Pompy's Tower

Journal 2006 07 25
Pompy’s Tower

After taking cover under deerskins because of the hard, cold rain falling Clark and party set out again down the Yellowstone River where he records, “at 4 P M arived at a remarkable rock [2] Situated in an extensive bottom on the Stard. Side of the river & 250 paces from it. this rock I ascended and from it's top had a most extensive view in every direction. This rock which I shall Call Pompy's Tower is 200 feet high and 400 paces in secumphrance and only axcessable on one Side which is from the N. E the other parts of it being a perpendicular Clift of lightish Coloured gritty rock on the top there is a tolerable Soil of about 5 or 6 feet thick Covered with Short grass. The Indians have made 2 piles of Stone on the top of this Tower. The nativs have ingraved on the face of this rock the figures of animals &c. near which I marked my name and the day of the month & year. From the top of this Tower I Could discover two low Mountains & the Rocky Mts. covered with Snow S W.”  This formation resembles a smaller version of the famous Devil’s Tower. Why William Clark chooses to name it for the youngest member of the party he doesn’t say. We do know that several years later then Governor Clark will raise this young man as his own son. The infant boy had drawn the hearts of the men over the course of this epic. Though many of the names bestowed by Lewis and Clark didn’t stick Pompy’s Tower did. On a modern map it is known as Pompeys Pillar. What a life and legacy this little guy had already laid down! And he hadn’t even ventured one step of the mile of miles these men had traversed. His legacy started with his parents before he could even walk and set him on a course of life that took him around the world and back into the wilderness where he would die at age sixty. More on young Mr. Charbonneau later.

Lewis and his men are hunkered down by the same storm except for Droulliard and Joseph Fields who Captain Lewis sends downstream in search of meat other than doves. As Lewis and the men in camp are preparing dove for dinner, the hunters return with a fine buck, reporting that the main branch of Maria’s River is only about ten miles south. Lewis declares the venison to be “sumptuous” fare.

Back at the tall, circular, flat-topped rock Clark is afforded a view not available from the riverbed. Here he gains perspective he cannot see from the seat of the canoe. How many times would we benefit from finding a tower to scale and gaining a better view? “… Oh lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For You have been my shelter, a strong tower before the enemy.” (Psalms 61:2-3 LITV) I’m making this my prayer for today. One of a discovery of heightened perspective. An unexpected discovery that leads to an unexpected view of my journey. Will you make it yours?

One thing I have learned in my journey is that as true as the Scripture above is the way to find it is to pray and believe that “The name of Jehovah is a tower of strength, the righteous runs into it and is set on high.” (Proverbs 18:10 LITV)

Proceed on.