The author writes that the book is the result of 50 years “gathering data”, …” from personal acquaintance with the pioneers, from a history of incidents transmitted from parents to children and from tradition that is accepted as reliable.” It is also clear from his acknowledgement that he spent a lot of time with archival sources.

Some of the topics mentioned in the Table of Contents:

French colonization of Indiana. Post Vincennes. Pontiac. George Rogers Clark and the English. Clark’s march from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. Later achievements and failures of Clark. Virginia cedes Northwest possessions to the U.S. Ordinance of 1787. The Northwest Territory organized. Governor St. Clair and the Indians. General Wayne’s victory near the Maumee. Terrible fighting around the place where Owensville, Indiana now stands.

Organization of Indiana Territory. William Henry Harrison, Governor. Slavery question. Laws of indenture. Settlement of Southern Indiana. The Pioneer: character, hardships, routes followed. Settlements. Thrilling and amusing incidents. Work. Dress. Indian depredations. Division of Indiana Territory. Land offices. Battle of Tippecanoe. Indiana’s tribute to Kentucky. Further history of Tecumseh and the Prophet.

Pioneer industries. Farming implements. Cooking, loom, shoe making. Witchcraft. Amusements and sports. Indiana during the War of 1812. Pigeon Roost massacre. Expeditions against the Indians. General John Gibson. Governor Thomas Posey. Logan the Indian chief. Rappites at Harmony. Indiana becomes a State. Taxes. Internal improvements. Site of Indianapolis chosen for capital. Land sharks.

Animals of early Indiana. Game birds, game animals, fur-bearing animals. Schools of early Indiana. Houses, books. Aaron Burr’s conspiracy. Panthers. Wild hogs. Shooting matches. Hunting wolves, deer. Flat boating. General Joseph Lane. The State Bank. Counties organized. Michigan’s attempted theft. Brave women. Canals, railroads, turnpike roads. Penal, benevolent and educational institutions. State universities.

Indiana in the Mexican War. Experience of two young boys with two bear cubs. Kidnapping free negroes. A slave hunt at Kirk’s Mills bridge in Gibson county. Underground Railroad. Fugitive slave law. Indian religion. The Mound builders.