Clark: June 17, 1804
On a cloudy Sunday with southeast winds, the expedition traveled just one mile before stopping at what they called Rope Walk Camp to make oars and craft a tow rope from a cable Captain Lewis had obtained in Pittsburgh. Sergeant Pryor and a crew gathered ash timber. Hunter George Drouillard returned with two deer, a bear, and a stray horse believed left by an Osage war party. Clark measured the river's current speed. Ticks and mosquitoes plagued the men, many suffered boils and dysentery, and French boatmen complaining about rations were sharply rebuked.
June 17 1804 Rope walk Camp The Current of the River at this place is a
Stick will float 48 poles 6 feet in the rapidest part in 23 Seconds,
further out is 34, Still further 657478 & 82 are the
Trials we have made.
—
June 17 Sunday 1804 Cloudy Wind, S. E. Set out early S. 65° W 1 Me. Came
too to Make ores, and a Cord for a Toe Rope all this day imployed in
getting out Ores, & makeing for the use of the Boat out of a large
Cable rope which we have, G Drewyer Came up a Bear & 2 Deer, also a
fine horse which he found in the woods, Supposed to have been left by Some
war party from the osages, The Ticks are numerous and large and have been
trousom all the way and the Musquetors are beginning to be verry
troublesome, my Cold Continues verry bad the French higherlins Complain
for the want of Provisions, Saying they are accustomed to eat 5 & 6
times a day, they are roughly rebuked for their presumption, the Country
about abounds in Bear Deer & Elk and the S. S. the lands are well
timbered and rich for 2 ms. to a butifull Prarie which risies into hills
At 8 or 9 ms. backon the L. S a Prarie coms. on the bank which is
high and contines back rich & well watered as far
—
June 17th Sunday 1804 (S. 65°W. me. S. Side-) Cloudy morning wind from the
S. E. we Set out early and proceeded on one mile & came too to make
oars, & repair our Cable & toe rope &c. &c. which was
necessary for the Boat & Perogues, Sent out Sjt. Pryor and Some men to
get ash timber for ores, and Set Some men to make a Toe Rope out of the
Cords of a Cable which had been provided by Capt Lewis at Pitts burg for
the Cable of the boatGeorge Drewyer our hunter and one man came in
with 2 Deer & a Bear, also a young Horse, they had found in the
Prarie, this horse has been in the Prarie a long time and is fat, I
suppose he has been left by Some war party against the Osage, This is a
Crossing place for the war partis against that nation from the Saukees,
Aiaouez, & Souix. The party is much aflicted with Boils and Several
have the Decissentary, which I contribute to the water
The Countrey about this place is butifull on the river rich & well
timbered on the S. S. about two miles back a Prarie coms. which is rich
and interspursud with groves of timber, the County rises at 7 or 8 miles
Still further back and is roleingon the L. S. the high lands &
Prarie Corns. in the bank of the river and Continus back, well watered and
abounds in Der Elk & Bear The Ticks & Musquetors are verry
troublesom.
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Rope Walk Camp Notes
June 17, 1804, Rope Walk Camp. The current of the river at this place: a stick will float 48 poles. In the most rapid part, 6 feet of distance is covered in 23 seconds; further out, 34 seconds; still further out, 65, 74, 78, and 82 seconds—these are the trials we have made.
First Account
June 17, Sunday, 1804. Cloudy, wind from the S.E. Set out early. S. 65° W. 1 mile. Came to in order to make oars and a cord for a tow rope. All this day was spent in getting out oars and making rope for the use of the boat from a large cable rope which we have. G. Drewyer (Drouillard) came in with a bear and 2 deer, also a fine horse which he found in the woods, supposed to have been left by some war party from the Osages. The ticks are numerous and large and have been troublesome all the way, and the mosquitoes are beginning to be very troublesome. My cold continues very bad. The French hirelings complain for the want of provisions, saying they are accustomed to eat 5 or 6 times a day; they were roughly rebuked for their presumption. The country about abounds in bear, deer, and elk. On the S.S. (south side) the lands are well timbered and rich for 2 miles to a beautiful prairie which rises into hills. At 8 or 9 miles back on the L.S. (larboard side) a prairie comes onto the bank, which is high and continues back, rich and well watered as far as can be seen.
Second Account
June 17th, Sunday, 1804. (S. 65° W., mile, S. Side.) Cloudy morning, wind from the S.E. We set out early and proceeded on one mile and came to in order to make oars, and repair our cable and tow rope, etc., which was necessary for the boat and pirogues. Sent out Sgt. Pryor and some men to get ash timber for oars, and set some men to make a tow rope out of the cords of a cable which had been provided by Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) at Pittsburgh for the cable of the boat. George Drewyer (Drouillard), our hunter, and one man came in with 2 deer and a bear, also a young horse they had found in the prairie. This horse has been in the prairie a long time and is fat; I suppose he has been left by some war party against the Osage. This is a crossing place for the war parties against that nation from the Saukees (Sauks), Aiaouez (Iowas), and Souix (Sioux). The party is much afflicted with boils, and several have dysentery, which I attribute to the water.
The country about this place is beautiful, on the river rich and well timbered. On the S.S. (south side), about two miles back, a prairie comes on which is rich and interspersed with groves of timber; the country rises at 7 or 8 miles still further back and is rolling. On the L.S. (larboard side) the highlands and prairie come in on the bank of the river and continue back, well watered, and abound in deer, elk, and bear. The ticks and mosquitoes are very troublesome.
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