BILLINGS, Mont. – Federal officials have apprehended a person they believe carved a set of names into a national monument in Montana where explorer William Clark signed his moniker more than 200 years ago.
The new marking on Pompeys Pillar National Monument is about 3 feet from the signature of Clark, a member of the Corps of Discovery expedition that opened a land route to the West. It reads: "Cole + Shpresa 10/10/2013" and includes a heart.
Bureau of Land Management personnel noticed the carving on the sandstone formation during a walkthrough Oct. 17. Someone had to climb over a railing to make it.
BLM of Montana/Dakotas spokeswoman Melodie Lloyd tells The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/HrYNN4 ) the agency has apprehended a suspect. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed. Lloyd says defacing a national monument can result in felony charges.
Clark made his inscription July 25, 1806, on his return trip to St. Louis.
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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com
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