| Show bell presented to illinois church by king of france towed up river by hand closely associated with the early history of illinois is an old church bell cast in id the year 1741 it was presented to the congregation of the catholic church at kaskaskia Kas kaskla by the k king g of france it required two years time tor for the bell to make the journey from france to illinois it was shipped to new orleans and from there it was towed up the mississippi river by manpower the men walking along the river bank and pulling by ropes the raft containing ta the bell the historic bell whose mellow tones were the farst of the kind to be heard in the upper mississippi valley weighs pounds and is 22 inches high one side is ornamented with the royal lilies of france in relief the other side bears a cross and pedestal the top and arms of the cross terminating in grouped heur flour en d its the bell also carries the following inscription in french to the people of 1111 illinois countr country v tor for their adoration since its arrival at kaskaskia Kas kaskla nearly two centuries ago writes an ava ill correspondent in the st louis globe democrat the bell has served under the flags of france englard and the united states doubtless one of the most dramatic events associated with it occurred on the night of july 4 1778 when kaskaskia was captured tron be british by col george rg rogera er clark because of his small email force clark was compelled to terrorize the citizens of kaskaskia and they were made to believe that a horrible fate awaited them on the following morning a mournful farewell meeting was held in the cli church after which several prominent bembera of the congregation called on dark clark an and ild informed him they were ready to meet their doom the officer then undeceived them by disclosing his true intent intentions lons he also assured them they had nothing to fear if they would support the american cause in his memoirs clark states that this announcement turned sorrow borrow into great joy and an elaborate celebration was held on this abis occasion the bell pealed forth long and loud |
