USA > Indiana > Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana > Part 59
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L'OUXTE ORGANIZATION.
On the 5th of October, 1187, Major-General Arthur St. Clair Was nppuinted Governor of the United States torrilory nortluivest of the Ohio River. Nfe wos a untive of Scotland, onil enme to tho Colonies of North America in 1766. lle served under Genetul Amherst at lho tuking of Louisburg in 17h8. Hle carried the standluril ul tho enpturo of Quehee by Gen. Wolfe. Soon ufter the peace of 1703, he setiled in the Ligonior Valley in Pennsylvouin, aml remnined there lill thy breaking out of the Revolu- tionary Wor. lle serred with ilistinction through the went In 1788, he re- ceireil his instructions, and in the month of July of that yeor henrriteil al Marietta, Ohio, at the mouth of the Muskingnu Rirer, n here he began 10 organize the gor ernmonl according to the provisions of the act of IT87. Here he and the Jodges of the General Court of the Territory (Samuel Iolilet l'arsous, James Mitchell Varnum ond John Cleves Symmey) adopted nul huublished ten huivs for the use and control of the Territory. Al ibo anme ulneo, on the 9th of January, 1789, he woily the trenly with Six Nations; nul also other trenties with ndjovent tribes. On January 1, 1750, the Gov- ernor und Judges went to Lognntown, unil on aInniury 8th, uccompaniei hy Winthrop Surgent, he went fo Kuskoskin. From there bo sent Winthrop Sargent to the "l'osle," Vincennes, instrneting bim to lay off the couuly. Mr. Sorgeut fulfilled these inalruclions sowie time during the summer, uod named tho county " Kyos," in honor of General llenry Knox, Sreretary of War. fts bonninry Includeil all of The Stutos of Indiana and Michigan. By the year 1798, Wayne County boil been formed, u ith Detroit as county mat, and embraced the grentor part of the State of Michigan, and some ef Northoru Indlinun. In the first Torritorin] Legislature, held in Cincinnati, commencing on the 24th of Soplember, 1789, Ivory Vanderburg, of Knox County, wow tho Fresilent, and Shodrurh Bond ropresenteil the connily. This Legislature pasyrd furty. oight ouls; Governor St. Chirnpprovedl thirty. sevon, ond voloed thin romniuder. By the yrur 1802, Clork and Ran lohuil Counlies had been formed, and in 1805, Denrborn County 1503 audeil In .June, 1805, Michigan wne made o separate Territory, and IBuois iu March, 1809. There were at this time four counties ( Knox, Clork, Dearborn uod
249
COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.
Ilurrison) in Indiunn Territory. In 1810, Jefferson, Franklin and Wayno more formeil. In 1818, Oilson and Warrick wrre organized, and in 1817 Sullivan, which reduced Knox County to its present limits.
COUNTS ANH COURT PROOFEIN NOS.
l'rior to the organization of Knox County, Courts of Claims. Judges and Noturies ilid all pertaining to Innd nud the settlement of claims. Winthrop Sargent, ou organizing the county, appointed tiro military officers ond anven ringistrates. The former court urns composeil of Francis Vigo, Major, Commandant of Militia, and Houry Vondorherg, Major of Militin. The totter court ins composoil of the following persons : Antoine Gamelin ( whom Mujor Hamiraniok dispntcheil in 1790, with letters, to the Indian tribe3), Pierre Gamelin, l'end (or Puul) Gomelin, James Johnenn, Louis Edeline, Luke Deckor nud Frunynie Busveron.
The following is the earliest recoril preserveil in Knox County :
" Records of the Courts of General Quursessions of the l'enco, for the county of Knox, in the territory of the United States northwest of the mier Ohio, July sessions MDCCXO, July 14th. Thin court opened, presont (here follow the abore-named Judges). The proclamention for arecting the county of Knox and fixing the tering of the court was rend ; also, the general commission. Tho commissions of lobu Small ns Sheriff, and of Samuel Bairil as Clerk of the court, ivera rend. Also the Inw for establish- ing the court unil for appointing the Sheriff. Allen Ramscy was appointeil by court Constable for the District of the River Du Chino, ond Joseph Laboelle, Conytulile for the village, anil they worn hoth sivoru in court. The court adjouroril until 8 o'clock.
