The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-27
S0CIETY'S ANNUAL DINNER
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLT
TION AT COLUMBIA CLUB.
Two Letters of Instructions Sent to
George Rogers Clark Read-New
Officers Elected.

The Indiana society, Sons of the American
Revolution. at a banquet served at the
Columbia Club last night. celebrated the
e-hundred-and-twenty anniversary
of the capture of Fort Sackville, now Vim
cennes. Ind. by the American forces, led
by Gen. George Rogers Clark. on Feb. Is.
HIS, with fitting speeches commemorative
of the occasion and narration of the his
tory of the achievements of the conqueror
of the Northwest, whose most valorous deed
was the defeat of the British at Fort
Sackvile. The members of the society
present at the banquet were William Z.
English. Charles w. Moores. c. H. McDow
ell, Morton futile. w. A. Hamilton. H. j.
Eddy. NJ. G. McLain. Wilbur Topping,
Frank Felter, Austin F. Denny, l.. w. Clay
ton. Charles NJ Clayton. II. C. Morgan.
Lloyd P. Hamilton, Horace Scott Forrest,
Edward E. Frost, William Bosom, Nor
ton s. Hawkins, Walter c. Nichols,
Edgar S. Ferris, l.. S. Ratliff, Theodore
Stein, Morris NJ Townley, r. p. Van Camp
d. T. Bacon, Merrill Moores, Col Russell
B. Harrison, DR.. B. A. Richardson, jr, B.
A. Richardson, E. d. Bryant, c. B. Huston
L. F. Tracy, Milton Garrigus, Matthew j.
Tracy and Inman H. Fowler.
After the elaborate menu had been dis
cussed, Toastmaster William E. English
called on several of the members for in
formal talks. Col Russell B. Harrison,
Milton Garrigus and others responded, and
until nearly midnight the society spent the
time in listening to descriptions of the
deeds of Washington. Clark and other revo-
lutfonary heroes, some of them represented
around the table by lineal descendants. Mr..
Charles w Moores exhibited the original
letter of instructions transmitted by Gov
ernor Patrick Henry TO Gen. George Rogers
Clark directing him to proceed from Kas-
kaskia and capture all of that territory
northwest of the Ohio river. Two letters
One of these contained the instructions to
proceed from Kaskaskia, while the other
secret letter of instructions, dated Jan. II.
IT'S, directed Clark to raise seven companies
ammunition secured from General Hand
proceed to Fort Sackville. engage the Brit
ish and capture the post. in that manner
making the Northwest American territory.
This secret letter of instructions is owned
by resident of Indiana and was loaned
to Mr.. Moores last night for exhibition to
called the difficulty General Clark met in
raising his $50 men, and how, after citizens,
including Thomas Jefferson, had promised
unteer, he had raised his force, and, with
81, $50 In money given him for equipment.
proceeded from Kaskaskia to Fort Sack
Vile and captured the English garrison
there and made it the American stronghold
in the then Northwest Territory.
Several other informal talks were made
during the evening. The election of officers
FOR the ensuing year resulted in the choice
of William A. Clark, of Crown Point, Ind,
as an honorary vice president for life. Mr..
Clark is the son of revolutionary soldier
and is lightweight years old. The other
officers chosen are:
President-William E. English.
Vice Presidents-Inman H Fowler, Spen-
GER; Frank Felter, Huntington, and Will
| liam A. Hamilton, of Terre Haute.
Registrar-Duncan T. Bacon.
Secretary-Charles w. Moores.
Treasurer-C. H. Mcdowell.