History buffs will be tuned in on PBS
History buffs will be tuned in on PBS at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5 to see Ken Burns's documentary on the Lewis and Clark expedition, the trip which greatly aided in the opening of the West.
I've just finished reading "Undaunted Courage," by Stephen E. Ambrose. This is a detailed account of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Some things I remember from the book: Lewis, a Virginian who had inherited the bulk of his father's land, always wanted more land. As a young man, he went into Kentucky and purchased 2,600 acres of land at 20 cents an acre.
Until the western expedition, practically nothing was known about the land beyond the Mississippi. Jefferson, one of our most erudite presidents, believed the Blue Ridge Mountains were the highest peaks on the continent.
He believed mammoths and other prehistoric creatures would be found west of the Mississippi.
He believed volcanoes might still be erupting in the Dakotas and that there was a water connection all the way across the continent to the Pacific.
The Lewis and Clark expedition proved all of these beliefs wrong.
After two years of unbelievable hardships and dangers which defy description, William Clark scribbled in his journal, "Ocian in view! O! the joy!" There was much celebration in camp when the men heard the waves of the Pacific Ocean breaking on rocks. However, the trip was only half over; the group had to return to the East Coast. It was seven months before the snows melted in the mountains and they could start their long trek home.
Indians were of great assistance on the return trip, as well as the trip West.
It's another history story which makes me have more and more respect for those who have gone before us.
HUBBARD--Seeking information on the Hubbard family. David H. GREATHOUSE married Philadelphia Hubbard in 1821 in Illinois. Information on GREATHOUSE and/or HUBBARD family will be appreciated.
Betty Greathouse Douglas,
3108 S. Summit Blvd.
Sand Springs, OK 74063-4017.
MASTERSON--Need data on Joseph Masterson, born about 1847 in Nelson County, Ky. and his wives: Margaret FORD, Mira Ann ? and Margaret Jane BARBRE.
Contact
Sybel L. Tyler
414 S. Allen St.,
Bernie, MO 63822-9522.
We continue to be comfortably busy with letters and visitors to our Genealogy Library. We're open from 11 to 5 on Wednesdays. Come join us.
Posted with permission from
THE CARMI TIMES
and CHARLENE SHIELDS
Return To~~ White County Historical Society Library~~by Charlene Shields
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