The court met purallant to Adjournment, ond oppeareil present os in the forcnoou. l'eter Thorno was appoluled Constoble for thin rilluge, and was euorn in court. The grund inquest (jury) was then calleil, consisting of twenty-tivo persons, to wbum the President of the court udministered ile onth. To such ns did not understand it in the English language, it was nul- ministered in French. Their first presentment rend as follon s. " The grand inquest for the body of the county, upon their anth, present tunt o murder, of malice aforethought, was committed on or about the 19th or 20th of No- vember lust, hy one Minhnel Graffe, upon a certain Albin Guest." At the
October session it iras found necessary to adjourn, ns the mililin irere absent on our expedition against the lo linos on the Wubash, and not enough men were left to form n jury. At the January session of IT91, it iras entered : " For uant of a Clerk, though it necessary to adjourn." The first bill of mdirtment returuel by the graud inquest was against " Putriok Simpson, Joseph lones and Doriek Schuyler for u riot atul nssoul upon Joseph Andre nınl Marie Laniso LaFaver, widowv." The first instrument of record iv a deed from Laurient Barzadon to Theinns Mills, recorded Muy 26th. 1814, by blibu Stout, the founder of the Western Sun. Among the recorils und conveyunces are tonny executed while the viltege irns a colony of France. Muy of thein preserro tho curious sorolla of the " White Butfule," " Little Turtle" and other warriors, who ceiled their possessions lo their friends, the " Binok Conts," as they called the Jesuits. The records of the county were destroyedl hy fire in Murch, 1814 Mr. John D. Hay was Recoriler and Postmaster, und both offices ivere kept in his store-rooms, then containing about $20,000 worth of goods. All were destroyed, and two of Mr. Huy's children perished in the Haines the sanie fatal night. The first jnil was part of the block house of Fert Sackville. In 1801, Henry Vanderburg was up- pointed to superintend the erection of one en n lot purchased of Captain Nobert Buntin. This joil stood on the corner of Third and Buntin strvets. It wns begun in 1803, and finished in 1805. The present oue stands in Iho court house yurd. The first courts wore held in the house of Laurient Bar- elon. a Spanish merchant, which stood on the ground Intely occupied by Jeseph Woodman's confectionery store. The first court house (in Indiana) was built of brick, and steel on the ground now occupied by the residence of Judge William E Niblock. li cost tho county $3, 160.414. This house uns occupiod in 1813, and wus tho occasion of n grand bollat ile LaSalle Hense. Mr S. B. Juilahi's house now occupies the site of the house of Laurient Bar- tulen. On the 24th of June, 1878, the corner slene of the present finc elities was laid. Tho building is seventy-eight fect frenting an Serenth street, and ene hunilred nud tiventy feet deep en Busseron. It is built in the Norman style of nrohitecture, with toners on enoh corner, thai on the northwest nugle being the highest, being one hundred and forty-seven feet from the ground, and contains the great clock and bell. The building is Gre proof, buitt of stone und iron, tho lower floor containing the county officey, and the uppor the court room, jury rooms, amil witnessos' waiting rooms. On coch sile of the outrance of Seventh street is a large murblo inblet. Over the tablet ou the right, in u niche, is the figuro of an American soldier in the position of peraile rest. Ovor the one on the left is the figure of Gen. UJce. Rogers Clark. These figuresare life size. That of Clark was seulptured by Andrea Barvet, in the city of Carrara, Italy, and represents him as a warrior in the costume of the frontiersmon of 1779. The names of the citizens of linox County who fell as soldiers in the late war will be inscribed on the tablet under that of the sellier, unil the tablet on the loft will contain the nantes of the preininent pioneers of this county. The structure is one of ativ tinest in the Sinto, outalde of the capital, nud will cost the county nearly $9X1,000. Some of the best legal talent in Indiana hare residod in Vin- cennes aud pruolieed in Knox County courts. William Prince was the first Chircult