John Ordway Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Clark: September 7, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:57 +0000

Sunday 7th September 1806 as we were doubtfull that the two fieldses were
behind I derected Sergt. Ordway with 4 men to Continue untill Meridian and
if those men did not arive by that hour to proceed on. if we met with them
at any Short distance a gun Should be fired which would be a Signal for
him to proceed on. we had proceeded on about 8 miles by water and the
distance through not more than 1 mile when we Saw the fire of those 2 men,
I derected a gun fired as a Signal for Sergt. ordway to proceed on, and
took the boys on board. they had killed nothing & informed me they had
been Somewhat almd. at our delay, that the distance across from the little
Sieoux river was about 1 1/2 miles only, the bottoms thick and Grass very
high. we proceded on with a Stiff Breeze ahead (note the evaperation on
this portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we assended this river,
and it now appears to be greater than it was at that time. I am obliged to
replenish my ink Stand every day with fresh ink at least 9/10 of which
must evaperate.) we proceded on to a bottom on the S W Side a little above
the Soldiers river and Came too and Sent out all the hunters. they killed
3 Elk which was at no great distance we Sent out the men and had the flesh
brought in Cooked and Dined. Sergt. Ordway Came up & after takeing a
Sumptious Dinner we all Set out at 4 P M wind ahead as usial. at Dusk we
came too on the lower part of a Sand bar on the S W side found the
Musquetors excessively tormenting not withstanding a Stiff breeze from the
S. E. a little after dark the wind increased the Musquetors dispersed our
Camp of this night is about 2 miles below our Encampment of the 4th of
august 1804 ascending we came 44 miles to day only

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Clark: August 31, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:56 +0000

Saturday 31st August 1806 all wet and disagreeable this morning. at half
past 11 last night the wind Shifted about to the N. W. and it began to
rain with hard Claps of thunder and lightning the Clouds passd over and
the wind Shifted about to the S W. & blew with great violence So much
So that all hands were obliged to hold the Canoes & Perogue to prevent
their being blown off from the Sand bar, however a Suden Squal of wind
broke the cables of the two Small Canoes and with Some dificuelty they
were got to Shore Soon after the 2 Canoes in which Sergt. Pryor and the
indians go in broke loose with wiser and Willard in them and were blown
quite across the river to the N E. Shore where fortunately they arived
Safe, I Sent Sergt. Jo Ordway with a Small perogue and 6 men to prosue the
2 Canoes and assist them in effecting a landing, those 2 Canoes being tied
together 2 men could not manage them, the wind Slackened a little and by 2
A.M. Sergt Ordway with willard wiser and the 2 Canoes returned all Safe,
the wind continud to blow and it rained untill day light all wet and
disagreeable. all the party examind their arms and put them in order and
we Set out and proceeded on down. Saw Several Indians on the hills untill
we passed the Island of Cedar 9 A. M the morning Cloudy and wind down the
the river at 4 P.M. passed the doome and lowest village of Barking
Squirels. this is also the highest up the river where I observed the fox
Squirel in the bottom above the doome on N. E Side I killed 2 fox
Squirels. we Saw no game of any kind to day as the banks as usial. the Sun
Shone with a number of flying Clouds. we encamped on the N. E. Side a
little below our Encampment of the 5th of Septr. on no preserve Island
haveing Come 70 Miles.

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Clark: August 21, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:54 +0000

