Mike Murphy, age 9, of Seattle, Washington, for his question:
What was the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
The Northwestern States became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. In 1800, this area was an uncharted wilderness. Trappers and traders came back with tales. of its scenic beauty and its natural bounty. Sailing ships put into the Columbia River to collect rich furs. Apart from these scattered talos, nothing was known of this vast territory. But these tales fired the imagination of at least one important man. He happened to be Thomas Jefferson, the President of the United States.
Jefferson planned an expedition into the northwest to bring back an accurate picture. He selected a young Virginian, Meriwether Lewis, to lead the party. Lewis chose William Clark, also a Virginian, to share his leadership.
The fantastic journey took two and a half years and covered more than 6, 000 miles. The only enemy was the rough terrain, i1part from one small skirmish in which no one was hurt, the Indians were friendly and helpful. Perhaps this was because these remote Indian tribes knew little or nothing of the white men. Perhaps it was because they were charmed by William Clark's flaming red hair. Or perhaps it was because of Lewis's slave York. York was a Negro and these Indians had never seen a dare‑skinned mart.
The party set forth from St. Louis in May of 1804~. Their route led up the Missouri River. The party of 29 traveled in a large keelboat and two smaller boats. The river journey was rough and by October they had gone only 1,000 miles. Here they found q village of friendly Indians, Lewis and Clark realized that from here they would need guides.
The guides they chose were Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian girl, and Charbonneau, her French husband. Sacagawea, whose mine means birdwoman, traveled some 4, 000 miles with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. All the way she carried her baby son strapped to her back.
From the Indian village, near where Bismarck, North Dakota, now stands, the party went further up the unfriendly Missouri. In May the breathtaking western mountains came into view. It took a whole month to carry the boats and provisions around the Great Falls of the Missouri. hnd late in July they reached Three Forks, where three rivers join to make the mighty: Missouri.
Ahead lay the Rockies. Here Sacagawea's Shoshone relatives came to help. They led the party over the Continental Divide and the Bitterroot Range to the Clearwater River. From here, the party went by canoe to join the mighty Columbia River. On November 7, 1805, they sighted the Pacific.
The trip home covered much the same route. Lewis explored a branch of the Missouri from Three Forks and Clark made a side trip which brought him face to face with the scenic wonder of Yellowstone. The party reached St. Louis safe and sound on September 23, 1806.