Illustrated Historical Atlas
of the State of Indiana.
Baskin, Forster and Company,
p. 249.
COUNTY HISTORIES.- CONTINUED. |
249 |
Harrison) in Indiana Territory. In 1810, Jefferson, Franklin and Wayne were formed. In 1813, Gibson and Warrick were organized, and in 1817 Sullivan, which reduced Knox County to its present limits.
COURTS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS.
Prior to the organization of Knox County, Courts of Claims, Judges and Notaries did all pertaining to land and the settlement of claims. Winthrop Sargent, on organizing the county, appointed two military officers and seven magistrates. The former court was composed of Francis Vigo, Major, Commandant of Militia, and Henry Vanderberg, Major of Militia. The latter court was composed of the following persons: Antoine Gamelin (whom Major Hamtramck dispatched in 1790, with letters, to the Indian tribes), Pierre Gamelin, Pead (or Paul) Gamelin, James Johnson, Louis Edeline, Luke Decker and François Busseron.
The following is the earliest record preserved in Knox County:
"Records of the Courts of General Qaursessions of the Peace, for the county of Knox, in the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, July session MDCCXC, July 14th. The court opened, present (here follow the above-named Judges). The proclamation for erecting the county of Knox and fixing the terms of the court was read; also, the general commission. The commissions of John Small as Sheriff, and of Samuel Baird as Clerk of the court, were read. Also the law for establishing the court and for appointing the Sheriff. Allen Ramsey was appointed by court Constable for the District of the River Du Chie, and Joseph Laboelle, Constable for the village, and they were both sworn in court.
The court adjourned until 3 o'clock.
The court met pursuant to adjournment, and appeared present as in the forenoon. Peter Thorne was appointed Constable for the village, and was sworn in court. The grand inquest (jury) was then called, consisting of twenty-two persons, to whom the President of the court administered the oath. To such as did not understand it in the English language, it was administered in French. Their first presentment read as follows: "The grand inquest for the body of the county, upon their oath, present that a murder, of malice aforethought, was committed on or about the 19th or 20th of November last, by one Michael Graffe, upon a certain Albin Guest." At the October session it was found necessary to adjourn, as the militia were absent on an expedition against the Indians on the Wabash, and not enough men were left to form a jury. At the January session of 1791, it was entered: "For want of a Clerk, thought it necessary to adjourn." The first bill of indictment returned by the grand inquest was against "Patrick Simpson, Joseph Jones and Derick Schuyler for a riot and assault upon Joseph Andre and Marie Louise LaFever, widow." The first instrument of record is a deed from Laurient Barzadon to Thomas Mills, recorded May 26th, 1814, by Elihu Stout, the founder of the Western Sun. Among the records and conveyances are many executed while the village was a colony of France. Many of them preserve the curious scrolls of the "White Buffalo," "Little Turtle" and other warriors, who ceded their possessions to their friends, the "Black Coats," as they called the Jesuits. The records of the county were destroyed by fire in March, 1814. Mr. John D. Hay was Recorder and Postmaster, and both offices were kept in his storerooms, then containing about $20,000 worth of goods. All were destroyed, and two of Mr. Hay's children perished in the flames the same fatal night. The first jail was part of the block house of Fort Sackville. In 1801, Henry Vanderburg was appointed to superintend the erection of one on a lot purchased of Captain Robert Buntin. This jail stood on the corner of Third and Buntin streets. It was begun in 1803 and finished in 1805. The present one stands in the court house yard. The first courts were held in the house of Laurient Barzadon, a Spanish merchant, which stood on the ground lately occupied by Joseph Woodman's confectionary store. The first court house (in Indiana) was built of brick, and stood on the ground now occupied by the residence of Judge William E. Niblack. It cost the county $3,156,41 1/2. This house was occupied in 1813, and was the occasion of a grand ball at the LaSalle House. Mr. S. B. Judah's house now occupies the site of the house of Laurient Barzadon. On the 24th of June, 1873, the corner stone of the present fine edifice was laid. The building is seventy-eight feet fronting on Seventh Street, and one hundred and twenty feet deep on Busseron. It is built in the Norman style of architecture, with towers on each corner, that on the northwest angle being the highest, being one hundred and forty-seven feet from the ground, and contains the great clock and bell. The building is fire proof, built of stone and iron, the lower floor containing the county offices, and the upper the court room, jury rooms, and witnesses' waiting