The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 Part 5

[Clark, June 8, 1804]

June 8th Friday Set out at Daylight proceeded on the Course of last night S 87 W 3 ms pa.s.sed a Willow Island, from the Point of last Course S 81 W. 3 ms.

to a pt. on S. S. pa.s.sd a ____ Isd. in the middle of the river, pa.s.sd a run on the Ld S. above a pt. of rocks 3 ms. on which thir is a number of Deer Licks, N 88 W. 3 Ms. to a pt L S. N. 83 W 2 ms. to the Mo of Mine River, psd an Isd.--This river is 90 yards wide & navagable for Perogues about 90 Ms. I went out on the L S. about 4 ms. below this R.

and found the Countrey for one mile back good Land and well watered the hills not high with a gentle a.s.sent from the river, well timbered with oake, walnit Hickory ash, &c. the land Still further back becoms thin and open, with Black & rasp Berries, and Still further back the Plains Commence, The french inform that Lead ore is found on this river in Several places, it heads up between the Osagees & Kansas River the right hand folk pa.s.ses in a Short distance of the Missourie at the antient Little Ozages Villages our hunter Killed, 2 Deer, after Staying one hour at the mouth of this River, Cap Lewis went out & proceeded on one Mile & came in, he fount the land in the point high and fine Course N. 64 W 1 Ms. to a pt. on S. S. N. 80 W to the Lower pot a Id. on L. S.

pa.s.sed a Small Isd. in the m. R. at (3 Ms.) met 3 men on a Caussee from R Dis Soux, above The Mahar Nation loaded with fur. Camped on the Lower point of an Id. L. S. called the Mills, here I found Kegs an Pummey stone, and a place that fur or Skins had been burred by the hunters our Hunters Killed 5 Deer, Some rain, the Countrey on the S. S. is Verry fine

[Clark, June 8, 1804]

8th of June, Friday 1804 Set out this morning at Daylight proceeden on the Course of last night Pa.s.sed two willow Islands & a Small Creek above a Rock point on the L.

S. at 6 miles on which there is a number of Deer Licks, pa.s.sed the Mine River at 9 ms. this river is about 70 yards wide at its mouth and is Said to be navagable for Perogues 80 or 90 ms. the main branch pa.s.ses near the place where the Little osage Village formerly Stood on the Missouries, & heads between the Osarge & Kansias Rivers, the left hand fork head with nearer Branches of the Osage River, The french inform that Lead Ore has been found in defferent parts of this river, I took Sjt. Floyd and went out 4 Ms. below this river, I found the land Verry good for a Mile or 11/2 Ms. back and Sufficiently watered with Small Streams which lost themselves in the Missouries bottom, the Land rose gradeuelly from the river to the Summit of the high Countrey which is not more that 120 foot above High Water mark, we joined the Boat & Dined in the point above the mouth of this River, Capt. Lewis went out above the river & proceeded on one mile, finding the Countrey rich, the wedes & Vines So thick & high he came to the Boat--proceeded on pa.s.sed an Island and Camped at the lower point of an Island on the L. S.

Called the Island of mills about 4 ms. above Mine River at this place I found Kanteens, Axs, Pumey Stone & peltrey hid & buried (I suppose by some hunters) none of them (except the pumey Stone) was teched by one of our party, our hunters Killed 5 Deer to day, Commenced raining Soon after we Came too which prevented the party Cooking their provisions- our Spies inform that the Countrey they pa.s.sed thro on S. S. is a fine high bottom, no water.

This day we met 3 men on a Cajaux from the River of the Soux above the Mahar nation those men had been hunting 12 mo. & made about 900$ in pelts. & furs they were out of Provesions and out of Powder. rained this night

[Clark, June 9, 1804]

9th of June Satterday Set out early, water verry Swift got fast on a log, detained us 1/4 hour Hard rain last night. N 39 W 31/2 Ms. to a pt.

on the S. S. opposit the Commencement of the 1st Prarie, Called Prarie of the Arrows,1 the river at this place about 300 yds. Wide pa.s.sed a Small Creek, Arrow Creek 8 yds. wide L. Sd. the Current exceedingly Strong

N 34 E 2 ms. to the Belg of a Small Island Situated on the L. Sd. Pa.s.sed the mo. of Arrow Creek N 83W 11/2 ms. to a pt on L. S. opposit Black bird C Small pa.s.sed the head of the Isd. & a small Willow one to the L.

S. (Os merdn. altd. back obsvn. 37 00' 00) N. 39 W 2 Ms. to a pt. of High Land on the L. Side opst. a pt. on St. S. River about 350 yds.

wide at this pt. a Wind from the S at 4 oClock (Handson Sutn) on the High pt. a prarie & Small Lake below N 32 E 31/2 Ms. to a pt. on L. S.

pa.s.sed an Isld. in the mid R--in pa.s.sing up on the S. S. opsd. the Isd.

the Sturn of the boat Struck a log which was not proceiveable the Curt.

