On The Ohio... In this Issue...

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1 On The Ohio... The Newsletter of the Ohio River Chapter Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation Volume 11 Number 4 Winter 2010 In this Issue... Message from the President Minutes from ORC Regional Meeting at Cumberland Gap Spring 2011 Chapter Meeting Information 2012 Annual Meeting Lewis and Clark and New Orleans Part II The Year 1811 Lewis and Clark Wellness Challenge Dues are Due Usual Conversation Unusual Trail Connection From the Journals Upcoming Meetings: Chapter Meeting Annual Meetings Message from the President Haven't been checking my s much lately. Am in Arizona near Hereford at my youngest daughter Sarah's till the first of March. Been busy enjoying the family and the weather. It only got up to 79 degrees today. Sarah s stepson is going to college up in the Sierra Vista Branch of the University of Arizona. He had to do a paper on Lewis and Clark last week and got an A on it. That is about all the L & C news I have except that am really looking forward to the spring meeting. There is so much history of our era of interest there at the straights and I'm sure everybody will thrilled with the choice, even if it is a bit off of the center of our drawing area. When the location was first announced I heard some complaints that it was too far away. If there is anybody that still complains, I would like to take this opportunity to remind them that all, and I mean the entire state of Michigan, is with in our drawing area just the same as 20 miles from the Ohio River. From the time I was a kid our big vacation was going to Leg Lake in the Upper Peninsula. When they built the bridge across the straights, we were one of the first cars to cross. Everybody in the car received a nice gift. What a thrill it was going across the bridge, but sometimes I miss the ferry as well as the kids coming by your car selling smoked fish or pasties and anything else you might want to eat while you were waiting for the ferry. That was always our dinner so many good memories. Not so different from the good memories we all have about Lewis and Clark and all they did and wrote about as well as the thrill of hearing stories passed down through native families along the trail. Your Servant Bob Anderson Piqua Shawnee tribal members including ORC President Bob Anderson help commemorate Meriwether Lewis s survey on November 23, 1806 to determine the accuracy of Dr. Walker s line

2 Ohio River Chapter of the LCTHF Cumberland Gap & Pine Mountain State Resort Park, KY Chapter Meeting Minutes November 6, 2010 President Bob Anderson called the meeting to order. He welcomed all attending and asked the 32 members present to introduce themselves and to identify where they lived. Secretary s minutes of the last meeting were printed and distributed. Nancy Spencer moved acceptance; motion seconded by Doug Wozniak. Motion passed. Jerry Wilson reported on the Wellness Committee. Nineteen people are registered for the Foundation s wellness challenge. The auction at tonight s dinner should raise at least $300. The T-Shirt sale was over $200, which covered the cost of purchase plus a profit for the program. This activity should make Foundation members more aware of the Ohio River Chapter. Tom Williams reported on the ORC/Boy Scout Patch program. Press releases were sent to 160 newspapers in 5- state area. Also made contact with all Scout councils in Michigan except two to make them aware of the program and to inform them of the ORC contact. To date we ve had 22 contacts from Scouts and leaders and two patches earned. Regional meeting program was discussed. The dedication ceremony including the Shawnee presentation was particularly inspirational with their service honoring veterans. The American Heritage Girls organization has approached the chapter and would like to participate in a patch program similar to the Boy Scout Patch Program. It would be selfsustaining as it is with the BSA. Tom Williams reported that he had told them he would discuss it at our November meeting and get back to the group. Ann Bear moved to extend the patch program to the AHG organization. Motion was seconded by Mark Bear and motion carried. Tom Williams presented an idea of the President Patch Award for members of the ORC. Since the success of the BSA patch project depends on our membership marketing the program, a list of ideas for helping to market the BSA patch would be assembled and each member could earn a patch. The patch could be earned by keeping a journal as required by each Scout for their patch. Requirements were discussed and consensus was to proceed on with the project. Stan Spencer reported about the building of a Fort Clatsop in Fremont, MI. BSA Gerald Ford Council built the fort for use of their members in A former Council leader who donated around $50,000 funded it. Discussion centered on seeing the fort; use of the fort, and the possibility of nominating the project for a national award. Jim Mallory moved to plan an ORC recognition at the spring meeting and