The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 Part 4

[Clark, June 2, 1804]

June 2nd Satt.u.r.day Cap Lewis Took the Time & Distance of suns & moons nearest limbs, the Sun East--and Meridean alt.i.tude of Suns U. L. with Octant, back observation gave for alt.i.tude 37 28"00".

Error of Octant 2 00' 00" +. made Several other observations--I made an angle for the Wedth of the two rivers. The Missourie from the Point to the N. Side is 875 yards wide the Osage River from the point to the S.

E Side is 397 yards wide, the destance between the two rivers at the pt. of high Land (ioo foot above the bottom) and 80 poles up the Missouries from the point is 40 poles, on the top of this high land under which is a limestone rock two Mouns or graves are raised--from this pt. which Comds both rivers I had a delightful) prospect of the Missouries up & down, also the Osage R. up. George Drewyer & John s.h.i.+elds who we had Sent with the horses by Land on the N Side joined us this evening much worsted, they being absent Seven Days depending on their gun, the greater part of the time rain, they were obliged to raft or Swim many Creeks, those men gave a flattering account of the Countrey Commencing below the first hill on the N Side and extendg Parrelal with the river for 30 or 40 Ms. The Two Muddey river pa.s.sing Thro & som fine Springs & Streams our hunters kill Several Deer to day, Some Small licks on the S E of the Osage River.

[Clark, June 3, 1804]

June Sunday 3rd 1804 the fore part of the day fair I attempted to take equal allt.i.tudes, & M Alt.i.tudes, but was disapointed, the Clouds obsured the Sun, took the D.

of sun & moon Capt Lewis & George Drewyer went out & Killed a Deer, We Set out at 5 oClock P M Cloudy & rain, West 5 Ms. to the mo. of Murrow Creek Lb Sd. a pt. St. Side Keeping along the Lbd Side 1 Ms., pa.s.sed the mouth of a Creek on Lbd Side 3 ms., I call Cupboard, Creek, mouths behind a rock which projects into the river, Camped in the mouth of the Creek aforesaid, at the mouth of this Creek I saw much fresh Signs of Indians, haveing Crossed 2 Deer Killed to day. I have a verry Sore Throat, & am Tormented with Musquetors & Small ticks.

[Clark, June 3, 1804]

June 3rd Sunday 1804 The forepart of the day fair Took meridional alt.i.tude of suns U:L with the Octant and Gla.s.s Horrison adjusted back observation. the instrument gave 38 2' 00"--it was Cloudy and the Suns disk much obsured, and Cannot be Depended on.

We made other Observations in the evening after the return of Capt Lewis from a walk of three or four ms. round--We Set out at 5 oClock P.M. proceeded on five miles to the mouth of a Creek on the L. S. 20 yds. wide Called Murow, pa.s.sed a Creek at 3 ms. which I call Cupbord Creek as it Mouths above a rock of that appearance. Several Deer Killed to dayat the mouth of the Murow Creek I Saw much Sign of war parties of Inds. haveing Crossed from the mouth of this Creek. I have a bad Cold with a Sore throat. Near West 5 Miles

[Clark, June 4, 1804]

June 4th 1804 Monday, a fair Day Sent out 3 hunters, our mast broke by the boat running under a tree Pa.s.sed an Islands on Stbd Side on which grow Seeder a Creek at ____ miles on the Starbd Sd. Course N. 30 W 4 ms.

to pt. on St. Side below 2d Isd. pa.s.sed a Creek on Lbd Side 15 yd.

