This morning after the Luner observations, the old chief came down, and several men with dogs to sell & womin with fish &c.  the Dogs we purchased the fish not good.

I took 2 men and Set out in a Small Canoe with a view to go as high up the Columbia river as the 1st forks which the Indians made Signs was but a Short distance, I set out at 2 oClock  firs course was N. 83^o W 6 miles to the lower point of a Island on the lard. Side, passed an Island in the middle of the river at 5 miles, at the head of which is a rapid not bad  at this rapid 3 Lodges of mats on the lard emenc quantites of dried fish, then West 4 miles to the Lower point of an Island on the Stard. Side, 2 lodges of Indians large and built of mats--  passed 3 verry large mat lodges at 2 mile on the Stard Side large Scaffols of fish drying at every lodge, and piles of Salmon lying.  the Squars engaged prepareing them for the Scaffol--  a Squar gave me a dried Salmon  from those lodes on the Island an Indian Showed me the mouth of the river which falls in below a high hill on the Lard. N. 80^o W. 8 miles from the Island. [The Yakima River. "Tape-tett" on Clark's map, meeting the Columbia at modern Richland, Washington.  The name taptat refers to a Yakima village on the Yakima River, near Prosser, Washington.] The river bending <Star> Lard.--  This river is remarkably Clear and Crouded with Salmon in maney places, I observe in assending great numbers of Salmon dead on the shores, floating on the water and in the Bottom which can be seen at the debth of 20 feet.  the cause of the emence numbers of dead salmon I can't account for [This was the end of the annual salmon migration up the rivers from the sea; the fish were dying after having laid and fertilized their eggs.  They were probably either coho (silver) salmon, Onorhynchus kisutch, or sockeye (blue-backed) salmon, O. nerka both of which are fall breeders.] So it is I must have seen 3 or 400 dead and maney living  the Indians, I believe make us[e] of the [illegible, crossed out] fish which is not long dead as, I Struck one nearly dead and left him floating, Some Indians in a canoe behind took the fish on board his canoe

The bottoms on the <west> South Side as high as the Tarcouche tesse [See September 10, 1805.] is from 1 to 2 miles wide, back of the bottoms rises to hilly countrey, the Plain is low on the North & Easte for a great distance  no wood to be Seen in any direction.

The Tarcouche tesse bears South of West, the Columbia N W above range of hills on the West  Parrelel a range of mountains to the East which appears to run nearly North & South distance not more than 50 miles-- [The Horse Heaven Hills to the west and the Blue Mountains to the east. See October 15, 1805.]  I returned to the point at Dusk followed by three canoes of Indians 20 in number--  I killed a Fowl of the Pheasent kind as large as a <Small> turkey. [The first specimen of Sage Grouse, a species new to science which they had seen earlier (June 5 and August 12, 1805), which Lewis describes more fully on March 2, 1806.]  The length from his Beeck to the end of its tail 2 feet 6 3/4 Inches, from the extremity of its wings across 3 feet 6 Inches.  the tail feathers 13 Inches long, feeds on grass hoppers, and the Seed of wild Isoop [Big Sagebrush]

Those Indians are orderly, badly dressed in the Same fashions of those above except the women who wore Short Shirts and a flap over them  22 Fishing houses of Mats robes of Deer, Goat & Beaver.

October 17, 1805
William Clark

A fair morning  made the above observations during which time the principal Chief came down with Several of his principal men and Smoked with us.  Several men and woman offered Dogs and fish to Sell, we purchased all the dogs we could, the fish being out of Season and dieing in great numbers in the river, we did not think proper to use them, Send out Hunters to Shute the Prarie Cock a large fowl which I have only Seen on this river; Several of which I have killed, they are the Size of a Small turkey, of the pheasant kind, one I killed on the water edge to day measured from the Beek to the end of the toe 2 feet 6 & 3/4 Inches; from the extremities of its wings 3 feet 6 inches; the tale feathers is 13 inches Long; they feed on grasshoppers and the Seed of the wild plant which is also peculiar to this river and the upper aprts of the Missoury somewhat remsembling the whins-- [Whins refers to gorse, furze, and other prickly, thorny shrubs.  It is the "wild Isoop" of the other entry (big sagebrush).   Since sagebrush was new to the Corp they used a variety of terms to identify it.]   Capt. Lewis took a vocabelary of the Language of those people who call themselves So kulk, and also one of the language of a nation resideing on a Westerly fork of the Columbia which mouthes a fiew miles above this place who Call themselves Chim na pum   Some fiew of this nation reside with the So kulks nation, Their language differ but little from either the Sokulks or the Cho-pun-nish (or pierced nose ) nation which inhabit the Koskoskia river and Lewis's R below. ["Lewis's R" appears to have replaced some erased words.]

I took two men in a Small Canoe and assended the Columbia river 10 miles to an Island near the Stard. Shore on which two large Mat Lodges of Indians were drying Salmon, (as they informed me by Signs for the purpose of food and fuel, & I do not think at all improbable that those people make use of Dried fish as fuel,[)]  The number of dead Salmon on the Shores & floating in the river is incrediable to Say and at this Season they have only to collect the fish Split them open and dry them on their Scoffolds on which they have great numbers, how far they have to raft their timber they make their Scaffolds of I could not learn; but there is no timber of any Sort except Small willow bushes in Sight in any direction--  from this Island the natives showed me the enterance of a large Westerly fork which they Call Tapetett at about 8 miles distant, the evening being late I deturmined to return to the forks, at which place I reached at Dark.   from the point up the Columbia River is N. 83^o W. 6 miles to the lower point of an Island near the Lard. Side  passed a Island in the middle of the river at 5 miles at the hea of which is a rapid, not dangerous  on the Lard Side opposit to this rapid is a fishing place 3 Mat Lodges, and great quants. of Salmon on Scaffolds drying.  Saw great numbers of Dead Salmon on the Shores and floating in the water, great numbers of Indians on the banks viewing me and 18 canoes accompanied me from the point--  The Waters of this river is Clear, and a Salmon may be Seen at the deabth of 15 or 20 feet.  West 4 miles to the lower point of a large Island near the Stard. Side at 2 Lodges, passed three large lodges on the Stard Side near which great number of Salmon was drying on Scaffolds  one of those Mat lodges I entered found it crouded with men women and children and near the enterance of those houses I saw maney Squars engaged Splitting and drying Salmon.  I was furnished with a mat to Sit on, and one man Set about prepareing me Something to eate, first he brought in a piece of a Drift log of pine and with a wedge of the elks horn, and a malet of Stone curioesly Carved he Split the log into Small pieces and Lay'd it open on the fire on which he put round Stones, a woman handed him a basket of water and a large Salmon about half Dried, when the Stones were hot he put them into the basket of water with the fish which was Soon Sufficently boiled for use.  it was then taken out put on a platter of rushes neetly made, and Set before me  they boiled a Salmon for each of the men with me, dureing those preperations, I Smoked with those about me who Chose to Smoke which was but fiew, this being a custom those people are but little accustomed to and only Smok thro form.   after eateing the boiled fish which was delicious, I Set out & halted or came too on the Island at the two Lodges.  Several fish was given to me, in return for Which I gave Small pieces of ribbond from those Lodges the natives Showed me the mouth of Tap teel River about 8 miles above on the west Side  this western fork appers to beare nearly West, The main Columbia river N W.--  a range of high land to the S W and parralal to the river and at the distance of 2 miles on the Lard. Side, the countrey low on the Stard. Side, and all coverd. with a weed or plant about 2 & three feet high and resembles the whins.  I can proceive a range of mountains to the East which appears to bare N. & South distant about 50 or 60 miles.  no wood to be Seen in any derection--  On my return I was followd. by 3 canoes in which there was 20 Indians  I shot a large Prairie Cock Several Grouse, Ducks and fish.  on my return found Great Numbr. of the nativs with Capt Lewis, men all employd in dressing ther Skins mending their clothes and putting ther arms in the best order the latter being always a matter of attention with us.  The Dress of those natives differ but little from those on the Koskoskia and Lewis's ["Lewis's" appears to replace another erased word.] Rivers, except the women who dress verry different in as much as those above ware long leather Shirts which highly ornimented with beeds Shells &c. &c. and those on the main Columbia river only ware a truss or pece of leather tied around them at their hips and drawn tite between ther legs and fastened before So as barly to hide those parts which are So Sacredly hid and Scured by our women.  Those women are more inclined to Copulency than any we have yet Seen, with low Stature broad faces, heads flatened <the eyes back> and the forward compressed so as to form a Streight line from the nose to the Crown of the head, [These tribes placed infants in a special cradleboard with an angled board compressing the forehead; in some cases a tight headband was apparently used instead.  Later, Clark sketched the headboard apparatus and examples of the results. The effect on the soft skull of the child was the shape noted by Clark, the head becoming pointed.  Many whites applied the term "flathead" to those who practiced head deformation, although the Indians themselves apparently reserved the term for tribes in the interior who left their heads naturally "flat" on top.  The deformed head shape was considered a mark of distinction, beauty, and superior status.  Slaves were not allowed to deform the heads of their children.] their eyes are of a Duskey black, their hair of a corse black without orniments of any kind braded as above,

