I T was 132 years ago that the first Fourth of July celebration occurred in Kansas.
History records that it was a very quiet and very informal observance of the nation's birthday.
The Lewis and Clark expediion followed quickly on the heels of the Louisiana Purchase. The party left St. Louis on May 14, 1804. It required a month and 12 days to reach the mouth of the Kansas river, arrival there being on June 26. The culprit was John Collins who was charged with deserting sentry duty, while 43 members of the expedition slept on the night of June 28, and getting drunk, along with a fellow soldier, Hugh Hall, on the party's whiskey supply. He was tried by a jury of his companions, found guilty and sentenced to 100 lashes on the bare back.