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Dear Friends of Lewis & Clark, I have been reading for months--documents from archives, old history articles and books--trying to figure out who might have wanted Meriwether Lewis murdered, and why, as I am a believer in the murder theory. It was a time of international wars, and plots to invade the Spanish-held territories of Florida, Texas and Mexico, so there is a lot to learn and think about. My blog on Cantonment Wilkinsonville got me started on this research. I will wait until next month to share some of my thoughts.
On April 6th, I will give a talk on "The Death of Meriwether Lewis: Murder or Suicide?" at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, in conjunction with the Newberry Library traveling exhibit on Lewis and Clark and Indian Country. Check out my talks and tours post on the forum, and start posting yourself!
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Retail Orders: It's time to stock up on the Lewis and Clark Road Trips book! It's that time of year. If you are a gift shop manager, please feel free post a notice about your store in the Travel Forums. (And if you know a gift shop manager, pass the word!)
Trip Planner: This is also the time of year to plan a vacation. I will be going to the annual meeting at Great Falls, and hope to see many of you there! We have a lot of fun at the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation annual meeting and the reenactors from the Discovery Expedition of St Charles will be there. The Teachers Workshop is new this year, and the special camp for teenagers.
Kira kira@lewisandclarktravel.com
www.lewisandclarkroadtrips.com newsletter archives
2007 Meritorious Achievement Award
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
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Jail inmate rescues stolen Sacagawea statue heads
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 Clatsop County Jail inmate Russel Reier told jail officials he knew where the stolen statue heads were located. The bronze statue of Sacagawea and Pomp had disappeared from Fort Clatsop on January 20, 2008 stolen by meth addicts to be sold as scrap metal.
The prisoner began drawing a map, and then said it was easier to show them, as they could be found only a few blocks away from the jail in Astoria, Oregon. Jailers escorted him down the street to where he pointed out a parked truck. As law enforcement officers debated what to do, Reier simply pulled out a canvas bag from the back of the truck and yelled, "Here they are!" The owner of the truck was reportedly out of town, and his aunt said he didn't plan to return. To read more about it, see the Daily Astorian (3/19/2008).
The recovery of the statue heads will make the work of recreating the statue from its original mold much easier, according to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Superintendent David Szymanski.
Marcus D. Bologna, 42, of Gearhart, Oregon was sentenced to 50 days in jail for his part in stealing and destroying the statue. He and the other three suspects were ordered to pay restitution of $20,000 to the park.
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Lewis and Clark statue in the water again
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The Lewis and Clark and Seaman statue, "The Captains Return," is turning out to be a handy method of measuring how far the Mississippi River has left its banks near the St. Louis Arch at Gateway Park. Most of the year the statue is located on dry land near the Martin Luther King Bridge. These views were taken in March, 2007 by Betty Kluesner, DESC, and Patty Wiggins.This year's photo, shown at the top of this newsletter, was sent to me by reader Rich Boado. Looks like it's up from chin level to top of the head.
Bill and Marcia Holman sent me a link to a video from the Fox TV Station in St. Louis. The video titled "Mess Makes Riverfront Statue an Eyesore" discusses plans for building a riverfont viewing area for the statue, which is fast becoming one of St. Louis's top tourist attractions. The statue, created by sculptor Harry Weber, was dedicated in September, 2006, commemorating the return of the expedition to St. Louis on September 23, 1806.
Discovery Expedition of St Charles member Jim Wallace made this observation on the DESC email discussion list: "The city was really planning ahead when the statue was placed where it is. They knew what the futures market was on scrap metal and this is just a theft deterrent."
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Lewis and Clark Forum Postings in March
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Lewis and Clark Monument Trailhead Plaza Dedication
"Carpe diem" (meaning "seize the day" or "enjoy the day") is the user name of the reader who posted in the new Tourist Trail Travel Forum. The posting announces the dedication of a statue and plaza on June 4, 2008 at Jefferson City, the capitol of Missouri, exactly 204 years after the expedition visited the area. One unique feature of the new statue is its depiction of George Drouillard, the first time his likeness has been created in bronze.
I like this post a lot because it not only features news, but has information which will be interesting and relevant for years to come as visitors browse the forums. After June 4th, I hope there will be new postings showing photos of the event and what the statue and plaza look like. Plus maybe suggestions as to what else to do in Jeff City, and where to eat? That's the purpose of the forums--keep the thread going! All you have to do is register and sign on to the forums and then you can add your info and photos, either starting a new topic or replying to an existing post.
