[Clark, October 1, 1804]
1st of October Monday 1804 The wind blew hard from the S. E.
all last night, Set out early passed a large Island in the
middle of the river opposit this Island the Ricaras lived in
2 Villages on the S W. Side, about 2 Miles above the upper
point of the Island the Chyenne River Coms in on the L. S.
and is about 400 yards wide dischargeing but little water
for a R. of its Size, the Current jentle, and navagable, to
the Black mountains we haule the Boat over a Sand bar, River
wide & Shoal, pass'd a Creek at 5 mils we Call Sentinal
Creek, a Small one above, but little timber about this
river, the hills not So high as usial, the upper Creek I
call lookout Creek, Camped on a Sand bar, opposit a Tradeing
house, where a Mr. Valles & 2 men had Some fiew goods to
trade with the Sioux, a boy came to us, This Mr. Vallie
informed us he wintered last winter 300 Legus up the Chyemne
River under the Black mountains, he Sais the River is rapid
and bad to navagate, it forks 100 Leagus up the N. fork
enters the Black mountain 40 Leagues above the forks the
Countrey like that on the Missouri less timber more Cedar,
the Coat Nur or Black m. is high and Some parts retain Snow
all Summer, Covered with timber principally pine, Great
number of goats and a kind of anamal with verry large horns
about the Size of a Small Elk, White Bear no bever on the
chien great numbers in the mountains, The Chyenne Nation has
about 300 Lodges hunt the Buffalow, Steel horses from the
Spanish Settlements, which they doe in 1 month- the Chanal
of this River is Corse gravel, Those mountains is inhabited
also by the white booted Turkeys worthy of remark that the
Grouse or Prarie hen is Booted, the Toes of their feet So
constructed as to walk on the Snow, and the Tail Short with
2 long Stiff feathers in the middle.
Sand bars are So noumerous, that it is impossible to
discribe them, & think it unnecessary to mention them.
[Clark, October 1, 1804]
1st of October Monday 1804 - The wind blew hard all last
night from the S. E. verry Cold Set out early the wind Still
hard passed a large Island in the middle of the river (1)
opsd. the lower point of this Island the Ricrerees formerly
lived in a large Town on the L. S. above the head of the
Island about 2 miles we passed the (2) River) L. S. this
river Comes in from the S W. and is about 400 yards wide,
the Current appears gentle, throwing out but little Sands,
and appears to throw out but little water the heads of this
River is Indians live Some distance up this river, the
presise distance I cant learn, above the mouth of this river
the Sand bars are thick and the water Shoal the river Still
verry wide and falling a little we are obliged to haul the
boat over a Sand bar, after makeing Several attempts to
pass. the wind So hard we Came too & Stayed 3 hours after it
Slackened a little we proceeded on round a bend, the wind in
the after part of the Day a head- (2) passed a Creek on the
L. S. which we Call the Sentinal, this part of the river has
but little timber, the hills not so high. the Sand bars now
noumerous, & river more than one mile wide including the
Sand bars. (2) pass a Small Creek above the latter which we
Call lookout C-. Continued on with the wind imediately a
head, and Came too on a large Sand bar in the middle of the
river, we Saw a man opposit to our Camp on the L. S. which
we discovd. to be a Frenchman, a little of the willows we
observed a house, we Call to them to come over, a boy Came
in a Canoo & informed that 2 french men were at the house
with good to trade with the Seauex which he expected down
from the rickerries everry day, Severl large parties of
Seauex Set out from the rics for this place to trade with
those men- This Mr. Jon Vallie informs us that he wintered
last winter 300 Leagues up the Chien River under the Black
mountains, he informs that this river is verry rapid and
dificiult even for Canoos to assend and when riseing the
Swels is verry high, one hundred Leagues up it forks one
fork Comes from the S. the other at 40 Leagues above the
forks enters the black Mountain. The Countrey from the
Missourie to the black mountain is much like the Countrey on
the Missourie, less timber & a greatr perpotion of Ceder.