Thursday 21st August 1806 Musquetors very troublesom in the early part of
last night and again this morning I directed Sergt. Ordway to proceed on
to where there was Some ash and get enough for two ores which were
wanting. Men all put their arms in perfect order and we Set out at 5 a.m.
over took Sergt. ordway with wood for oars &c. at 8 A.M. Met three
french men Comeing up, they proved to be three men from the Ricaras two of
them Reevea & Greinyea wintered with us at the mandans in 1804 we Came
too, those men informed us that they were on their way to the Mandans, and
intended to go down to the Illinois this fall. one of them quit a young
lad requested a passage down to the Illinois, we concented and he got into
a Canoe to an Ore. Those men informd us that 700 Seeoux had passed the
Ricaras on their way to war with the Mandans & Menitarras and that
their encampment where the Squaws and Children wer, was Some place near
the Big Bend of this river below. no ricaras had accompanied them but were
all at home, they also informed us that no trader had arived at the
Ricaras this Season, and that they were informed that the Pania or Ricara
Chief who went to the United States last Spring was a year, died on his
return at Smoe place near the Sieoux river &c. those men had nether
powder nor lead we gave them a horn of powder and Some balls and after a
delay of an hour we parted from the 2 men Reevey & Grienway and
proceeded on. the wind rose and bley from the N. W. at half past 11 a.m.
we arived in view of the upper Ricara villages, a Great number of womin
Collecting wood on the banks, we Saluted the village with four guns and
they returned the Salute by fireing Several guns in the village, I
observed Several very white Lodges on the hill above the Town which the
ricaras from the Shore informed me were Chyennes who had just arived-. we
landed opposit to the 2d Villages and were met by the most of the men
women and children of each village as also the Chyennes they all appeared
anxious to take us by the hand and much rejoiced to See us return. I
Steped on Shore and was Saluted by the two great Chiefs, whome we had made
or given Medals to as we assend this river in 1804, and also Saluted by a
great number both of Ricaras & Chyennes, as they appeared anxious to
here what we had done &c. as well as to here Something about the
Mandans & Minetarras. I Set my self down on the Side of the Bank and
the Chiefs & brave men of the Ricaras & Chyennes formed a Cercle
around me. after takeing a Smoke of Mandan tobacco which the Big white
Chief who was Seated on my left hand furnished, I informed them as I had
before informed the Mandans & Menitarras, where we had been what we
had done and Said to the different nations in there favour and envited
Some of their Chiefs to accompany us down and See their great father and
receve from his own mouth his good Councils and from his own hands his
bountifull gifts &c. telling pretty much the Same which I had told the
mandans and menitarras. told them not to be afraid of any nation below
that none would hurt them &c. a man of about 32 years of age was
intreduced to me as 1st Chief of the nation this man they Call the grey
eyes or ____ he was absent from the Nation at the time we passed up, the
man whome we had acknowledged as the principal chief informed me that the
Grey eyes was a greater Chief than himself and that he had given up all
his pretentions with the Flag and Medal to the Grey eyesThe
principal chief of the Chyenne’s was then introduced he is a Stout jolley
fellow of about 35 years of age whome the Ricaras Call the Grey Eyes I
also told the ricaras that I was very Sorrey to here that they were not on
friendly terms with their neighbours the Mandans & Menetarras, and had
not listened to what we had Said to them but had Suffered their young men
to join the Sieoux who had killed 8 Mandans &c. that their young men
had Stolen the horses of the Minetarras, in retaliation for those enjories
the Mandans & Menetarras had Sent out a war party and killed 2
ricaras. how could they expect other nations would be at peace with them
when they themselves would not listen to what their great father had told
them. I further informed them that the Mandans & Menetaras had opened
their ears to what we had Said to them but had Staid at home untill they
were Struk that they were Still disposed to be friendly and on good terms
with the ricaras, they then Saw the great Chief of the Mandans by my Side
who was on his way to see his great father, and was derected by his nation
& the Menetaras & Maharhas, to Smoke in the pipe of peace with you
and to tell you not to be afraid to go to their towns, or take the Birds
in the plains that their ears were open to our Councils and no harm Should
be done to a Ricara. The Chief will Speak presently The Grey eyes Chief of
the ricaras made a very animated Speach in which he mentioned his
williness of following the councels which we had given them that they had
Some bad young men who would not listen to the Councels but would join the
Seioux, those men they had discarded and drove out of their villages, that
the Seioux were the Cause of their Missunderstanding &c. that they
were a bad peoples. that they had killed Several of the Ricaras Since I
Saw them. That Several of the chiefs wished to accompany us down to See
their great father, but wished to see the Chief who went down last Sumer
return first, he expressed Some apprehention as to the Safty of that
Chiefs in passing the Sieoux. that the Ricaras had every wish to be
friendly with the Mandans &c. that every mandan &c. who chose to
visit the ricares should be Safe that he Should Continue with his nation
and See that they followed the Council which we had given them &c.The
Sun being very hot the Chyenne Chief envited us to his Lodge which was
pitched in the plain at no great distance from the River. I accepted the
invitation and accompanied him to his lodge which was new and much larger
than any which I have Seen it was made of 20 dressed Buffalow Skins in the
Same form of the Sceoux and lodges of other nations of this quarter. about
this lodges was 20 others Several of them of nearly the Same Size. I
enquired for the ballance of the nation and was informed that they were
near at hand and would arive on tomorrow and when all together amounted to
120 Lodges after Smokeing I gave a medal of the Small size to the Chyenne
Chief &c. which appeared to alarm him, he had a robe and a fleece of
fat Buffalow meat brought and gave me with the meadel back and informed me
that he knew that the white people were all medecine and that he was
afraid of the midal or any thing that white people gave to them. I had
previously explained the cause of my gveing him the medal & flag, and
again told him the use of the medal and the caus of my giveing it to him,
and again put it about his neck delivering him up his preasent of a roab
& meat, informing him that this was the medecene which his Great
father directed me to deliver to all the great Chiefs who listened to his
word and followed his councils, that he had done So and I should leave the
medal with him as a token of his cincerity &c. he doubled the quantity
of meat, and received the medal

