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                                    as the counsel from the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.%u2014Monsieur C. de Margerie. In the afternoon, an historical Sesquicentennial Parade made its way proudly through town. It began with a police escort, and consisted of an estimated 2,000 people and 130 special units which included a calliope and ox-drawn vehicles. The American Legion was there, as were the Vincennes Municipal Band, the National Guard, and Sesquicentennial Queen Rosalyn. Mrs. Ronald Mundon won first place for Best Costume wearing a dress of ivory poplin and lace. The men%u2019s Beard Contest had several categories including best full beard, best variation, whitest beard, reddest beard, and rattiest beard%u2014which was won by Mr. Ben Catt of Route 5. According to the Vincennes Sun Commercial, %u201cSome of these sesqui beards add dignity. Others just make dog-faces out of the beardees.%u201d For afterfestivity shaves, the Gimble and Bond Co. offered free razor blades to the first 1,000 men who entered their store.On Tuesday afternoon, the local Shriners marched in a horse parade with precision drills at Harrison Park, which was followed by a dignitary reception at 5:00 pm. After that, the last performance of the Indiana Cavalcade was staged, and the Indiana Territory Sesquicentennial festivities ended literally with a bang%u2014a Grand Fireworks Finale.In January of 1950, the Indiana Sesquicentennial Commission and Willard Goodson, President of Vincennes%u2019 Fort Sackville Stamp Club, began corresponding with the U.S. Postmaster General, as well as various Indiana local, state, and national politicians, to promote the idea of a new postage stamp honoring the 150th anniversary of the Indiana Territory. Within 3 months, on March 8, the Commission received a letter from Joseph Lawler, Assistant Postmaster General%u2014stating that the is-
                                
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