Yellowstone County – Added Information   Grave Site of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau
Logo image – Vikki Gray	Located off Highway 95 – South of Jordan Valley, OR.	Document Date: September 1, 2010

 

 

Revised Tuesday, September 07, 2010

 

Pomp, son of Toussaint Charbonneau and Sacagawea born February 11, 1805 in Mandan Village Territory of Louisiana, is buried in Jordan Valley, Oregon, about 6 miles to the west of Highway 95, and 12 miles south of the Jordan Valley town (truck stop). There is a site marker on the highway. The Oregon Historical Society maintains his burial site at W117.3390 & N42.9517 degrees, and at an elevation of about 4270 feet. The following photos were taken September 2005. (Note: enlargement of grave marker taken 8-2010) The “Inskip Ranche” later had a fort, named FORT DOBIE, located there; although the local name was ‘Inskip (Inskeep) Station’. [Photos by webmaster – click to enlarge]. From a great book, “In Times Past”, by Hazel R. Fretwell-Johnson – 1990; pages 87-90, the events leading to ‘Pomp’s’ death & burial were recorded in detail: The Danner PO was established south of the site, and bears the name “Jesse Anderson – General Store.”

“The Inskip Station and the burial grounds are approximately on the ‘Old ION Highway (Boise to Winnemucca) & the former Central Oregon Military road that passed through the region’. Silas Skinner, James Jordan and Peter Donnelly built a toll road in 1963 and better passageway from Silver City to the Owyhee Crossing. This action increased the numbers of travelers and their need to stay under the protection of the Inskip Station. In 1866 a small cemetery was started just to the north of the station, and graves were marked with lava rocks. It is here that Jean Baptiste Charbonneau died on May 16, 1866 from mountain fever (pneumonia). Others buried here are: Jake Dixon (October 7, 1866); Ethan Wright (August 13, 1869); Gertrude Inskeep – granddaughter of Edward Watts Inskeep (December 10, 1873 and James Doe (March 13, 1881). Emma Inskeep Neal was one of the local attendees in 1971 when the grave site was dedicated.”

At the dedication ceremony on August 6, 1971 the Charbonneau Flag, which was flown over Washington, DC commemorating the 105^th anniversary of his death, was sent to the grave site for the event. Representatives of federal and state governments, William Clark’s great-great grandson William Clark Adreon of St Louis, MO, Owen Buxton, great grandson of Sgt Patrick Gass (member of the L&C Expedition), Charbonneau history researcher, Irwin W Anderson[1], Members of the local DAR, six members of the National Guard’s 116^th Horse Cavalry unit, 13 m3mbers of the Inskeep family, and various friends from East to West.

In the early 1900’s the military road had a steel bridge installed next to the Inskip Ranch. It was ordered from a Sears’ catalog. Pictures are available. Contact webmaster.

 

 

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