Judgo after the mlmission of the Stale, auil Isane Blackford, Prove- outing Attorney. Samuel Judah was here for some time, and conducted the case of tho Vincennes University against the Sinto, to recover the grant of laul inade by the United States, and which the Stuto bud giren to the Iui- risity nt Bloomington. No recovered $60,000, und charged the bouril $20,000 for his services. Tho prosent county offioors are: Anilitor, Garrard Reiler ; Clerk, William B. Robinson; Recorder, ,t. J. Muys - Sheriff, Simon l'uyne; Treusurer, James Reynolds; Prosecuting Attorney, John 11. O'Neal, amil County Superintendent ulf Schools, W P. Roberts. Thoso linre the honor to serre es first in the new bullding, uml are rrry courteous gen- Urmen. The ground en which the building statuts was coiled to Frauenis Dusyeron Muy 16th, 1784, by Colonel John Toilil
The following is the decd, which iloenment, in English, muy be rendereil liberolly. " Pursuant to the authority given to tho magistrute of the Court of St. Vincounes by the Sicure John Youd, Colonel and Grand Judge of tho Unileil States, according to this porrer the Sieure Le Gros, Colonel Com. mabiler end President of the court, neconilingly gives a plueu twenty-fire Initet sqlinre, situated in this town, on one sule to Charpentier en another pilo te n conimnon, nith n atrort before, uml in the rear to _Intoine DuGitt, for Sieure Phingnix Busserun amil his hluoks, to hire full possession ami] enjoyment of the sume ns his other property, subject to the ordinance here- tofore made, upon which rondition this is grunted and given, the 15th of May, 1786, to firma and the proft thereof tu bo Frangins Ilusseron's. Glindin, Chief ('lerk of the Court."
THE COUNTY SEAT.
Vincennos is in the western parl of the county, on the Wabash Rirer It Is the olilest place in the State, nud dutes its beginning in 1702. This date is inscribed on tho tobilet on the fruit of the now court house, oml by many Is considereil incorrect. In the beginning of the rigthteenth con- tury, Frooch triulers and tuissionuries hud risiled these inlleys, ondl ilig. cosereil in thelu tho location of a new quipire. The French colonial recorils of Qucher, Conaila, make mention of this valley all the bruutiful river, calteil by them the "Ounbache" (pronounced Wr-ha-wenning h shimmer clubul, moving sirinly), mul of the lahors of their traders uml missionaries in 1702. They also had o " Poste" at Kuskuskin, Illinois, not fur belon St. Loul. The curliest written necommit of the " Poste" ond the country, uml the Indians inhibiting the place (a Piankashan- Miami tribe thon occupied
the present site of the town Their village was called " Chip-know-kay." called by tho settlers "Chip-enke" or " Brush-ivood ") is found in n book printeil in the city of l'aris, in 1761, anlitted " Letters Edifying and Curi- ous," which contains a letter writlou hy Gabriel Marest, " Missionary of the Company of Jesus," to " Fathor Geram, of the anine Company." Tbis urns written nt Knakankin, noul duled November 9, 1712, one hundred and sixty-three years ago. Still, the plaen was seen twelve years licfore that, and French traders and missionaries wore here ion years prerinus. What did the first Frenehmen think and see when his canoe passod the place then? One hundred oml woventy-three years have passed! If he could riso up now, and page down the same strean, what would be seo onil think ? In This letter he speaks of the richness of the country, of the abundance of ore. He thinks experienced miners would find especially leail and tin, and he does not doubt that " gold soul silver would be found in nlundance." Also, he speaks of the river Quuhache, anil " about eight longues below this thero empties another Ane river into the Ounbache." In the maps published in 1730, the rivar is called by that name, also, the Ohio River, for the missionaries, coming down from Detroit, en route to New Orleans, wern warned by the Indians At the Poste of dangerous foes further south- ward, and crossed Illinois to Kaskaskin, thence down that stream to the Mississippi, onil when they anw the Ohio pouring its flood into the "' Father of Waters," naturally concluded it to be the same stream they hnd last seen nt the " 'Chip-coke " village.
