BIG PLANS FOR LEWIS-CLARK BICENTENNIAL

It stands still as "one of the greatest adventure stories in American history." So says Jim Denny, a historian with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, speaking of the 1804-05 expedition of explorers Merriwether Lewis and George Rogers Clark. Lewis and Clark were, of course, sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Denny is part of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission. This commission visited Cape Girardeau last week looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this anniversary. The bicentennial observance will begin in 2004.

Thirteen people attended a meeting with these visiting officials at the University Center, including two members of the Zenon River Brigade, historical re-enactors who got into the spirit of the event by wearing period costumes. Among other who attended was Eugene McCalister of Cape Girardeau. McCalister is the great-great-great grandson of Toussant Charbonneau, one of the expedition's interpreters.

Don Louis Lorimier, founder of Cape Girardeau, entertained Lewis at his trading post as the early members of the expedition party made their way up the Mississippi to St. Louis in November 1803. Linda Nash, a Jackson history teacher who has studied the life of Lorimier for years, suggests rebuilding Lorimier's red brick house as an appropriate local bicentennial project. Many other worthy suggestions are likely.

Signs will be placed statewide commemorating the expedition. Local sites mentioned include Cape Rock, Apple Creek, Tower Rock and the bluffs at Trail of Tears State Park. Plans are being made for big trucks to travel the state showing exhibits. An influx of tourists is expected to search out the trail. Sounds like the Lewis and Clark bicentennial could be a great boon to our state and to the study of our rich historical legacy.