wide, I call Nightingale Creek. this Bird Sang all last night and is the first of the kind I ever herd, below this Creek and the last Pa.s.sed a Small Isd on the Stbd. N. 25 W. 3 ms. to a pt. on St. Sd. pa.s.sed a Sm. Isd. on St. Sd. and Seeder Creek on the Same Side 20 yds wide pa.s.sed a Creek on Lbd Sd. 20 yd wide, I call Mast Creek, this is a Short Creek, fine land above & below the mouth. Jentle rise of about 50 foot, Delightfull Timber of Oake ash walnut hickory &c. &c. wind from N W. by W. N. 58 W. 71/2 ms. pa.s.sed a Creek Called Zoncar on the Lbd Side, N 75 W 3 me. to a pt, S. Sd. called Batue a De charm, a plain on the hill opposit. I got out & walked on the L Sd. thro a Charming Bottom of rich Land about one mile then I a.s.sended a hill of about 170 foot on the top of which is a Moun and about 100 acres of Land of Dead timber on this hill one of the party says he has found Lead ore a verry extensive Cave under this hill next the river, the Land on the top is fine, This is a very bad part of the river Seven Deer Killed to day by our hunters--one of the horses is Snaged, the other lost his Shous to day the Bottom on the St. Side to day is covered with rushes, not verry good ____ the high land Comes to the bank on the Labd Side and good 2d rate land.

[Clark, June 4, 1804]

June 4th Monday 1804 a fair day three men out on the right flank pa.s.sed a large Island on the St. Side Called Seeder Island, this Isd. has a great Deel of Ceedar on it, pa.s.sed a Small Creek at 1 ms. 15 yd. Wide which we named Nightingale Creek from a Bird of that discription which Sang for us all last night, and is the first of the Kind I ever heard. pa.s.sed the mouth of Seeder Creek at 7 ms. on the S. S. abt. 20 yds. Wide above Some Small Isds. pa.s.sed a Creek on the L. S. abt. 15 yds. wide. Mast Creek, here the Sergt. at the helm run under a bending Tree & broke the mast, Some delightful) Land, with a jentle a.s.sent about the Creek, well timbered, Oake, Ash, walnut &c. &c. pa.s.sed, wind N W. by W. pa.s.sed a Small Creek Called Zan Can C on the L. S; at this last point I got out and walked on the L. Sd. thro a rush bottom for 1 Miles & a Short Distance thro Nettles as high as my brest a.s.sended a hill of about 170 foot to a place where the french report that Lead ore has been found, I saw no mineral of that description, Capt Lewis Camped imediately under this hill, to wate which gave me Some time to examine the hill, on the top is a moun of about 6 foot high and about 100 Acres of land which the large timber is Dead in Decending about 50 foot a projecting lime Stone rock under which is a Cave at one place in this projecting rocks I went on one which Spured up and hung over the Water from the top of this rock I had a prospect of the river for 20 or 30 ms. up, from the Cave which inc.u.mposed the hill I decended by a Steep decent to the foot, a verry bad part of the river opposit this hill, the river Continu to fall Slowly, our hunters killed 7 Deer to day The land our hunters pa.s.sed thro to day on the S. S. was Verry fine the latter part of to day. the high land on the S. S. is about 2d rate

[Clark, June 5, 1804]

June 5th Tuesday, Jurked the Vennison Killed yesterday, after Seting over the Scouting Party or hunder of 3 men Set out at 6 oClock Course N 57 W to a pt. on S. Sd. 5 ms. pa.s.sed a Creek on L. Sd. I call Lead C of 15 yds pa.s.sed one on the S. Called Lit. good-womans Creek about 20 yds.

wide Pa.s.sed a Willow Isd. a Butifull Prarie approaching near the river above Lead C & extends to the Mine river in a westerly Derection, pa.s.sed the Mouth of the Creek of the Big Rock 15 yds Wide at 4 ms. on the Lbd Sd. at 11 oClock brought a Caissie in which was 2 men, from 80 League up the Kansias River, where they wintered and caught a great qty of Beever but unfortunatey lost it by the burning of the plains, the Kansas Nation hunted on the Missourie last Winter and are now persueing the Buffalow in the Plains, pa.s.sed a Projecting Rock called the Manitou a Painting from this Deavel to the Pt. on the Lbd Side N 23 W 71/2 Ms.

