Letter to the Editor

Discovering Indianola

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Dear Editor,

Your article about Neal Corey and his adventure with the Corps of Discovery was of great interest to me.

Much has been written of those courageous men who traveled west with the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803, returning in 1806. Much, too, has been said of those who journeyed in its re-enactment from 2003 to 2006.

Time was when the Corps of Discovery sailed down Indianola Main Street in August 2005 during the Old Settler's Parade.

Three of its crew members and its most famous passenger, Sacagawea, visited our town and a large crowd was there to greet their passing.

There was no press, and no interviews, and no pictures to mark the occasion in your paper.

This keelboat was not seaworthy, being made of wood and paper, chickenwire and willow boughs.

But it was praisworthy. One would think any contribution in commemoration to so historic an event would be noted. However, mistakes are made, and that happens sometimes.

It makes a fellow not want to contribute more. That, of course, sets a poor example for children who must learn: only through contribution is society bettered.

There probably won't be another Corps of Discovery for the next 100 years, and most certainly never again one like this.

Ours won second place in its category, and received a gift certificate from Lord's Hardware in Indianola. By eventime, it was history, relegated to a trash heap in the back yard; only a memory.

That it should make news now is a little after the fact. Ah, well.

Thanks, sincerely,

James J. Sughroue,

McCook

EDITOR'S NOTE -- Neal and Mary Lee Corey's presentation about their adventure was postponed because of the snowy weather. It will be 7 p.m. March 5 in the Red Willow County Fairgrounds community building.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: