Overlooking the Missouri River...

Clarissa Powers White was born about 1830 and was raised in Lawrence County Illinois where she remained a resident for many years after her marriage to Joseph White which occurred March 25,1857.  Sometime after 1870 the couple moved to the far west.  Mrs. White was always delicate, and her health failed after their move. She at last expressed a desire to return to her old home in Lawrence County Illinois.  The couple started from Virginia City Montana on the 4th of July 1878.  Her health appeared to revive, and she was very cheerful during the first part of their journey according to her obituary.

But after boarding the steamer Josephine on the Missouri River her health declined and in a short time she died on August 2nd, 25 miles north of Bismarck, North Dakota at age 48 years.  The remains were brought down to Bismarck and interred at that place on a high and beautiful bluff overlooking the river.  Joseph White and son continued their journey homeward, arriving in Lawrence County Illinois about two weeks later. 

Her husband’s intention, as it was reported to the Rural Republican newspaper reporter, was to stay about 2 weeks, and then return to bring back the remains of his beloved wife to Lawrence County Illinois.

No information has been found as to whether Clarissa is buried in Lawrence County or whether her body remains on the beautiful bluff overlooking the Missouri river.