Illinois Heritage A Publication of The Illinois State Historical Society Fall-Winter 1999            Volume 2 Numbers 1 & 2 Features 4 Exploring the Midwest's French Roots by Charles J. Balesi 10 R. M., A Personal Reminiscence by Delbert E. Wylder 16 Captain Barker and the Dragoons from Chicago, The Never-before-told Story of Barker's Dragoons by William Kooser Departments 3 Letters to the Editor 8 A Review of Gender and the Politics of Welfare Reform by Kim McQuaid 15 A Review of A History of the American People by Robert McColley 22 A Review of Richard Rowett: Thoroughbreds, Beagles, and the Civil War by Susan Jones 23 The Early Days of the Ladies' Education Society of Jacksonville, Illinois by Helen Hinde 28 Illinois History Primer: A Note on the Boundaries of Illinois Illinois Heritage is published by The Illinois State Historical Society and is printed by William Street Press, Decatur. The Society is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Illinois. Articles and reviews appearing in Illinois Heritage are abstracted and indexed in Historical Abstracts and in America: History and Life. Cover: A French colonial home in Kaskaskia, Illinois. Photo by Charles Balesi. Copyright 1999 Illinois State Historical Society. All rights reserved. For private use only.

Illinois Heritage Mission Statement Illinois Heritage is an illustrated magazine published quarterly by The Illinois State Historical Society and distributed to the Society's 2,700 members. Conceived as a vehicle to bring to the public good narrative and analytical history about Illinois in its local and broader contexts of region and nation, the magazine explores the lives and work of architects, artists, entrepreneurs, homemakers, laborers, naturalists, performers, politicians, reformers, soldiers, and writers. It traces the impact of Illinois on the nation and the world through events that took place here and through well-known figures such as Jane Addams, Jack Benny, Black Hawk, Gwendolyn Brooks, William Jennings Bryan, Al Capone, Richard J. Daley, John Deere, Everett Dirksen, Stephen Douglas, Ulysses Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Robert Ingersoll, John A. Logan, Elijah Lovejoy, Cyrus McCormick, Fibber McGee & Molly, George Pullman, Carl Sandburg, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Harold Washington. Illinois Heritage examines the influence on the state of non-Illinoisans such as George Rogers Clark, Eugene V. Debs, Enrico Fermi, Mary Garden, Louis Jolliet, Charles Lindbergh, A. Philip Randolph, and Joseph Smith. Just as important, it features ordinary Illinois men and women, bringing to light obscure lives and work. In this vein, the editorial staff seeks nonfiction articles that are solidly researched, attractively written, and amenable to illustration. Scholars, journalists, and freelance writers are encouraged to contribute to the magazine.

Illinois Heritage continues to reflect the rich diversity of our State's past. Where else can you travel in time from the wilderness of Illinois to the twentieth century without leaving the comfort of your armchair?

In our third issue, we present an overview of the Midwest's French colonial origins in the seventeenth century prepared by an active, French-born, scholar, local historian, and re-enactor. Many times we fail to recognize that the name "Illinois" once referred to a vast, undeveloped territory far larger than we know it today. An essay on the establishment of the State's boundaries has helped to launch a feature called our primer series. It is hoped that essays and articles like this will become a regular part of Illinois Heritage. This feature will shed light on basic topics of Illinois history that many take for granted. At some time in the future, these articles may be compiled into a single volume to provide an introductory history of the State. A local historian and Civil War enthusiast from Wheaton has prepared an interesting overview of the history of a Chicago regiment that goes beyond the usual description of engagements in battle to reveal an inside view of internal conflict. A former Illinois resident, now retired after a successful career in education, has prepared a personal reminiscence of his father seasoned with his recollections of his boyhood in rural Illinois in the 1930s.

Good quality, well-written articles and reviews continue to arrive over the transom with amazing regularity not only from Illinois authors but also from authors throughout the nation. This regular flow of material confirms our Board's belief that there is a growing number of authors and local historians who are seeking a venue in which to publish their work. We are pleased to provide a means in which to present their work in reader-friendly manner. Every editor's fear in launching a new publication is that sufficient material of good quality may not arrive in a timely manner. Thus far, I am pleased to report that potential authors are being told that space in the next three issues has been filled.

Just as this issue was to go to press one year ago, I was informed by our former printer that production was halted due to a lack of advertising revenue. This past summer, the Society's Board of Directors authorized me to call upon our financial reserves in order to get this issue to press. Your positive comments and words of encouragement following the first two issues are most welcome especially when energy is flagging and frustration with the process was mounting. Your patience and understanding are sincerely appreciated.

I hope that you enjoy reading this issue as much as the staff and I have enjoyed preparing it.

Best wishes,

Jon Austin, Editor

The Illinois State Historical Society 210-1/2 South Sixth Street Suite 200 Springfield, Illinois 62701-1503 217/525-2781 fax: 217/525-2783 e-mail: ishs@eosinc.com http://www.prairienet.org/ishs

Staff Jon N. Austin Executive Director and Editor Jason A. Meyers Assistant to the Executive Director and Associate Editor Harry G. Klinkhamer Programs Assistant Sallie L. Brittin Membership Secretary Kathleen A. Jones Bookkeeper

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