The Big White chief of the Mandans Spoke at some length explainin the
Cause of the misunderstanding between his nation and the ricaras,
informing them of his wish to be on the most freindly termes &c. the
Chyennes accused both nations of being in folt. I told to them all that if
they eve wished to be hapy that they must Shake off all intimecy with the
Seioux and unite themselves in a Strong allience and attend to what we had
told them &c. which they promesed all to do and we Smoked and parted
on the best terms, the Mandan Chief was Saluted by Several Chiefs and
brave men on his way with me to the riverI had requested the
ricaras & Chyennes to inform me as Soon as possible of their
intentions of going down with us to See their great father or not. in the
evening the Great Chief requested that I would walk to his house which I
did, he gave me about 2 quarts of Tobacco, 2 beaver Skins and a trencher
of boiled Corn & beans to eat (as it is the Custom of all the Nations
on the Missouri to give Something to every white man who enters their
lodge Something to eat) this Chief informed me that none of his Chiefs
wished to go down with us they all wished to See the cheif who went down
return first, that the Chyennes were a wild people and were afraid to go.
that they Should all listen to what I had Said. I gave him Some ribon to
Suspend his Medal to and a Shell which the Snake indians gave me for which
he was very much pleased.

The interpreter informed me that the Cheifs of those villages had no
intention of going down. one the Cheifs of the Village on the island
talkd. of going down. I returned to the boat where I found the principal
Chief of the lower vilege who had Cut part of his hair and disfigured
himself in Such a manner that I did not know him, he informed me the Sieux
had killed his nephew and that Was in tears for him &c. we deturmind
to proceed down to the Island and accordingly took the chief on board and
proceeded on down to the isd village at which place we arived a little
before dark and were met as before by nearly every individual of the
Village, we Saluted them and landed imediately opposit the town. The one
arm 2d Cheif of this village whome we had expected to accompany us down
Spoke to the mandan Cheif in a loud and thretening tone which Caused me to
be Some what alarmed for the Safty of that Cheif, I inform the Ricaras of
this village that the Mandans had opened their ears to and fold. our
Councils, that this Cheif was on his way to see their Great Father the P.
of U S. and was under our protection that if any enjorey was done to him
by any nation that we Should all die to a man. I told the Ricaras that
they had told us lies, they promised to be at peace with the mandans &
Menetarras. that our back was Scrcely turned before they went to war &
Killd. them and Stole their horses &cThe Cheif then envited me
& the Mandan Chief to his house to talk there. I accompanied him,
after takeing a very Serimonious Smoke the 2d Cheif informd. me that he
had opened his ears to what we had Said to him at the time we gave him the
medal that he had not been to war against any Natn. Since, that once been
to See the mandans and they were going to kill him, they had not killed
the Mandans, it was the Seeoux who killed them and not the ricaras, he
Said that the Mandan Cheif was as Safe as if he was in his own Vilg that
he had opened his ears and Could here as well as the mandans. I then
informd them what I had told the upper villages and we all become
perfectly reconsiled all to each other and Smoked in the most perfect
harmony we had invatations to go into their lodges and eate. I at length
went to the grand Chiefs Lodge by his particelar invitation, the Mandan
Chief Stuck close to me the Chief had prepd. a Supper of boiled young
Corn, beens & quashes of which he gave me in Wooden bowls. he also
gave me near 2 quarts of the Tobacco Seed, & informed me he had always
had his ears open to what we had Said, that he was well convinced that the
Seeoux was the caus of all the trouble between the Mandans & them the
Ricars had Stolen horses from the Mandan which had been returned all
except one which could not be got, this mischief was done by Some young
men who was bad. a long Conversation of explanations took place between
the Ricara & mandan Chiefs which appeared to be Satisfactory on both
Sides. the Chief gave a pipe with great form and every thing appeared to
be made up. I returned to the river & went to bead. the Indians contd
on board. made 22 miles today only.

