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Educational
Resources About
the Forks
Support
the Forks |
The
recent centennial celebration and dedication of the Huntington County Courthouse
was marked with a series of newspaper articles and an open house. This was
not the first grand centennial event in Huntington County. Susan (Hudson)
Taylor, a Board Member/volunteer at the Historic Forks of the Wabash and also
a volunteer at the Huntington County Historical Society shares an article she
prepared from our archives. My Uncle, “Chief of the Miamis” -Susan
Taylor - The
Centennial Celebration of Huntington County in 1928 marked the 100th year
since the first permanent white settler, Artemus Woodworth, put down roots on
section 14 in Dallas Township, just north of the present town of Andrews. The
celebration lasted for a full week in August. It began on Sunday morning,
August 5th, with anniversary services in all of the churches throughout the
city and county. Special events continued during the week. On Wednesday,
August 8th at 10 a.m., a mammoth parade was planned with every institution
and every organization invited to take part. Every governing body from within
the county was represented with floats or groups of people. The entire school
system, public and parochial, including Huntington College was invited to
enter groups or floats. Churches, large and small, were to have a part in the
parade. Luncheon clubs, social societies, fraternal orders, and charities
were to turn out their entire personnel to walk in the parade. Patriotic
societies and war veteran organizations had a prominent part in the opening
parade. Prizes were offered to parade participants in eleven categories.
My
Uncle Gene, (brother to my mother, Frances Hudson), was dressed as Miami
Chief LaFontaine
and rode in the parade on a white horse. He played the Chief in a Historical Pageant
that took place at Speedway Park (behind the old Idlehour Park off State
Street extended).
The Pageant was so all-inclusive of the history that it must have taken hours to
present! Episode II was about THE INDIANS and my uncle played his role in
several scenes.
One of the most interesting scenes was Scene Seven (out of eleven) when LaFontaine
was made the Chief of the Miamis following the death of Chief Richardville in
1841.
An account of that scene from the pageant program follows. “The forks of the
Wabash River near the town of Huntington, was an outstanding landmark of the
Indians. Here several important treaties were made and here, after the death
of Jean Baptiste Richardville, Francis LaFontaine was made chief of the
Miamis in 1841. The Indian name of
LaFontaine was Topeah. In this selection, there were three candidates.
Broulette, a half French-Indian, son-in-law of Shepoconah, then a deceased
war Chief of the Miamis. The other candidates were Meshingomesia and Francis
LaFontaine. The selection was made at a council organized by Black Loon and
his tribe. Black Loon was friendly to LaFontaine. This scene presents
Black Loon and his warriors formed in council. LaFontaine and his band
approach and are given a friendly welcome. Then Broulette and his men appear.
They are received with cold indifference and thereupon form a separate group.
Then came Meshingomesia with his followers. He is also spurned by Black Loon. Then a chief bearing
the white name of William Chapine, arose from the council of Black Loon,
brandished a dangerous looking knife with menacing determination and
proclaimed Francis LaFontaine Chief of the Miamis and challenged anyone
present to say “no”. This decided the election, Broulette and Meshingomesia
departed with their bands.” 1 1 “Huntington County’s Anniversary Celebration 1928,
Homecoming and Pageant August 5 to 12” Pageant Program leaflet,
available in the Indiana Room of the Huntington City-Township Library, and in
the archives of the Huntington
County Historical Museum and the Historic Forks of the Wabash, Inc.
Mission Statement Historic Forks of the
Wabash, Inc. pledges to preserve, protect, enhance, and interpret the
geographical area known as the Forks of the Wabash. Historic Forks will serve
the local and broader communities by providing a variety of effective
educational and interpretive opportunities related to the site and
the cultural history it
represents Historic Forks of the Wabash 3011 W. Park Dr. Mailing address: PO Box 261 Huntington, IN 46750 Office Phone: 260-356-1903
E-mail address theforks@onlyinternet.net
Website: President of the Board Jim Scheiber Volunteer
Executive Director Lynn Brown Executive Administrator Marie Harrell Board Members Janice Bolin PJ Eddie Ann Hollar Jim Hollar Sam Kaiser Katrina Mitten J.H. Noprthrop Evelyn Priddy Mel Ring Janice Smith Gene Snowden Russell Spath Susan Taylor
a standing
ovation . . . · ♪ ¯♫ ♪ Parlor Music Concert Series ¯ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ Thanks
so much to the LaFontaine Arts Council for sponsoring the summer music held
at the FORKS. The outdoor concerts featured local artists and their music was
enjoyed by all in attendance. We were sorry that rain caused the cancellation
of the final program, pianist Joe Thomas. A special thanks to all the
musicians for donating their time to provide a variety of music: Nicole
Johnson and Monte Sieburns, Chain O’Lakes Barbershop Chorus, BackWater,
and Kellam and DeaKyne. A collection was taken up at each concert to
benefit the Arts in Education in Huntington County Schools. Thanks also to
the area businesses that took turns providing refreshments: Domino’s Pizza,
The Rib Shack, Huntington Metro Kiwanis, Edward Jones Investments and ABWA –
Kilsoquah Chapter.
BUILDING ADDITION
COMMITTEE REPORT - Susan Taylor The architect’s work on
the plan for the addition was interrupted when he discovered there had never
been a legal description of the property entered into the recorder’s files at
the Court House. It’s rather difficult to submit a comprehensive plan for the
site until it legally exists! In the meantime, work on the grounds will begin
first with the removal of tree stumps and the relocating of the buried
propane tank. Then excavating work can proceed to allow for drainage routes
and utility connections. Following that surface work the concrete can finally
be poured to form the footers and slab. When the blueprints
have been finalized, then the bidding process can begin for the construction
of the actual shell of the building. Once we have some figures in hand to
determine our costs, we’ll see how far our finances will allow us to continue. Obviously we will need
all the support we can get. Beyond the grants, more than the contributions
from financial institutions and other businesses, we need sizable donations
from those who see the wisdom of this expansion and the benefits to the
community that this facility will bring. We are counting on you!
___________________________________________ Thanks
to everyone who has responded to the Summer Appeal for the Building Addition Jack
and Rebecca Barlow Roger and Joanna
Grassl Schenkel’s Dairy, Dean Foods Howard
and Jean Cress Jane Herzog Sportsmobile, Inc. Mrs.
Melvin Day Ed and Sue
Merz Dean and Ann Stonebraker Midge
Decker Eloise Michael Susan Urschel Barba
and George Eickhoff Sylvia and Bill
Mills Virginia Walker Barb
and Brooks Fetters Myers Funeral
Home Nancy Warkentien First
Federal Savings Bank Harold and Mary
Anna Pulley Ronda Wiland Richard
Ford St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Jane Zahm Your
contributions and pledges are greatly appreciated !
FORKS
OF THE WABASH HISTORIC
PARK 3011
W. Park Drive
PIONEER FESTIVAL TOURS………September 27, 28 1:00 – 4 p.m.
GHOST WALK………….……….…….……October 25 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (call for reservation) CHRISTMAS at the FORKS…………….December 6, 7 (Festival of the Trees) 10 – 4 Saturday, 1 – 4 Sunday
Historic
Forks of the Wabash PO
BOX 261 HUNTINGTON,
IN 46750 Return
Service Requested Pasted from <file:///C:\DOCUME~1\user\LOCALS~1\Temp\XPgrpwise\FORKS%20SEPT%202008%20NEWSLETTER.doc>
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