Personally, this is an area of Missouri I have never had a chance to explore, and I would like to see what I have missed. When I finally get there I am going to go find the portrait of William Clark hanging in the state capitol.
Bang! Pierre Cruzatte's rifle went off. "Damn you! You shot me!" yelled Meriwether Lewis.
This is another example of a great post. Ken Jutzi is posting articles from the Golden Notes newsletter of the California Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. He provided links on the South Dakota-North Dakota Travel Forum to two articles by Nan Kaeser, one on the Cruzatte-Lewis reenactment and the "8K Butt Run" at Williston ND, and the other on her visit to Cross Ranch State Park near Washburn, ND in August, 2006. Now, if you are a writer like Nan is, you might want to post in the Writer's Corner on the forums, or make more than one post of the same subject. The forums are infinitely flexible!
Water from the Missouri's true most distant source is hand-delivered to the Mississippi
Ken posted this article in two places, Missouri and Montana, about Lynn and Doug Davis from Cherekee, Iowa who brought water to the Mississippi from the real source of the Missouri at Brower's Spring.
Wayne Mumford Photos of the Lewis and Clark Trail
Beatiful photos of many places along the trail by Wayne Mumford, in the Photo and Video Trail Gallery of the Forums.
Photography Tips for South Dakota
Photo tips from the official photographer for the state of South Dakota,
this one in the South and North Dakota travel section.
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National Park Service Lewis & Clark grant applications deadline April 18, 2008
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The 2008 Challenge Cost Share program for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will award grants up to $5,000. Criteria are:
mission effectiveness, partnership diversity, tangible results, sustainability and match ratio. Call the trail headquarters at (402) 661-1828 for assistance in locating the application forms on the web.
For specific questions call
Dick Basch at (503) 861-4404 American Indian liason
Carol McBryant (402) 661-1818 Interpretation, Education, Volunteerism
Dan Wiley (402) 661-1830 Natural and Cultural Stewardship
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Unique Lewis & Clark double signature document at Sothebys Auction
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 One of the last documents signed by Meriwether Lewis before his life ended on October 11, 1809 was also signed by William Clark as a witness. As far as it is known, this is the only document in existence that was signed by both men.
It is land deed for property in Florissant, Missouri, dated August 23, 1809 and signed over to Pierre Chouteau of the American Fur Company; it was to cover a debt which Lewis expected to repay after visiting Washington DC and receiving reimbursements for debts he had incurred on behalf of his duties as Governor of Louisiana Territory. Sotheby's will offer it at auction on Thursday, April 3, 2008. It's sale price is estimated at between $80,000-$120,000. I'll let you know what it sold for next month!
Read more at the STLtoday.com website, featuring an article by Tim ONeill in the St Louis Post Dispatch on 3/30/2008.
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New book on William Clark just released
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 William Clark Indian Diplomat by Jay Buckley has just been released by the University of Oklahoma Press.
This is a book I have been looking forward to reading for some months now. A copy will be delivered to my doorstep tomorrow from Amazon.
Jay received a Ph.d. under Dr. Gary Moulton, the editor of the Lewis and Clark Journals. He is also one of the authors included in John Guice's collection of essays, By His Own Hand? The Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis.
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Lewis and Clark Summer Vacations
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This is an interesting overview of Elderhostel programs and other vacation opportunities. To participate in an Elderhostel, the primary registrant must be 55 or older, an adult companion may be younger.
Trail Heritage Foundation Annual Meeting at Great Falls, August 10-13, 2008, with both pre and post trip offerings. You will make lasting friendships and help a great organization by joining and attending the meetings. (Remember, pay before July 1st for a great discount!)
In the Wake of Lewis & Clark, A Voyage along the Columbia & Snake Rivers, Sept 20-26, 2008 aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird.
Sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Elderhostel: Paddling the Majestic Missouri, canoe 47 miles of the wild and scenic Upper Missouri, August 19-25, 2008. Montana State University. Marilyn Jarvis (406) 994-4820 mjarvis@montana.edu
(program # 2228RJ)
Elderhostel: Lower Columbia River by Native American Canoe with your Grandchild, July 28-August 1, 2008. (program # 4763RJ)
Elderhostel: Opening of the Pacific Northwest, Corps of Discovery in Nez Perce Country, June 2-7, 2008, Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho. (program # 4791RJ)
Elderhostel: A New Nation's Journey West, from St. Louis, Missouri to Portland, Oregon, seventeen days. August 6-23, August 13-30, Sept. 3-20, 2008. (program # 4002RJ)
Elderhostel: From Great Falls to Fort Clatsop, July 16-26 and Sept 17-27, 2008. The July trip is led by Verne Huser, author of On the River with Lewis and Clark. (program # 9976)
Elderhostel: From Lemhi Pass to down the Yellowstone, July 6-12, 2008,
(program # 5610RJ)
Elderhostel: Kayaking the Lower Columbia, Exploration & Discovery Skamokawa, Washington, May 25-30, June 8-13, July 22-27, Aug 17-22, Aug 31-Sept 5, 2008. (program # 2288RJ)
Elderhostel: Cycle St. Louis, Alongside the Mighty Mississippi
October 5-10, 2008 (program 14611RJ)
Elderhostel: Intergenerational Outdoor Adventures, Bicycling on the Katy Trail from St Charles, Missouri, June 15-20, 2008 (program # 16205RJ)
Check the general Elderhostel website. There are 28 Lewis and Clark themed trips, plus many on related topics.
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Please contact me with news, corrections, suggestions; and for how to order autographed copies of Lewis and Clark Road Trips with personal messages. I have decided we all may be a little challenged by PayPal, so if you want to order something directly from me, you can.
Biddle photos by Vicki Correia and Betty Kluesner, DESC. Biddle's outfit by Betty Smallen.
Sincerely,
Kira Gale
River Junction Press LLC
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Lewis and Clark
Road Trips
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The perfect gift for someone planning to travel the trail
Personally autographed copies available
$29.95 plus $8.95 s&h
Pay by mail by personal check or
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Lewis and Clark Road Trips: Exploring the Trail Across America by Kira Gale
$29.95, 274 pages, 161 maps, over 400 photos, full color "Reference books do not get any better than this one. It should be on every library shelf in every nook and cranny of America. It should be in the personal library of every Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and 4-H Leader." --John R. Wunder Nebraska HistoryAmazon Affiliate Bookstore |
Biddle the Bear
Lewis and Clark Trail
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Biddle the Bear
16 inch pot belly bear machine wash & dry
$36.95 plus $8.95 s&h
Pay by mail by personal check or
Biddle models his new outfit
Biddle is thinking about a decision
Biddle finds a new friend, Seaman
The Biddle Buddy Club will hold its first annual meeting in conjunction with the LCTHF meeting
at Great Falls
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Featured Sales Outlets
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If you are selling Lewis and Clark Road Trips, and are not on this list, send me an email. If you want to sell the book, visit our retail orders.
Headwaters Heritage Museum & Gift Shoppe Three Rivers MT
Blackfeet Nation Store Browning MT
John Heinz History Center Pittsburgh PA
Powell's Store Rare Books Section Lewis and Clark Portland OR
Columbia River Gateway Bookstore Cape Disappointment Ilwaco WA
Fort Clatsop Bookstore Astoria Oregon
Skamokawa Center Skamokawa Washington
Garst Museum Greenville Ohio
Appaloosa Museum, Moscow Idaho
Great River Road
Interpretive Center, Ste Genevieve, Missouri
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Gateway Arch, St Louis Missouri
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General Crook House Omaha Nebraska General Dodge House Council Bluffs IowaLewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, St Charles MissouriMissouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Center, Nebraska City NebraskaKreycik Riverview Elk and Buffalo Ranch, Niobrara NebraskaDakota Dinosaur Museum Dickinson, North DakotaLog Cabin Visitors' Center Vincennes IndianaCottonwoods Gift Shop, Fort Mandan Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn North DakotaArt's Sleeping Buffalo Resort Store, Malta MontanaKlein Museum, Mobridge South DakotaPortage Cache Store Lewis and Clark National Historic Interpetive Center Great Falls MontanaSquire Boone Caverns near Historic Corydon, IndianaAtchison Visitor Information Center, Atchison KansasMuseum of the American Quilter's Society, Paducah KentuckyWestern Historic Trails Center, Council Bluffs IowaStore of Discovery, Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford Illinois |
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Proceeding On