The Same course 21/2 ms. Creek Cld. Manitou pa.s.sed a on the Lbd. Side about 40 yd. wide, a Sand bar in the middle of the River pa.s.sed up between the Sand & L. Sh.o.r.e one Mile to a Small Creek 10 yd. wide, (I call Sand C). We run on the Sand and was obliged to return to the Starbd Side, I am verry unwell with a Slight feever from a bad cold caught three days ago at the Grand so R--pa.s.sed a Small Willow Isd. on S. Side, a large one in the Middle of the river, York Swam to the Isd.

to pick greens, and Swam back with his greens, the Boat Drew too much water to cross the quick Sands which intervened, She draws 4 foot water, a fair wind our mast being broke by accidence provented our takeing the advantage of it pa.s.sed the lower point of a large Island, opposit the Current devides between 4 Small Isds on the St Side. we found the water excessively hard for 12 Miles as we were oblged to pa.s.s up the center of the Current between two of the Isds. & round the heads of the other 2 the Current Setting imediately against the points which was choked up with Drift for a mile--Above those Isd. on the St. Side we camped altogether our Hunter or Spis discovered the sign of a war party of abt. 10 Men

[Clark, June 5, 1804]

June 5th Tuesday 1804 after Jurking the meet Killed yesterday and Crossing the hunting party we Set out at 6 oClock, from the last Course & distance, N 51 W. 5 ms.

to a pt. on the St. Sd. pa.s.sed a Small Creek on the Ld. S. I call Lead C. pa.s.sed a Creek on the S. S. of 20 yds. wide Cald. Lit. Good Womans C. on the L. S. a Prarie extends from Lead C. parrelel with the river to Mine river, at 4 ms. Pa.s.sed the Creek of the big rock about 15 yds.

wide on the L. Sd. at 11 oClock brought too a Small Caissee in which was two french men, from 80 Leagues up the Kansias R. where they wintered, and Cought a great quant.i.ty of Beaver, the greater part of which they lost by fire from the Praries, those men inform that the Kansas Nation are now out in the plains hunting Buffalow, they hunted last winter on this river Pa.s.sed a projecting rock on which was painted a figue and a Creek at 2 ms. above Called Little Manitou Creek from the Painted rock this Creek 20 yds. wide on the L. Sd. pa.s.sed a Small Creek on L. S. opposit a Verry bad Sand bar of Several ms. in extent, which we named Sand C here my Servent York Swam to the Sand bar to geather greens for our Dinner and returnd with a Sufficent quant.i.ty wild Creases or Teng gra.s.s, we pa.s.sed up for 2 ms on the L. S. of this Sand and was obliged to return, the Watr. uncertain the quick Sand Moveing we had a fine wind, but could not make use of it, our Mast being broke, we pa.s.sed between 2 Small Islands in the Middle of the Current, & round the head of three a rapid Current for one mile and Camped on the S. S.

opsd. a large Island in the middle of the river; one Perogue did not get up for two hours, our Scout discovd. the fresh sign of about 10 Inds. I expect that those Indians are on their way to war against the Osages nation probably they are the Saukees

[Clark, June 6, 1804]

Wednesday the 6th of June 1804.

Mended our mast this morning and Set out at 7 oClock, under a Jentle Braise from the S, E by S N 28 W 31/2 miles to a hill on St Sd. pa.s.sg the N. beige of the Island Called Split rock Island, the river rose last night a foot the Countrey about this Isd. is delightfull large rush bottom of rushes below on the St. Side N 49 W, 11/2 Ms. to the mouth of Split rock River ____ yds. wide on the Starboard Side opod.

the pt. of a Isd. pa.s.sed a place in the projecting rock Called the hole thro the rock, a round Cave pa.s.s thro the Pt. of rock's West 11/2 ms.

to a pt. on Std. Sd. opposit a Clift of rocks abt 200 foot N 31 W. 4 ms 1/2 to a pt. on L. Side pa.s.sed Saline Creek on the L. Side a large Salt Lick & Spring 9 me. up the Creek, one bushel of water will make 7 lb.

of good Salt

(Information) Took Meridian alt.i.tude of sun Limb. 37 6' 0" equat to ____ of Lattidude.

on this Creek, So great a no of Salt Springs are on it that the water is brackish N 51 W to a Belge of an Isd on the S. Sd. at 3 ms. Pa.s.sed a Willow Isd. in Middle, Some wind in the after part of to day from the S E, (the Banks are falling in greatly in this part of the river) as also is one Side or the other in all the Course, we a.s.sended on the North Side of the Isd. and finding that the perogues Could not Keep up Camped 2 hs. by Sun. on the Sd Sd the land below this is good.

