York, Explorer and Slave

One member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition did not volunteer. He was York, a slave owned by expedition co-leader William Clark.

York exhibited considerable skills while trekking in the wilderness, and served at times as one of the expedition's hunters. He also fascinated the Indians encountered on the way, most of whom had never met, or even imagined, a black person.

Over the years, a story developed that Clark had freed York as a reward for his exemplary service on the voyage to the Pacific and back. But like many things having to do with slavery, the truth was more complicated.