History Behind the Bison

Little did President Thomas Jefferson know what a major role in history he'd create by hiring his right hand man Meriwether Lewis, who in turn requested his military colleague William Clark.
It all started of course near the Missouri River in St. Louis back in 1804. Some of the interesting highlights of the journey (adventure) were the time span it took - 2 years, 4 months and 9 days with approx. 30 tons of equipment with hopes of just covering 5 to 25 miles a day. With over 600 campsites made (some for only 12 hr. stays) it's easy to imagine the sacrifice these men gave for their dreams.
There were 33 men who went 863 days and over 4,000 miles and produced 9 journals, only which 6 were ever found. Lewis, who was also a doctor took on the added responsibility of taking care of his men, not only medically but also mentally (keeping their spirits up wasn't always so easy with months of rain at a time and freezing winters).
One thing that always stuck in my mind about this historical journey are the obstacles they overcame and even the fait that played into their hands assuring their safety. Remembering that if it wasn't for one of the Indian tribesmen (Toussaint Charbonneau) lending his very young - only 16 years old (pregnant) wife to act as a helping guide of the landscape (Sacagawea-a Shoshone woman) then the men probably would have been killed by Indians when then they ran into a tribe just before winter. As luck had it, the Chief of that tribe was none other than Sacagawea's brother who she had been separated from year's prior.

But, let's not forget in June of 1805 having to pull all their equipment 18 miles on LAND around the Missouri Falls.
And remembering this was at a time where there was 17 States in the Union, not exactly a quiet and peaceful moment in history.
The men didn't go without reward, each Lewis and Clark receiving 1,600 acres of land awarded by Congress and 320 acres to each of the other men (except for Sacagawea and Lewis Slave - York). Lewis was also appointed Governor of the Territory of Upper Louisiana and Clark superintendent of Indian Affairs.

This beautiful 1901 $10 Legal Tender "Bison" note has certainly carried with it the attraction of the not only the old west, but also a symbol of adventure, hard work and success. While dispute still exists today about what type of Buffalo (Black Diamond or Pueblo) is featured on the obverse, perhaps more important are the portraits of two men whom embraced the challenge of a life time, who took the chances and removed themselves from the comforts of their day to day lives and put themselves through and over obstacles that have left us with great historically findings and memories…………..Lewis and Clark.