Holden 'frees' explorer's slave

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden posthumously "freed" the only black member of the Lewis and Clark party, calling the recognition of the slave named York "long overdue."

And even in a contentious election year, not even Holden's political opponents would accuse him of exploiting York's memory by signing emancipation documents on Thursday at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center and Civil Rights Museum.

"I think it was a wonderful event," said state Auditor Claire McCaskill, Holden's opponent in the August Democratic primary, who did not attend the signing. "I supported it 100 percent, and it is the last thing in the world that we should try to make political."

York was a slave to William Clark, who led the expedition along with Meriwether Lewis.

During the expedition, which began 200 years ago this May, York passed through what is now Missouri.

The Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1865 freed all slaves and indentured servants in the state.

When the expedition arrived at the Pacific Ocean in 1805, York was allowed a vote on its winter quarters. Upon the party's return to St. Louis in 1806, he asked Clark for his freedom.

While some historians believe York was eventually freed, that has never been documented.