TERRE HAUTE —
Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick piloted a figurative historical excursion down the Wabash River on Monday night at the Vigo County Public Library.
McCormick, who has been studying and writing about local history since the 1970s, told members of the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society about the importance of the river and how river-related historical documents can be useful in genealogical research.
“The Wabash River was used for exploration and discovery,” McCormick told dozens of members of the genealogy society gathered Monday night. “The river was a source of food. A source of commerce.”
McCormick was invited to speak about the Wabash as part of the 2013 Year of the River celebrations in Terre Haute, said Mike Lewman of the genealogy society.
Some of the earliest records from the Wabash River date back to between 1600 and 1750 when Jesuits were in the area attempting to convert American Indians to Christianity, McCormick said. The French were better at dealing with the American Indians than were the British or later Americans, he noted.
McCormick also speculated, based on his research, that French Canadian explorer Francois-Marie Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes, after whom Vincennes is named, may have built a fort in the “high lands” of the Wabash around Terre Haute. Vincennes was killed in 1736 after being captured in war with the Chickasaw nation.
At one time, because of the danger of American Indian attacks on the Illinois River, the Wabash River became a main route for French Canadians moving south to New Orleans, McCormick noted. At other early times, maps sometimes showed the Wabash extending all the way to the Mississippi River, basically replacing the Ohio River, he said.
In the early 1800s, David Thomas, an early white settler, wrote extensively about the Wabash, including a description of its abundant fish, McCormick said. Reading from Thomas’ diary, McCormick listed a wide variety of very large fish then in relatively large numbers in the river, including sturgeon, gar, pike, perch, bass, three kinds of catfish, eel, red horse and buffalo.
“I don’t think there were any Asian carp then,” McCormick joked in reference to invasive fish now populating the river.
In the 19th century, the Wabash was a source of recreation for residents of Terre Haute. There were boat races, and a traveling circus performed from a floating stage on the river in 1853, McCormick said. Also in 1853, nine different steamboats wrecked in the river, some of which are believed to still be below its surface, he said.
The 2013 Year of the River project was launched by Mary Kramer of Art Spaces Inc., Jon Robeson of Arts Illiana and Steve Letsinger of Rose-Hulman. For more information on other 2013 Year of the River events, see www.2013Yearof theRiver.com.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@
tribstar.com
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Impact: Mike McCormick talks about "The Wabash River-Its Impact Through the Ages" Monday night at the Vigo County Public Library.
-
Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter River impact: Dozens of people attended Mike McCormick’s presentation “The Wabash River — Its Impact Through the Ages” on Monday night at the Vigo County Public Library.
Discussion
Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick takes audience on a cruise down the Wabash
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Holcomb, other top leaders leaving Indiana GOP helm
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb leads a number of high-level departures from the state party half a year after the 2012 elections.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: June 19, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on jail records.
-
Right lane of U.S. 41 South closed at Harlan Road
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. – An intersection improvement project on U.S. 41 and Harlan Road has closed the right lane for southbound traffic beginning today. This lane closure is scheduled to last about one month.
-
Terre Haute Coke & Carbon: Cleaning up a legacy
When heavy equipment starts moving dirt next week at the former Terre Haute Coke and Carbon industrial site, city officials hope a new day will be dawning for a long-neglected part of town.
-
Diversity growing: New census report shows changing face of Indiana
Like the rest of the nation, Indiana is continuing on a trend toward greater diversity as the numbers of Hispanics, blacks, Asians and other minorities are rising at a faster pace than whites.
-
Valley following diversity path of nation, Indiana
Like much of Indiana, the majority white population in the Wabash Valley is on the decline, while minority populations are on the increase.
-
Court lets walkout fines against House Democrats stand
House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse two years ago during a legislative session won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Arrest made, victim identified in Rosedale homicide
The victim in a Parke County homicide that occurred last week has been identified as Kathryn A. Bays, 55, of Rosedale.