prepare a national nomination for the 2012 National Meeting in Clarksville. Seconded by Dick Keith. Motion passed. A committee will plan to visit the fort to gain information. Several members who live closer to the fort will arrange a time. Anyone interested contact Stan Spencer or Tom Williams. Newsletter mailing was discussed. Some members would like the newsletter mailed to their homes instead of receiving it via the Internet. Skip Medley moved to add $5.00 to the dues each year for those people who would like their newsletter mailed. Motion seconded by Jan Huff. Motion carried. Stan Spencer distributed copies of the History of the Ohio River Chapter. He and Nancy received information from several charter members and prepared and printed the project. Members expressed their appreciation of a job well done. Jerry Wilson added an item to the agenda. Big Bone Lick needs new signs. Jerry volunteers for the park and they had approached him to see if our chapter would be interested in being a sponsor for a sign. Motion by Nancy Spencer to form committee to finalize wording of a sign to be presented to our group for final approval. Grant Kearns supported motion. Motion passed. President Bob Anderson appointed Skip Jackson, Jim Holmberg, and Jerry Wilson to the committee, which will report at the spring meeting. Spring meeting will be held in May at Mackinaw City. It will be open to anyone who would like to participate. Ron Laycock will present program on fur trade, which is one of the three areas of focus. The remaining two are the Northwest Passage and French Influence which will be part of the Friday Sunday agenda. For those who are able to stay over, the Spencers invited all to their cottage; adding another stop before going home would be to stop at the Wozniacks who live near Sleeping Bear Dune. Jim Keith reported on the planning for the 2012 meeting in Clarksville. He asked for some time on the agenda in May for ideas for the program. The current theme being investigated concerns Charles Floyd and the Nine Young Men from Kentucky. The chapter expressed their appreciation for the good meeting at Cumberland. Announcements: Jerry Wilson suggested a regional meeting could be held in New Orleans since he feels there is a Lewis and Clark connection. Respectfully submitted, Kay Williams, Secretary

3 TENTATIVE ITINERARY Northern Michigan Meeting for the Ohio River Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation Straits of Mackinac, Mackinaw City, Michigan May 13-14, 2011 Regular Meeting and Program Friday Evening 3:00-5:00 P.M. Check-in at meeting headquarters hotel: Mackinaw Beach and Bay All Suites Resort 929 South Huron Mackinaw City, Michigan or $59.99 plus tax per night Rooms blocked until April 13, 2011 Mention Lewis and Clark meeting for special rate 5:00-7:00 P.M. Dinner on your own 7:00 P.M. Reception and evening program in the hotel meeting room: Welcome - Stan Spencer, president-elect, ORC Special display: Equipment from the Lewis and Clark Expedition presented by Richard Hennings from Charlotte, Michigan Guest speaker: Ron Lacock from Minnesota Topic: The Dorians and the Fur Trade Follow up speaker: Jerry Robertson Topic: The Provenance of Artist John Cylmer s print of Maria Dorien Overview of next day: Stan Spencer, view DVD Saturday Morning Free complimentary breakfast at the hotel for guests Breakfast brainstorming session led by Jim Keith Topic: Hosting the 2012 LCTHF Annual Meeting in Clarksville, Indiana Everyone is invited to offer input. 9:00 A.M. Business meeting in the hotel meeting room 10:00 A.M.-Noon Tour historic Marquette Mission Park and Museum of Ojibwa Culture: 500 N. State Street St. Ignace, Michigan (906) Admission: $2.00 per person Possible stop at Father Marquette National Memorial (north end of Mackinac Bridge) Meet at outdoor pavilion for short talk by Lou Ritten from Illinois Topic: Father Marquette, the Relevant Jesuit Saturday Afternoon 12:00-1:30 P.M. Lunch in the hotel meeting room featuring a special Michigan delicacy the pasty 2:00-4:00 P.M. Tour Colonial Fort Michilimackinac Park under the Mackinac Bridge Admission: $ range Saturday Evening 6:00 P.M. Dinner at Audie s Restaurant $ range 314 N. Nicolet Mackinaw City, Michigan :00 P.M. R&R back in the hotel meeting room Possible spelling bee for a prize! Far Horizons for a prize! For more information, contact: Stan Spencer President Elect Ohio River Chapter LCTHF spencer6845@yahoo.com Sunday (May 15): Optional Post Trip #1 Take ferry of your choice to Mackinac Island. Spend the day on the island visiting Fort Mackinac and other sites, bicycling, carriage riding, eating fudge, etc. Monday (May 16): Optional Post Trip #2 Spend the day at the very rustic and humble Spencer cottage in northern Michigan on Intermediate Lake in Antrim County located between the towns of Central Lake and Bellaire. Address of Spencer cottage: 459 N. Intermediate Lake Road Central Lake, Michigan cell phone Pontoon Intermediate Lake and learn the history and ecology of the area from your guides and hosts, ORC members Stan and Nancy Spencer.