Struck her bow and turn the boat against Some drift & Snags which below with great force; This was a disagreeable and Dangerous Situation, particularly as immense large trees were Drifting down and we lay imediately in their Course,--Some of our men being prepared for all Situations leaped into the water Swam ash.o.r.e with a roap, and fixed themselves in Such Situations, that the boat was off in a fiew minits, I can Say with Confidence that our party is not inferior to any that was ever on the waters of the Missoppie we Crossed to the Island and Camped, our hunters lay on the S. S. the wind from the S. W. the river continue to rise Slowly Current excessive rapid--The Countrey on the S.

S. high bottom & Delghtfull land that on the L. S. is up land or hills of from 50 to 100 foot higher than the bottom & a thinly wooded, Countrey, Lands tolerably Good; Comminced raining at 5 oClock and continued by intervales the greater part of the night. We discovered that one of our French hands had a Conpt.--We Commsd Doctering, I hope the Success in this case, usial to

[Clark, June 9, 1804]

9th of June 1804 Satt.u.r.day a fair morning, the River rise a little we got fast on a Snag Soon after we Set out which detained us a Short time pa.s.sed the upper Point of the Island Several Small Chanels running out of the River below a Bluff & Prarie (Called the Prariee of Arrows) where the river is confined within the width of 300 yds. Pa.s.sed a Creek of 8 yds. wide Called Creek of Arrows, this Creek is Short and heads in the Praries on the L. S. pa.s.sed a Small Creek Called Blackbird Creek S. S. and One Islands below & a Prarie above on the L. S. a Small Lake above the Prarie--opposit the Lower point of the 2d. Island on the S. S. we had like to have Stove our boat, in going round a Snag her Stern Struck a log under Water & She Swung round on the Snag, with her broad Side to the Current expd. to the Drifting timber, by the active exertions of our party we got her off in a fiew Mints. without engerey and Crossed to the Island where we Campd. our hunters lay on the S. S. the Perogue Crossed without Seeing them & the banks too uncertain to Send her over- Some wind from the S accompanied with rain this evening--The Lands on the S. S. is a high rich bottom the L. S. appears oven and of a good quallity runing gradually to from fifty to 100 foot.

[Clark, June 10, 1804]

June 10th Sunday 1804 Some rain last night we set out early Saw a number of Goslings this morning, Continued on the Course of last night, thence N. 8 E. 21/2 ms. to a pt. on the L. S. pa.s.sed a part of the River that the banks are falling in takeing with them large trees of Cotton woods which is the Common groth in the Bottoms Subject to the flud North 1 Me along the L. Side N. 40 W. 1 ms. along the L, S. opposit the two Charletons, on the N. Side, those rivers mouth together, the 1st 40 yds. wide the next 90 yds. Wide and navagable Some distance in the Countrey, the land below is high & not verry good. Came to and took Mdnl. altd. of Sons U. L. back obsvn. with the octant Made it 37 12'

00", delayed 11/2 Hour. N. 70 W 1/2 of a me. along the L. Sd.--S 60 W 1/2 m. on L. S. the Same Course to the Pt. S. S. 11/2 Ms. We halted and Capt Lewis Killed a Buck the Current is excessively Swift about this place N. 80 W. 3 ms to a pt. on S. S. pa.s.sed a Isd. Called Sheeco Islan wind from the N W Camped in a Prarie on the L. S., Capt Lewis & my Self Walked out 3 ms. found the Country roleing open & rich, with plenty of water, great qts of Deer I discovered a Plumb which grows on bushes the hight of Hasle, those plumbs are in great numbers, the bushes beare Verry full, about double the Sise of the wild plumb Called the Osage Plumb & am told they are finely flavoured.

[Clark, June 10, 1804]

10th of June 1804 A hard rain last night, we Set out this morning verry early pa.s.sed Some bad placies in the river Saw a number of Goslings morning pa.s.s near a Bank which was falling in at the time we pa.s.sed, pa.s.sed the two River of Charletons which mouth together, above Some high land which has a great quant.i.ty of Stone Calculated for whetstons the first of those rivers is about 30 yds. Wide & the other is 70 yds wd. and heads Close to the R.

Dumoin The Aieways Nation have a Village on the head of these River they run through an even Countrey and is navagable for Perogues Cap Lewis took Medn. altd. of sun U. L with Octant, back obsvn. made it 37 12' 00"--delayd 11/2 hours.

Capt. Lewis Killed a large Buck, pa.s.sed a large Isd. called Shecco and Camped in a Prarie on the L. S. I walked out three miles, found the prarie composed of good Land and plenty of water roleing & interspursed with points of timberd land, Those Praries are not like those, or a number of those E. of the Mississippi Void of every thing except gra.s.s, they abound with Hasel Grapes & a wild plumb of a Superior quallity, called the Osages Plumb Grows on a bush the hight of a Hasel and hang in great quant.i.ties on the bushes I Saw great numbers of Deer in the Praries, the evening is Cloudy, our party in high Spirits.