General Gage, British commander of this country, in 1772, sent word to ull outposts to como cast of the mountains, or go south to New Orleans, as they were unsafe, and the King would not protect them. The French At this post replied that they did ont want to comply, und ihnt their residence way of seventy-years' Hlanding, onil they bod hul un irnuhle with the Iniliuns, andl fenred none. They were allowed to remain. This is further proof of the antiquity of Vincennes. From its settlement for nearly half n century, no change and hut little progress seems to barn heen made. Surrounded by u low, wet, morshy country, well wlapled for fur-bearing unimals, the travers found all They ilesired, and cared for nothing more ; and the missionary found ample opportunity to occupy his time and atten- tion. Years came anil passeil ; many without the "Good man," und no ono took care to baud Journ to posterity the events of those times. Volnoy visited the place in 1796, and found a rude fort or stockade, and from no one could he obtain an authentic account of the growth of the post. Ile eoueluded the first French were here only as far back as 1735, hut records nod inaro accurato history will not benr him out in his nsserlion. Ile found very little to eominenil, and much to correct, in the inhabitants.
About the year 1738, François Morgan de Vinsenne, who hnd been an officer in the King's troops, in Canada, in ITRO, Mas sent from flint military division to this. From him the placo took its name, aml began Io lie called " Poste Viusenne." An Gel of sale mule by him-signed by Madnine Vin- senne, by a cross-recorded ,January 6, 1736, styles him " An officer of the troops of the King," and " Commandant ut Poste du Onsbache." The fol-
lewing year he was killed in an engagement against the Chicknsais. The church of Saint Francis Xavier was founded here as early as 1712, but to builling ins erected till about the tinie Vinsenne came. A long huilding lien was erected on the northeast port-corner-of the square non occu- pied by the Cathedral. Its front ivas toward the river, and it was built of posts, obous twelve feet high, sel in the ground a short ilislance opart, with The interslices filled with tutul and the long prairie grass. Its roof was thutolied, and held down by weight-potes, and in this rude building the French and the sorage first heard moss snill before nn nltor und in a church builling in Indiana, and, mayhap, in the Northwestern Territory. The first record of a preisthood commences in 1749, and a regular succession has been maintained to this day. The first baptism amil first marriage recorded Bs occurring in the church were in 1747, and the bride was buried in the church one year afterward, nuder the nisle Journ irhich she huil so happily pasyeil. The priest uppointed in 1749 was Father Mrurin, who came here and lobored with much success Father Wermel and Sieur Juchereau cime to this place in 1702-it is slated by goed authority, although no official record was kept-and it is here where the good Father held the remarkoblo argument with the Chief Counselor of the Mascoutino tribes, nuil conricted him from his own mouth, ou this reason : " If man ivership the Manitou. or spint in the buffulo" ( which the chief professol to worship}, "and ho kill und eat the buffalo, does he not destroy the Moojlon in it?" ". This reasoning," says the Father, " ilisconcorted the obarlolan, bul this was all the effect that il produced." In the year 174, the spelling of the town was changed from " Vinseone'' to " Vincennes," "'though fur wlint reason," says Juilge Low, " is not now kuonn "
The Hur between France all England broke off ubout 17:4, whereby The former was ileprired of ull her possessions in North America. Canada tras nihled to Great Britain, uml Lonigiuun to Spain. Dy the penre of 1763, Eugluud came into possession of this domain, aud ilispatched hier officers anil troops to guaril it. Though these great changes bail been mails in the trorbl around the " Paste, " ias inhabitants little regarded the change, ond the mifluence iloey hol seem lo huve been fell. Another confliet cumne, hour. erer, irhose influence iruy ninl is still felt. The irar of tho Hovulution broke out soon after, and General (then Colonel) Geurge Rogers Clark SAI that hy capturing the post bere, at Kaskaskin, aud nt Detriot, the whole of this Northwest Territory could be guined and held without much outhur. On the 10th day of February, HiFT, he luul his scheme before Patrick Henry, Governor of the commobirealth of Virginin. He secured his influence and nid, rul on Ihr 2d day of Iummary, 1778. the Legislature of ilinl colony gure him four companies of troops, and tirelve hundreil pounds Continental currency. He bnd tiro orders, one, public, to proceedl lo Kentucky for defense ; the other, private, dirceting him to capture and hell ibe ofit-posts mentioned. Ar procceileil ul onee to carry out these erders, aint on his urrirat in Kentucky informed his meu of their true destination. On the 24th of June following, ho orvagel the falls uf tho Ohio, iluring & total eclipse of the sun-which was by him and his men consulered on ill-onen. His intention iras to murch ihreetly to the post at Vincennes; but tho paucity of his troops, tho inatorinl necessary to capture n fortified town, imluced him to ubandon tho iden, and proceed at once to Kasknskin. This place he eiptured on the -tth of July fullewring, und also Cahokia, u fery mutes abore. Among the prisoners captured at the latter place ins MI. Gibault (pro- noHurFil Gebe or Zobo). the priest at Vincennes.
