Clark: August 22, 1804
The expedition set out early with a southerly wind, with George Shannon rejoining the boat. They landed at a bluff containing alum, copperas, cobalt, pyrites, and other minerals, where Captain Lewis nearly poisoned himself while testing a cobalt-like substance and later took a dose of salts as a remedy. Clark named a nearby creek Roloje. They passed another alum-rich cliff, noted abundant elk sign, and camped on the south side. The men voted to elect a sergeant from three candidates, with Patrick Gass receiving the most votes over Bratton and Gibson.
22nd of August Wendesday 1804 Set out early wind from the South. G Shannon
joined the Boat last night. Course this morning is S 47° W. 11/4 on the S.
point West 11/4 me. to the Commencement of a Bluff on the L. S. the High
land near the river for Some distance below. This Bluff contain Pyrites
alum, Copperass & a Kind Markesites also a clear Soft Substance which
will mold and become pliant like wax) Capt lewis was near being Poisened
by the Smell in pounding this Substance I belv to be arsenic or Cabalt. I
observe great Quantity of Cops. ans and almin pure & Straters of white
& brown earth of 6 Inch thick. a Creek Corns in above the Bluffs on
which there is great quantities of those minerals, This Creek I call
Roloje a at those Allom banks Shields joined in with two Deer
Camped on the S. S. a Great Deel of Elk Sign fresh Capt. Lewis took a Dost
of Salts this evening to carry off the effects of (arsenec) or cobalt
which he was trying to find out the real quallity (2) passed a Clift of
Rock much impregnated with alum, Containing also a great quantity of
Cabalt
ordered a Vote of the men for a Sergeant of the three highest numbers a
choice to be made Gass Bratton & GibsonGass is worth remark,
that my Ink after Standing in the pot 3 or four days Soaks up & becons
thick
—
22nd August Friday 1804 Set out early wind from the South at three miles
we landed at a Bluff where the two men Sent with the horses were waiting
with two Deer, by examonation of this (1) Bluff Contained alum, Copperas,
Cobalt, Pyrites; a alum rock Soft & Sand Stone. Capt. Lewis in
proveing the quality of those minerals was near poisoning himself by the
fumes & tast of the Cabalt which had the appearance of Soft IsonglassCopperas
& alum is verry pure, Above this Bluff a Small Creek Coms in from the
L. S. passing under the Clifts for Several miles, this Creek I Call Roloje
a name I learned last night in my Sleep. (2) Eight) Seven miles above is a
Clift of Allom Stone of a Dark Brown Colr. Containing also in crusted in
the Crevices & Shelves of the rock great qts. of Cabalt, Semented
Shels & a red earth. from this the (3) river bends to the East and is
within 3 or 4 miles of the River Soues at the place where that river Coms
from the high land into the Low Prarie & passes under the foot of
those Hills to its mouth.
Capt Lewis took a Dost of Salts to work off the effects of the Arsenic, we
Camped on the S. S. Sailed the greater part of this day with a hard wind
from the S. E. great deel of Elk Sign, and great appearance of wind from
the N. W.
ordered a vote for a Serjeant to chuse one of three which may be the
highest number the highest numbers are P. Gass had 19 Votes, Bratten &
Gibson
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
22nd of August Wednesday 1804. Set out early, wind from the South. G. Shannon joined the boat last night. Course this morning is S 47° W. 1¼ miles on the S. point, West 1¼ miles to the commencement of a bluff on the L. S. The highland is near the river for some distance below. This bluff contains pyrites, alum, copperas, and a kind of marcasites, also a clear soft substance which will mold and become pliant like wax. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) was nearly poisoned by the smell while pounding this substance, which I believe to be arsenic or cobalt. I observe great quantity of copperas and alum pure, and strata of white and brown earth 6 inches thick. A creek comes in above the bluffs on which there are great quantities of those minerals. This creek I call Roloje. At those alum banks Shields joined us with two deer.
Camped on the S. S. A great deal of fresh elk sign. Capt. Lewis took a dose of salts this evening to carry off the effects of the arsenic or cobalt, the real quality of which he was trying to find out. (2) Passed a cliff of rock much impregnated with alum, containing also a great quantity of cobalt.
Ordered a vote of the men for a sergeant; of the three highest numbers a choice was to be made: Gass, Bratton, and Gibson. Gass was chosen. It is worth remarking that my ink, after standing in the pot 3 or 4 days, soaks up and becomes thick.
22nd August Friday 1804. Set out early, wind from the South. At three miles we landed at a bluff where the two men sent with the horses were waiting with two deer. By examination, this (1) bluff contained alum, copperas, cobalt, pyrites; an alum rock soft, and sandstone. Capt. Lewis, in proving the quality of those minerals, was near poisoning himself by the fumes and taste of the cobalt, which had the appearance of soft isinglass. The copperas and alum are very pure. Above this bluff a small creek comes in from the L. S., passing under the cliffs for several miles. This creek I call Roloje, a name I learned last night in my sleep. (2) Eight—seven miles above is a cliff of alum stone of a dark brown color, containing also, encrusted in the crevices and shelves of the rock, great quantities of cobalt, cemented shells, and a red earth. From this the (3) river bends to the East and is within 3 or 4 miles of the River Soues at the place where that river comes from the highland into the low prairie and passes under the foot of those hills to its mouth.
Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) took a dose of salts to work off the effects of the arsenic. We camped on the S. S. Sailed the greater part of this day with a hard wind from the S. E. Great deal of elk sign, and great appearance of wind from the N. W.
Ordered a vote for a sergeant, to choose one of three who had the highest number of votes. The highest numbers were: P. Gass had 19 votes, Bratton, and Gibson.
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