The orniments of each Sects are Similar, Such as large blue & white beeds, either pendant from their ears or encircling their necks, or wrists & arms  they also ware bracelets of Brass, Coper & horn, and trinkets of Shells, fish bones and curious feathers.  Their garments Consists of a short Shirt of leather and a roabe of the Skins of Deer or the Antilope but fiew of them ware Shirts all have Short robes.   Those people appears to live in a State of comparitive happiness: they take a greater Share labor of the woman, than is common among Savage tribes, and as I am informd.   Content with one wife (as also those on the Ki moo e nim river)   Those people respect the aged with veneration, I observed an old woman in one of the Lodges which I entered  She was entirely blind as I was informed by Signs, had lived more than 100 winters, She occupied the best position in the house, and when She Spoke great attention was paid to what She Said--.   Those people as also those of the flat heads which we had passed on the Koskoske and Lewis's [The replacement of "Lewis's" for another erased word.] rivers are Subject to Sore eyes, and many are blind of one and Some of both eyes. this misfortune must be owing to the reflections of the Sun &c. on the waters in which they are continually fishing during the Spring Summer & fall, & the Snows dureing the, winter Seasons, in this open countrey where the eye has no rest. [These disorders may have been due to trachoma, gonorrhea, and possibly glaucoma.] I have observed amongst those, as well in all other tribes which I have passed on these waters who live on fish maney of different sectes who have lost their teeth about middle age, Some have their teeth worn to the gums, perticelar those of the upper jaw, and the tribes generally have had bad teeth    the cause of it I cannot account  sand attachd. to the roots & the method they have of useing the dried Salmon, which is mearly worming it and eating the rine & scales with the flesh of the fish, no doubt contributes to it.

The Houses or Lodges of the tribes of the main Columbia river is of large mats made of rushes, Those houses are from 15 to 60 feet in length generally of an Obling Squar form, Suported by poles on forks in the iner Side, Six feet high, the top is covered also with mats leaveing a Seperation in the whole length of about 12 or 15 inches wide, left for the purpose of admitting light and for the Smok of the fire to pass which is made in the middle of the house.--  The roughfs are nearly flat, which proves to me that rains are not common in this open Countrey

Those people appeare of a mild disposition and friendly disposed--  They have in their huts independant of their nets gigs & fishing tackling  each bows & large quivers of arrows on which they use flint Spikes.  Theire ammusements are Similar to those of the Missouri.  they are not beggerley and receive what is given them with much joy.

I saw but fiew horses  they appeared make but little use of those animals principally useing Canoes for their uses of procureing food &c.

October 17, 1805
Patrick Gass

We remained here all day for the purpose of taking an observation. We got a number of dogs from the natives. Salmon are very plenty but poor and dying, and therefore not fit for provisions. In the plains are a great many hares and a number of fowls, between the size of a pheasant and turkey, called heath hens or grous. We killed a great many of these fowls which are very good eating. The small river, which we called Flathead and afterwards Clarke's river is a branch of the Great Columbia, and running a northwest course, falls into it a considerable distance above this place; we therefore never passed the mouth of that river.

The Columbia here is 860 yards wide, and the Ki-moo-ee-nem [Snake River] (called Lewis's river from its junction with the Koos-Koos-ke) [Clearwater River] 475 yards. They are both very low at this place. Our course since we took water has been a few degrees south of west: here the Columbia turns to the east of south.

October 17, 1805
John Ordway

a clear pleasant morning.   we delay here this day for our officers to take observations &C.   the natives Stole a large ax from us last night.  we bought Several more dogs from them as we can git no other meat to eat, &C.    a number of the savages have red and blew cloth, but no buffalow Robes among them.   the River which we came down looses its name and is now Called Kimo e num [Snake River] the North fork which is the largest is Called the Calumbia River.  Capt. Clark and 2 men went up it abt. three miles to the Indian lodges.  they Saw a great quantity of Sammon in the R. they giged a verry large Sammon.   they Saw a great number lay dead on the Shores which the Indians hade giged.  a great number of large fowls in the praries a Size alrger than haith [heath] hens. [Sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus]   Some of the men killed Several of them.   our officers took down Some of the language    found these to be of the flat head nation but another tribe.   our officers gave Some of the principal men meddles & flags and Some other Small articles these Savages are verry poor but peacable. Some of them naked and Some have dressed Elk and Deer Skins with the hair on. Some fiew rabit Skins also.   they have a number of horses among them.   their grave yards are picketed in.    and the place about these forks is verry pleasant--   and Smooth &C--

