The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-16
A NEGLECTED EMPIRE PROvIDER

The scsquicentenary of George Rogers Clarks CAM
pagn in the wilderness OF the present state OF Indiana
during the American revolution IS the first recognition of
the great work he accomplished for the future of this
country The revolution being fought the bat
efields OF the thirteen original colonies at the time and
the Clark expedition did not seem the important stroke
it really because it did not part Of the fight
ing to achieve the independence OF the colonies It
rather flank against the British and Indians
blow tha was not part OF the game sort OF freeance
stra.~gy the side in the OF the colonies to cast
off the yoke OF the mother country.
It required the development OF the republic and
the westward tide OF migration in after years to
demonstrate the extent Of the Clark achievement What
Clark dill to add to the territory of the colonies that
stretch Of domain out Of which the present states Of
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin have
been formed Even when the colonies had come to the
realization that 1t not merely independence that
they had accomplished but in addition that had laid
the foundations Of empire that eventually spread
self from ocean to ocean, the feat of Clark and his
Virginia rflemcn was not appraised in Its true sign
cance It Of the unconsciously great steps in
the building of the American empire He brought into
the newly established republic lacking just 264
square miles Of equalng the original colonies. These
latter colonies contained extent Of 33036o square
miles The states carved out OF the territory gained by
the Clark expedition contain of 24S05 square
miles, He did not double the original of the colonies
but he contributed territory equal IS per cent Of
their to teterritory rich in agricultural timber
and coal resources.
Eventually the richness Of this territory brought set
tiers and quick development in the early days Of the
pioneer migration westward. These lands the first
West of the young republic One recalls that the Lincoln
family tekked out Of Kentucky into Indiana and thence
to Illinois Again. later, the migration to the lands
farther west took many of the Ohio Indiana and Illinois
sctcrs into the states Of Kansas and Iowa All having
its beginning in the brilliant stroke Of that military
adventure headed by George Rogers Clark out Of the
depths Of the American revolution.
What Clark and his riflemen accomplished is summed
up in the Current History magazine by Test Dalton
From being neglected hero Of yesterday says Dalton
Clark has emerged stand side by side with Washington
The capture Of Fort sackvile he apprases it,
Of the decisive battles of the world
No body OF men in any battle endured more suffering
than those Vrginians Kentuckans and 1nosans. They
compelled to wade through water as high as their
waists and up to their arpits not waters warmed by
the but cold the Arctic The freezing nights
added to the hardships which they bore for days at
time and without food Famished, frozen and dying.
they plunged on through the wilderness to their goal.
led by man who had divine faith in his mission -.
On Feb. S. 177o, George Rogers Clark and his troops
crossed the Kaskaskia river and started in the dead
winter the long journey to Vincennes This army was
composed Of only 178 men. drummer boy and leader
Of only 26 Yet It captured Fort sackville and won new
empire Of $4,000 square miles, just tenth OF the
present Of the United States Of today.
That something think about every time those who
the heirs Of these Of the revolution one Of
the sesquicentenary postage stamps being put
honor Of the deeds of George Rogers Clark. It is
small tribute to the man. but is great step forward
IN giving him true place In the hall Of fame OF great
Americans