St. Joseph, Missouri

The Corps of Discovery reached the area that is present day St. Joseph by July 6, 1804. Clark commented on the oppressive humidity and its impact on the men:

"(worthy of remark that the water of this river or Some other Cause, I think that the most Probable throws out a greater preposn. of Swet than I could Suppose Could pass thro: the humane body  Those men that do not work at all will wet a Shirt in a Few minits & those who work, the Swet will run off in Streams)."

In fact, the next day one of the men became "verry Sick, Struck with the Sun" according to Clark. Based on what Lewis had been taught about medicine back east, he provided the best treatment of the day, which was to bleed him and give him niter (a diuretic). According to Clark, the treatment "has revived him much." Today, the treatment would be almost opposite, he would be given water, kept as cool as possible, and maybe salt or other electrolytes. The man was probably lucky to survive the treatment.

The Corps also stopped near St. Joseph (on the opposite bank) where they met a fur trader traveling north. The trader entertained the Corps and provided as much whiskey as the men could drink.

St. Joseph had a mighty significance during the western expansion. Not only did Lewis and Clark go through St. Joseph, but the Oregon/California Trail also went through. St. Joseph was also the eastern terminus of the Pony Express.

The Pony Express Museum was one of those pleasantly surprising attractions. From the outside of the building, it appeared that the museum would be very small, but once inside, it was spacious and well laid out. In addition to the exhibits which tell the story of the short-lived pony express, it depicted the different types of terrains the riders faced, the way they lived on the trail, and the dangers they faced. The museum also houses a collection of art related to Wild Bill Hickok, who was a pony express rider as well.

For visitors with children, the museum has a very nice children's exploration/play area.






After our visit to the museum we walked through the park across the street and ran into this cutie. I had not seen a squirrel with a big fluffy, red tail before. I don't think she appreciated me stalking her with my camera.