Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-04-09
WHEN MISSOURI WAS OF THE
TERRITORY OF LOUISIANA.
As Things We're Hundred Years Ago.

As Things Were Il Hundred Years Ago
The following paper was read by
Gen. F. A. Rozi-r, of Ste. Genevieve,
before the Missouri Historical Society,
at late meeting in Washington UNI
versty, st. Louis:
After tile delivery of the territory OF
Illinois east of the Mississippi by France
To England, i'm 1865, the French inhab-
itants of Kaskaskia, Fort Chartrrs,
Prairie du Rocher, ard Kahokia began
to remove to St. Louis and Ste. Gene
living under the English flag. TAey
were, at the time under the impression
that the territory west of the NJ sSissip-
pi yet belonged to France. Hence ST.
Ange de Belle Rive, French officer,
after the delivery of Fort Charters to
the English. assumed command of the
post of st. Louis in the latter part of
1865, and exercised civil AMI military
authority until Spain took actual pos
session of Louisiana in 1863. Whilst ST.
Ange was acting rs commandment of st.
Louis, the post of Ste. Genevieve was
placed under the command OF CheNa-
lier Rocheblave, both of these officers
acting under the French flag. During
this short period of five years the
French inhabitants claimed Upper
Louisiana and owed allegiance to
France, notwithstanding the cession OF
France to Spain.
The first legal proce. dings of record
at Ste. Genevieve under Commandment
Rocheblave, was on the 10Th of May,
1866, whose records and proceedings
were kept by NJ. Robinet, notary and
greffier. Both of these officers exercIs-
Ell their official duties from May 10th,
1866, to November 22d, 1869, when pos
session was given to the Catholic maj
esty of Spain OF Upper Louisiana.
Ste. Genevieve, though settled as
the 10th day of May, 1866,
when Rocheblave took command of
the post.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE CONTRACT.
The first legal proceedings under
Roch eblave being on the 10th of May,
1866, in relation to marriage contract
betweeI, Pierre Roy aud jeanette La
laude, then follows the second OF sales
of land between individuals. The first
sale of land was made hy Pierre Arit-
fone to Henri Carpenter, ,one by Joseph
lie Don to lie Febre du Couquette, and
one by Glllaume Derouselle to Francois
Vale; also the sale of salt WORKS on the
Saline river, with ten negroes and a
lot of cattle, by John Lagrange to one
BLOWN. In the year 1867 Andre Wig
non takes an appeal from the decision
IF Com mandant RnchebIav to the su-
preme council of New Orleans. Then
follow her proceedings to November
22l, 1863.
The Spani rds on the last day and
year took possession. at Ste Genevieve
Of Upper Louisiana, when Joseph La
hruXiere assumed,i in the name of Spain,
the functions of judge of the post OF
Illinois" and appointed, at the same
time and place, Cabazie, as notary and
greffier. These to officers acted il.
t h, Sc capacities until Don Francois
Vale, pere. was made commandant Of
the post of Ste. Grnrvieve by the
Spanish Government. Vale assumed
his office early in the year 1870, and
acted in that capacity until September
1888 Commandant Don Franculs Vale,
pere, died at the old town of Ste. Gen
evieve. in the "bg field nf Ste. Gene
vieve," September % 1888, being tn. n
6S years of age. He was succeeded i'm
office by Don Francisco Cartabona de
Oro, Don Henri PerouX and by Don
Francois Vale, fiis, the two Wales,
father and son. acting most of the time
from ITO to 1904. Don Francois Vale,
fills, died in the city of Ste. G, nevfeve
on the 9th day of March. 1904, only
four days betore Capt. Stoddard touk
possession of Upper, Louisiana at st.
Louis. Commandant Valle, fills, was
buried under his pew in the Did Catho-
lie church at Ste. Genevieve.
The Spanish commanders exercised
these officers with leniency. moderation
and Justice. Commandant Don Vale,
fills, the last Spanish commander at Ste.
Genevieve, resided on what is known
as South Gabori creek His house was
q large, on story frame building, with
wide galleries and porches. The COM
mandant was judge of all civil and
criminal matters, and was military
commandant of the post. His decision
was law, and had to be obeyed As a
precaution and punishment. when
criminals were charged witb any crime