Clark: July 4, 1805
On a fine but dewy Independence Day morning at the Great Falls of the Missouri, the crew worked to finish the leather boat and received a dram of liquor that put many in high spirits. Clark drew a copy of the river map to leave behind in case of accident, having already buried another map and private papers below the falls. The party danced until a rain shower ended the festivities. Hunters brought in an elk and a beaver, but the tar kiln failed. Clark also noted the region's persistently cloudy, stormy weather and distant rumblings like cannon fire from the west.
,July the 4th Thursday 1805 A fine morning, a heavy dew last night, all
hands employed in Completeing the leather boat, gave the Party a dram
which made Several verry lively, a black Cloud came up from the S. W, and
rained a fiew drops I employ my Self drawing a Copy of the river to be
left at this place for fear of Some accident in advance, I have left
buried below the falls a Map of the Countrey below Fort Mandan with
Sundery private papers the party amused themselves danceing untill late
when a Shower of rain broke up the amusement, all lively and Chearfull,
one Elk and a beaver kill’d to day. our Tar kill like to turn out nothing
from the following cause.
The climate about the falls of Missouri appears to be Singular Cloudy
every day (Since our arrival near them) which rise from defferent
directions and discharge themselves partially in the plains &
mountains, in Some places rain others rain & hail, hail alone, and on
the mountains in Some parts Snow. a rumbling like Cannon at a great
distance is heard to the west if us; the Cause we Can’t account
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July the 4th, Thursday 1805. A fine morning, a heavy dew last night. All hands were employed in completing the leather boat. I gave the party a dram, which made several very lively. A black cloud came up from the S.W. and rained a few drops. I employed myself drawing a copy of the river to be left at this place, for fear of some accident in advance. I have left buried below the falls a map of the country below Fort Mandan, along with sundry private papers. The party amused themselves dancing until late, when a shower of rain broke up the amusement. All were lively and cheerful. One elk and a beaver were killed today. Our tar kiln is likely to turn out nothing, from the following cause.
The climate about the falls of Missouri appears to be singular. It is cloudy every day (since our arrival near them); the clouds rise from different directions and discharge themselves partially in the plains and mountains—in some places rain, in others rain and hail, hail alone, and on the mountains in some parts snow. A rumbling like cannon at a great distance is heard to the west of us; the cause we cannot account for.
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