The tresty hetworn this country uml France buil just been caneludel, uml Clurk apprised of the fuet. By his uniform kindness be romuplotely won the French people, and in nh intreririr with Futher Gibault, he was indurnit to proceed at once to Vincennes auil nscertain tho feeling of the populuce there. Ou his arriral, he assembled them (the French; in the church, stated his mission, amil explained the Irenty betiruen the two coun- trivs. At tho conclusion of his adilress, the entire populution took the onth of allegiuneo to the Virginia Commonwealth, electedl a commanduni to serre till one could be appointed by the proper authorities, weil raised the Ameri- cuta lug in the place of the ensign of St. George. Kilirard Abbott, British counminler of the post, hod, il short lime before this, gone to Detroit on business, und, it seems, had taken the troops irith him, ns no mention is rundle of the British trying to prerent or taking any notice of the doings of Gibault On the first day of August, 1778, the priest returned to t'lork oud mundo his report (he afterunnl received the thanks of Virginia, andl o grant of lanil for this omt uther important services rendered the Colonial Goreru- ment ). Clark ilisputoheil Captain Helm to take commarul of affairs at Posl Vincenurs, nud muito hinwy "Agout of Iulian Affairs for the Department of | the Wabash," irhilo Col. Clark remained at Kaskaskin, daily expecting nid frumu Virginin thul hud been promised him. On December 16, 1775, Col. Henry Homilion, u ho bjuf nirebed from Detroit with thirty British regi-
lors, fifty French volunteers, nod atinut four hundred Indiany, took posses- wino of the post, and Vincennes was uniler English rule once tonre. Com- munication between Clark and the post was now ent off, and with his small band he ili not enre to risk nn allack while so ignorunt of the trun condi- tion of affaire there. At this juncture François Vigo-or Vogne, as it should be written-n Montevidinn Spaniard, engaged in trade nl St. Louis, ond o man possessed with u strong love of liberty, came to Clark und lenilered him his services. Ills offer was glolly accepted, and, owing to bis nation- ality, he was considered a safe person to go to the post and learn the true slate nf nffoire. He set out on the lat of January, 1770, accompanied by one servant. When on the rirer Embarrass (pronounced Ambraw;, in Ili- nois, about eight miles south west of the post, he was captured by Indians, plunlevel of all his possessions and taken a prisoner to Hamilton. Although suspecting him, Humilton did not dare to make him a prisoner, but allowed him his liberty, on condition he would report himself dnily nt the fort. By This mesns he was soon fully nequainted with the condition and strength of the British. M. Gibault had returned to the post, and between him and Col. Vign a strong friendship sprang up. Vigo also soon became a great fororite with the French people, and they began to importune Hamilton for his rolease. Finally, one Sunday erening, headed by Futher Gibault, they marched to the British commaniler's headquarters and demanded the release of Col. Vigo, threatening & with drawol of supplies noless their request waa complied with. Hamilton yieldeil, and released him from his parole on con- dition be ivould do nothing, on his way to St. Louis, injurious to the British causo. Bul immediately on his arrival at St. Louis, he changed his dress, bastoneil to Clark, and plauned the campaign.
