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US 26402.5

HARVARD COLLEGE

JAN 13 1903

LIBRARY

Press o Wm. B. Burford,
Indianapolis.

Copyright, 1902.
HUBBARD MADISON SMITH, M. D.

Table of Illustrations.

PAGE

.Frontispiece

58

67

71

Hubbard Madison Smith, M. D.

Fort Sackville

Map showing Location of Fort Knox after its removal..

Camp Knox....

Old Town Hall

79

[blocks in formation]

The lethargy that has possessed the people in regard to the incidents connected with the early history of Vincennes seems to have been happily dispelled by that superb historical romance entitled, "Alice of Old Vincennes," by the lamented and gifted author, Maurice Thompson; and, from general inquiry, a contribution on the subject, it is presumed, would be acceptable to many who take an interest in it.

No other part of the territory of our vast domain can claim greater interest than it does, considering the contentions for it, and the momentous results that have followed its conquest. Hence, believing this to be an opportune time to give the public a succinct and as correct a history as is possible with the materials known to exist at this late day, I have ventured to assume the task.

In dealing with the main subject, collateral matters more or less connected have been treated of and statistical information given that should be interesting to all Indianians, and more especially to Vincennes people. The mists of time have been gradually covering from sight and memory many interesting views and facts of early years in this region, and, if not rescued now and made a matter of record, they will soon be lost forever. If, in my efforts to winnow from tradition and isolated records I have rescued but a few facts and items of interest from oblivion, I will consider my task of research not to have been in vain.

The author appreciates the encouraging words from friends in his labor to settle points of doubtful authenticity regarding Old Vincennes; and he is especially under obligations to the Hon. Charles G. McCord, for facts gleaned from the records of our Courts, and Hon. Robert W. Miers, M. C., and Hon. Charles M. Staley, of the Engineering Department United States Army, Washington, D. C., for facts in the Government's archives, and to the Hon. Jacob P. Dunn, Secretary Indiana Historical Society, for data relating to the early settlement of Vincennes, through Hon. John K. Gowdy, United States Consul-General, Paris, France; and to Mr. Elbridge Gardner, an octogenarian and native of Vincennes; Mrs. Elizabeth Andre, now in her ninety-third year, and Mr. Vital Bouchie, in his ninety-second year of age.

HUBBARD M. SMITH, M. D.

Vincennes, Ind., October, 1902.

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