| |
|
|
from the issue of September 16, 2004
|
| |
|
|
| |
A Piece of University History
As Lincoln prepares for the world premiere of a concerto created with composer Philip Glass and inspired by the Lewis and Clark journeys of 200 years ago, we too focus on the explorers' legendary travels. University Archives has in its collection an 1807 volume detailing the journey by Patrick Gass, one of the members of the expedition.
| |
| | | The title page of A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery states the book contains "an authentic relation of the most interesting transactions during the expedition, a description of the country, and an account of its inhabitants, soil, climate, curiosities, and vegetable and animal productions."
|
Records show that Gass was hired as head carpenter of the crew but was also asked by Meriwether Lewis to be one of seven journalists to keep a record of the historic expedition. Gass' journal, pictured at right, was first published in 1807, one year after the journey was completed and seven years before the publication of the official accounts of Lewis and Clark.
Gass was born in 1771 and had served as a private in the 1st Infantry division before joining Lewis and Clark's expedition. He was promoted during the journey to sergeant after the death of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only man to die on the expedition. Gass later served in the War of 1812, married in 1831 and had six children. The last surviving member of the expedition, he died in April 1870.
In this weekly feature, the Scarlet takes a look back at a moment of UNL's past through a historical photo, story or short trivia item.
Information for "A Piece of University History" is provided by the University Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries. For more information or to suggest a historical topic for this feature, call 472-8515.
GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 16
NEWS HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 16
Concerto Honors Partners
New chillers will keep us cool, even in winter
Poll: Rural Nebraskans optimistic
A Perfect Day for a Sundae
A Piece of University History
Deadlines set for CA award nominations
Depth-reporting students to tackle France, U.S. relations
731840S33594X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|