First Election West of Mississippi

Photo: Creative Commons 2.0

On August 22, 1804, about 30 miles upstream from the burial site of Charles Floyd, the captains decided to appoint a replacement for the deceased sergeant. What would become the first official election held west of the Mississippi River, all the men cast their votes.

William Clark recorded the results in his journal entry for the day:
“ordered a vote for a Serjeant to chuse one of three which may be the highest number the highest numbers are P. Gass had 19 Votes, Bratton, & Gibson”

The site of this vote is believed to be in today’s Heritage Park at the edge of Elk Point, South Dakota.