"York" - The Lewis and Clark Expedition Catalyst (#3 Post)

This is a segment of a series of articles that I am publishing, which bring to light many suppressed, altered, and just plain not reported facts about Americans who have made tremendous contribution to our society. Depending on the time frame in history that their contributions occurred, society and political pressures encouraged not giving credit where credit was do, to certain classifications of individuals. As I post new articles, the links to the old ones will be posted at the bottom of each current article. Please feel free to leave comments in the comment section of each article.

To Historical Truth,
Kenneth Golden

Who was "York" and what was his connection to the largest land deal in US history? That large portion of land that Thomas Jefferson purchased, while President of The US Government, came from the French in 1803 and amounted to approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River. The price tag was simply $15 million dollars. This turned out to be some of the most fertile and mineral rich land in history.

During this time period slavery was in full force in the United States, as an institution of cheap and unnatural labor. There were many talented individuals that were forced into, or born into this institution, and as a result of various factors stemming from the "Triangle of Trade". Numerous individuals exported from the"Western Coastal Regions of Africa, were displaced to North and South America, The Caribbean Regions, and various Coastal Western Hemisphere Settlements.

Included in this forced migration of human beings, were parents of future great contributors to the building of the great nation of The United States of America. These contributors entered the nation as slaves and children of slaves, and overcame unbelievable odds and obstacles, to become great contributors to society.

One of these legendary individuals was named "York", simply "York". During the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the co-organizer of the expedition, William Clark utilized the services of his manservant or slave, who went by the name of York. This person who went by the name of York, was the only African American member who was assigned to the expedition team of Lewis and Clark. York was born in Virginia around the 1770’s; His exact birthday is not known. The Clark family were the slave owners of the entire family, of which York was a part.

York's position in "The Lewis and Clark Expedition" of 1804 was to be that of a scout. There was a lot of scrutiny that went into choosing scouts for the expedition. Numerous potential candidates were rejected, for a variety of reasons. In 1804 William Clark decided to include York, because of his skills as a backwoodsman, hunter, and skill with herbal medicine, which qualified him as the expedition doctor. Once the trip started, York’s skill to captivate the Indians because of his skin color became an asset. He saved the lives of other expedition members on many occasions, because all Indians that they encountered were mesmerized by his hair texture and skin color. His other contributions included cooking, shelter construction, and supplying the camp with game food.

Once the expedition was over, every member of the group except York, was given a sizable land grant and double pay. York was not given his fair share; He was sent back to being a slave. After this, William Clark reported that York developed a negative attitude, so he punished him by lending him out to cruel slave masters. There were a couple accounts of York’s life progression from this point on. It was reported that he had died of cholera, and another report had him living with the Crow Indians. It was not until later in history, that a statue was erected of “This Unsung Hero".

One thing is for certain, and that is the fact that The Lewis and Clark Expedition would probably have failed, if York was not there to provide his special talents, services, and ingenuity when dealing with the hostile tribes of Indians that they confronted. Additional credit must be given to his associate and Indian guide Sacagawea. She like York got the expedition through many hostile Indian territories.

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Unsung Hero Bass Reeves US Marshal - Post (# 1) Click Here 

Bessie Coleman First African American Pilot - Post  (# 2) Click Here