., 294. Slickville, Muncie, 108. Smallpox Epidemic, 178. Smith, Caleb B., 68. Smith, George M., 337. Smith, Henry, 831. Smith, John, 48. Smith, John E., 827.
Smith, J. H., 602. Smith, M. C., 192. . Smith, Oliver II., 19; 68.
F
xv
INDEX
Sunth, Septimus, 68. Smithfield, 96; 219. Sender, Mesander, 925.
småer, John, Sr., 907. Snyder, W. R., 205. Samtal Conditions in Muncie During Gas Phon, 151.
Soubory in Various Regiments of Civil War (see under different regiment num-
> Chiers of War of ISI2. settlers in Deln- ware County, 311, fol. > Mor- Draft in Civil War, 417. Super Roher in Civil War, 415. ahorastern Indiana. Settlement of, 9. Anker. George W., 190: 274. Spintualists, Society of, 479. Surgeon, William A., 384. stanford, Cyrus J., 947. >:ford, Samund W., 911. Manley. Amos O .. 663. Year of Hope Mission, 479. state Bank of Indiana, 302. Mate Representatives, 530. St.tte Senators, 529. Stephenson, G. W., 74.
.Stevenson, Robert E., 666. Srwart, Edwin R .. 1065. Newart. James, 337. Stewart. Louis R., 1073. Stewart, Samuel, NOT8. Stoer, Lewis MI., 949.
Street Railroad. 171. Stung, George R., 957. >'rang. Harrison, 813. ". taba, The, 415. s.rter. Alva C .. 630. Surveyors of County, 533. Savey of Lands in County, 15. Nein, Job, 52. Sorry, Henry, 751. Tor P. O., 109. .r. Samuel K., GS7. Flor. Valentine, 696.
oder, Clayton B .. 71; 669. th Regiment. 356. wrath Regiment. 356. www.sixth Regiment, 368. Tomas, William ( .. 859. mapson, David, 337. . enfron. Ephraim, 339. agron. E. S. L .. 495. ompson. W. A., 575. orulmirg. Acaiel. 311. Coraburg. George H., 1012. Toornburg, Joseph H., 1028. "murick, R. O., 667. Tipyjavanoe. Battle of, 12.
Todd, O. M., 244. Toll Roads, 85. Tourist Club, 485.
Town Building and Railroads, 94.
Towny and Country after Discovery of Gas, 161. Towns, Formation of, 95.
Township Trustees, 534.
Townships, Survey of, 16.
Townships, Property Valuations, Compari- NON, 207.
Transportation and Communication, 77.
Trask, Ezra S., 291.
Treasurers, 533; of Muncie, 536.
Treaty of St. Mary's, 14.
Truitt, James, 90.
Tuhey, Edward, 700.
Tulley, John L., 935.
Turner, Minns, 46; 66; 169,
-
Turnpikes, 84.
Tuttle, Darlin M., 1038.
Tuttle, John R., 759.
Twelfth Regiment, 356.
Twelve Mile Purchase, 9; 10; 57.
Twentieth Century Club of Albany, 490.
Union National Bank, 185; 305.
Union Passenger Station, Muncie, 215. Union township. 35.
Union Traction Company of Indiana, 213.
United Brethren Churches-Normal City, 175; First Brethren, 475; Riverside, 476; Congerville, 476; Selma, 476; Beech Grove, 477; Maple Grove, 477.
Universalist Churches - First Universal- ist, Muncie, 465.
Vannrsdoll, Cornelius, 341.
Vanderburg, JJames M., 933.
Van Matre, Charles A., 244; 672.
Van Matre, William, 59.
Venard, William, 98.
Vincennes, Sieur de, 3.
Vinton, Arthur E., 632.
Voting Tax for First Railroad, 91.
Wachtell, Calvin S., 576. ' Wachtell, F. L., 681. Wall, Harold C. R., 697.
Wallace, Benjamin, 311.
Walling, Mark, 188.
Walling, Quince. 660. Walling, Thompson, 114. Walling, William, 190. Walterhouse. T. S., 167.
Walters, William A., 1064.
Warner, Rollin, 74; 611.
Warner. Thomas W., 616.
War of 1812, Delaware County in, 12; 314. Washington township, 30.
:
xvi
Water Works, Muncie, 132; 224. Wayne County, 9.
Wayne's Victory, 8.
Webster, Oliver E., 764.
West Niuncie, 163.
West Side, 159.
Wheeling, 100. Whicher, Matthew, 342.
Whicker. William, 311.