On 1be 6th day of February, Clark noil his band of Spartans started, and, after untold hardships, came in sight of the post on the 210 of the some month. By skillful maneuvering, he deceived the gurrison ond people as to the real number of his troops, and, seniling word to the French to re- main in town, he, on thal some evening, took possession of the town, and commenceil an attack on the fort. On the next morning. he sent o abarp, Jecisive note to Hamilton, onil his soldiers partook, during the interval, of the first regular meal they had outon for six days. Hamilton refused to surrender, and the rangers resumed their fire, which snon began to bave a marked effect, for Hamilton sent n messenger to Clark asking for a conference. They met in the little church, and there Hamilton surrendered to the boldness of Clark. On The following morning the British marched out, prisoners of war, and the little army marched in, victors ; the British ensign way bauled down, und the stars und stripes Hoated in the breeze. The fort was called Fort Sackville, in honor of Jean Suvqueville n French Irader. It was built on the square now occupied by the LoPlonie llonso. Ity west angle, between Williams' mill and the river, extending up the river lon sharpangle, was near the present gay works. Ita gates opened on Water street, near The spot now occupieil by the 75mra office. The Innd was ilceded to the French by a Pinnkashaw chief. The fort was surrounded byn stockade or picket, inclos- ing a spree about sixty feet wide bytwo hundred feet long. Inthecenter stood the block house, whoac upper story conlained the officers' quarters. The side next the river ivas guarded by the soldiers' barracks, and at each cor- ner wny placed a cannon. Colonel Clark secured bis prisoners, and sent & detachment of troops, under Cuptain Helm, up the river, to intercept a Transport of supplies coming down to the British. This was accomplished, and Clark, lesving a strong guard at the post, give up going to Delroil for the present, and returned le Knskaskin. From there be made a report 10 the Commonwealth of Virginia, and remained, awaiting orders.
On receipt of Colonel Clark's report, the Executive Council of Virginia sent Colonel John Todd lo acl as Governor. He came in the spring of 1779, and organized a court of civil and criminal jurisdiction at the post in June. This court was presided evor by Colonel .f. M. P. Legras, whom Todd op- pointed ay Lieutenant Governor. This court was the cause of some trouble in Vincennes afterward, ewing to the grants of land it thade. In 1780, LaBailtie left the forl nt the head of his ill-foted expedition ngubst the British at Detroit, but got no farther than the irving post at the head of The Maamcs, where Fort Wayne now stands, and where he was defeated by the Miamis. In 1781. Virginia transferred all the Northwestern Territory to the United States ; und, in 1787, the aet introduced by Nathan Dane, of Masssobusetis, excluding slavery, or involuntary servitude, in this Territory, was passed by Congress. General Arthur St. Clair was made Governor, and repaired ut once to Marietta, Ohie. Aftor holding a court there and al Cin- cinnati, he proceeded to Knakaskin, accompanied by Winthrop Sargent, and laid out the county of St. Clair, He was called home by troubles irith Indians. In the meantime, Mujor Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, by sending Antoine Gamelin lo ull the tribes to ascertain their views as to pence, found there was no likelihood of obtaining a peaceful settlement with them, and bad so informed General St. Cloir. He (SI. Ctuur) dispatched Mr. Sargent to the post, with instructions to luy out a county, establish the militis, unt uppoint the necessary civil and military officers. He was author- ized to act as Governor, and selected seven magistrates, and appointed Francis Vige Majer Commandent of militia ond Henry Vanderburg Majer of inilitia. With the aid of this court be senled several land claims, and esist- lisbed suitable laws for the government of the county. He received, through this court, the thanks of the inhabitants of Vincennes for his services ren- dered them. In 1796, Volney, u French historian, visited the place, and found, according to bis account, much to blame the people for, in their in- lolonce nnul neglect to cultivate the soil, or to provide " for a rainy day." When Mr. Sargent came, in 1790, there were about one hundred and fifty families of French, a for Americalis, and ferrer Germuns. The population continued gradually to increase, and on the division of the Northwest Terri- Tery, in 1800, the town presented n favorable appearance. In this year. Vincennes was made the capital of the nerv Territory. General William Ilcory Harrison was appointed Gunternor, aud Jobn Gibson, Secretary. The lotter came in July of the same year, end at ence proceeded to make several appointments of Territoriul officers, and to provide for the administration of the laws. Governor Ilarrison came in January, 1501, and, on his orrival, issued n proclamation calling the Julges, William Clark, Henry Vander- burg nud Juhn Griffin, to meet ut the seat of gorernment on the 121h day of the same month. They came; court was organizeil on that duy, and con- linued to hold its sessions sill the 40th, when il adjourned. On the 3il of Mirch, these three Juilges held the first general court, and the first grand jury, composed of nineteen members, conreneil sl Vincennes on that ilny.
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