-
Vermillion industrial park gets award for transition
The Vermillion Rise Mega Park, a former chemical weapons base now an industrial park north of Clinton, has gotten national attention for its rapid transition to civilian from military use.
-
Slight damage from evening storm
Very little damage was reported from a late evening storm that rolled through the Wabash Valley on Tuesday.
-
U.S. 41 lane restrictions
Motorists should expect delays because of lane restrictions on U.S. 41 in Sullivan County next week as a railroad company repairs a rail crossing 1.2 miles north of Shelburn.
-
Lane restrictions next week on U.S. 41 at Shelburn
SHELBURN, Ind. – Motorists should expect minimal delays because of lane restrictions for U.S. 41 in Sullivan County next week as the railroad company makes repairs to the rail crossing 1.2 miles north of Shelburn.
-
Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain’s tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.
-
UPDATE: Parke County homicide victim identified
ROSEDALE — The victim in a Parke County homicide that occurred last week has been identified as Kathryn A. Bays, 55, of Rosedale.
-
Court lets walk-out fines against House Democrats stand
INDIANAPOLIS — House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: June 18, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Monday and Tuesday, based on jail records.
-
Back home again: Items from vaudeville stage and Terre Haute native sent to Historical Society
The staff at the Vigo County Historical Museum are excited about the arrival of priceless items used by Terre Haute-native Rose Fehrenbach and her husband, Edward Pierce, to promote their Vaudeville acts in the early 20th century.
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
National Road panels dedicated
Rewind to the mid-1800s, when the trotting of a horse and buggy on National Road could be heard alongside the voices of people heading west, searching for opportunities.
-
Pence sets agency priorities
Following a directive from Gov. Mike Pence, state agency heads are reorganizing some of their top priorities to better reflect the first-year governor’s “roadmap for Indiana” plan for improving the state’s economy, infrastructure and health.
-
Another I-70 traffic snarl: Three injured in two related crashes
Three people were injured Monday afternoon from a pair of crashes on Interstate 70 that temporarily closed the highway and diverted traffic into Terre Haute.
-
Terre Haute man still hospitalized after scooter/car crash
A Terre Haute man remained hospitalized Monday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after his scooter struck a car early Saturday on Wabash Avenue at 25th Street.
-
Overpass repairs causing Interstate 70 lane restrictions
Repairs to the Frye Road overpass in southeastern Vigo County has caused a restriction to the left lane of Interstate 70 between the 13- and 14-mile markers, about two miles east of the Indiana 46 exit.
-
Indiana woman condemned for killing at 15 is freed
A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old Bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison Monday after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
Grant will let Vigo Library evaluate map collection
The Vigo County Public Library has received a $2,000 grant to evaluate its historic map collection, a library official announced Monday.
-
Four juveniles caught on elementary school roof; one injured jumping off
Police say a juvenile was lucky to have suffered only a broken leg after jumping from the roof of a Vigo County elementary school – dropping about 30 feet to the ground.
-
Farmersburg man sentenced after guilty plea in rape case
A Farmersburg man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a rape that occurred at his parents’ residence in May 2012.
-
Still no information being released on Rosedale homicide
No new information was being released Monday afternoon concerning a Rosedale homicide.
-
Woman condemned for killing at age 15 freed from Rockville prison
INDIANAPOLIS — A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison today after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
UPDATE: All lanes of I-70 now open
All lanes of Interstate 70 in Vigo County are now open — as of 4:15 p.m. — after multiple crashes shut down the eastbound lanes temporarily this afternoon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Holcomb, other top leaders leaving Indiana GOP helm
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Raw: NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies in Wreck
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Failed Cuba-to-Florida Swimmer Won't Try Again
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Paula Deen Admits to Using N Word
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone
Men's Wearhouse Founder Fired
Miss Utah Explains Rambling Response
Exclusive: Locklear & Seymour Lock Lips
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
