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der=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%> Group prepares grave
MAY 3, 2000

In the early 1800s, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, also known as Pomp, traveled along with his mother, Sacajawea, throughout Lewis and Clark's exploration of the West.

Buried in southeastern Oregon's rural Jordan Valley, the Oregon Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation is preparing his grave for the bicentennial of the famed expedition in 2003. Some hundreds of visitors come to the site annually and the group forsees many more as the bicentennial nears.

The group began clearing away the overgrown grave site and plans new fencing, trees, and improved roadwork.

Pomp was born February 11, 1805. He grew up to be a world traveler and guide in the Mexican American War. Pomp was also the mayor of San Luis Rey, CA, for a brief time. He died in 1866 at age 61.

The gravesite was discovered in the 1960s. Although some some suggest he is buried at Fort Washakie in Wyoming along with his mother, most historians believe he was buried at Inskip Station. An obituary in an Idaho newspaper seems to confirm the location of his grave.

Staff and news wires contributed to this report.

Relevant Links:
Get a Sacagawea Bio and find Maps of Lewis & Clark's Journey from the PBS online exhibition of Lewis & Clark: The Native Americans.