4 Numerous lodges and resorts are located within ten miles (i.e. Shanty Creek or the Bellaire Inn). For more information, contact either of the following: Shanty Creek Resorts standard rate $ plus tax for 2 people (10% AAA discount available) Bellaire Inn 728 East Cayuga Street Bellaire, Michigan standard rate $65.00 plus tax (no discounts) Tuesday (May 17): Optional Post Trip #3 Enjoy a personalized guided tour of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Your hosts will be ORC members Doug and Margaret Wozniak from Beulah, Michigan, in Benzie County. The tour will begin and end at their home. Address of Wozniak home: 930 Bluewater Drive Beulah, Michigan The Best Western Scenic Hill Resort is located in the area. For more information, contact the following: Best Western Scenic Hill Resort 1400 US Highway 31 Beulah, Michigan or standard rate $77.39 plus tax Numerous accommodations are also available in the Traverse City, Michigan area that would place you half way between the Spencer cottage and Wozniak home. Meal Information: Friday evening - On your own. We will eat at Darrow s Restaurant 303 Louvingney Street, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, (231) and suggest it to you if you have no other ideas. Saturday noon - On your own or join us for pasties at the hotel meeting room. Pasties are a traditional food eaten by the miners who came to Michigan s Upper Peninsula. Wives would make a thick crust and fill it with meat, carrots, potatoes, turnips, etc., fold it into a crescent shape, seal it and heat it in the morning. After wrapping in a cloth, it would stay warm the entire day. Pasties come with veggies only or chicken or beef. Please indicate on the form included if you would like to join us for the pasty lunch. (NOTE - pasties are not something all would like. Stan, for instance, will be joining us, but he will bring his own sub. You can join us if you want with any food you may bring.) Saturday evening - Audies Restaurant - full menu, but noted for its Lake Michigan whitefish. Sunday - on your own Monday noonish - burgers and brats at Spencer s cottage. Please indicate below if you re coming. Tuesday 10 A.M. - With the Wozniaks at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Please indicate below if you re coming: Please reply by April 15 by or USPS to: spencer6845@yahoo.com or Stan Spencer, 6845 N. Whitneyville Rd., Middleville, MI Your Name: Number planning to attend the Mackinaw meeting: Saturday noon pasties lunch (pasty, drink, cookie) Cost: $7.00. Indicate number and type. Payment will be by cash at the beginning of Friday s evening meeting. Veggie Chicken Beef Monday at Spencer s cottage: Donation for lunch and soft drinks with any profits to the national LCTHF. Number visiting Tuesday at Wozniak s house: Nominal charge to be determined. Number visiting

5 2012 Annual Meeting Looking ahead to the 2012 Trail Heritage Foundation meeting in the Falls of the Ohio region is very exciting. The planning committee is being very diligent about building a comprehensive meeting that will include activities for youth, a day trip to Vincennes, Indiana to visit the national George Rogers Clark memorial and seminars, which will focus on the area s many connections to the Expedition. The Falls of the Ohio is where it all began when the captains met to recruit, enlist and train the Corps of Discovery. They departed from here on October 26, 1803 and returned to here November Youth will enjoy the area s camp-o-ree held at the home site of General George Rogers Clark on Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. There will be demonstrations of the Corps recruitment, enlistment and training. Area scout groups will be included. The day trip to Vincennes will be a study of the War of 1812 and its connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The national memorial has recently been completely renovated. The planning committee is looking forward to having many people join the 2012 meeting and is working hard to include a variety of events that will have a broad appeal. One goal of the committee is to keep registration rates very affordable so that families can participate. The headquarters hotel is the Holiday Inn Lakeview in Clarksville. Jim Keith, Executive Director LEWIS AND CLARK AND