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Lewis: August 7, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:51 +0000

Thursday August 7th 1806. It began to rain about midnight and continued
with but little intermission until 10 A.M. today. the air was cold and
extreemly unpleasant. we set out early resolving if possible to reach the
Yelowstone river today which was at the distance of 83 ms. from our
encampment of the last evening; the currant favoured our progress being
more rapid than yesterday, the men plyed their oars faithfully and we went
at a good rate. at 8 A.M. we passed the entrance of Marthy’s river which
has changed it’s entrance since we passed it last year, falling in at
preasent about a quarter of a mile lower down. at or just below the
entrance of this river we meet with the first appearance of Coal birnt
hills and pumicestone, these appearances seem to be coextensive. here it
is also that we find the first Elm and dwarf cedar on the bluffs, the ash
first appears in the instance of one solletary tree at the Ash rapid,
about the Elk rapid and from thence down we occasionly meet with it
scattered through the bottoms but it is generally small. from Marthy’s
river to Milk river on the N. E. side there is a most beautifull level
plain country; the soil is much more fertile here than above. we overtook
the Feildses at noon. they had killed 2 bear and seen 6 others, we saw and
fired on two from our perogue but killed neither of them. these bear
resort the river where they lie in wate at the crossing places of the game
for the Elk and weak cattle; when they procure a subject of either they
lie by the carcase and keep the wolves off untill they devour it. the bear
appear to be very abundant on this part of the river. we saw a number of
buffaloe Elk &c as we passed but did not detain to kill any of them.
we also saw an unusual flight of white gulls about the size of a pigeon
with the top of their heads black. at 4 P.M. we arrived at the entrance of
the Yellowstone river. I landed at the point and found that Capt. Clark
had been encamped at this place and from appearances had left it about 7
or 8 days. I found a paper on a pole at the point which mearly contained
my name in the hand wrighting of Capt. C. we also found the remnant of a
note which had been attatched to a peace of Elk’s horns in the camp; from
this fragment I learned that game was scarce at the point and musquetoes
troublesome which were the reasons given for his going on; I also learnt
that he intended halting a few miles below where he intended waiting my
arrival. I now wrote a note directed to Colter and Collins provided they
were behind, ordering them to come on without loss of time; this note I
wraped in leather and attatced onto the same pole which Capt. C. had
planted at the point; this being done I instantly reimbarked and decended
the river in the hope of reaching Capt. C’s camp before night. about 7
miles below the point on the S. W. shore I saw some meat that had been
lately fleased and hung on a pole; I directed Sergt. Ordway to go on shore
examine the place; on his return he reported that he saw the tracks of two
men which appeared so resent that he beleived they had been there today,
the fire he found at the plce was blaizing and appeared to have been
mended up afresh or within the course of an hour past. he found at this
place a part of a Chinnook hat which my men recognized as the hat of
Gibson; from these circumstances we included that Capt. C’s camp could not
be distant and pursued our rout untill dark with the hope of reaching his
camp in this however we were disappointed and night coming on compelled us
to encamp on the N. E. shore in the next bottom above our encampment of
the 23rd and 24th of April 1805. as we came too a herd of buffaloe
assembled on the shore of which we killed a fat cow.-

