PSU Magazine Winter 2003

York, considering his contributions to the expedition 1 The irony is that Clark chose to free at least one other slave, a man named Ben, "in consideration of the services already rendered Lo me," reports noted historian Robert B. Betts. Millner says the letters suggest York was emancipated by Clark around 1815 to 1816-some nine LO Len years after the return of the Corps of Discov– ery. That news has only begun Lo see the light of day. "All of the scholarship from the 1970s and 1980s said Clark gave York his freedom right after they returned," says Millner. "The books are still on the shelves, but the letters prove other– wise." While on the trail, York's rifle skills made him one of the sharpest hunters. He regularly bagged buffalo, deer, duck, and other game, Millner says. Inasmuch as law prohibited slaves from being armed, York's ability might seem surprising. But his skills undoubtedly stemmed from his upbringing at Clark's side. Because he was groomed to be Clark's slave, York learned Lo do all that Clark was taught, including the skills thought necessary for a young frontiersman. Yorks dark skin did set him apart from others on the expedition, notes Millner. "There was tremendous curiosity about York" from the Native Americans, and York used his rarity to help bridge the differences between the two worlds. "lL put him in a diplo– matic contact position that was absolutely crucial LO the success of the expedition," says Millner, referring to the buttons-for-food trading incident and others. There was great interest in York among the Arikara Indians, Lewis' journal notes: they were "much aston– ished at my Black Servent and Call him the big medison." --- uch has been written noting that both York and Sacajawea, the young Shoshone guide, cast ballots when Lewis and Clark asked the expe– dition to vote where to build winter quarters in late 1805. However, the significance of their inclusion in the democratic process is unclear when it is noted that the two non-whites were the last to cast ballots. Questions remain, Loo, over York's final years. ln a leuer to author In 1908 Charles M. Russell painted "York" from his imagination, since there are no photographs, drawings, or even good descriptions of the slave who served William Clark. Washington Irving, the former master wrote that York was unhappy and unseuled , and reportedly told Clark, "Damn this freedom. l have never had a happy day since l got it. " Yet others cite records of a trader's visit with a black man, who lived with the Crow Indians, enjoying a position or authority and power. This man, records say, "assumes all of the digni– ties or a chief," including having four wives. --- illner says he believes histori– ans have been reluctant Lo sketch a more positive portrayal or York over the years largely because for an African American Lo be seen as a hero "was counter productive to the racial theo– ties and behaviors of our Limes. African Americans weren't supposed to be that capable." ln fact, Millner says, the research about York over the years has tended to reflect more about the generation studying the man than about the man himself. "The story has always been disfigured and distorted to satisfy the racial needs or whatever generation was studying him," says Millner. "But the story is being rewritten now. The real York or the expedition and the York or slavery is beginning Lo emerge." ln addition Lo his teaching, Millner is preparing a manuscript about York for the Oregon Historical Society. lt will be published in 2003 to coincide with the bicentennial celebration of the Corps of Discovery. D (Dee Anne Finken is a Vancouver, Wash– ington, freelance writer.) WINTER 2003 PSU MAGAZINE 17