NEW ORLEANS Blaise Cenas Part II In Part I of my articles relating to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and New Orleans I wrote about the experience Lewis had with his air rifle at Brunot s Island. Of course it was Blaise Cenas, who being unacquainted with the management of the gun suffered her to discharge herself accedentaly (sic) the ball passed through the hat of a woman, etc. Again, Cenas married into a political family from Philadelphia, thus was known by Lewis. He was a Freemason as well. Like Lewis he was on his way west as part of a government job. He ended up in New Orleans as that city s first postmaster and later became sheriff. Other family members, including his wife and children also became involved in New Orleans and later Texas politics. Well how did Cenas travel from Pittsburgh to New Orleans? I do not know for sure as I have not been able to locate any kind of Cenas journal. However, I believe it would be a reasonable assumption to state that Cenas and his family traveled by boat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Thus I believe I could trace the river trip using other journals. Some information could be gathered from the writings of Lewis on the Ohio, but what about the Mississippi? Zadok Cramer s THE NAVIGATOR would be useful, but in 1803/04 he had not written much about the Mississippi. In THE JOURNAL OF ANDREW ELLICOTT he had written information about the mouth the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. However, I believe it would be best to depend on an old standby for Ohio River Chapter members, A JOURNEY THROUGH THE WEST Thomas Rodney s 1803 Journal from Delaware to The Mississippi Territory. I have to believe that Cenas visited Marietta, Point Pleasant, Gallipolis, Cincinnati (and nearby Big Bone Lick), Falls of the Ohio and Fort Massac and all other Lewis and Clark sites on the Ohio River. Actually, some of those places could not be avoided. New Madrid and Fort Pickering on the Mississippi River would, I believe, been stops as well. Thomas Rodney left Wheeling on September 20 th, 1803 and arrived in Natchez on December 1st, I know that Blaise Cenas was at Brunot s Island on August 31st, 1803 and was appointed New Orleans postmaster on October 1 st, It took Rodney nearly two and one-half months for his river travel. How long did it take Cenas, he would need to travel further from Natchez to New Orleans, I do not know. My next installment will be related to Cenas in New Orleans. Research is still in the making. Janice and I have located his tomb, which is found in the wonderful old St. Louis Cemetery #1. We have also found the location of his New Orleans home (in the French Quarter) and the location of the first U.S. Post Office. Jerry Wilson For pictures from the Lewis and Clark at Cumberland Gap Regional Meeting see below and next page:

6 The Year 1811 As a member of the Ohio River Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation I am often searching for connections that I can further study. The year 2011 is the bicentennial of several important events in the history of the United States that can make for that study. No doubt, in the year 1811 not many people were concerned about the Lewis and Clark Expedition of Jefferson was no longer president. Lewis had been dead for over a year. Clark was involved in the politics of Missouri. Other expedition members had moved on or had even died. We know that the Louisiana Purchase and information brought back by the expedition hastened the settlement of land in the Ohio River and Mississippi River valleys as well as land west of the Mississippi.. People of European heritage were moving into unknown areas that had been occupied by natives for hundreds of years. Certainly neither group of people really knew what to expect. Were the events of 1811 warnings of what was to come? Why was 1811 important? What events took place in 1811? Were these events man-made or forces of nature? What about The Great Comet of 1811, which was visible for 260 days? Of course, the comet was a force of nature, as were the earthquakes centered at New Madrid, which lasted into What about the voyage of the steamboat New Orleans that was an important man-made event? And, to me, the most closely Lewis and Clark related event of 1811 was