California elementary students learn history

California third- and fourth-graders were treated to a visual, and almost hands on, history lesson Feb. 24 in the elementary school gym.
California third- and fourth-graders were treated to a visual, and almost hands on, history lesson Feb. 24 in the elementary school gym.

California third- and fourth-graders were treated to a visual, and almost hands on, history lesson Feb. 24 in the elementary school gym. The lesson involved the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-06. The history of the event is in the fourth-grade curriculum this year. The third-graders, as the fourth-graders of next year, were also included in the history lesson.

Bob Staton, who participated in the 200-year re-enactment of the Expedition, talked about the original expedition, also known as the Voyage of Discovery. He explained that it was a military expedition, beginning on what was the Western Frontier, St. Louis, which at the time was known as the Gateway to the West.

The Missouri River at the time was very wide and relatively shallow, making it easier to pole the large keel-boat up the river.

For the history lesson, Staton was dressed in what he described as a typical "work uniform" of the military, which was made of tanned animal hides. His wife, Debbie, was dressed much as Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman who served the expedition as interpreter.

California Superintendent Dwight Sanders was outfitted in what would have been the uniform of an officer or sergeant on the expedition. Those uniforms, which were not worn on the expedition trek, were donned for meetings with tribal chiefs along the route. For these special occasions, the chiefs would also dress in their finery.

Staton described the equipment and supplies carried on the expedition, including the flintlock military musket and bayonet, knives, shaving gear with straight razor, mess kit and canteen, "possibles bag" and more. On hand was a large selection of animal skins, glass beads, metal utensils, knives, axes pipes and other items in demand by the tribal people.

Staton commented on the trading between the peoples. Although some think the Indian peoples were cheated since they traded leather skins for the beads and steel knives, axes, pipes and pots, Staton pointed out that while leather was expensive and highly sought after in Europe, the beads and metal goods were priceless to the Indians, who thought they got the best of the trade.

Staton showed a variety of animals skins which were identified by the young people, for instance, raccoon, fox and badger.