The black Mountains he Says is verry high, and Some parts of
it has Snow on it in the Summer great quantities of Pine
Grow on the mountains, a great noise is heard frequently on
those mountains-, on the mountains great numbers of goat,
and a kind of Anamale with large Circuler horns, This
animale is nearly the Size of an Argalia Small Elk. White
bear is also plenty- The Chien Inds. inhabit this river
principally, and Steel horses from the Spanish Settlements
This excurtion they make in one month the bottoms & Sides of
R Chien is Corse gravel. This frenchman gives an account of
a white booted turkey an inhabitant of the Cout Noie-
[Clark, October 1, 1804]
1st of October Monday 1804 - at the Mouth of River Chien or
Dog R We proceeded now from the mouth of this river 11 miles
and Camped on a Sand bar in the river opposit to a Tradeing
house verry windy & Cold-11 miles above the Chien R
[Clark, October 1, 1804]
The red Berry is Called by the Rees Nar-nis-
The Ricares
Names of the nations who come to the Ricares to trafick and
bring Horses & robes
1. * Kun-na-nar-wesh Gens de vash
Blue beeds
2. ° Noo-tar-wau
Hill Climbers
3. * Au ner-hoo
the people who pen Buffalow to Catch them
4. * To-che-wah-Coo
Fox Indians
5. * To-pah-cass
White hair's
6. * Cat-tar kah
Paducar
7. * Kie-wah
Tideing Indians
8. * Too war Sar
Skin pricks
9. Shar ha (Chien)
the village on the other Side
10. We hee Shaw (Chien)
The villages on this Side
Those nation all live on the praries from S W. by S. to West
of the Ricaries, all Speek different languages and are
numerous all follow the Buffalow and winter in the
mountains. The Mandans Call a red berry common to the upper
part of the Missouri As-say the engages call the Same berry
grease de Buff- grows in great abundance a makes a
Delightfull Tart
[Clark, October 2, 1804]
2nd of October Tuesday 1804, - Mr. Vallie Came on board,
Lat. 44° 19' 36 N. we observed Some Indians on a hill on the
S. S. one Came to the river & fired off his gun and asked us
to come he wish us to go to his Camp near at hand we
refused, passed a large Island on the S. S., here we
expected the Tetons would attempt to Stop us, and prepared
for action, &c. opposit this Island on the L. S. a Small
Creek comes in, we call this Caution Island, Camped on a
Sand bar 1/2 mile from the main Shore the wind hard from the
N W. Cold, the current of the river less rapid, & retains
less Sediment than below.
[Clark, October 2, 1804]
2nd of Octr. 2nd of October Tuesday 1804 - a Violent wind
all night from the S. E. Slackened a little and we proceeded
on. Mr. Jon Vallee Came on board and proceeded on 2 miles
with us, a verry Cold morning Some black clouds flying took
a meridian altitude & made the Lattitude 44° 19' 36" North
this was taken at the upper part of the gouge of the Lookout
bend, the Sentinal heard a Shot over the hills to the L. S.
dureing the time we were Dineing on a large Sand bar. the
after part of this day is pleasent, at 2 oClock opposit a
wood on the L. S. we observed some Indians on a hill on the
S. S. one Came down to the river opposit to us and fired off
his gun, & beckind. to us to Come too, we payed no attention
to him he followed on Some distance, we Spoke a few words to
him, he wished us to go a Shore and to his Camp which was
over the hill and Consisted of 20 Lodges, we excused our
Selves advised him to go and here our talk of Mr. Durion he
enquired for traders we informed him one was in the next
bend below & parted, he returned- & we proceeded on (1)
passed a large Island, the S. S. here we expected the Tetons
would attempt to Stop us and under that Hear we prepared our
Selves for action which we expected every moment. opsd. this
Island on the L. S. a Small Creek Comes in, This Island we
call Isd. of Caution we took in Some wood on a favourable
Situation where we Could defend our men on Shore & (2)
Camped on a Sand bar 1/2 a mile from the main Shore. the
wind changed to the N. W. & rose verry high and Cold which
Continud. The Current of the Missourie is less rapid &
contains much less Sediment of the Same Colour.
[Clark, October 2, 1804]
2nd of October Tuesday 1804 - Proceeded on as mentioned in
journal No. 2 twelve miles Camped above a large Island on a
Sand bar, verry windy and Cold the after part of this day,
the mid day verry worm, The Lattitude as taken to day is 44°
19' 36"- observe great Caution this day expecting the Seaux
intentions Some what hostile towards our progression, The
river not So rapid as below the Chien, its width nearly the
Same 12 miles
[Clark, October 3, 1804]
3rd of October Wednesday 1804 - The N W. wind blew verry
hard all night with Some rain, we Set out early, at 12
examoned our Stores & goods, Several bags Cut by the mice
and Corn Scattered, Some of our Cloth also cut by them also
papers &c. &c. at 1 oClock an Indian Came to the Bank S. S,
with a turkey on his back 4 other soon joined him Some rain,
Saw Brant & white guts flying Southerly
[Clark, October 3, 1804]
3rd of October Wednesday 1804 - wind blew hard all night
from the N W. Some rain and verry Cold. we Set out at 7
oClock & proceeded on
[Clark, October 3, 1804]
3rd of October Wednesday 1804 - The N. W. wind blew verry
hard all night with Some rain a Cold morning, we Set out at
7 oClock and proceeded on at 12 oClock landed on a Bare L.