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Lewis: August 5, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:51 +0000

Tuesday August 5th 1806. Colter and Collins not having arrived induced me
to remain this morning for them. the hunters killed four deer this morning
near our encampment. I remained untill noon when I again reimbarked and
set out concluding that as Colter and Collins had not arrived by that time
that they had passed us after dark the night of the 3rd inst. as Sergt
Ordway informed me he should have done last evening had not the centinel
hailed him. we continued our rout untill late in the evening when I came
too and encamped on the South side about 10 miles below little dry river.
on our way we killed a fat cow and took as much of the flesh as was
necessary for us. The Feildses killed 2 large bear this evening one of
them measured nine feet from the extremity of the nose to that of his
tail, this is the largest bear except one that I have seen. we saw several
bear today as we passed but did not kill any of them. we also saw on our
way immence herds of buffaloe & Elk, many deer Antelopes, wolves,
geese Eagles &c. but few ducks or prarie hens. the geese cannot fly at
present; I saw a solitary Pillacon the other day in the same situation.
this happens from their sheding or casting the fathers of the wings at
this season.

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Lewis: August 4, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:50 +0000

Monday August 4th 1806. Set out at 4 A.M. this morning. permited Willard
and Sergt. Ordway to exchange with the Feildses and take their small canoe
to hunt to-day. at 1/2 after eleven O’Ck. passed the entrance of big dry
river; found the water in this river about 60 yds. wide tho shallow. it
runs with a boald even currant. at 3 P.M. we arrived at the entrance of
Milk river where we halted a few minutes. this stream is full at present
and it’s water is much the colour of that of the Missouri; it affords as
much water at present as Maria’s river and I have no doubt extends itself
to a considerable distance North. during our halt we killed a very large
rattlesnake of the speceis common to our country. it had 176 scuta on the
abdomen and 25 on the tail, it’s length 5 feet. the scutae on the tail
fully formed. after passing this river we saw several large herds of
buffaloe and Elk we killed one of each of these animals and took as much
of the flesh as we wished. we encamped this evening two miles below the
gulph on the N. E. side of the river. Tonight for the first time this
season I heard the small whippoorwill or goatsucker of the Missouri cry.
Colter and Collins have not yet overtaken us. Ordway and Willard delayed
so much time in hunting today that they did not overtake us untill about
midnight. they killed one bear and 2 deer. in passing a bend just below
the gulph it being dark they were drawn by the currant in among a parsel
of sawyers, under one of which the canoe was driven and throwed Willard
who was steering overboard; he caught the sawyer and held by it; Ordway
with the canoe drifted down about half a mile among the sawyers under a
falling bank, the canoe struck frequently but did not overset; he at
length gained the shore and returned by land to learn the fate of Willard
whom he found was yet on the sawyer; it was impossible for him to take the
canoe to his relief Willard at length tied a couple of sticks together
which had lodged against the sawyer on which he was and set himself a
drift among the sawyers which he fortunately escaped and was taken up
about a mile below by Ordway with the canoe; they sustained no loss on
this occasion. it was fortunate for Willard that he could swim tolerably
well.

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Clark: July 13, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:43 +0000

