Clark: July 18, 1805
On a fine morning, the party passed a major tributary entering from the starboard side, nearly as wide as the Missouri, which Clark named Dearborn's River after the Secretary of War. Worried that gunfire might scare the Snake Indians into the mountains, Clark decided to go ahead with a small advance party—J. Fields, Potts, and his servant—to find them. After breakfast they pushed on through hilly country, crossing a mountain via a wide Indian road that cut off river bends. They camped by a cold stream, plagued by mosquitoes, and observed many ibex, beaver dams, springs, pitch pine, and fertile valleys.
July 18th Tursday 1805 a fine morning passed a Considerable river which
falls in on the Stard Side and nearly as wide as the Missouri we call
Dearbournes river after the Sety. of war. we thought it prudent for a
partey to go a head for fear our fireing Should allarm the Indians and
cause them to leave the river and take to the mountains for Safty from
their enemes who visit them thro this rout. I deturmined to go a head with
a Small partey a few days and find the Snake Indians if possible after
brackfast I took J. Fields Potts & my Servent proceeded on. the
Country So Hilley that we gained but little of the Canoes untill in the
evening I passed over a mountain on an Indian rode by which rout I cut off
Several miles of the Meanderings of the River, the roade which passes this
mountain is wide and appears to have been dug in maney places, we Camped
on a Small run of Clear Cold water, musquitors verry troublesom the
forepart of the evening I Saw great maney Ibex. we Crossed two Streams of
running water on those Streams I saw Several Beaver dams. ordway Creek the
Countrey is Mountanious & rockey except the valey &c. which is
Covered with earth of a good quallity without timber, The timber which is
principally pitch pine is Confined to the mountains, the Small runs &
Creeks which have water running in them Contain Cotton-Willow, Willow,
& aspin. trees all Small I Saw maney fine Springs & Streams of
running water which Sink & rise alternately in the Valies the water of
those Streams are fine, those Streams which run off into the river are
darned up by the beaver from near ther mouthes up as high as I could See
up them
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July 18th, Thursday 1805. A fine morning. We passed a considerable river that flows in on the starboard side and is nearly as wide as the Missouri. We call it Dearbournes river (Dearborn's River) after the Secretary of War. We thought it prudent for a party to go ahead, for fear our firing should alarm the Indians and cause them to leave the river and take to the mountains for safety from their enemies, who visit them through this route. I determined to go ahead with a small party for a few days and find the Snake Indians if possible. After breakfast I took J. Fields, Potts, and my servant, and proceeded on.
The country was so hilly that we gained but little on the canoes until, in the evening, I passed over a mountain on an Indian road, by which route I cut off several miles of the meanderings of the river. The road which passes this mountain is wide and appears to have been dug in many places. We camped on a small run of clear, cold water. Mosquitoes were very troublesome the forepart of the evening. I saw a great many Ibex. We crossed two streams of running water, and on those streams I saw several beaver dams. Ordway Creek.
The country is mountainous and rocky, except the valley etc., which is covered with earth of a good quality without timber. The timber, which is principally pitch pine, is confined to the mountains. The small runs and creeks which have water running in them contain cottonwood, willow, and aspen trees, all small. I saw many fine springs and streams of running water which sink and rise alternately in the valleys. The water of those streams is fine. Those streams which run off into the river are dammed up by the beaver from near their mouths up as high as I could see up them.
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