Two young fourth grade students had an original idea. Some states have state dogs, but Missouri does not have an official state dog. In Missouri, fourth graders study Missouri history and the importance of the Lewis & Clark Expedition to Missouri and the nation. These two girls focus became a state dog for Missouri based on their studies of the expedition.
So, they wrote a letter to their state representative Jason Brown of Platte City. Platte City is a little east of Leavenworth, Kansas and northwest of Kansas City. These cities were each stops on the Heart of America “A Journey Fourth” commemoration of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial in July 2004 on the Missouri River highway of Lewis & Clark.
It turns out that the bicentennial fever of 2004-2006 resulted in four new statue groups in the State of Missouri that included “Seaman,” the Newfoundland dog who accompanied Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery.
One by Harry Weber is on the Mississippi River banks just below the Eads Bridge in St.Louis and it was dedicated in September 2006. High water there sometime covers Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and “Seaman.” The one in St. Charles is on a little higher ground and again includes Lewis, Clark, and the dog. It is by Pat Kennedy and it was dedicated in 2003. Kansas City’s Case Park has a fine “Corps of Discovery” statue by Eugene Daub that towers above the Missouri River and also visitors to the park.
The last Missouri tribute to “Seaman” was dedicated on the Missouri State Capitol grounds in June, 2008 and is a very fine statue group that includes a user friendly dog statue that children and adults enjoy climbing on the dog’s back for photo opportunities. We think it is the best Lewis & Clark statue group in the state of Missouri or perhaps on the entire Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail.
The Eugene Daub “Corps of Discovery” statue was dedicated in Kansas City in April 2000. National Lewis & Clark bicentennial leaders were in attendance including Stephen E. Ambrose, Dayton Duncan and Tex Hall. It was Missouri’s first bicentennial tribute to the Corps of Discovery.
A smaller version of the “Corps of Discovery” by Eugene Daub that was dedicated in Kansas City can also be seen in the DNR Lewis and Clark Building in Jefferson City. There a one-third scale model is in the first floor atrium and is an excellent place to view another “Seaman” and York on the back side of this 360 degree interpretation by sculptor Daub. On the front you can see Lewis & Clark and perhaps one of the finest image of Sacagawea on the entire Lewis & Clark Historic Trail. See photos below.
Representative Brown filed a bill #1271 in December 2009 proposing that the Newfoundland be named the state dog in honor of “Seaman.” So some time before the current legislative session ends in mid-May 2010, Missouri may just have a new state dog.
However, Missouri is blessed with several famous dogs and breeds like the coonhounds favored by hunters that might make this proposal a real “dog fight.”
Tonight television station KOMU (http://www.komu.com) had a very nice story that included thoughts by sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer, and we hope Lewis & Clark faithful across this great land will perhaps look to Missouri to see how this little drama plays out. Huzzah!See the KOMU link at:http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/250910bc-80ce-0971-00ad-a113c2a07a63
News of the bill filing has also reached as far away as St. Johns, Newfoundland and a CBC St. Johns morning program podcast that I listened to today from a December 2009 interview with the congressman.
And So it Goes! Attached photos included : 1 winter scene in Jefferson City Lewis and ClarkTrailhead; 2 Harry Weber sculpture “Captains’ Return” near the St. Louis Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River. Clark is waving his hat; 3 Eugene Daub sculpture in Jefferson City; 4 Eugene Daub statue image of Sacagawea in DNR Lewis & Clark building atrium in Jefferson City;5 Discovery Expedition of St. Charles musters at “Captains’ Return” in St. Louis;6. Well known portrayer of York, Hussan Davis with Newfoundland dog at Clarksville, KY at bicentennial “The Journey Begins” event.