Whig Banner, 2:41
White, Rohr C., 544.
Whitely. 175.
Wilenvon. 1.lay. :87; 343. Willard block. ... + F., 49.
v iham C., 292.
Willams, Duncan, 174; 698.
Williams, Henry H., 760.
Williams, John C., 983.
. Williams, Sarah J., 699.
Williams, William, 313.
Williamy, William IL., 993.
Williamson, Adam, 922. Williamson, Alexander, 347.
Williamson. James, 921.
Wills. James H., 725.
Wills, John W., 762.
Willson, Volney, 49; 61.
INDEX
Wilson, Joseph, 100.
Wilson, S. A., 134; 146.
Wilson, Samuel I'., 3-12.
Winans, Henry C., 295.
Wingate, Norval T., 987.
Wingate, Phillip, 313.
Wingate, William P., 988.
Winton, Robert, 289; 203.
Witamyer, Henry, 825.
Woman's Club of Muncie, 481.
Woman's CIuh of Selmn, 490.
Women's Cluby, 451.
Women's Temperance Crusade of '70s, 123.
Woodmen of the World, 523.
Wysor. Harry R., 546.
Wysor, Jacob H., 52; 203; 546.
Wysor Opera House, 131.
Wysor's Grand Opera House, 175.
Yorktown, Indian Village at, 11; 19; 97; schools, 249.
Yorktown Woman's Club, 488.
Young, Abraham C., 818.
Young. Ira J., 664.
Younts, family, 99.
Zehner, Benjamin J., 940.
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
DELAWARE COUNTY A PART OF THE FRENCH EMPIRE.
Though Indiana was organized as a territory in 1800 and admitted to statehood in 1816, the region that we now know as Delaware county did not receive a permanent settler until about 1820. Old Vincennes had been a name in history and a center of stirring events for nearly a century. The first legislature of the new state had assembled at Corydon, near the southern end of the state, while Indians were the only inhabitants of the wilderness which is now the rich and prosperous agricultural county of Delaware. Not alone in the southern end of the state were there numerous villages and organized counties, but before the first permanent settlement had been made in Delaware county many people had homes to the north along the Wabaslı, and there was a well defined settlement and trading post at Fort Wayne, a site that had been designated on the maps through the greater part of the previous century.
On a map showing Indiana in 1907, the most conspicuous feature is the network of railroads that run in all directions over the state, and make practically every county and large town accessible by that means of com- munication. Radiating from Muncie alone are more than a dozen steam and electric lines leading toward all sections of Indiana and insuring unin- terrupted communication with all the states and large cities of the Union. If, supposing these means of communication to remain, the lands of In- diana were uninhabited and once more thrown open to settlement, it is prob- able that the entire state could be occupied in a single day and Delaware county and its neighbors would be taken up as quickly as any of the coun- ties in southern or northern Indiana.
It is not meant to imply that the absence of transportation lines was the sole reason why the first white men discriminated against Delaware county when they settled the state. But it was the prime cause in directing migration until sixty years ago. Up to that time the great trunk lines of communication in the middle west were the rivers and here and there a
2
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
canal. In a map of the region about the great lakes, including northern Indiana, drawn about 1755, the rivers Miamis, Wabache and Theakaki (Kankakee) are the most conspicuous features of topography. A century ago the Maumee river, the portage at Fort Wayne across to the Wabash, the latter river as the principal water route through the central part of the state, the Ohio river along the southern border, and such tributaries as the Whitewater and the two branches of the White river, were the routes of travel first to be considered and most valuable in the settlement and economic development of the state. So far as seriously affecting the transportation facilities of the neighboring country, the Wabash river could now be dis- pensed with, for railway trains have long carried the burdens that once were borne on this stream. For the first seventy-five years in the history of this country, however, the Wabash was the principal connecting link between the great lakes on the north and the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. The first settlements in the valley of the Wabash were planted in order to protect this line of communication between the northern and southern divisions of New France.
French Explorers.
During the latter half of the seventeenth century, by the discoveries and explorations of Marquette, Hennepin, Joliet and LaSalle, all the country drained by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and their tributaries was added to the vast claims of the French empire in the new world. For nearly a century the statecraft and military power of France were tested and tried to the utmost in strengthening and maintaining the authority of the empire in the territory between New Orleans and Montreal. During LaSalle's explorations about the lower end of Lake Michigan and in his journeyings from there to the Mississippi, he penetrated northwestern Indiana, going as far east as the site of South Bend. Another result of his activities was the organization of the various Indian tribes outside of the Iroquois con- federacy and the concentration of them all about a central seat in Illinois, so that in 1685 it is probable that Indiana was no longer the home of a single Indian tribe.
To secure all the country between the Mississippi and the Alleghanies against English aggression, the French projected and founded many posts that would command the rivers and the outlets of trade. Several forts were established at the lower end of the Mississippi, and a vigorous policy of commercial development and expansion begun. Other posts were estab- lished higher up the river, Kaskaskia above the mouth of the Ohio becoming a strategic point of much importance. The French captain, Cadillac, by anticipating the English in the settlement of Detroit, secured a post of wonderful advantage in dealing with the Indian inhabitants west of Lake
3
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Erie and south of Lake Michigan. The Indian tribes that had been drawn into LaSalle's Illinois confederacy were now drifting east to the Wabash, the Maumee and about Detroit. To control these tribes and prevent their being approached by the English, the French authorities in Canada, who claimed jurisdiction on the upper courses of the Wabash,* planned the relocation of the tribes and the founding of posts among them. The prin- cipal settlement of the Miamis was then at the head of the Maumee, at a place called Kekionga (the site of Fort Wayne). The Ouiatanons lived lower down on the Wabash, and about 1720 post Ouiatanon was established among them (near the site of Lafayette), this being the first military post on the Wabash. At this point, controlling the Miamis and the Ouiata- nons, was stationed Sieur de Vincennes. The authorities of Louisiana, very much exercised by the reported encroachments of English traders within the Ohio valley, about 1726 won over Vincennes from his serv- ice with Canada, and a year or so later that intrepid pioneer of France founded on the lower course of the Wabash the post which soon became known as Vincennes. In a few years some French families from Canada settled around the post, and thus was established the first European village in Indiana. Until the close of the French occupation in 1763, Vincennes was included in the District of Illinois, which, in turn, was part of the Province of Louisiana. The dividing point between the jurisdiction of Canada and that of Louisiana was Terre Haute, "the Highlands of the . Wabash."
By such means the authority of France was extended throughout all this country including the present state of Indiana. Vincennes became a village of French soldiers and traders and their families, where Lafayette now stands was another French post, and another at the site of Fort Wayne. The inevitable conflict between France and England, closing with the vic- tory of Wolfe on the plains of Abraham and with the treaty of Paris in 1763, by which England became the dominant and principal territorial power in the new world, has only a remote interest in this discussion. The French and English met at the site of Pittsburg in 1754, where Fort DuQuesne was built by the former, and this meeting brought on the war which began with the disastrous defeat of Braddock by the French and their Indian allies.
After Wolfe's victory the English took possession of Detroit and the posts on the upper Wabash, but Vincennes continued a part of French Louisiana until the treaty in 1763. The numerous Indian tribes northwest of the Ohio, though at first treated with much respect by the English, were
· The lower Ohio and Wabash and Mississippi were governed as part of the Louisiana province of New France. Boisbriant, who had been appointed gov- ernor of Illinois, founded Fort Chartres (sixteen miles above Kaskaskia) for the protection of the upper rolony. in 1720.
4
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
later wrought upon by the brusque behavior of the English and the secret persuasion of the French who still remained in the country. A powerful confederacy of the western tribes was formed under the brilliant leadership of Pontiac, and during the spring of 1763 a general outbreak against the . English posts occurred, which has since been known in history as Pontiac's war. Few of the inland posts escaped capture, the small English garrisons at Quiatanon and Miunis (Fort Wayne) surrendering with the rest. It was not until the following year that such energetic measures were taken by the English forces as to break the Indians' strength and force the Dela- wares. Showances, Miamis and other bands to sue for peace. Henceforth until the American revolution, the Indian inhabitants north of the Ohio gave little trouble to the English, who maintained an easy and almost nom- inal jurisdiction over the posts and settlements along the Wabash and down the Mississippi.
1
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN INHABITANTS - AMERICAN CONQUEST.