S. examined the Perogus & factle of the boat to see if the
mice had done any damage, Several bags Cut by them Corn
Scattered &. Some of our Clothes also Spoiled by them, and
papers &c. &. at 1 oClock an Indian Came to the bank S. S.
with a turkey on his back, four others Soon joined him, we
attempted Several Chanels and Could not find water to assend,
landed on a Sand bar & Concluded to Stay all night, & Send
out and hunt a Chanell, Some rain this after noon- Saw Brant
& white gulls flying Southerly in large flocks-
[Clark, October 4, 1804]
4th of October Thursday - the Wind blew all night from the N
W. Some rain we were obliged to drop down 3 miles to get a
Channel Sufficient Deep to pass Several Indians on the bank,
Call'd to us frequently to Land, one gave 3 yels & Sciped a
Ball before us, we payed no attention to them, while at
Brackfast one Swam across to us, beged for Powder, we gave
him a Small piece of Tobacco & put him over on a Sand bar,
passed a large Island in the middle of the river Good hope
I. Passed a small Creek L. S. passed a creek L S Camped on a
Sand bar at the upper point of an Island on which is the
remains of an old ricara Village fortified Called La hoo It
was circular, this Village appears to have been deserted
about 5 or 6 years, 17 houses yet remain, the Island
Contains but little timber, the evening verry Cold and wood
Scerce, make use of Drift wood
[Clark, October 4, 1804]
4th of October Thursday 1804 - the wind blew all night from
the NW. Some rain, we were obliged to Drop down 3 miles to
get the Chanel Suft. deep to pass up, Several Indians on the
Shore viewing of us Called to us to land one of them gave 3
yels & Sciped a ball before us, we payed no attention to
him, proceeded on and Came too on the L. S. to brackft one
of those Indians Swam across to us beged for Powder, we gave
him a piece of Tobacco & Set him over on a Sand bar, and Set
out, the wind hard a head (1) passed a Island in the middle
of the river about 3 miles in length, we call Goodhope
Island, (2) at 4 miles passed a (2) Creek on the L. S. about
12 yards wide Capt. Lewis and 3 men walked on Shore &
crossed over to an (3) Island Situated on the S. S. of the
Current & near the Center of the river this Isld. is about
11/2 miles long & nearly 1/2 as wide, in the Center of this
Island was an old Village of the rickeries Called La ho catt
it was Circular and walled Containing 17 lodges and it
appears to have been deserted about five years, the Island
Contains but little timber. we Camped on the Sand bar
makeing from this Island, the day verry Cool.
[Clark, October 5, 1804]
5th of October Friday 1804 - Frost this morning, Set out
early passed a Small Creek on the L. S. saw 3 Tetons on the
S. S. they beged Some Tobacco, we proceed on passed a Creek
on the S. S. I Saw a white brant in a gangue on the Sand bar
Saw a large herd of Cabra or antelopes Swiming the River, we
Killed four of them passed a Small Island on the L. S. a
large Creek on the L. S. at the head of the Island White
Brant Creek, I walked on the Island which is covered with
wild rye, I Killed a Buck & a Small wolf this evening, Clear
pleasant evening, Camped on a mud bar S. S. refreshd the men
with whiskey.
[Clark, October 5, 1804]
5th of October Friday 1804 - Frost this morning, we Set out
early and proceeded on (1) passed a Small Creek on the L. S.
at 7 oClock heard Some yels proceeded on Saw 3 Indians of
the Teton band, they called to us to Come on Shore, beged
Some Tobacco, we answd. them as usial and proceeded on,
passed (2) a Creek on the S. S. at 3 mes. abov the mouth we
Saw one white Brant in a gang of about 30, the others all as
dark as usial, a Discription of this kind of Gees or Brant
Shall be given here after Saw a Gang of Goats Swiming across
the river out of which we killed four they were not fatt. in
the evening passed a Small (3) Island Situated Close to the
L. Side, at the head of this Isd. a large Creek coms in on
the L. S. Saw white or Brants, we Call this Creek white
Brant Creek- I walked on the Isd. found it Covered with wild
rye, I Shot a Buck, Saw a large gang of Goat on the hills
opposit, one Buck killed, also a Prarie wolf this evening,
the high Land not So high as below, river about the Same
width, the Sand bars as noumerous, the earth Black and many
of the Bluffs have the appearance of being on fire, we Came
too and Camped on a mud bar makeing from the L. S. The
evening is Calm and pleasant, refreshed the men with a glass
of whiskey-
[Clark, October 6, 1804]
6th of October Satturday 1804 - Cold Wind from the N. Saw
many large round Stones near the middle of the River passed
an old Ricara village of 80 Lodges Picketed in those lodges
in nearly an octagon form, 20 to 60 feet Diameter Specious
Covered with earth and as Close as they Can Stand, a number
of Skin Canoes in the huts, we found Squashes of 3 different
Kinds growing in the Village Shields Killed an Elk Close
by-The Magpy is common here, we Camped off the mouth of
Otter Creek on the S. S. this Creek is 22 yds. wide & heads
near the R. Jacque,- contains much water.