rooms. On each side of the entrance of Seventh Street is a large marble tablet. Over the tablet on the right, in a niche, is the figure of an American soldier in the position of parade rest. Over the one on the left is the figure of Gen. Geo. Rogers Clark. These figures are life size. That of Clark was sculptured by Andrea Barrot, in the city of Carrara, Italy, and represents him as a warrior in the costume of the frontiersmen of 1779. The names of the citizens of Knox County who fell as soldiers in the late war will be inscribed on the tablet under that of the soldier, and a tablet on the left will contain the names of the prominent pioneers of this county. The structure is one of the finest in the States, outside of the capital, and will cost the county nearly $300,000. Some of the best legal talent in Indiana have resided in Vincennes and practiced in Knox County courts. William Prince was the first Circuit Judge after the admission of the State, and Isaac Blackford, Prosecuting Attorney. Samuel Judah was here for some time, and conducted the case of the Vincennes University against the State, to recover the grant of land made by the United States, and which the State had given to the University at Bloomington. He recovered $60,000, and charged the board $20,000 for his services. The present county officers are: Auditor, Garrard Reiter; Clerk, William B. Robinson; Recorder, J. J. Mays; Sheriff, Simon Payne; Treasurer, James Reynolds; Prosecuting Attorney, John H. O'Neal, and County Superintendent of Schools, W. P. Roberts. These have the honor to serve as first in the new building, and are very courteous gentlemen. The ground on which the building stands was ceded to Francais Busseron May 15th, 1785, by Colonel John Todd.
The following is the deed, which document, in English, may be rendered liberally. "Pursuant to the authority given to the magistrate of the Court of St. Vincennes by the Sieure John Todd, Colonel and Grand Judge of the United States, according to this power the Sieure Le Gros, Colonel Commander and President of the court, accordingly gives a place twenty-five toises square, situated in this town, on one side to Charpentier on another side to a common, with a street before, and in the rear to Antoine DuGill, for Sieure Français Busseron and his blacks, to have full possession and enjoyment of the same as his other property, subject to the ordinance heretofore made, upon which condition this is granted and given, the 15th of May, 1785, to farm and the profit thereof to be Français Busseron's. Gamelin, Chief Clerk of the Court."
THE COUNTY SEAT.
Vincennes is in the western part of the county, on the Wabash River. It is the oldest place in the State, and dates its beginning in 1702. This date is inscribed on the tablet on the front of the new court house, and by many is considered incorrect. In the beginning of the eighteenth century, French traders and missionaries had visited these valleys, and discovered in them the location of a new empire. The French colonial records of Quebec, Canada, make mention of this valley and the beautiful river, called by them the "Ouabache" (pronounced We-ba- meaning a summer cloud, moving swiftly), and of the labors of their traders and missionaries in 1702. They also had a "Poste" at Kaskaskia, Illinois, not far below St. Louis. The earliest written account of the "Poste" and the country, and the Indians inhabiting the place (a Piankashaw-Miami tribe then occupied the present site of the town. Their village was called "Chip-kaw-kay," called by the settlers "Chip-coke" or "Brush-wood") is found in a book printed in the city of Paris, in 1761, entitled "Letters Edifying and Curious," which contains a letter written by Gabriel Marest, "Missionary of the Company of Jesus," to "Father Gerom, of the same Company." This was written at Kaskaskia, and dated November 9, 1712, one hundred and sixty-three years ago. Still, the place was seen twelve years before that, and French traders and missionaries were here ten years previous. What did the first Frenchman think and see when his canoe passed the place then? One hundred and seventy-three years have passed! If he could rise up now, and pass down the same stream, what would he see and think? In this letter he speaks of the richness of the country, of the abundance of ore. He thinks experienced miners would find especially lead and tin, and he does not doubt that "gold and silver would be found in abundance." Also, he speaks of the river Ouabache, and "about eight leagues below this there empties another fine river into the Ouabache." In the maps published in 1730, the river is called by that name; also, the Ohio River, for the missionaries, coming down from Detroit, en route to New Orleans, were warned by the Indians at the Poste of dangerous foes further southward, and crossed Illinois to Kaskaskias, thence down that stream to the Mississippi, and when they saw the Ohio pouring its flood into the "Father of Waters," naturally concluded it to be the same stream they had last seen at the "Chip-coke" village.
