September 24, 1805
William Clark
Set out early for the river and proceeded on the Same road I had prevsly gorn to the
Island at which place I had found the Chief & formed a Camp several 8 or 9 men sick,
Capt. Lewis sick all Complain of a Lax & heaviness at the stomack, I gave rushes
Pills to several hot day maney Indians & thier gangues of horses follow
us hot day Hunter had 5 Deer
a fine morning collected our horses despatched J. Colter back to hunt the horses
lost in the mountains & bring up Some Shot left behind, and at 10 oClock we all Set
out for the river and proceeded on by the Same rout I had previously traveled, and at
Sunset We arrived at the Island on which I found the Twisted hare and formed a
Camp on a large Island a littl below, [Just below Twisted Hair's camp, which Clark
first reached on September 21, 1805, on what was China Island of the Clearwater River,
about a mile above Orofino, ID.] Capt. Lewis scercely able to ride on a jentle
horse which was furnished by the Chief, Several men So unwell that they were Compelled to
lie on the Side of the road for Some time others obliged to be put on horses.[Presumably
the result of the change of diet, and perhaps bacteria on the dried salmon.]
I gave rushes Pills to the Sick this evening. Several Indians follow us.
September 24, 1805
John Ordway
a clear morning. we went to look for our horses but found them much Scatered and
mixed among the Indian horses which were numerous. Saw a number of Squaws digging commass
roots in the plain the Soil verry rich and lays delightful for cultivation
about 8 oClock A M. we loaded our horses Several men Sick. one man [John
Colter, according to Clark.] Sent back to look for 2 horses which was lost on the
road. we Set out and proceeded on the day warm we had a good road mostly plain but
no water. Some Scattering pine timber. towards evening we came down on a fork [Clearwater
River] of Columbia River and followed it down Some distance then went on a small
prarie Island and Camped. [Later China Island, about 1 mile above Orofino.]
our hunters joined us had got 4 deer and two sammon which they killed. Several of
the natives followed us and Camped near us &C--
September 24, 1805
Patrick Gass
The morning was fine, and about nine o'clock we set forward on our march towards the
river, all but one man [Colter, according to Clark] who had gone back to
look for the horses and another that had remained at the first village. The men are
generally unwell, owing to the change of diet. The valley is level and lightly timbered
with pine and spruce trees. The soil is then except in some small plains, where it is of
the first quality. The adjacent country appears much the same; except that on the river it
is broken with hills and some rocks. In the valley there are great quantities of
service-berry bushes. In the evening we arrived at the camp of our hunters on a river
about 100 yards broad, a branch of the Columbia. [Clearwater River] The
natives say it is two days march to the great river. We encamped [On China Island,
about a mile above Orofino, ID.] on a small island with our hunters who had
killed 5 deer, which was a very pleasing circumstance to us; as the Indian provisions did
not agree with us. Captain Clarke gave all the sick a dose of Rush's Pills, to see what
effect that would have. We found some of the natives here upon the river fishing.
September 24, 1805
Joseph Whitehouse
a clear pleasant morning. we went out eairly a hunting our horses, which were
Scatered all over the plain. Saw a vast nomber of horses which belong to the
natives, the most of which are in good order and good horses in general. Saw a nomber of
Squaws digging the wild potatoes in the plains. the Soil verry rich and lays handsom for
cultivation. we loaded up our horses. one man [John Colter] Sent back in
the mountains to look for the 2 horses which was lost about 8 oclock we
Set out and proceeded on. the day warm. had a fine road mostly plain, Some
Scatering large pitch pine, but little water. Several of the men Sick, by eating hearty of
the Sweet food and Sammon. towards evening we came on the branch or fork of
Columbian River, [Clearwater River] and followed down it Some distance,
and went on a Small prarie Island and Camped. [China Island, about a mile above
Orofino.] a hard rapid at the foot of this Island which the natives tell us
is the last bad rapid in this fork of River the hunters joined us with 4 Deer
& 2 Sammon which they had killed. Several of the natives followed after us and Camped
with us. high hills each Side of the River thinly covred with pine but not
large enofe for canoes, but we expect to find Some near, So that we may leave our horses
in the care of a chief and go down by water to the ocean.--
September 24, 1805
Joseph Whitehouse
A Clear pleasant Morning, & a number of our party were sent out in order to hunt
our horses, which were scattered all over the plain. the party saw vast numbers of horses,
which belonged to the Natives, some of which were very elegant, most of these horses were
in very good order. They also saw numbers of Indian women, who were employed in digging
the bread Root, or wild potatoes in the plain, They found the Soil extreamly Rich, &
the Land lay handsomely for Cultivation.--
The Party that were sent out to collect our horses returned, they had found them all
but one. We loaded them, & sent back on of our party to the Mountains in order
to find the 2 horses that was lost. About 8 o'Clock A. M we proceeded on our Journey, the
day grew warm & we found the Road extreamly good it being mostly a plain with some
large scattering pitch pine Trees, growing on them; & but little water to be found, in
them,-- Several of our party was taken sick on the Road, which was occasion'd by eating
too hearty of the bread & Salmon that we got from the Indians. Towards evening we
arrived at <the> another fork of Columbia River, and followed down it some distance,
and went on a small Island of Priari land and camped. At the foot of this Island lay a bad
rapid, which the Natives informed us, is the last bad rapid in this fork of Columbia
River. The hunters had went a head of us this day, & they all join'd us at this place,
they had killed 4 deer & 2 Salmon which they brought to us.-- Several of the
Natives followed us from the last Village, and came & encamped with us.--
The land on both sides of this fork is hilly, and is thinly covered with Pine Trees,
but none of them large enough to make Canoes, but we all expect lower down the fork a
short distance that we may find some to answer that purpose. Our Officers concluded
to leave our horses in the care of some of the Indian Chiefs, & to ascend the River to
the Mouth of the Columbia River, provided we can procure timber to make Canoes of.--
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