Sunday 13th July 1806 Set out early this morning and proceded on very well
to the enterance of Madicines river at our old Encampment of the 27th July
last at 12 where I found Sergt. Pryor and party with the horses, they had
arived at this place one hour before us. his party had killed 6 deer &
a white bear I had all the horses driven across Madicine & gallitines
rivers and halted to dine and let the horses feed imediately below the
enterance of Gallitine. had all the baggage of the land party taken out of
the Canoes and after dinner the 6 Canoes and the party of 10 men under the
direction of Sergt. Ordway Set out. previous to their departur I gave
instructions how they were to proceed &c. I also wrote to Capt Lewis
by Sergt. Ordway-. my party now Consists of the following persons Viz:
Serjeant N. Pryor, Jo. Shields, G. Shannon William Bratton, Labiech,
Windsor, H. Hall, Gibson, Interpreter Shabono his wife & Child and my
man york; with 49 horses and a colt. the horses feet are very sore and
Several of them can Scercely proceed on. at 5. P. M I Set out from the
head of Missouri at the 3 forks, and proceeded on nearly East 4 miles and
Encamped on the bank of Gallitines River which is a butifull navigable
Stream. Saw a large Gange of Elk in the plains and Deer in the river
bottoms. I also observe beaver and Several otter in galletines river as I
passed along. Gibson killed an otter the fur of which was much longer and
whiter than any which I had Seen. Willard killed 2 deer this morning. all
the meat I had put into the Canoes except a Sufficiency for Supper. The
Country in the forks between Gallitins & Madisens rivers is a butifull
leavel plain Covered with low grass.on the lower or N E. Side of
Gallitins river the Country rises gradually to the foot of a mountain
which runs nearly parrelal. those plains are indefferant or the Soil of
which is not very rich they are Stoney & Contain Several Stratas of
white rock. the Current of the river is rapid and near the mouth contains
Several islands, it is navigable for Canoes. I saw Several Antelope Common
Deer, wolves, beaver, Otter, Eagles, hawks, Crows, wild gees both old and
young, does &c. &c. I observe Several leading roads which appear
to pass to a gap of the mountain in a E. N E. direction about 18 or 20
miles distant. The indian woman who has been of great Service to me as a
pilot through this Country recommends a gap in the mountain more South
which I shall cross.-.

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Clark: July 10, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:42 +0000

Thursday July 10th 1806 last night was very cold and this morning
everything was white with frost and the grass Stiff frozend. I had Some
water exposed in a bason in which the ice was 3/4 of an inch thick this
morning. I had all the Canoes put into the water and every article which
was intended to be Sent down put on board, and the horses collected and
packed with what fiew articles I intend takeing with me to the River
Rochejhone, and after brackfast we all Set out at the Same time &
proceeded on Down Jeffersons river on the East Side through Sarviss Vally
and rattle snake mountain and into that butifull and extensive Vally open
and fertile which we Call the beaver head Vally which is the Indian name
in their language Har na Hap pap Chah. from the No. of those animals in it
& a pt. of land resembling the head of one this Vally extends from the
rattle Snake Mountain down Jeffersons river as low as fraziers Creek above
the big horn mountain and is from 12 to 30 miles in width and ____ miles
on a direct line in length and Jeffersons river in passing through this
Vally reives McNeals Creek, Track Creek, Phalanthrophy river, Wisdom
river, Fields river and Fraziers Creek each throw in a considerable
quantity of water and have innoumerable beaver and otter on them; the
bushes in their low bottoms are the resort for great numbers of Deer, and
in the higher parts of the Vally we see Antelopes scattered feeding. I saw
also on the Sides of the rock in rattle snake mountain 15 big horn
animals, those animals feed on the grass which grow on the Sides of the
mountn. and in the narrow bottoms on the Water courses near the Steep
Sides of the mountains on which they can make their escape from the
pursute of wolves Bear &c. at Meridian I halted to let the horses
Graze having Come 15 Miles I ordered the to land. Sergt. Ordway informed
me that the party with him had Come on very well, and he thought the
Canoes could go as farst as the horses &c. as the river now become
wider and not So Sholl, I deturmined to put all the baggage &c. which
I intend takeing with me to the river Rochejhone in the canoes and proceed
on down with them myself to the 3 forks or Madisons & galletens
rivers. leaveing the horses to be taken down by Sergt. Pryor and 6 of the
men of the party to accompany me to the river Rochejhone and directed
Sergt. Pryor to proceed on moderately and if possible encamp with us every
night. after dinner had my baggage put on board and Set out, and proceeded
on tolerable well to the head of the 3000 Mile Island on which we had
encamped on the 11th of Augt last. the Canoes passed Six of my encampments
assending, opposit this island I encamped on the East side. the Musquetors
were troublesom all day and untill one hour after Sunset when it became
Cool and they disappeared. in passing down in the Course of this day we
saw great numbers of beaver lying on the Shores in the Sun. wild young
Gees and ducks are common in this river. we killed two young gees this
evening. I saw several large rattle Snakes in passing the rattle Snake
Mountain they were fierce.

