Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-07-09
helped to procure captains commission

at Louisville, Kentucky. The party o.
20 men then went down the river, to St
Louis, intending then to go up the Mis-
souri, to the last white settlement and
spend the winter, but the Spanish gov
eminent had not heard Of the change oil
government and would not let them pro-
coed. This compelled them to spend the
winter in st Louis.
In the spring of 1904, having been
joined by l6 more men at st. Louis, they
began their ascent OF the Missouri river.
On their journey up the river they had
some difficulty in convincing the white
settlers, traders and Indians of the
change of government. At the mouth
OF the Platte river they sent out SEQ uts
to tell the Indians and French of the
change Of government. They then held
a council with the Indians across from
the place now called Council Bluffs.
While they were on their way up the
Missouri one man died and another man
deserted. In the latter part of October
the party reached the village of the
Manda Indians, in Dakota. Here they
spent the winter, and in the spring IA
returned to st. Louis, while the rest,
having gained three recruits, French
man, his squaw wife and baby, pushed
on through the Yellowstone country and
the Hot Springs region. They then be-
gan the passage of the Rocky mountain
range, which was 40 miles wide at this
place. They had some difficulty in going
mp the Missouri river. At the falls OF
the Missouri, which have an ascent of
362 feet, they had to transfer the boats
and baggage over portage of 10 miles.
Arriving at the headWaters of the
Missouri, Captain Lewis, with party,
went out to explore the country, while
those in the boats kept on up the river.
In September they met, Lewis having
found the headwaters OF the Columb ia
river. The whole party then left the
boats and began most fatiguing journey
across the mountains. Their provisions
were exhausted and game was scarce, but
at last they arrived at the village of the
Flathead Indians, on large branch of
the Columbia river, at the foot of the
mountains.
The explorers gave presents to the
chiefs, who provided them with canoes,
in which they embarked and went down
the river, into the Columbia. In No
yember, 1905, they arrived at the mouth
OF the Columbia river. Here they spent
the winter living chiefly on elks.
In the spring of 1906 the party re-
traced its steps across the mountains to
Fort Missoula, where Lewis took north
erly direction and Clarke went south
ward.
Clarke came into the old trail a few
days ahead OF Lewis and, leaving a note,
went on down to the Mandan Indians.
Here he was joined by Lewis, in a few
days. Lewis persuaded an Indian chief,
with his family, to accompany them to
st. Louis; and on September 6, 1906,
after enduring great hardships, but solv-
ing great geographical and topograph-
ical problem, the party entered st.
Louis, after having been gone two years
and four months.
This expedition gave the United States
stronger claim to Oregon and Wash
ington, began settlement in the north
west, and gave the United states the fur
trade.
Congress gave each man double the
pay promised, and to each non-commis-
stoned officer and private was given a
tract of 800 acres OF land. Lewis re-
ceiyed 1900 acres and Clarke 1000. 1t is
recorded that Lewis objected to Clarke
receiving less land than he.
Two years later Lewis was made gov
ernor of the Louisiana Territory. He
was filling this position and was on his
way to Washington when death over
took him in backwoods cabin. The
nature OF his death is not known. Some
circumstances point to murder, others to
suicide.
Following the death of Lewis, Benja-
min Howard was made governor of
Louisiana. Two years later, when the
name of Louisiana was changed to Mis-
souri,, Clarke was made governor. After
being reappointed thrice, he gave up his
office in 1920, when Missouri was admitted
as state.
Two years later he was made super
intendent of Indian affairs. This posi-
ton he held until he died, at the home