During the first half of the eighteenth century, while St. Ange was second governor of lost Vincennes, the only Indians in Indiana lived along the Wabash and to the north of it. There were no villages and no resident tribes to the south of the Wabash valley .* Within historical times, the Indians most closely identified with the central and eastern Indiana counties were the Delawares. The Delawares were originally eastern Indians, of the Alonquan stock, calling themselves Lenape or Leni-lenape, and figured more than once in the history of the early colonies in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. After being forced out of their castern abodes on the Delaware river, partly by the hostility of the Iroquois and partly by the extension of the white settlements, they moved into western Pennsylvania, then through the gateway of the Alleghanies, and finally set- ted in eastern Ohio, where, being within reach of the French, and backed by the western tribes, they asserted their independence of the Iroquois, and in the subsequent wars, up to the treaty of Greenville in 1795, showed themselves the most determined opponents of the advancing whites.i
About the year 1770, having received permission from the Miami and Piankishaw to occupy the country between the Ohio and White rivers in Indiana, the Delawares became seated in central and eastern Indiana, their presence here being commemorated in the county that contains but a small portion of the territory over which these Indians wandered. At one time they had six villages. In 1789, by permission of the Spanish government, a part of them removed to Missouri, and afterwards to Arkansas, together with a band of Shawnee. By 1820 the two bands had found their way to Texas. The Delawares, including the Munsee, now number about 1,900, most of them in Oklahoma, Indian Territory and Kansas.
The Munsee.
The Munsee were one of the three principal divisions of the Delawares, called, because of their totem, the "Wolf tribe" of the Delawares. From this tribe the county seat and metropolis of Delaware county takes its name. The original significance of the word "Munsee" is defined as "at the place where stones are gathered together," a meaning that has, of course, no rela- tion to the city in Delaware county. Besides the Muncie in Indiana, two
* Dunn's Indiana.
t Handbook of American Indians, Bureau of Ethnology reports, 1906.
-
6
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
other towns in the United States bear that name, one in Illinois and the other in Kansas; while in Pennsylvania three localities have the name form of "Muncy." The Munsee, as a tribe of the Delawares, dwelt originally in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, about the Delaware river. About the middle of the eighteenth century they moved to the Allegheny river. The Moravian missionaries had already begun their work among them, and a considerable number under their teaching drew off from the tribe and became a separate organization. The others moved west with the Delawares into Indiana, where most of them were incorporated with that tribe, while others joined the Chippewa. Shawnee and other tribes, so that the Munsee practically ceased to exist as an organized body. Many removed to Canada, and settled near their relatives, the Moravian Indians. In 1885 the only Munsee officially recognized in the United States were living with a body of Chippewa in Franklin county, Kansas, both together numbering only 72.
In 1774 all the country northwest of the Ohio was put into the bounda- ries of the Province of Quebec, and several years later the lieutenant gov- ernor of Detroit assumed the title of "superintendent of St. Vincennes," and took personal command there in 1777. Throughout all the years since the first exploration of her territory Indiana was but a part of a province of a province. "For ninety years her provincial seat of government vacillated between Quebec, New Orleans and Montreal, with intermediate authority at Fort Chartres and Detroit, and the ultimate power at Paris. Then her capi- tal was whisked away to London, without the slightest regard to the wishes of her scattered inhabitants, by the treaty of Paris. Sixteen years later it came over the Atlantic to Richmond, on the James, by conquest; and after a tarry of five years at that point it shifted to New York city, then the national seat of government, by cession. In 1788 it reached Marietta, Ohio, on its progress to its final location. In 1800 it came within the limits of the state."*
Clark's Conquest of Northwest Territory.
During the Revolutionary war, the danger most dreaded by the colonists was that which came from across the western frontier, produced by the Indians and their English leaders. At this time a considerable population had crossed the mountains from the Atlantic colonies into the country along the Ohio, and the county of Kentucky had already been organized as a part of Virginia by George Rogers Clark. This young Virginian, when it became apparent that a frontier force must be maintained to subdue the Indians and check their invasions under English leadership into the colonies, was selected by the government of Virginia to organize and command such a force on the frontier. Owing to lack of money, of supplies, the small number of set-
· Dunn's Indiana.
.
7
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
thers from whom his force was to be recruited, and the vast extent of country to be covered by his force, the success of Clark's campaign has long been a glorious addition to American annals, and his fame fitly symbolized with the designation "The Hannibal of the West." Setting out with a small force of men, recruited largely in Kentucky, and relying on the support or at least the neutral attitude of the French settlers, he surprised the post at Kaskaskia, July 4. 1778, and in the course of the same month Vincennes became an American post, an American flag was floated for the first time in Indiana, and the French residents welcomed the American invaders as friends of their nation. Vincennes was later captured by the British and again retaken by Clark, but the details of his campaign are not here pertinent. Suffice it to say that he held the vast region of his conquest against all expeditions of the English until the close of the war, and when the treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 the conquered region became a part of the new American republic. By the Ordinance of 1787 all this country northwest of the Ohio was organized as the Northwest Territory, and provided with a temporary government directed by officials appointed by Congress.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.