10-6-2021 Vincennes, IN

 What a drive today!  We took the country roads, not a freeway in sight!  It was green, grassy, hilly and sunny driving past the plowed fields and through small towns of America’s breadbasket.  The narrow roads do keep you on your toes, I’ll say, but it was peaceful and scenic.  We are parked at Ouabache (pronounced, “wabash”) Trails Park.  It was sunny when we arrived but the rain persistently returns.

 

Machine gun cart WWI - note the
horse wearing a real gas mask

Who knew anything about Vincennes, IN?  First, it is the location of the Indiana Military Museum which honors our servicemen in all branches of the USA armed forces.  Judge Jim Osborne began the collection decades ago and when it grew to be too large for him to maintain, he created the museum which now has artifacts outdoors and in two buildings. 

WWI German machine
gunner's breast plate

Gen. John Pershing's phone
at headquarters in 
Chaumont, France

Gen. George S. Patton's
dress uniform

1870 US Cavalry
dress uniform with
helmet    

One of the first 38th parallel signs
placed by the US military after
the surrender of Japan in 1945.
Later, they were replaced by permanent
metal markers.

Like all museums, it would take weeks to see all the individual pieces and read all of the plaques but there are some things that deserve a second look and a little study.  Some are original and one of a kind pieces and it is amazing that Jim has acquired this unique collection.

Drummer Boy uniform
circa Civil War Era

 

Uniform of Clarence Dowden, Jr.
Last active enlisted man of WWII

Every town in Germany had an
Adolf Hitler Street.
This sign was stolen by a US
soldier when the war was ended

May 7, 1945 issue of Time Magazine

April 23, 2003 issue of Time Magazine

 

Outside, among other aircraft and missiles is the sail or “conning tower” of the SS Indianapolis.  This is the tower from which the commander controls the movements of the ship when on the surface.  The sub was built for $900M and commissioned in 1977.  It was scrapped in 1998.  It would have been cool to go in the sail but it was not accessible to us tourists.

"Sail" or "Conning Tower" of the
sub SS Indianapolis

 

We stayed and studied everything we could until our welcome ran out and we were told it was closing time.  We had the honor of meeting Judge Jim and talking with him and then went on our way. 

 

Home of William Henry Harrison

While driving about town, we were surprised by the gigantic old houses on the small streets and how beautifully restored many of them are.  One beautiful old building dating back to 1803 is the home of William Henry Harrison.  He was appointed as the Governor of the Indiana Territory by President John Adams and lived in this house until he became the ninth President in 1841.  (He was the President for only 31 days and was the first to die in office.  John Tyler succeeded him.)

 

Knox County Courthouse

The Knox County Courthouse was built in 1873 at a cost of $362K.  At this courthouse, a famous litigation took place.  Mary Bateman Clark, a black slave born in ~1801, was brought to Vincennes by William Henry Harrison’s grandson, Benjamin, in 1814 and was indentured to William for 30 years.  She was sold to General William Johnston for $350 and was indentured to him for another 20 years.  The problem is that Indiana joined the USA as a free state in 1816 and so they apparently came up with the word, “indentured,” to get around the “slavery” issue.  Indentured meant that you signed a contract to work for someone for a period of time.  Mary Clark signed an “X” on the line and the contract agreed to pay her food, clothing and shelter.  By the way, signing an indenture was “optional,” but if a person refused to sign, he was shipped to the South and sold back into slavery.  Mary Clark lawyered up with Amory Kinney who took up her case to be freed.  He lost her case in this courthouse and they appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court where she won.  It was a landmark case, laying the groundwork and establishing a precedent for other indentured servants (read:  slaves) to become freemen.  After winning the case, Kinney was paid $10 and Mary Clark was awarded $24.44 ½ which she never saw.

 

Pretty painted apartment buildings

Reminds me of "Wedding Cake
Row" in Charleston, SC

We found The Café Moonlight in this town and had a nice quiet seafood dinner there.  We could actually see ourselves living in pretty little Vincennes but it loses our vote with all this rain.  Once again, it rained all night.  This morning, we set out for St. Charles, MO.  The road (Hwy 50) is rough and bumpy with cracks and potholes that rattle our teeth but it goes through many tiny little towns, vast farmlands and serene green acres and beats driving on the freeway.