October 17, 1805
Joseph Whitehouse

a clear pleasant morning.  we delay here to day for our officers to take observations &c.  the natives Sold us a nomber more dogs and fresh Sammon &c.   these Savages have but verry fiew buffalow Robes, but are dressed in deer & Elk Skins.  the deer Skins are dressed with the hair on and Sowed together in robes.   Some of them have red and blew cloath and a nomber of articles which came from Some white people.  They have Some horses.  they Sign to us that their is deer and Elk below this.  we Saw an emence Site of fowls on the plain considerable la[r]ger than the prarie or haith hens.  Some of the party went out and killed 3 of them.   we now call the north fork as it is the largest the Columbian River, and the other which we came down loose it name from Columba. and we call after the Indian name kimoo-e-nem--  the columbia River is more Smooth and the current gentle the natives have a great nomber of canoes, and fishing camps along the Shores.  Capt. Clark and two men went up the Columb. River in a canoe 3 or 4 miles to the Indian lodges    they aw a vast quantitys of live Sammon in the River they giged one which was verry larg  they Saw a great nomber lay dead on Shores.[Either coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, sockeye salmon, O. nerka. They were dying after having laid and fertilized their eggs.]  Some of the men killed Several more haith hens [Moulton suggests sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus.] most as large as Turkeys.  <our officers gav the chiefs> of these bands <which is not greatly> like <the first> flat <heads we Saw but we Still call them.  So we cannot> find out what nation these are as yet, but our officers gave the principal men meddles a flag and Some other Small articles &c.   we bought in all 26 dogs from the natives this day.   these Savages are peaceable but verry poor.   they have nothing of any account to trade.  a nomber of them have not any thing to cover their nakedness, but the greater part of them have dressed deer & Elk    Some rabit Skins &c. to cover themselves.  Saw a nomber of horses on the opposite Shore.  we have late[ly] Seen a nomber of their grave yards pickeded in &c

October 17, 1805
Joseph Whitehouse

We had a clear pleasant morning.  Our officers delayed this day here, in order to ascertain the latitude of this place &ca.  The Natives sold us several more dogs &ca  They had very few buffalo robes among them, & were cloathed in der & Elk skins dressed with the hair on & sewed together, & made into Robes.  Some of these Indians had Red & blue Cloth & a number of articles that must have been procured from some Civilized <people> nation.  They also had some horses.   They made signs to us that there is deer & Elk below this place.--  We saw an immense quantity of Fowls in the plains, they were considerable larger than the Priari or heath hen.  Some of our party went out with Guns & killed 3 of them.--   Our officers were of the opinion that the River shold lose its name at this place and that the North fork being the largest should be called the Columbia River, ["Columbia" is written over an erasure that is illegible."] & the South fork of the River (or rather River) whichc we had descended, should be named Lewis's River or after the name it bears among the Indians which is Ki-o-me-num River.--  The water in Columbia [The word "Columbia" is again written over an illegible erasure."] River (or North fork) is much smoother & the current more gentle here than the Ki-o-me-num or Lewis's River.  The Columbia River only bearing the name up the North Fork, of these two rivers.--  The natives here had a great number of Canoes, & fish Camps, along the shores, of both these Rivers.--   Captain Clark took a party of our Men, and went up the Columbia [The word "Columbia" is for the third time written over an illegible erasure.] River in a Canoe, between 3 & 4 Miles, to where these Indians had their lodges.   They saw vast quantities of live Salmon in that River.  They gigged one of them which was very large, They also saw a great number of Salmon which lay dead on the shores, Some of our Men went out into the plains, & killed <some> several more of the Priari or heath hens, which were nearly as large as a hen Turkey,--  & good eating.  Our party were all at a loss to know what Nation of Indians the Band which we are among belong to.  Our officers gave the principal Men among them Medals, a Flag, & some other presents.--  We purchased 26 dogs from these Indians to eat, The Indians that are among us, are handsome, we made &l light brown color'd sett of Men, and are very peacable.  They have not any thing to Trade amongst them with us, but Salmon, Dogs & a few Elk skins.  We saw a number of horses on the opposite shore, and a number of their Grave Yards, which were picketed in.  Our Officers took a Meridinal Oservation, & found the Forks of these Two Rivers at their Confluence to lay in Latitude 46^o 15' 13 7/10S North.