In One Ear: A celebrated day

Published 6:00 am Thursday, January 1, 2026

From William Clark’s journal, Jan. 1, 1806, at Fort Clatsop: “This morning I was awoke at an early hour by the discharge of a volley of small arms, which were fired by our party in front of our quarters to usher in the new year. This was the only mark of respect which we had it in our power to pay this celebrated day.   

“Our repast of this day, though better than that of Christmas, consisted principally in the anticipation of the first day of January 1807 when, in the bosom of our friends, we hope to participate in the mirth and hilarity of the day … 

“At present we were content with eating our boiled elk and wap-pato (a local aquatic tuberous plant), and solacing our thirst with our only beverage, pure water.” At least it wasn’t raining. (Painting: John Wesley Jarvis/Missouri Historical Society)