Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Lewis and Clark Expedition

In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson purchased 828,000 square miles of land that extended from the Mississippi River Valley west to the eastern border of what is now the state of Idaho and from U.S./Canada border down through what is now northern Texas through what today is the state of Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico. It was called the Louisiana Purchase.

From 1804 to 1806 The Lewis and Clark Expedition journeyed across much of the Louisiana Purchase and further west to what is now called the Pacific Northwest and back again. During the journey Sgt. Charles Floyd fell ill and died in what is now Sioux City, Iowa. He was buried on what is called Floyds Bluff.

The years since his burial his remains have had to be re-interred at least 4 times due to the Missouri River washing away his grave. In the early 1900's the Floyd Monument was completed with Sgt. Floyd  interred permanently in the base of the obelisk as his final resting place.

Links to previous article in the series:
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Intro and Info.
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Credits and Thanks
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Pre-Sioux City

Links about the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Sgt. Charles Floyd:
The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Louisiana Purchase from the Library of Congress
Louisiana Purchase - Wikipedia
A History and Overview of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Coast
Lewis and Clark Expedition Routes
Lewis and Clark's Historic Trail
Lewis and Clark - National Geographic
History and Culture by Bicycle: Lewis and Clark
Sgt Charles Floyd - Wikipedia
Sgt Charles Floyd - Sioux City History
Floyd Monument - Wikipedia
History and Culture by Bicycle: Floyd Monument
Floyd Monument - Sioux City History