the Battle of Tippecanoe. Even the extended family of Jefferson, those with the Lewis name, had an important role of the year 1811 in the history of our country. I plan to read and study about the year 1811 as much as possible. I would encourage other chapter members to do so as well. Maybe this study could lead to possible topics for future chapter meetings. I would like to report my findings in future editions of our chapter newsletter, as well. Jerry Wilson LEWIS AND CLARK WELLNESS CHALLENGE The 2010/2011 Lewis and Clark Wellness Challenge sponsored by the Ohio River Chapter is off to a good start. We have eight teams; four from the Mouth of the Platt Chapter, two from the Ohio River Chapter, one from the Wisconsin Chapter, and one from the Minnesota Chapter. This is an increase from 2009/2010, and we hope to have more foundation members join in the future. We have also discovered that the National Park Service is interested in these types of activities in relation to the Lewis and Clark Trail Eastern Legacy completion. The purpose of the wellness challenge is to promote good fitness, good nutrition and trail maintenance Prizes are awarded to challenge participants. Last year the ORC provided funds for a patch and a certificate. Two events were held at the November regional meeting at Cumberland Gap as fundraisers. One event was a t-shirt sale that provided a profit of $239. The second event was a highly successful silent auction that provided $819. This money was placed into a special account and will be used for future challenge awards only. We may need to ask the chapter for support funds in the future, but as for the next several years we have this money available. Some type of awards we are looking into are lapel pins, caps/hats, t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. Thanks to all chapter who purchased t-shirts and who either donated or bought silent auction items. Jerry and Janice Wilson SwitchBoard.jsp?token= %3A &s ourceid= &cm_mmc= -_-share-_- Photos-_-Sharee

7 Attention Ohio River Chapter Members Dues for 2011 are due Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Write a check in the amount of $10.00 per person/$15.00 per family made payable to Ohio River Chapter. Please complete this form and send it with your check to Richard Skip Jackson, Treasurer Ohio River Chapter 3240 Koenig Avenue Cincinnati, OH ADD $5.00 IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE the On The Ohio NEWSLETTER BY MAIL

8 Usual Conversation Unusual Trail Connection My oldest friend is spending three winter months in Florida near Ft. Myers. (Of course, I m jealous!) Our phone conversation centered on her anticipation of the warmth in the sun and then on the sites she and her husband look forward to visiting in the area. She brought up the Ding Darling Drive near Sanibel Island. ( I could relate to the place since my parents, sisters, and I had driven through many years ago, probably in March. She mentioned how amazing it was to see the white pelicans en masse each February; only February she said, since they migrate back up to the Missouri and other rivers like clockwork. Well, of course, I had to tell her about the white pelicans described in the Lewis, Clark, (also, Ordway, Whitehouse, and Gass) journal entries of August 8, This is actually one of my favorite mental visions of what the journals describe. I think Lewis entered the scene best by explaining as they rounded a bend, the river turned white from shore to shore. Imagine. (If this isn t a Charley Fritz, Michael Haynes, or Gary Lucy scenario, I don t know any journal descriptions, which would be better on canvas!) A boatman explains the whiteness as pelican feathers, and soon Lewis describes a mid-channel sand bar where 5 to 6 thousand molting fowl are in motion: some flying, some landing, some eating, some preening, but all remaining close to the sanctuary of the sand bar. Imagine. Lewis decides to get scientific info and, after killing a large pelican, finds the pouch will hold five gallons of water. I thought this was pretty gross, but Lewis spared nothing for enlightenment it seems. I didn t tell my friend this sidebar. On the Bicentennial Trail, I expounded enthusiastically, near this location was a stop by the DESC boats at the confluence of the Little