[Clark, October 6, 1804]
6th October Satturday 1804 - a cool morning wind from the
North Set out early passed a willow Island (1) Situated near
the S. Shore at the upper point of Som timber on the S. S.
many large round Stones near the middle of the river, those
Stones appear to have been washed from the hills (2) passed
a village of about 80 neet Lodges covered with earth and
picketed around, those loges are Spicious of an Octagon form
as close together as they can possibly be placed and appear
to have been inhabited last Spring, from the Canoes of Skins
Mats buckets & found in the lodges, we are of appinion they
were the recrereis we found Squashes of 3 Different Kinds
growing in the Village, one of our men killed an Elk Close
by this Village, I saw 2 wolves in persute of another which
appeared to be wounded and nearly tired, we proceeded on
found the river Shole we made Severl. attempts to find the
main Channel between the Sand bars, and was obliged at
length to Drag the boat over to Save a league which we must
return to get into the deepest Channel, we have been obgd to
hunt a Chanl. for Some time past the river being devided in
many places in a great number of Chanels, Saw Gees, Swan,
Brants, & Ducks of Different kinds on the Sand bars to day,
Capt Lewis walked on Shore Saw great numbers of Prarie hens,
I observe but fiew Gulls or Pleaver in this part of the
river, The Corvos or Magpye is verry Common in this quarter
We Camped on a large Sand bar off the mouth of Otter Creek
on the S. S. this Creek is about 22 yards wide at the mouth
and contains a greater perpotion of water than Common for
Creeks of its Sise
[Clark, October 7, 1804]
7th of October Sunday 1804 - frost last night, passed a
River 90 yds. wide the Ricaras Call Sur-war-kar-ne all the
water of this river runs in a chanel of 20 yards, the
Current appears jentle, I walked up this River a mile, Saw
the tracks of white bear, verry large, also a old Ricara
village partly burnt, fortified about 60 Lodges built in the
Same form of those passed yesterday, many Canoes & Baskets
about the huts- about 10 oClock we Saw 2 Indians on the S.
S. they asked for Something to eat & told us they were
Tetons of the band we left below on ther way to the Ricaras
we gave them meat & wind hard from the South, passed a large
open Island covered with grass and wild rye, I walked on the
Isd & 4 men they Killed a Braroe & a Black tale Doe with a
black breast, the largest Deer I ever saw, the great numbers
of Grous on it, we call it Grous Island, Camped opposit the
Island near the S. Side.
[Clark, October 7, 1804]
7th of October Sunday 1804 - a Cloudy morning, Some little
rain frost last night, we Set out early proceeded on 2 miles
to the mouth of a (1) river on the L. S. and brackfast this
river whin full is 90 yards wide the water is at this time
Confined within 20 yards, the Current appears jentle, this
river throws out but little Sand at the mouth of this river
we Saw the Tracks of White bear which was verry large, I
walked up this river a mile-below the (2) mouth of this
river, is the remains of a Rickorrie Village or Wintering
Camp fortified in a circular form of a bout 60 Lodges, built
in the Same form of those passed yesterday This Camp appears
to have been inhabited last winter, many of their willow &
Straw mats, Baskets & Buffalow Skin Canoes remain intire
within the Camp, the Ricares Call this river Sur-war-kar-na
or Park from this river we proceeded on under a gentle
Breeze from the S. W. at 10 oClock we Saw 2 Indians, on the
S. S. they asked for Something to eate, & informed us they
were part of the Beiffs De Medisons Lodge on their way to
the Rickerreis, passed (3) a willow Island in a bind to the
S. S. (4) at 5 miles passd. a willow Island on the S. S.-
wind hard from the South in the evening I walked on an (5)
Island nearly the middle of the river Called Grous Island,
one of the men killed a Shee Brarrow, another man killed a
Black tail Deer, the largest Doe I ever Saw (Black under her
breast) this Island is nearly 11/4 ms. Squar no timbr high
and Covered with grass wild rye and Contains Great numbers
of Grouse, we proceeded on a Short distance above the Island
and Camped on the S. S. a fine evening.
This site includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes implied.
The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806