Journal Entry

Clark: September 19, 1804

September 19, 1804
Missouri River near Big Bend

(1) & (2) passed a large Island Situated nearest the S. S. 1/2 a mile
from the Lower pt. of this Island, the 1st of the 3 rivers mouths which is
about 35 yards wide, running from the N E. one mile above the 2nd Comes in
this is Small not more that 15 yards wide a Short Distance above a 3d
comes in scattering its waters thro a bottom. I walked on Shore to See
this great Pass of the Sioux and Calumet ground, found it a handsom
Situation, and Saw the remains of their Campt on the 2d river, for many
years passed(3) passed a Creek on the L. S. 15 yds wide we (4)
passed a Creek 20 yds wide (5) passed a Creek 20 yd. wide on the L. S. I
call Night C. as I did not get to it untill late at night, above the mouth
of this Creek we camped, the wind being favourable, for the boat I Killed
a fat Buffalow Cow, and a fat Buck elk, york my Servent Killed a Buck, the
Huntes Killed 4 Deer, & the boat Crew killed 2 Buffalow Swiming the
river, handsom Countrey of Plains, I saw many trovs of Buffalow & a
Gangue of 30 or 40 Elk and othr Scattering elk &c. a find evening I
hurt my hands & feet last night

19th of September Wednesday 1804 Set out early, a Cool morning verry Clear
the wind from the S. E a Bluff on the L. S.here Commences a
Butifull Countrey on both Sides of the Missourie, (2) passed a large
Island Called Prospect Island op posit this Isd. the 3 rivers Coms in,
passing thro a butifull Plain, here I walked on Shore & Killed a fat
Cow & Sent her to the boat and proceeded on to the first of the 3
rivers, this river is about 35 yards wide Contains a good deel of water, I
walked up this river 2 miles & Cross, the bottom is high and rich Some
timber, I crossed & returned to the mouth, & proceeded up one mile
to the 2d river which is Small 12 yards wide, and on it but little timber,
on this Creek the Seaux has frequently Camped, as appears by the Signsthe
lands betwen those two Creeks in a purpindicular bluff of about 80 feet
with a butifull Plain & gentle assent backa Short distance
above the 2nd a 3rd Creek Comes into the river in 3 places Scattering its
waters over the large timbered bottom, this Creek is near the Size of the
middle Creek Containing a greater quantity of water, those rivers is the
place that all nations who meet are at peace with each other, Called the
Seaux pass of the 3 rivers.

The boat proceeded on passd. the Island (3) passed a Creek 15 yds wide on
the L. Side (4) passed a Creek on the L. S. 20 yards wide which I Call Elm
Creek passing thro a high Plain (5) passed a Creek on the L. S. 18 yds.
wide above which the boat Came too, I joined them late at night, and Call
this Creek Night Creek the winds favourable all Day, I killed a fat buck
Elk late and could only get his Skin and a Small part of his flesh to
Camp. My Servent Killed a Buck, the Crew in the boat Killed 2 buffalow in
the riverThe Hunters on Shore Killed 4 Deer with black tails one of
which was a Buck with two men Prongs on each Side forked equally, which I
never before Seen. I saw Several large gangs of Buffaloes 2 large Herds of
Elk & goats &c. (6) pass a Small Island on the S. S. opposit to
this Island on the L. S. a Creek of about 10 yards wide Coms in passing
thro a plain in which great quantities of the Prickley Pear grows. I call
this Creek Prickley Pear Creek, This Isld. is Called the lower Island it
is Situated at the Commencement of what is Called & Known by the Grand
de Tortu or Big Bend of the Missourie.

Our Partners