General Gage, British commander of this country, in 1772, sent word to all outposts to come east 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 not want to comply, and that their residence was of seventy-years' standing, and they had had no trouble with the Indians, and feared none. They were allowed to remain. This is further proof of the antiquity of Vincennes. From its settlement for nearly half a century, no change and but little progress seems to have been made. Surrounded by a low, wet, marshy country, well adapted for fur-bearing animals, the traders found all they desired, and cared for nothing more; and the missionary found ample opportunity to occupy his time and attention. Years came and passed; many without the "Good man," and no one took care to hand down to posterity the events of those times. Volney 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. He concluded the first French were here only as far back as 1735, but records and more accurate history will not bear him out in his assertion. He found very little to commend, and much to correct, in the inhabitants.
About the year 1733, François Morgan de Vinsenne, who had been an officer in the King's troops, in Canada, in 1720, was sent from that military division to this. From him the place took its name, and began to be called "Poste Vinsenne." An act of sale made by him- signed by Madame Vinsenne, by a cross- recorded January 5, 1735, styles him "An officer of the troops of the King," and "Commandant au Poste du Ouabache." The following year he was killed in an engagement against the Chickasaws. The church of Saint Francis Xavier was founded here as early as 1712, but no building was erected till about the time Vinsenne came. A long building then was erected on the northeast part- corner- of the square now occupied by the Cathedral. Its front was toward the river, and it was built of posts, about twelve feet high, set in the ground a short distance apart, with the interstices filled with mud and the long prairie grass. Its roof was thatched, and held down by weight-poles, and in this rude building the French and the savage first heard mass said before an altar and in a church building in Indiana, and mayhap, in the Northwestern Territory. The first record of a priesthood commences in 1749, and a regular succession has been maintained to this day. The first baptism and first marriage recorded as occurring in the church were in 1747, and the bride was buried in the church one year afterward, under the aisle down which she had so happily passed. The priest appointed in 1749 was Father Meurin, who came here and labored with much success. Father Mermet and Sieur Juchereau came to this place in 1702- it is stated by good authority, although no official record was kept- and it is here where the good Father held the remarkable argument with the Chief Counselor of the Mascoutine tribes, and convicted him from his own mouth, on this reason: "If man worship the Manitou, or spirit in the buffalo" (which the chief professed to worship), "and he kill and eat the buffalo, does he not destroy the Manitou in it?" "This reasoning," says the Father, "disconcerted the charlatan, but this was all the effect that it produced." In the year 1749, the spelling of the town was changed from "Vinsenne" to "Vincennes," "though for what reason," says Judge Law, "is not now known."
The war between France and England broke out about 1754, whereby the former was deprived of all her possessions in North America. Canada was added to Great Britain, and Louisiana to Spain. By the peace of 1763, England came into possession of this domain, and dispatched her officers and troops to guard it. Though these great changes had been made in the world around the "Poste," its inhabitants little regarded the change, and the influence does not seem to have been felt. Another conflict came, however, whose influence was and is still felt. The war of the Revolution broke out soon after, and General (then Colonel) George Rogers Clark saw that by capturing the post here, at Kaskaskia, and at Detroit, the whole of this Northwest Territory could be gained and held without much outlay. On the 10th day of February, 1777, he laid his scheme before Patrick Henry, Governor of the commonwealth of Virginia. He secured his influence and aid, and on the 2d day of January, 1778, the Legislature of that colony gave him four companies of troops, and twelve hundred pounds Continental currency. He had two orders, one, public, to proceed to Kentucky for defense; the other, private, directing him to capture and hold the out-posts mentioned. He proceeded at once to carry out these orders, and on his arrival in Kentucky informed his men of their true destination. On the 24th of June following, he crossed the falls of the Ohio, during a total eclipse of the sun- which was by him and his men considered an ill-omen. His intention was to march directly to the post at Vincennes; but the paucity of his troops, the material necessary to capture a fortified town, induced him to abandon the idea, and proceed at once to Kaskaskia. This place he captured on the 4th day of July following, and also Cahokia, a few miles above. Among the prisoner captured at the latter place was M. Gibault (pronounced Gebo or Zebo), the priest at Vincennes.