[Clark, June 11, 1804]

11 June Monday--as the wind blew all this day from the N, W. which was imedeately a head we Could not Stur, but took the advantage of the Delay and Dried our wet articles examined provisons and Cleaned arms, my Cold is yet verry bad--the river begining to fall our hunters killed two Deer, G Drewry killed 2 Bear in the Prareie to day, men verry lively Danceing & Singing &c.

[Clark, June 11, 1804]

11th June 1804 Monday The N W. wind blew hard & Cold as this wind was imediately a head, we Could not proceed we took the advantage of this Delay and Dried our wet articles examin'd Provisions &c. &c. the river begining to fall the hunters killed two Deer G. Drewyer Killed two Bear in the Prarie, they were not fat. we had the meat Jurked and also the Venison, which is a Constant Practice to have all the fresh meat not used, Dried in this way.

[Clark, June 12, 1804]

12th of June, Tuesday We Set out early, pa.s.sed thro a verry bad bend N.

25 W. 31/2 to apt. L. S. N. 70 W. 21/2 ms to apt. on S. S. pa.s.sed a Sand bar-N 60 W 31/2 ms. to a pt. on S. S. pa.s.sed Plumb. C at 1/2 a me. on L.

S. and halted to Dine, and 2 Caussease Came Down from the Soux nation, we found in the party an old man who had been with the Soux 20 years & had great influence with them, we provld. on this old man Mr. Duriaur to return with us, with a view to get Some of the Soux Chiefs to go to the U. S. purchased 300 lb. of Voyagers Grece @ 5$ Hd. made Some exchanges & purchuses of Mockersons & found it Late & concluded to incamp.

Those people inform that no Indians are on the river, The Countrey on each Side of the river is good

[Clark, June 12, 1804]

12th of June, Tuesday 1804 Set out early pa.s.sed Some bad Placies, and a Small Creek on the L. S.

Called plumb Creek at abt. 1 me. at 1 oClock we brought too two Chaussies one Loaded with furs & Pelteries, the other with Greece buffalow grease & tallow We purchased 300 lb. of Greese, and finding that old Mr. Durioun was of the party we questioned him untill it was too late to Go further and Concluded to Camp for the night, those people inform nothing of much information Colcluded to take old Durioun back as fur as the Soux nation with a view to get some of their Chiefs to Visit the Presdt.

of the United S. (This man being a verry Confidential friend of those people, he having resided with the nation 20 odd years) and to accompany them on

[Clark, June 13, 1804]

13th June Wednesday we Set out early pa.s.sed a verry round bend to L. S.

pa.s.sed two Creeks 1 me. apt. Called Creeks of the round Bend, between those Creeks Stbd S. is a butifull Prarie, in which the antient Missourie Indians had a Village, at this place 300 of them were killed by the Saukees, a fair Day. Pa.s.sed the antient Missouries villages on right Course N 40 W 21/2 pt. L S., S 29 W 3 ms. pt. S. S., this nation once the Most Noumerous is now almost extinct, about 30 of them, liveing with Otteaus on the R. Platt, the remainder all distroyed, took altd. of S. U L with qdt. which gave N 28 W. 11/2 ms to a pt. S. S.

Pa.s.sed some Charming land, I have not Seen any high hils above Charliton and the hits below for Several days Cannot to turmed hills but high Land, not exceeding 100 abov the high water mark N 30 W, to a pt. L. S. 2 ms. pa.s.sed a verry bad Sand bar, where the boat was nearly turning & fastening in the quick Sand and came too in the mouth of Grand R. S. S. this River is about 120 yards wide and navigable for Purogues a great distance, it heads with the River Dumoine, pa.s.sing the river Carlton. a Butifull open Prarie Coms to the river below its mouth, we landed and walked to the hills which is abt. 1/2 a mile. the Lower prarie over flows. the hunters Killd. a Bare & Dere, this is a butifull place the Prarie rich & extinsive, Took Some Looner Observations which Kept Cap L. & my Self up untill half past 11 oClock.

[Clark, June 13, 1804]

13th June Wednesday, 1804 We Set out early pa.s.sed a round bend to the S. S. and two Creeks Called the round bend Creeks between those two Creeks and behind a Small willow Island in the bend is a Prarie in which the Missouries Indians once lived and the Spot where 300 of them fell a Sacrifise to the fury of the Saukees This nation (Missouries) once the most noumerous nation in this part of the Continent now reduced to about 80 fes. and that fiew under the protection of the Otteaus on R Platt who themselves are declineing pa.s.sed Som willow Isds. and bad Sand bars, Twook Medn.

alt.i.tude with Octent back observation it gave for altd. on its Low L 36 58' 0" the E Enstrement 2 00' 00" +. the Hills or high land for Several days past or above the 2 Charletons does not exceed 100 foot pa.s.sed a Batteau or Sand roleing where the Boat was nearly turning over by her Strikeing & turning on the Sand. We came too in the Mouth of Grand River on S. S. and Camped for the night, this River is from 80 to 100 yards wide at its Mouth and navagable for Perogues a great distance This river heads with the R. Dumoine below its mouth is a butifull Plain of bbttom land the hills rise at 1/2 a mile back