Welcome to the American Story. Mostly true stories about what it is that makes America beautiful.

Heartbreaking, funny, inspiring, and endlessly interesting.

This is Chris Flannery with the Claremont Institute.

I call this one, on the way to Beebys.

If you are walking down Broadway in St Louis,

on your way to Beebes jazz, blues, and soups,

as you should be,

you'll walk in the shadow of the gateway arch with the mighty Mississippi running strong on your left.

Not far beyond the old courthouse where a couple of Dreadscots trials took place.

Somewhere in the neighborhood you will run across a historic marker for the Battle of

Fort San Carlos, said to be the westernmost battle of the American Revolution, and nearby another marker for Lewis and Clark,

who returned to St. Louis from their historic explorations.

But just before stepping into Beebes, about the time you start hearing that good American music drifting out into the street,

you'll spot the Field House, childhood home of Eugene Field, the children's poet, and of his father, Roswell M Field, who as it turns

out was Dred Scott's lawyer at one stage of his years long legal struggle.

You may not remember the children's poet by name,

but you've likely read or heard some of his work,

like Little Boy Blue, or this family favorite.

Winkin' blinkin' a nod one night

sailed off in a wooden shoe, sailed on a river of crystal light

into a sea of dew.

Where are you going and what do you wish? the old moon asked the three.

...