I thought it was interesting how York performed magic tricks for the Indians in hopes that they would believe he had superhuman powers. It was sad that they frightened the Indians into giving them their food when they were starving, as well. It was pitiful that the starving Indians were swallowing moss and chewing on tree bark. Dog meat became a “flavorful” meal for the expedition.
When the expedition had to camp for a month near the Nez Perces’ camp to wait for the trails on the Bitterroot Range to thaw, once again it was York to the rescue. He was able to bargain with the Indians because they were so fascinated by him. I just never realized the magnitude that York played on the success of this expedition.
On their return to Saint Louis, York was given a horse to ride and one to carry his belongings. I think this shows a shift in everyone’s thinking that York was now an “equal”. I was so excited to read that Clark named a small tributary of the Yellowstone River “York’s dry river”and this was the second place Clark named after York. I thought it was kind of comical that Lewis’ river man, Cruzatte, mistook Lewis for an elk and shot him in the buttocks. With sanitation the way things were, I’m surprised he didn’t die from blood poisoning. It’s amazing that with everything they encountered that only one member, Sergeant Floyd, lost his life.
Reading a copy of the original newspaper clipping from their return to St. Louis after two and a half years was neat. I was happy to read the York was able to share in the glory of their return.
In the last chapter, “The Forgotten Man,” I was so sad to read that York’s fame quickly faded, and he was once again treated as a slave. It made me so angry when I read that Clark had left York and Sacagawea’s names off of the official roster sent to the War Department. This especially makes me angry when I read that everyone on the list received land and money and York got nothing!!!
As I finished the last few pages, I was devastated that Clark moved west and took York with him separating York from his wife. I’m glad he at least let Clark visit his wife for a while. I just wonder why Clark did not try to buy York’s wife from her owner and free both of them. Reading this really made me change my opinion of Clark. I thought he loved York like a brother, but in the end he loved himself more and York, the hero, died a poor and broken man. I’m proud that York at least has a statue in his honor, but it’s a few years too late.
Once again, I’m going to bed tonight with a feeling of sadness for York and anger at Clark. I wish this story had ended differently for York. If I could rewrite York’s life for him, Clark would buy York’s wife, free both of them, and they would go live with the Indians where York would become chief of the tribe.
Debbie
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After their long stay and all their dangerous moves, the Corps was now ready to go home. But they did not have enough food for the entire journey. Clark had to think quickly on how he could get food for them. He pretended to be a doctor and traded medicine for food. Since York was such a hit with the Indians, Clark used him again to save their group. He sent York to trade trinkets for food and York brought more than enough food back.
The Indians advised Lewis and Clark not to leave while the mountains were covered with snow, but they did not listen and had to turn back. Finally, when it was safe to leave, the Indians’ guides led them out of the mountains. This time they gave York a horse. He did not have to walk or run to keep up with the horses. Maybe they were just ready to get home and did not want York to slow them down. Whatever the reason, I know York was glad. Lewis and Clark wanted to get home in such a hurry, yet when they got off the mountains, they went different ways to explore new territory.
When they were back at the Indians’ camp, Clark included York’s name on the papers saying that he was a part of the expedition. Once home, he did not put York’s nor Sacagawea’s name on the paper. It was like York did not do anything on the expedition. It was if he did not exist. How did this make York feel? It did not matter how he felt because he was a slave, Clark’s property that had no feelings.
Clark appeared to be such a good man until York, for once went against him. Clark was so angry when York asked him to sell him to another slave master so he could be close to his wife’s master. All York wanted was to be with his wife. Clark could have made that happened if he was not so selfish. York had served him all his life and he could not do that one thing for him. Finally, ten years after the expedition, he freed York. For all his service, Clark gave him six horses and a wagon. Out of his selfishness, Clark allowed York to die a lonely man with no recognition or honor for his part in the Lewis and Clark expedition.
I like this book. It was an easy read.
The last pages describes how the expedition made their way back home. Once again York comes to the rescue of these men. He is sent to visit other tribes to bargain for food since the tribes trusted him and not the white men. York returns with enough food to feed the men through the rest of their journey.
On the trip through the mountains, York was finally given a horse to ride instead of walking. York had to have great patience not to be disobedient throughout this trip! He is the one person the Indians trusted and because of him they helped feed the expedition. However, Clark seems to be unappreciative of him and not allow him to ride a horse until their return home. I don’t know how York could have withstood this lack of respect that his master showed him. On page 70, it did say that Clark named two places for York but Clark didn’t think he was worthy of being placed on the official roster of men who had been to the Pacific and back. If it wasn’t for York, I don’t think that these men would have ever made their way there or back.
It was sad to learn that York didn’t get the recognition that he deserved and lived a poor life after he was set free. It had to be hard on York not being able to be with either wife that he was married to. Clark was incredibly mean to him, even after York was a good and faithful servant during most of his time with him. I never knew the story about York until I read this book. I now have a great sadness for him and his life. I now see Clark as a whole different person than what I once did. I wish that I could rewrite the ending of his life story for him. Unfortunately, this was such a tragedy and loss that his story hasn’t been shared with more. I will make sure that I tell his story to all of my students so that his spirit may live on.
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