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Clark: July 9, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:41 +0000

Wednesday 9th July 1806 rose early had the horses brought up. after which
I had the Canoes raised washed, brough down and drawn up on Shore to dry
and repard. Set Several men to work digging for the Tobacco Capt. Lewis
informed me he had buried in the place the lodge Stood when we lay here
last Summer, they Serched diligently without finding anything. at 10 A M
Sergt. Ordway and party arrived with the horses we had lost. he reported
that he found those horses near the head of the Creek on which we
encamped, makeing off as fast as they could and much Scattered. nothing
material took place with his party in their absence. I had the Canoes
repared men & lodes appotioned ready to embark tomorrow morning. I
also formd. the party to accomp me to the river Rejhone from applicants
and apportioned what little baggage I intended to carry as also the Spear
horses. this day was windy and Cold. The Squar brought me a Plant the root
of which the nativs eat. this root most resembles a Carrot in form and
Size and Something of its colour, being of a pailer yellow than that of
our Carrot, the Stem and leaf is much like the Common Carrot, and the
taste not unlike. it is a native of moist land.John Sheilds and
Collins each killed a Deer this morning. the wind dried our Canoes very
much they will be Sufficiently dry by tomorrow morning to Set out in them
down the river.

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Clark: July 7, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:41 +0000

Monday 7th July 1806 This morning our horses were very much Scattered; I
Sent out men in every direction in Serch of them. they brought all except
9 by 6 oClock and informed me that they could not find those 9. I then
ordered 6 men to take horses and go different directions and at a greater
distance those men all returned by 10 A.M. and informed me that they had
circles in every direction to 6 or 8 miles around Camp and could not See
any Signs of them, that they had reasons to believe that the indians had
Stolen them in the course of the night, and founded their reasons on the
quallity of the horses, all being the most valuable horses we had, and
Several of them so attached to horses of inferior quallity which we have
they could not be Seperated from each other when driveing with their loads
on in the course of the day. I thought it probable that they might be
stolen by Some Skulking Shoshones, but as it was yet possible that they
may have taken our back rout or rambled to a greater distance I deturmined
to leave a Small party and hunt for them to day, and proceed on with the
main party and all the baggage to the Canoes, raise them out of the water
and expose them to the sun to dry by the time this party Should overtake
me. I left Sergt. Ordway, Shannon, Gibson Collins & Labeech with
directions to hunt this day for the horses without they Should discover
that the Inds. had taken them into the Mountains, and prosue our trail
&c. at 1/2 past 10 A M I set out and proceeded on through an open rich
vally crossing four large Creeks with extensive low and mirey bottoms, and
a Small river keeping the Course I had set out on S. 56° E after crossing
the river I kept up on the N E. side, Sometimes following an old road
which frequently disappeared, at the distance of 16 miles we arived at a
Boiling Spring Situated about 100 paces from a large Easterly fork of the
Small river in a leavel open vally plain and nearly opposit & E. of
the 3 forks of this little river which heads in the Snowey Mountains to
the S E. & S W of the Springs. this Spring contains a very
considerable quantity of water, and actually blubbers with heat for 20
paces below where it rises. it has every appearance of boiling, too hot
for a man to endure his hand in it 3 seconds. I directt Sergt. Pryor and
John Shields to put each a peice of meat in the water of different Sises.
the one about the Size of my 3 fingers Cooked dun in 25 minits the other
much thicker was 32 minits before it became Sufficiently dun. this water
boils up through some loose hard gritty Stone. a little sulferish after
takeing dininer and letting our horses graize 1 hour and a half we
proceeded on Crossed this easterly branch and up on the N. Side of this
middle fork 9 miles crossed it near the head of an Easterly branch and
passed through a gap of a mountain on the Easterly Side of which we
encamped near some butifull which fall into Willards Creek. I directed
that the rambling horses should be hobbled, and the Sentinal to examine
the horses after the moon rose. Emence beaver sign.

This extensive vally Surround with covered with snow is extreemly fertile
covered esculent plants &c and the Creeks which pass through it
contains emence numbers of beaver &c. I now take my leave of this
butifull extensive vally which I call the hot spring Vally, and behold one
less extensive and much more rugid on Willards Creek for near 12 miles in
length. remarkable Cold night

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