October 15, 1805
William Clark
a fair morning after a Cold night. Some frost this morning and Ice. Several
hunters out Saw nothing Capt Lewis assended the hills & Saw Mountain a head
bearing S. E. & N. W. a high point to the west. Plain wavering. Set
out at 3 oClock--
Course
| South |
4 1/2 |
miles to the lower point of a Island close under the Std Side passed
one on the Lard. & one other in the middle of the river, <three> 4 Small rapid
at the low pt of 1st Isd. opsd. 2d & 3rd Islands-- |
| S. E. |
1 1/2 |
mile to the lower point of an Isd. close under the Lard. bend opsd. the
upper pt. of an Isd. on Std. point a Small rapid opposit |
| S. 35o W |
9 |
miles to a Point of rocks on Lard. Sd. passed a place of Swift water
at the lower point of the 1st Island a Small rapid a little below a Lard. point
at 5 miles a Stard. point 3 Small Isd. opsd. on Lard. & 2 on Stard. Side
at 6 1/2 a Small rapid, Several Scafles of Split timber on the Stard. Side in the
bottom below the Islands a Island in the river at 8 1/2 miles on Std. Side a
fishing timber Scaffeled a willow bottom on the Lard Side above the Point Country
low on each side go to 100 [200?] feet is the hite of the plains
Some Swift water at the last Isds. |
| South |
5 |
miles to an Island in the head of a rapid Passed for 3 miles through
good water in closed in Clifts of rocks 100 feet high. below which the river widens
into a Bay nearly round. we Encamped at three Scaffles of Split timber on the Stard.
Side. here we found our Pilot & one man wateing for us to Show us the
<rout> best way thro those rapids, the evening cool, we saw no timber to day, except
Small willow & Srub of Hackberry-- Killed 2 Teel this evening. |
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20 |
|
[Clark]
a far morning Sent out hunters to hunt in the plains, about 10 oClock they
returned and informed that they could not See any Signs of game of any kind Capt
Lewis waked on the plains and informs that he could plainly See a rainge of moutains which
bore S. E. & N. W. the nearest point south about 60 miles, and becoms hight toward the
N. W. The plaines on each Side is wavering. Labiesh killed 2 gees & 2
Ducks of the large kind. at two oClock we loaded & Set out, our Powder &
Provisions of roots not Sufficently <wet> dry. <but> we Shall put them
out at the forks or mouth of this river which is at no great distance, and at which place
we Shall delay to make Some Selestial observations &c. passed Eleven Island and
Seven rapids to day. Several of the rapids verry bad and dificuelt to pass.
The Islands of different Sizes and all of round tone and Sand, no timber of any
kind in Sight of the river, a fiew Small willows excepted; in the evening the countrey
becomes lower not exceding 90 or 100 feet above the water and back in a wavering Plain on
each Side, passed thro: narrows for 3 miles where the Clifts of rocks juted to the river
on each Side compressing the water of the river through a narrow chanel; below which it
widens into a kind of bason nearly round without any proceptiable current, at the lower
part of this bason is a bad dificuelt and dangerous rapid to pass, at the upper part of
this rapid we over took the three Indians [Probably Palouse Indians.] who
had Polited us thro the rapids from the forks. those people with our 2 Chiefs had
proceeded on to this place where they thought proper to delay for us to warn us of the
difficulties of this rapid. [Fishhook Rapids. They camped just above the
rapids ("bason Rapids" on Clark's map. At least two archaeological sites are
known for the north shore of the Fishhook rapids area. The downstream site appears to be
the one illustrated on Clark's map; this site was a late prehistoric pit-house village
that was archaeologically tested in 1959.] we landed at a parcel of Split
timber, the timber of a house of Indians out hunting the Antilope in the plains; and
raised on Scaffolds to Save them from the Spring floods. here we were obliged for
the first time to take the property of the Indians without the consent or approbation of
the owner. the night was cold & we made use of a part of those boards and Split
logs for fire wood. Killed two teel this evening. Examined the rapids which we
found more dificuelt to pass than we expected from the Indians information. A
Suckcession of Sholes, appears to reach from bank to bank for 3 miles which was also
intersepted with large rocks Sticking up in every direction, and the chanel through which
we must pass crooked and narrow. we only made 20 miles today, owing to the detention
in passing rapids &c.
October 15, 1805
Patrick Gass
This day was fine, clear and pleasant; and we continued here until the afternoon to dry
our baggage that had been wet yesterday. The natives have great quantities of fish
deposited on this island. At 3 o'clock P.M. we got all our effects on board and proceeded
on. Passed down a beautiful part of the river; and killed some geese and ducks. This river
in general is very handsome, except at the rapids, where it is risking both life and
property to pass; and even these rapids, when the bare view or prospect is considered
distinct from the advantages of navigation, may add to its beauty, by interposing variety
and scenes of romantick grandeur where there is so much uniformity in the appearance of
the country. We went 18 miles this evening and halted at an old Indian camp on the north
side, where we had great difficulty in procuring wood to cook with, as none at all grows
in this part of the country.
October 15, 1805
John Ordway
a clear cool morning. we delayed to dry the baggage which was wet. Some of
the men went out and killed three geese and Several ducks. about 3 oClock P.M.
we loaded the canoes and Set out again and proceeded on the current very
rapid. the country continues barron as usal. Came 27 miles this day and Camped
little above a bad rapid-- [Above Fishhook Rapids]
October 15, 1805
Joseph Whitehouse
a clear cool morning. we dlayed here to dry the baggage. Some of the men
went out and killed three geese & Several ducks. about 3 oClock P.m. we loaded
up the canoes and Set out and proceeded on over Several rapids and Swift water.
passed Several Scaffels of wood where it was put up to be Saved for the use of their
fishing in the Spring. the country continues as yesterday. we came 17 miles
and Camped above a bad rapid on a Sand bar no wood except an Indians Scaffel
we had to take Some of the wood for our use this evening.
October 15, 1805
Joseph Whitehouse
This morning we had clear & cool weather; We delayed hee in order to dry the wet
baggage. Some of our Men went out & killed 3 Geese and Several ducks.--
About 3 o'Clock P.M. we loaded the Canoes & set out, and proceeded on; & passed
several rapids & places where the water run very swift, We also passed Scaffolds of
wood, which the Natives had built for the use of this fishery in the Spring season.
The Country continued the same as Yesterday. We encamped on a Sand barr above a bad
Rapid, we found no Wood, excepting an Indian Scaffold & we took some of it for our
use. We came about 17 Miles this day, our Course the same as Yesterday. (West)
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