Sioux with the Missouri. The southeast side of the Little Sioux is now a major private campground, Woodland Park Campground (Google gets only Woodland Park Manager for some reason). Just like the pelicans of yore, the local folks love to come there to fish and boat. My friend and her husband would enjoy the variety of fish to be caught on this stretch of water, being avid fishermen. (FYI: adjacent to the campground is the Three Rivers Wildlife Refuge and upriver is Deer Island Wildlife Management Refuge with Pelican Point, on the Nebraska side, upstream from the Deer Island WMR.) Poor friend had to listen to me tell about the Niobrara River upstream from the Gavin Point Dam where the Missouri river, filling up with Niobrara sand, produces rushes which provide shelter for the migrators. I continued relating that while I was heading upriver in 2004 to the wonderful Nebraska State Park system s Niobrara campground in old Winnie, I snapped pictures of several large pelican gatherings near the riverside of the second location of the town of Niobrara. (FYI: There are 3 locations due to the Gavin Point Dam raising the Missouri depth.) Even saw a few more white pelicans on the Lewis and Clark Lake Overlook at historic Springfield, Nebraska. As you can imagine, our conversation soon drifted to other fishing stories, mostly hers, but I like to think my old friend found a new dimension to my Lewis and Clark travels. So now, as I watch the landscape fill up with about four inches of snow here in the Bluegrass, I m trying to figure out how to get to Ding s Drive on Sanibel this February where visions from the Trail at seventy-five degrees or better are very appealing. But really to you Lewis and Clarkers, my narrative is redundant for you probably have a few pelican encounters of your own. Happy Holidays, North or South Julia of ORC, LCTHF now in Lexington. At the saddle of the Cumberland Gap November 6, 2010

9 Note: Please send an to Lorna Hainesworth Ohio River Chapter Communications Officer indicating that you are willing to receive your next On The Ohio (OTO) newsletter via . The newsletter would come in the form of a PDF (which will probably be about 1MB in size) attached to an addressed to you. The benefits of receiving your OTO newsletter via are that the chapter saves money on paper and postage. Your Communications Officer uses less time in distributing the newsletter. Any pictures included in the newsletter will be in color. You have less paper to deal with and maybe we save a tree or two. Please be sure to write to Lorna as soon as possible, but no later than March 1, Clark Christmas Wednesday 25th December 1805 at day light this morning we we[re] awoke by the discharge of the fire arm of all our party & a Selute, Shoute and a Song which the whole party joined in under our windows, after which they retired to their rooms were Chearfull all the morning after brackfast we divided our Tobacco which amounted to 12 carrots one half of which we gave to the men of the party who used tobacco, and to those who doe not use it we make a present of a handkerchief, The Indians leave us in the evening all the party Snugly fixed in their huts I recved a presnt of Capt L. of a fleece hosrie Shirt Draws and Socks, a pr. mockersons of Whitehouse a Small Indian basket of Gutherich, two Dozen white weazils tails of the Indian woman, & Some black root of the Indians before their departure Drewyer informs me that he Saw a Snake pass across the parth to day. The day proved Showerey wet and disagreeable. we would have Spent this day the nativity of Christ in feasting, had we any thing either to raise our Sperits or even gratify our appetites, our Diner concisted of pore Elk, So much Spoiled that we eate it thro' mear necessity, Some Spoiled pounded fish and a fiew roots. UPCOMING MEETINGS 1. Mackinaw Spring Chapter Meeting, May 13-15, 2011 See details inside, spencer6845@yahoo.com LCTHF Annual Meeting First Encounters Omaha, NE & Council Bluffs, IA Metro Area, July 30 August 3, mouthoftheplatte@cox.net for more information LCTHF Annual Meeting Nine young Men Celebrating the Life of Sergeant Floyd, Clarksville, IN, July 29 August 1, 2010, Contact tourism@sunnysideoflouisville.org Ohio River Chapter LCTHF Lorna Hainesworth 9704 Tulsemere Road Randallstown, MD