The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-04-22

General Zebulon Montgomery Pike,
The Discorcrcr of Pixies Peak,
Soldier and Explorer.

soldier ana Explorer.
WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
THE history of the development of the Lou
isiana Purchase has no more prominent
figure than that of Zebulon NJ. Pike, who
Was killed In the War OF 1872 at the age
of 81.
This period has been called the age Of he
young man. but General Pike achieved his
greatest work as a young man. In the frst
decade OF this Nineteenth Century this
Young man achieved a fame which nas Tor
a monument a huge mountain IN the mag
niicent Rockies-Pike's Peak.
His career as a soldier was remarkably
successful. but his achievements as an cx-
piorer OF the uewly-acquirea Louisiana are
Tho most important events In his history.
Indeed. II was as a soldier that he performed
these tests ot hardship and endurance. but
il was not military prowess that stood him
IN good stead. but the possession Of courage,
perseverance,. and a clear head.
Zebulon Montgomery Pike. soldier. was
horn in Lanberton. y. J.. February ). TIa
Al the time of his birth the town was called
thlamatunk- His father. also named 2ebu-
Ion, was an officer IN the United States
Army who rose to The rank Of Major. While
Yet a child. his father removed to luck 5
County, Pennsylvania. where he resided for
several years. n few miles from the Della
ware River. He removed thence 70 Easton.
Such advantages as the country schools al
forded at that tire were enjoyed by young
Pike. For some time he was under the tut
ton OF a Mr.. Wall, eminent in the neichbor-
hood for his mathematical attachments.
While yet young. Pike entered hi. father
company as n cadet. says Samuel Gorton N
the life OF General Pike. His life Of Pike
appeared in 1.-The Library Of American
Biography" conducted by Jared Sparks, and
published in 1875.
on March 5. 1879. young Pike received a
commission as Ensign in The Second Real
ment Of infantry. lie was promoted 30 the
rank OF First Lieutenant in the same regl-
lnent in 1900. ard assigned to The First
Regiment q infantry in 1902.
While thus advancing through the Initial
grades OF his profession. lieutenant PIKE
was ~assi6uous IN supplying the deficits OF
his education by the most earnest apph-
cation to various studies. embracing, among
Others. the Latin and French languages
and mathematics. That he exhibited decided
proofs Of success in these exertions may oe
inferred from the responsible duties %
which he was soon called by ComTaaader-
tn-Chief General Wilkinson.
The acquisition of Louisiana ny me
United States. under Mr.. Jeffersohs az
ministration- imposed on the Government
n new and important duty. The vast coun-
try which had been acquired was almost
unknown to the people 10 whom its soFer-
eighty had now been assigned. The pHnhc.
il is true, in desiring the new territory. aai
wished for little or nothing more thar; the
command of the Lower Mississippi. WHICH
was an Indispensable outlet 10 the brnai
West. everywhere fntersected by its trlon-
tarics. .
MIR. jefferson, mingling with his political
feelings a love Of science. and a desire 20
mark his administration by eNertions 10
enlarge it's boundaries. had a Just afpfe-
cation Of the duty OF Informing the ma
lion of its own country. Ne determined 20
-,sc the few means IN his hands for this
worthy purpose. The army constituted one
If these means. the most CONVENIENT. as
well as the most efficient. 1t did not fur
uish all that was wanting to fulfil those
purposes IN the best manner. At thar early
.iav il embraced but few thoroughly scien-
titic men. -. The army had many intelli-
gent as wei! as enterprisins officers. MI.
jefferson determined to avail himself only OF
such characters. in sending out leaders OF
.xplorations into the new regions which had
been acquired. leaving researches OF a
higher order 10 subsequent ana more pros
porous wears. Captain Merlwether Lewis
and Lieutenant William Clark. both Of tha
army, were selected by him 10 ascend the
Missouri, cross the Rocky Mountains, and
descend the Columbia 10 its mouth. and
thus confirm. by more extended discoveries,
the claim to that vast region, the initld-
lion Of which had been Established by Cap
tain Gray in I92.
In projecting the expedition 10 the sources
of the Mississippi. which was about con- |
tnmporaneous with that III the Missouri.
the President did not probably exercise any
direct agency. General Wilkinson of the
I nited States Army. who then commanded
on the Mississippi, appears 10 have selected
the officer who was to conduct it, General
Wilkinson, knowing Pixies energy, activity
md perseverance,. assigned TO him the duty |
nf conducting a small military party to the
sources OF the Mississippi. for the purpose
80 .ha ,r,Aa~ |
parts OF that great river and OF ascertain
ing the position of those sources.
Probably General Wilkinson could not
have made a more iudicious selection which
was necessarily confined. by the size of
the detachment, to the subaltern grades OF
the army. Lieutenant Pike had already dis
played considerable literary proficiency. 1
and was very ambitious Of improvement.
. . In his preface TO his story of his
expeditions he remarks that he literally
performed tic duties, as far as his limited
abilities permitted. Of astronomer. SURVEY
or, commanding officer. clerk, spy, guide
and hunter" |
Il is not stated why Pike was sent alone
into such a remote. little known, and, as
there was much reason to apprehend, TN |
friendly country. Another officer. of a sub
altern rank, would have much relieved the
burden of the command. and increased the
chances of beneficial results Of the expo
dition. The party did not even inciuoe Il
surgeon. |
Emharking with his little party. consist
ing of one Sergeant. who proved a faith
less soldier: one Corporal. and seventeen
privates. Lieutenant Pike left St LOUIS
August Q, 1895. in a keelboat. 20 feet loaE, /
and with provisions for four months tle
was sone double that time. To run ali
The hazards OF al untried voyage UP the
Mississippi
This "trip OF Lieutenant Pix up The
Mississippi was the first that had been
made by any citizen of the United STATES
n, least. it is not known that he had any
predecessors. Adventures may have pre-
,iously assembled it in quest OF furs. but
their discoveries, If they made any, had
not been made known to the public. Lieu
tenant Pike, had, therefore. d fresh ned
Of exertion. Whatever he should see and
hear would be new to that public. which
had but vague notions Of the vast North