The treaty between this country and France had just been concluded, and Clark apprised of the fact. By his uniform kindness he completely one the French people, and in an interview with Father Gibault, he was induced to proceed at once to Vincennes and ascertain the feeling of the populace there. On his arrival, he assembled them (the French) in the church, stated his mission, and explained the treaty between the two countries. At the conclusion of his address, the entire population took the oath of allegiance to the Virginia Commonwealth, elected a commandant to serve till one could be appointed by the proper authorities, and raised the American flag in the place of the ensign of St. George. Edward Abbott, British commander of the post, had, a short time before this, gone to Detroit on business, and, it seems, had taken the troops with him, as no mention is made of the British trying to prevent or taking any notice of the doings of Gibault. On the first day of August, 1778, the priest returned to Clark and made his report (he afterward received the thanks of Virginia, and a grant of land for this and other important services rendered the Colonial Government). Clark dispatched Captain Helm to take command of affairs at Post Vincennes, and made him "Agent of Indian Affairs for the Department of the Wabash," while Col. Clark remained at Kaskaskia, daily expecting aid from Virginia, that had been promised him. On December 15, 1778, Col. Henry Hamilton, who had marched from Detroit with thirty British regulars, fifty French volunteers, and about four hundred Indians, took possession of the post, and Vincennes was under English rule once more. Communication between Clark and the post was now cut off, and with his small band he did not scare to risk an attack while so ignorant of the true condition of affairs there. At this juncture François Vigo- or Vagne, as it should be written- a Montevidian Spaniard, engaged in trade at St. Louis, and a man possessed with a strong love of liberty, came to Clark and tendered him his services. His offer was gladly accepted, and, owing to his nationality, he was considered a safe person to go to the post and learn the true state of affairs. He set out on the 1st of January, 1779, accompanied by one servant. When on the river Embarrass (pronounced Ambraw), in Illinois, about eight miles southwest of the post, he was captured by Indians, plundered of all his possessions and taken a prisoner to Hamilton. Although suspecting him, Hamilton did not dare to make him a prisoner, but allowed him his liberty, on condition he would report himself daily at the fort. By this means he was soon fully acquainted with the condition and strength of the British. M. Gibault had returned to the post, and between him and Col. Vigo a strong friendship sprang up. Vigo also soon became a great favorite with the French people, and they began to importune Hamilton for his release. Finally, one Sunday evening, headed by Father Gibault, they marched to the British commander's headquarters and demanded the release of Col. Vigo, threatening a withdrawal of supplies unless their request was complied with. Hamilton yielded, and released him from his parole on condition he would do nothing, on his way to St. Louis, injurious to the British cause. But immediately on his arrival at St. Louis, he changed his dress, hastened to Clark, and planned the campaign.
On the 5th day of February, Clark and his band of Spartans started, and, after untold hardships, came in sight of the post on the 23d of the same month. By skillful maneuvering, he deceived the garrison and people as to the real number of his troops, and, sending word to the French to remain in town, he, on that same evening, took possession of the town, and commenced an attack on the fort. On the next morning, he sent a sharp, decisive note to Hamilton, and his soldiers partook, during the interval, of the first regular meal they had eaten for six days. Hamilton refused to surrender, and the rangers resumed their fire, which soon began to have a marked effect, for Hamilton sent a 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 was hauled down, and the stars and stripes floated in the breeze. The fort was called Fort Sackville, in honor of Jean Sacqueville a French trader. It was built on the square now occupied by the LaPlante House. Its west angle, between Williams' mill and the river, extending up the river to a sharp angle, was near the present gas works. Its gates opened on Water street, near the spot now occupied by the Times office. The land was deeded to the French by a Piankashaw chief. The fort was surrounded by a stockade or picket, inclosing a space about sixty feet wide by two hundred feet long. In the center stood the block house, whose upper story contained the officers' quarters. The side next the river was guarded by the soldiers' barracks, and at each corner was placed a cannon. Colonel Clark secured his prisoners, and sent a detachment of troops, under Captain Helm, up the river, to intercept a transport of supplies coming down to the British. This was accomplished, and Clark, leaving a strong guard at the post, gave up going to Detroit for the present, and returned to Kaskaskia. From there he made a report to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and remained, awaiting orders.
