The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-26

roundings and larger possessions began to
push the adventurous spirits toward the
frontier. Many an ambitious citizen of the
older-settled States cast longing eyes to-
ward the new Territory OF Indiana. and
more than one individual, charmed by the
vivid and picturesque accounts he had
heard, already in imagination saw himself
ard family happily located "On the banks
OF the Wabash far away" And so the per-
manent settler prepared to follow the star
Of empire.
DISTINGUISHED SETTLERS.
But the rush was not such as we have
seen in this generation when new territory
was thrown open to settlement. At that
time everything was in a formative state.
The tide Of emigration rose gradually. The
surplus population of some of the middle
States had found its way to kentucky and
much of it had already united its fortunes
to the adventurous Kentuckians, who were
pushing to the front. On the Wabash there
was great activity. Counties were laid out
and named in honor of some hero who by
his valor or disinterested devotion to the
welfare Of the people had won a place in
their affections. 1t would be interesting to
trace the history of all those sturdy char
acters who were thus remembered by the
people living in the various political divis-
sions of the new territory, but a few must
suffice. John Gibson first appears upon the
scene as an interpreter for Lord Dunmore,
In IVA. Logan's famous speech. familiar to
every schoolboy, was delivered to Gibson,
who was sitting with the noted chief Corn
stalk and some minor chiefs of the
Shawnees. This speech, the spontaneous out
pouring of a heart that was crushed and
bleeding, was considered by Mr.. Jefferson
TO be the finest specimen of eloquence in any
language. Gibson was the first secretary of
Indiana Territory and was acting Governor
in 1872.
Francis Vigo, whose name will no doubt
be always revered by the people of one Of
the best counties of Indiana, and who will
not be forgotten by loyal Indianians on ac-
count of the timely and valuable assistance
he rendered the Americans in their efforts to
wrest the Northwest Territory from the
British, was a singular exception to the gen.
eral rule Of his nation. Being a Spaniard,
de threw the weight of his influence and
contributed his means to the cause of free
dom. His career seems to have emphasized
the ola saying that republics are ungrateful,
especially In the matter of adjusting claims
for services rendered as well as financial
assistance in time of need.
Gen. Thomas Posey, of revolutionary fame,
had no occasion to say with the poet Keats
that his name was writ in water, as the
people "'way down in the pocket have
always chung to him through evil as we'll as
good report. Posey's history is one of ro-
mantle interest. He first appears %conspicu-
ously in Dunmore's war against the Ohio
Indians, was a member of the Virginia Com
mittee of Correspondence, joined Washing
tons army in 1T7. was transferred TO Nor
gan's famous rifle regiment and distin-
guished himself in the battles of Bemis
Heights and Saltwater, was at the head of
a battery at Stony Point in 1879, present at
the surrender at Yorktown, served under
General Wayne in his campaign against the
Indians of the Northwest, was Lieutenant
Governor of Kentucky. United States sena-
tor from Louisiana and the last territorial
Governor of Indiana, 1S13-16. He was after
ward identified with the Indian Bureau for
a time, after which he removed to Shawnee
town, Ill, where he died March 10, 1918.
Washington, D. c.. T. NJ. WEAVER.