ometown
by Carol Anderson
H
istory
July 2011
H
The Marquis De Lafayette Gives LaGrange County Its Name
LaGrange Co. Sheriff's Dept.
Activity for the month of May 2011:
Patrol Division:
Traffic Arrests.................. 90
Traffic Warnings............ 113
DUI Arrests........................ 2
Felony Arrests.................. 12
Criminal Arrests.............. 41
Crash Reports.................. 36
Papers Served................ 235
Police Services............... 855
Signal 30's........................ 21
Total Cases....................... 37
Total Mileage............ 25,086
Transports:
Adult Males...................... 37
Page 21
Jail Division:
Adult Females..................14
Juvenile Males...................5
Total Transports..............56
Prisoners Booked:
Adult Males...................... 56
Adult Females..................18
Total Prisoners Booked...74
Total Meals Served..... 8,699
D.O.C. Housing
Fees Rec'd....... $77,175.00
Fees Billed...... $33,180.00
Work Release
Fees................... $5,678.70
general (Lafayette was not yet 20 years old when they
met) and their friendship lasted until Washington
died in 1800. Lafayette became a member of
Washington’s personal staff and was wounded in the
Battle of Brandywine but after recovering, rejoined
the American forces.
Due to Lafayette’s loyalty to Washington and the
American cause, Congress commended him in 1778.
Lafayette replied to this honor by writing, “I have
just received your favor of the 13th instant,
acquainting me with the honor of Congress
has been pleased to confer on me by their
most gracious resolve. Whatever pride
such an approbation may justly give me,
I am not less affected by the feelings
of gratefulness, and the satisfaction of
thinking my endeavors were looked on
as useful to a cause, in which my heart is
so deeply interested.”
Lafayette returned home to France in 1778
for a visit to his family and to secure funds and help
from the French government for the American war
effort against their common enemy, Great Britain. His
massive efforts resulted in the King of France sending
12 battalions of infantry and four major-generals along
with all the artillery needed for seiges and field combat
which were sent over on a squadron of six ships. In
addition, Lafayette purchased a large amount of
supplies for the troops he would command in America
out of his own money.
By 1781, General Cornwallis of Great Britain had
surrendered to General Washington in no small part
due to the efforts of Lafayette.
Lafayette sailed to his homeland on December 23,
1781 on the United States ship “Alliance.” Before sailing
he wrote a letter to his beloved General Washington.
“Adieu, my dear General; I know your heart so well that
I am sure that no distance can alter your attachment
to me. With the same candor I assure that my love,
respect, my gratitude for you are above expression;
that, in the moment of leaving you, I felt more than
ever the strength of those friendly ties that forever
bind me to you.”
The Marquis de Lafayette died in 1834 in Paris
at his home, LaGrange. During his burial, soil from
Bunker Hill, the site of one of the most famous battles
of the Revolutionary War, was sprinkled on his grave.
Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure
As we celebrate the birth of America this 4th of July,
people living here can thank a French Revolutionary
War hero for the name of LaGrange County. His full
name was a mouthful: Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche
Golbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, and he was
born in France in 1757. LaGrange County was named
after Lafayette’s grand home in Paris, LaGrange, when
the county was formally organized in 1832, two years
before the death of Lafayette.
He was left an extremely wealthy orphan
by the age of 12 and entered the Royal
Army of France when he was 14. By 16,
Lafayette had married Marie Adrienne
Francoise de Noailles from one of the
wealthiest families in France as well as
a relative to the King of France.
Lafayette learned of the American
fight for Independence from Great Britain
in 1775 and thought the American cause
“romantic” and dreamed of the glory and
excitement of joining the war effort.
Lafayette persuaded several French officers to cross
the sea with him and volunteer their military experience
to the American general George Washington.
They landed near Charleston, South Carolina on
June 13, 1777, and after a warm welcome from the
city’s leaders, traveled to Philadelphia to meet with the
Continental Congress. By July 31, 1777, Lafayette was
commissioned a Major General by a Congress grateful
for his free service.
George Washington befriended the young major