Clark: August 8, 1804
On Wednesday, August 8, 1804, the expedition departed at the usual time and navigated a snag-choked bend with some difficulty before passing the mouth of the Little Sioux River (called Stone River by the Sioux) on the south side. Drawing on information from Mr. Dorion, Clark recorded details about the river, Lake Despree, and routes to the Des Moines River and Maha country. Captain Lewis took a meridian altitude fixing the latitude at 41°42'34" and shot a pelican on an island where hundreds had gathered. Clark went ashore, where a hunter killed an elk. Mosquitoes were severe, the wind blew from the northwest, and the party camped on the south side.
August the 8th 1804 Set out this morning at the usial time at about 2
miles (1) passed a part of the river So choked up with Snags that we found
a little dificult to get thro with Safty, the wind as usial from the N W.
one of the Soldiers Killed a Pilican on the Sand Isd. passed the mouth of
Little (2) River de Cueoux on the S. S. this river is about 80 yards wide
& navagable for Pirogus Some distance & runs parrelel to the
Missourie it corns in from the River from the N E, it contains great
Quantitys offish Common to the Countrey. two Miles above is (3) an Island
the Channel formerly run on the right with Sand.the Current runs to
the left. many hundreds of Pelicans on this Islandwe call it
Pelican Isld. Cap Lewis Killed one This river Soux Called by the Sueoux
Ed-Neah Wau-de-pon i’e Stone R heads in three Leagues of the river Demoin,
and passes thro a Lake about 20 Legues in Sircfs. which is also within 5
Leagus of the Demoin, this lake at one place is confined by two rocks
within a narrow Spacethis lake of Different widths, with many Small
Islands, from the Lake to the Mahars about distant 4 Days march to the Dog
Plains 90 Leagues, one Principal branch of the Demoin is calld. Cat river,
the Lake which this river Litt Souex heads in is Called Despree
—
8th August Wednesday 1804 Set out this morning at the usial time at two
miles passed (1) a bend to L. S. Choaked up with Snags our boat run on two
in turning to pass through, we got through with Safty the wind from N W.
(2) passed the mouth of a River on the S. Side Called by the Soux Indians
Ed-neah Wau de pon (or Stone river) the French call this river Petite
Rivre de Cuouex it is about 80 yards wide and as (Mr. Durion Says whos
been on the heads of it and the Country abt) is navagable for Perogues Som
Distance runs Parrelel to the Missourie Some Distance, then falls down
from N E thro a roleing Countrey open, the head of this river is 9 miles
from the R Demon at which place the Demoin is 80 yd wide, this Little
Cuouex passes thro a lake called Despree which is within 5 Leagues of the
Deemoin the Said Lake is about 20 Leagues in Circumfrance and is divided
into 2 by two rocks approaching Verry near each other, this Lake is of
various width, Containing many Islands- from this Lake to the Maha 4 days
march, as is Said to be near the Dog Plains one princpal branch of the
Demoin is Called Cat River The Demoin is Sholey
Capt. Lewis took Medn. Altitude of the Sun made it 56° 9′ 00″ Lat 41° 42′
34″ and I took one man and went on Shore the man Killed an Elk I fired 4
times at one & did not Kill him, my ball being Small I think was the
reason, the misqutors So bad in the Praries that with the assistance of a
bush I could not Keep them out of my eyes, the boat turned Several tims to
day on Sand barsin my absenc the boat passed a Island 2 miles above
the litte Scouex R on the upper point of the Isld Some hundreds of
Pelicans were Collected, they left 3 fish on the Sand which was verry
fine, Capt Lewis Killed one & took his dimentions, I joined the boat
and we Camped on the S S.
worthe of remark that Snakes are not plenty in this part of the Missourie
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
August 8th 1804. Set out this morning at the usual time. At about 2 miles (1) we passed a part of the river so choked up with snags that we found it a little difficult to get through with safety. The wind as usual from the N.W. One of the soldiers killed a pelican on the sand island. Passed the mouth of (2) Little River de Cueoux on the S.S. This river is about 80 yards wide and navigable for pirogues some distance, and runs parallel to the Missouri. It comes into the river from the N.E. It contains great quantities of fish common to the country. Two miles above is (3) an island. The channel formerly ran on the right with sand. The current runs to the left. Many hundreds of pelicans were on this island; we call it Pelican Island. Cap Lewis (Capt. Lewis) killed one. This river Soux, called by the Sueoux Ed-Neah Wau-de-pon, i.e. Stone R., heads within three leagues of the River Demoin, and passes through a lake about 20 leagues in circumference, which is also within 5 leagues of the Demoin. This lake at one place is confined by two rocks within a narrow space. This lake is of different widths, with many small islands. From the lake to the Mahars is about 4 days' march distant; to the Dog Plains, 90 leagues. One principal branch of the Demoin is called Cat River. The lake in which this river Little Souex heads is called Despree.
8th August Wednesday 1804. Set out this morning at the usual time. At two miles passed (1) a bend to L.S. choked up with snags. Our boat ran on two in turning to pass through; we got through with safety. The wind from N.W. (2) Passed the mouth of a river on the S. side called by the Soux Indians Ed-neah Wau de pon (or Stone River). The French call this river Petite Rivre de Cuouex. It is about 80 yards wide, and as Mr. Durion says (who has been on its head and the country about) is navigable for pirogues some distance. It runs parallel to the Missouri some distance, then falls down from N.E. through a rolling, open country. The head of this river is 9 miles from the R. Demon, at which place the Demoin is 80 yards wide. This Little Cuouex passes through a lake called Despree, which is within 5 leagues of the Demoin. The said lake is about 20 leagues in circumference and is divided into 2 by two rocks approaching very near each other. This lake is of various widths, containing many islands. From this lake to the Maha is 4 days' march, and is said to be near the Dog Plains. One principal branch of the Demoin is called Cat River. The Demoin is shoaly.
Capt. Lewis took meridian altitude of the sun, made it 56° 9' 00", Lat. 41° 42' 34". I took one man and went on shore. The man killed an elk. I fired 4 times at one and did not kill him; my ball being small, I think, was the reason. The mosquitoes were so bad in the prairies that with the assistance of a bush I could not keep them out of my eyes. The boat turned several times today on sandbars. In my absence the boat passed an island 2 miles above the Little Scouex R. On the upper point of the island some hundreds of pelicans were collected. They left 3 fish on the sand, which were very fine. Capt Lewis killed one and took its dimensions. I joined the boat and we camped on the S.S.
Worthy of remark that snakes are not plentiful in this part of the Missouri.
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