On receipt of Colonel Clark's report, the Executive Council of Virginia sent Colonel John Todd to act 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 over by Colonel J. M. P. Legras, whom Todd appointed as Lieutenant Governor. This court was the cause of some trouble in Vincennes afterward, owing to the grants of land it made. In 1780, LaBalme left the fort at the head of his ill-fated expedition against the British at Detroit, but got no farther than the trading post at the head of the Maumee, where Fort Wayne now stands, and where he was defeated by the Miamis. In 1783, Virginia transferred all the Northwestern Territory to the United States; and, in 1787, the act introduced by Nathan Dane, of Massachusetts, excluding slavery, or involuntary servitude, in this Territory, was passed by Congress. General Arthur St. Clair was made Governor, and repaired at once to Marietta, Ohio. After holding a court there and at Cincinnati, he proceeded to Kaskaskia, accompanied by Winthrop Sargent, and laid out the county of St. Clair. He was called home by troubles with Indians. In the meantime, Major Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, by sending Antoine Gamelin to all the tribes to ascertain their views as to peace, found there was no likelihood of obtaining a peaceful settlement with them, and had so informed General St. Clair. He (St. Clair) dispatched Mr. Sargent to the post, with instructions to lay out a county, establish the militia, and appoint the necessary civil and military officers. He was authorized to act as Governor, and selected seven magistrates, and appointed Francis Vigo Major Commandant of militia and Henry Vanderburg Major of militia. With the aid of this court he settled several land claims, and established suitable laws for the government of the county. He received, through this court, the thanks of the inhabitants of Vincennes for his services rendered them. In 1796, Volney, a French historian, visited the place, and found, according to his account, much to blame the people for, in their indolence and 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 few Americans, and fewer Germans. The population continued gradually to increase, and on the division of the Northwest Territory, in 1800, the town presented a favorable appearance. In this year, Vincennes was made the capital of the new Territory. General William Henry Harrison was appointed Governor, and John Gibson, Secretary. The latter came in July of the same year, and at once proceeded to make several appointments of Territorial officers, and to provide for the administration of the laws. Governor Harrison came in January, 1801, and, on his arrival, issued a proclamation calling the Judges, William Clark, Henry Vanderburg and John Griffin, to meet at the seat of government on the 12th day of the same month. They came; court was organized on that day, and continued to hold its sessions till the 20th, when it adjourned. On the 3d of March, these three Judges held the first general court, and the first grand jury, composed of nineteen members, convened at Vincennes on that day.
In 1804, a land office was established here, and through it the town and county rapidly increased in actual settlers. In April of the same year, Elihu Stout, a citizen of Kentucky, arrived with materials for publishing a paper, and, on the 4th of July, issued the first number of a newspaper in Indiana. This was called the Indiana Gazette. In 1806, his office and material were burned. He returned to Kentucky, purchased other type, and again commenced the publication of his paper. However, he changed the name to the Western Sun. This paper is still published. On the 20th of December, 1802, a convention was held at Vincennes to consider the slavery question. An appeal was sent to Congress to change the act relating to this, but produced no effect. On January 7th, 1805, a convention was held to select ten names, which were forwarded to the President, from whom he could select five to constitute a Territorial Legislature. Congress had created the Territory of Michigan, on the 11th of January, and ordered the division to date from June 30th, 1805. The first General Assembly convened at Vincennes on July 29th, 1805, in pursuance of a proclamation issued by the Governor on the 7th of June preceding. The members were: John Johnson and Benjamin Parke, of Knox County; Jesse B. Thomas, of Dearborn; George Fisher, of Randolph; and Shadrach Bond and William Biggs, of St. Clair, Illinois. On the 30th of July, the Governor delivered his first message. At this meeting, Benjamin Parke was chosen to represent
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