The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-28
Lewis and Clark Exposition
LEWIS AND CLARK
OPEN VAST REGION
to China and thence to the United
States.
START MADE FOR HOME.

| IAtkI mADE FUR hOUE<s
| The ascent of the Columbia was
fraug.ht with less danger than the de-
scent. but was much more arduous The
stock of merchandise for trading with
the Indians was alarmingiy low, and
this was one great cause of anxiety.
The expedition proceeded up the south
bank of the stream and came unex-
pectedly upon the Willamette River,
which they had missed en- route to the
ocean. and on April Captain Clark set
out to explore the river, ascending on
the following day to the place where
the city Of Portland now stands. At
the south Of the Lapage River. later
called the John Day, the canoes were
abandoned and the travellers proceeded
on foot, packing their baggage on the
4 backs of few horses purchased from
the Indians
The Walla Walla Indians received
them most Hospitality. and Yellept.
their chief, presented Captain Clark
with a superb white stallion. a kind
ness which Clark reciprocated by the
! gift Of a sword. On reaching the Nez
Perces. where they had left their
horses the fall before, it was found that
the Lolo trail was not yet free from
! snow and for six weeks they resided
with these hospitable people. The first
attempt to cross the Bitter Root Noun
q u,
begun about the first of July, was ac-
complished without mishap. It was
| then decided to pursue two separate
routes for time. with view of short
| ening the distance to the falls of the
Missouri River. Accordingly, on July
4, Captain Lewis. with portion of the
party crossed the Rocky Mountains to
the Missouri and followed down the
main stream, exploring the larger trib-
utaries and learning much of the geog-
raphy of the region.
With the remainder of the party
Clark crossed the Yellowstone and
guided by the bird woman" who had
passed through this country when a
small girl, descended the Yellowstone
to it's mouth and Joined Captain Lewis
and his followers some distance below
on August II. The plan, conceived by
Captain Clark at Fort Clatsop, had
proved entirely practicable. shortening
the most difficult part of the way by
$50 miles. The journey down the Mis-
souri, River was accomplished without
particular incident and the united par
ty reached st. Louis on September 20.
1906. having been absent two years
and four months.
REJOICING AT RETURN.
The return of Lewis and Clark was the
| occasion Of great rejoicing throughout
the United States, for their expedition
had aroused interest, and much anxiety
was feared for the safety of the travel
ers. Soon after their return Captain Lew
is was appointed Governor of Louisiana,
while Captain Clark was given the posi-
ton of general of militia for the same
Territory and Indian agent for the vast
region he had explored.
Captain Lewis died on October II, 1909,
at the age of 50 years. 1t is presumed he
committed suicide while troubled with
A.
early life. His associate, Captain Clark,
gave his country long and faithful ser
vice in various public capacities. He
died September 1, 1888, at the age of 6S
years.
The story of the remarkable journey
across the country was given wide pub
licity, and the fame of the exploit of
Lewis and Clark has continued to grow
down to the present day, as its import
ance becomes more and more apparent.
1t is notable fact that the first publica-
ton of journal Of the expedition was
made in London.
In his message to the Fifty-eighth Con-
gress recommending the project of the
lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
President Roosevelt said:
II trust that the Congress will con-
tinue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana purchase, which was the first
step in the expansion which made a
continental nation. The expedition of
Lewis and Clark across the continent
followed thereon and marked the begin
ming OF the process of exploration and
colonization which thrust our national
boundaries to the Pacific. The acquisi-
ton of the Oregon country including the
present States of Oregon, Washington
and Idaho. was a fact of immense i'm
portance to our country, first giving US
our place on the Pacific seaboard and
making ready the way for our ascend
ency in the commerce of the greatest of
oceans The centennial Of our establish
ment upon the western coast by the ex-
petition of Lewis and Clark is to be
celebrated at Portland, Or, by an exposi-
ton in the summer of 1905, and this event
should receive recognition and support
4-ox,a Natiaraal Cavern 1aent ,,