The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-12

two years Kaskaskia was the State capt.
tai. Shadrack Bond, a citizen of Kaskas-
kia, was the first governor, and at his
death he was buried with honors in the
town cemetery. The periodical floods A.
nally destroyed the burial ground,
and the first governors remains were re-
moved to the new county seat of Chester,
where fine monument was erected.
Lafayette visited the town in 1926 on his
triumphant journey through the United
States. and all the notables of the locality
turned out to honor the patriotic French
man and dine him in the old village tav-
ern. This house is still standing with a
few other historic landmarks but the next
big flood Is liable to wipe away every YES
tige of them, and then memorials of the
town can only be found in Its early re-
cords, which. fortunately, have been pre-
served and in the annals of American
history
The capture of KaskasSia during the
war of the Revolution was an important
event in weakening the British power in
the Western territory. but the incident is
seldom mentioned in the general histories
of that memorable struggle. Col. George
Rogers Clark, who had explored a por-
ton of Kentucky in 1875, was quick to
appreciate the advantages which would
accrue to the American cause by the oc-
cupation of the extensive Illinois terrific
ry. Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia
approved of the plan. and the latter au-
thorized Colonel Clark to raise the neces-
sary force for the campaign.
On the afternoon of July 4, ITS, Clark
and his force reached Kaskaskia and con-
cealed themselves among the hills
around the town. 1t had been reported
that the British comm ander last in
charge had frightened the inhabitants by
circulating direful stories regarding the
ferocity of the Virginians, otherwise
known as Long Knives" Clark knew of
these tales and determined to profit by
them. He effected an entrance into the
fort at night and, at a given signal, his
men. surrounding the town, ran into the
place making the most hideous noise.
The inhabitants rushed from their
houses too terrified to offer resistance, and
Clark won bloodless victory. The Brit
ish commander, a Frenchman by the
name of Rocheblaue, knew nothing of the
attack until made a prisoner In his bed.
Clark maintained stern demeanor and
made the people believe he intended to
uphold the reputation of the dreaded
Long Knives" The priest of the town
with a deputation of influential citizens
humbly requested of the victor permits
sion to assemble in the church to take
iliidi iedVe OF eacn Otner ana prepare Tor
what the future might have In store
To this Clark gruffiy assented
After the church services the delegation
again went to Colonel Clark to know
what fate awaited them. With a quick
change of manner he turned 10 the leader
and said:
What! do you take us for savages?
Do you think Americans will injure your
women and children? My countrymen
disdain to make war on helpless inno-
cents"
Colonel Clark then told them that the
King of France was now helping the
American cause, and he promised them
protection and security In their possess
sions.
complete change came over the little
town. The church bell rang out joyfully
to assemble the people and tell the cheer
full news, and after thanking God for
their unexpected delverance, the inhabi-
tants promised allegiance to the Ameri-
can cause.
In 1925 the population of Kaskaskia was
given as 300; in 1890 the number had dwin-
died to 90, and now only five families are
to be found there. So. after two centu-
ries of life, the town has gone to join
Americas ruins. but the glory of the
name of Kaskaskia will never fade in the
history of Western growth and develop
ment