The Indianapolis times., 1934-03-31

- tral waterway he discovered
filled Governor Frontenac of Que
bee with dreams Of a great French
American empire A steady stream
of French Canadians was encour-
aged to migrate into the newly dis
covered country. This is, in gen.
eral way, the origin of many French
settlers in Indiana who came here
to find new fortunes, and from the
earliest date held sway here. In
1910 Canada, and with it what is
now Indiana, fell into the hands of
the British, who held it until the
capture of Ft. Sackville, Feb. 25,
1879.
In the interim of British rule, the
inhabitants of Indiana practically
we're without any religious services,
excepting the occasional visit of a
missionary, until Father Pierre
Gibault assumed Jurisdiction as
vicar-general of the Illinois region
in 1869. The momentous part played
by Father Gibault in the capture
of Ft. Sackville and the conquest
Of the Northwest Territory will be
told in later chapter.
The actual founding of Vincennes
was about 1882 or 1873, as proven
by records. The post was founded
by Francois Marie BisSot, Sieur de
Vincennes He was born in Mon
treal in 100. The post, at first
known as Au Ouabache, was estab-
lished there because the ground was
level and was a key to the south bv
way of the Ohio and the Mississippi.
1t was named VincenneS after the
death of its founder twenty years
later.
The French JcSuits came among
the Indians to teach them and not
to exploit them. French success
was gained through genuine friend
ship. According to records fairly
well authenticated, the following
missionaries visited VincenneS and
surrounding territory, including Illi-
nOiS:
1902 Unknown Jesuit father.
1707-Father John Mermet, Jesuit.
1712-Father Antonius Senat, Je-
suit burned at the stake, 1850.
1728-Father D'Outrelau.
36-1749-Father Mercurin Comic.
1749-1753- Father Sebastian Louis
Meurin, Jesuit (died IT'D.
1752-Father P. Du Jaunay (died
in Canada, 178D.
53-1756-Father Louis Vivier,
Jesuit.
56-1763-Father Julien DIVER
nay, Jesuit.
1768-Father Sebastian Louis
Meurin.
1769-1787- Father Pierre Gibault,
patriot priest and vicar-general.
OTHER jealous missionaries
" whose labors helped to pre-
pare the soil of Catholicity in In
diana from 1895 to 1914 were the
Rev John Rivet the Rev. Donatian
Olivier, Father Stephen T. Badin
and the Belgian missionary, Father
Charles NerinckX.
All VI lLlOSC ll1lSS1O1ld1l OlllNldOCNl
in the first log church of st. Fran
els Xavier at VincenneS, on the
same site as the present church. The
second log church was built in 1874
and the old one then was used as a
residence for the pastor for several
years.
Father Meurin. writing to Bishop
BRAND in Quebec in 1867, describes
conditions at VincenneS as follows
Post VincenneS on the Wabash
among the Miami Piankashaw is as
large as our best villages here and
still has a greater need of mis-
sionary. Disorder has been always
great. but it has increased in the
last three years. Some come here
to be married or to make their Eas-
ter duty. The majority do not wish
to. nor can they do it.
The guardian of the church
published the banns for three Sun
days; to those who wish to come
here he gives certificates of publi-
cation without opposition. which 1
myself publish before marrying.
Those who do not wish to come de-
clare in loud voice in their church
their mutual consent. Can such a
marriage be permitted? While
awaiting the effects of your charity,
I shall continue to make use of the
former power which I received from
M. Mercier. The Grand Vicar whom
you will send to us will limit them
as he shall Judge fitting"
A new Vicar was not appointed
until ITO when Bishop BRAND ap-
pointed Father Meurin Vicar Cen
eral of the Illinois Territory. giving
him carte blanche authority to use
his own Judgment in all matters.
IT was while Father Meurin was
Vicar-General that Father
Gibault first came TO Vincennes in
1853 as one OF his chief aids. The
coming of Gibault to Vincennes was
an epochal event. for later. Gibault
was destined to play a most i'm
portant part in the final conquest
of the Northwest Territory.
In writing to Bishop BRAND in
1770. Father Gisault gives graphic
description of conditions as they
then existed:
On my arrival all crowded down
the banks of the Wabash to receive
me: some fell on their knees unable
to speak, others could only speak
in sobS. Some cried out Father.
save us. We are almost in hellr
Others said, God has not yet
us for he has sent you to
us TO make us do penance for our
sins. Oh, sir, why did you not
come sooner? My poor wife, my