8 TH BE -AUDUB ON Bil DE 
The Statement by Elmer Hart on the Occasion of 
Appearing Before Governor Ogilvie About the 
Future of the Lewis & Clark Memorial Park 
“TI recognize and respect the fact that you as Governor of this great state 
Illinois are being called upon from many avenues of endeavor, especia 
curing these times of unrest all over the world. 
With this thought in mind, I will try to be as brief as possible. I co 
before you in behalf of the future fate of the little 3-acre Lewis & Cle 
Memorial Park located at the confluence of the two world-known rivers, t 
great Mississippi and the turbulent Missouri. 
I need not go too far into the details of the history behind this lit 
park, for I am sure you are well aware of its significance to Illinois histo 
Over a quarter of a century ago Irving Dilliard of Collinsville, wh 
the editor of a large St. Louis newspaper, pioneered by sounding out t 
need for a bit of public space on the great Mississippi River in Illinois ¢ 
posite the confluence of these rivers. Mr. Dilliard at the same time was ¢: 
rying the torch to light the way for recognition of Lewis & Clark and th 
Illinois campsite of 1803-04. The late Dr. Howard Trovillion of Alton light 
his torch from that of Dilliard’s, and after an extensive and exhaustive } 
search that cost a large sum of money out of his own pocket, discovered 1 
proper location for a Lewis & Clark memorial marker which is opposite t 
confluence on Illinois soil. 
Some 14 years ago, two other men lighted their torches from that 
Dr. Trovillion. These men were State Senator Crisenbery of Murphysbo 
and the then State Representative Ralph Smith of Alton. These men spe: 
headed the necessary legislation in the Illinois senate and house, securi 
passage of a bill signed by Gov. William Stratton and establishing the n 
essary legal right to erect an historical marker. Congressman Melvin Pr: 
had a great part in this because it also involved the federal government 
the land was federally-owned and in the hands of the Army Corps. 
Engineers. 
So in 1956 the Illinois State Historical Society erected a large sto 
marked with a bronze plate describing in brief this great expedition. T 
cost of the plaque was $250 and that of the stone marker $150. This includ 
transportation from the Quarry at Athens, Ill. It was erected in Septemt 
of 1956. 
I am reminded of a man who lived some 3,000 years ago who cried ¢' 
before the people of a great nation stating that he was no prophet, neitl 
a prophet’s son, but a herdsman and gatherer of sycamore fruit. I do 1! 
stand before you as an historian, neither an historian’s son, but as a her¢ 
man and gatherer of sycamore fruit. However, I do believe as the she: 
herder 3,000 years ago also believed. I carry a message today significe! 
with the proper respect for Illinois history. 
Another messenger some 2,000 years ago depicted himself as a vo’: 
crying out in the wilderness. We are also here to cry out along with others: 
not as the great man of old from the wilderness, but rather, we are here | 
cry out for the preservation of a little remaining wilderness which is sor: 