[Clark, June 6, 1804]

June 6th Wednesday 1804 Mended our Mast this morning &, Set out at 7 oClock under a jentle breise from S. E. by S pa.s.sed the large Island, and a Creek Called Split rock Creek at 5 ms. on the S. S. psd. a place to the rock from which 20 yds we. this Creek takes its name, a projecting rock with a hole thro a point of the rock, at 8 ms. pa.s.sed the mouth of a Creek Called Saline or Salt R on the L. Sd. this River is about 30 yds. wide, and has So many Licks & Salt Springs on its banks that the Water of the Creek is Brackish, one Verry large Lick is 9 ms. up on the left Side the water of the Spring in this Lick is Strong as one bushel of the water is said to make 7 lb. of good Salt pa.s.sed a large Isd. & Several Small ones, the water excessivly Strong, So much So that we Camped Sooner than the usial time to waite for the pirogue, The banks are falling in Verry much to day river rose last night a foot.

Capt. Lewis took meridean altd. of Suns U. L. with the octant above Split Rock C. &made the alt.i.tude 37 6' 00 error of octt. as useal 2 0' 0"

+ The Countrey for Several miles below is good, on the top of the high land back is also tolerable land Some buffalow Sign to day

I am Still verry unwell with a Sore throat & head ake

[Clark, June 7, 1804]

Thursday 7th of June 1804 Set out early pa.s.sed the head of the Isd from the Isd. N. 61 W. to the mouth of a Creek Called big monitu on St. Sd.

41/2 ms. psd. a Sand bar in the river, Som Buffalow Sign Sent out George Drewyer & Newmon to hunt Capt Lewis and 6 men went to a Lick up this Creek on the right Side over 2 mes. & 2 other not far above the water runs out of the bank & not verry Strong. 3 to 500 G for a bush.e.l.l.

S 88 W. 2 Miles to a pt. on Lbd. Side, high bluff on the Stbd. Side, Monitou Creek is 30 yds. Wide at the mouth, pa.s.sed a painted part of a Projecting rock we found ther a Den of rattle Snakes, Killed 3 proceeded on pa.s.sed, S 81W 4 ms. to apt. on S. Side pa.s.sed an Island in the Middle of the river, S. 87 W. to a pt. of high Land on the L. S.

pa.s.s'g over the Middle of a willow Island, ms. 31/2 proceed on 1/2 a mile on this Course a Camped at the mouth of Good womans river on the S. S. about 35 yds wide, & navagable Som D. our hunters brought in 3 bear this evening-& infd. that the Countrey between this R. & the Monitou R is rich and well watered, Capt. Lewis went out an hour this evening

[Clark, June 7, 1804]

June 7th Thursday 1804 Set out early pa.s.sed the head of the Island opposit which we Camped last night, and brackfast at the Mouth of a large Creek on the S. S. Of 30 yds wide Called big Monetou, from the pt. of the Isd. or Course of last night to the mouth of this Creek is N 61 W 41/2 ms. a Short distance above the mouth of this Creek, is Several Courious Paintings and Carveing in the projecting rock of Limestone inlade with white red & blue flint, of a verry good quallity, the Indians have taken of this flint great quant.i.ties. We landed at this Inscription and found it a Den of rattle Snakes, we had not landed 3 minutes before three verry large Snakes wer observed on the Crevises of the rocks & Killed--at the mouth of the last mentioned Creek Capt. Lewis took four or five men & went to Some Licks or Springs of Salt water from two to four miles up the Creek on Rt. Side the water of those Springs are not Strong, Say from 4 to 600 Gs. of water for a Bushel of Salt pa.s.sed Some Small willow Islands and Camped at the Mouth of a Small river called Good Womans River this river is about 35 yards wide and Said to be navagable for Perogues Several Leagues Capt. Lewis with 2 men went up the Creek a Short distance. our Hunters brought in three Bear this evening, and informs that the Countrey thro which they pa.s.sed from the last Creek is fine rich land, & well watered.