“OUR history of Pike and Dubois Counties, after months of per- 

sistent, conscientious labor, is now completed. Every impor- 

tant field of research has been minutely scanned by those engaged in 

its preparation, and no subject of universal public value has been 

i. omitted save where protracted effort failed to secure trustworthy re- 

— suits. The impossibility of ingrafting upon the pages of this volume 

the vast fund of the counties' historic information, and the proper 

omission of many valueless details, have compelled the publishers to 

select such matters as are deemed of the greatest importance. Fully 

aware of our inability to furnish a perfect history from meager public 

documents, inaccurate private correspondence, and numberless con- 

flicting traditions, we make no pretension of having prepared a work 

devoid of blemish. Through the courtesy and the generous assist- 

ance met with everywhere, we have been enabled to rescue from 

oblivion the greater portion of important events that have transpired 

in past years. We feel assured that all thoughtful people in the 

counties, at present and in future, will recognize and appreciate the 

importance of the undertaking and the great public benefit that has 

been accomplished.”