Clark: March 19, 1806
Heavy rain and hail on March 19, 1806 halted work on the canoes at Fort Clatsop, though a party retrieved the elk killed the previous evening. The captains gave Clatsop chief Coboway (Commowool) a certificate acknowledging his friendly conduct and a list of expedition members' names before he and two Cathlamah visitors departed for their village. Clark devoted most of the entry to extensive ethnographic observations on the Clatsop, Chinook, Killamuck, Cathlamah, Wahkiakum, and Chiltz peoples, describing their physical features, head-flattening practice, clothing, ornaments, tattoos, and the division of labor between men and women.
Wednesday March 19th 1806 Inds. Descd. It continued to rain and hail in
Such a manner that nothing Could be done to the Canoes. a party were Sent
out early after the Elk which was killed last evening, with which they
returned in the Course of a fiew hours, we gave Commorwool alias Cania, a
Certificate of his good conduct and the friendly intercourse which he has
maintained with us dureing our residence at this place; we also gave him a
list of our names &c.The Kilamox, Clatsops, Chinnooks, Cath lah
mahs Wau ki a cum and Chiltz I-resemble each other as well in their
persons and Dress as in their habits and manners.their complexion
is not remarkable, being the usial Copper brown of the tribes of North
America. they are low in Statue reather diminutive, and illy Shaped,
possessing thick broad flat feet, thick ankles, crooked legs, wide mouths,
thick lips, noses Stuk out and reather wide at the base, with black eyes
and black coarse hair.
I have observed Some high acqualine noses among them but they are
extreemly reare. the most remarkable trate in their physiognamy is the
peculiar flatness and width of the forehead which they Artificially obtain
by compressing the head between two boards while in a State of infancy,
and from which it never afterwards perfectly recovers. This is a custom
among all the nations, we have met with West of the Rocky Mountains. I
have observed the head of maney infants, after this Singular Bandage had
been dismissed, or about the age of 11 or 12 months, that were not more
than two inches thick about the upper part of the forehead and reather
thiner Still higher. from the top of the head to the extremity of the nose
is one Streight line. this is done in order to give a greater width to the
forehead, which they much admire. This process seams to be continued
longer with their female than their male children, and neither appears to
Suffer any pain from the opperation. it is from this peculiar form of the
head that the nations East of the Rocky Mountains, call all the nations on
this Side, except Aliahtans, So-so-ne, or Snake Indians by the General
name of Flat Heads. I think my Self that the provalence of this custom is
a Strong proof of those nations haveing originally proceeded from the Same
Stock. The nations of this neighbourhood or those recpitulated above, ware
their hair loosly flowing on their back and Sholders; both men and women
divide it on the Center of the Crown in front and throw it back behind the
ear on each Side. they are fond of Combs and use them when they Can obtain
them; and even without the aid of Combs keep their in better order, than
inaney nations who are in other respects much more Civilized than
themselves.
The large or apparently Sweled legs particularly observable in the women,
are obtained in a great measure by tying a cord tight around the leg above
the ancle bone. their method of Squating or resting themselves on their
hams which they Seam from habit to prefer to Setting, no doubt contributes
much to this deformity of the legs by preventing free circulation of the
blood. This is also the Custom of the nations above.
The dress of the men like those above on the Columbia river Consists of a
Small robe, which reaches about as low as the middle of the thye and is
attatched with a String across the breast and is at pleasure turned from
Side to Side as they may have an occasion to disincumber the right or left
arm from the robe entirely, or when they have occasion for both hands, the
fixture of the robe is in front with it’s corner loosly hanging over their
Arms. they Sometimes wear a hat which have already been discribed (See
29th Jany.) Their Robes are made most commonly of the Skins of a Small
animal which I have Supposed was the brown mungo, tho they have also a
number of the Skins of the tiger Cat, Some of those of the Elk which are
used principally on their war excursions, others of the Skins of Deer,
panthor, Bear, and the Speckle Loon, and blankets wove with the fingers of
the wool of the native Sheep. and Some of those on the Sea Coast have
robes of Beaver and the Sea Otter. a mat is Sometimes temperaly thrown
over the Sholders to protect them from rain. they have no other article of
Cloathing whatever neither winter nor Summer, and every part except the
Sholders and back is exposed to view. they are very fond of the dress of
the whites, which they ware in a Similar manner when they Can obtain them,
except the Shoe or mockerson which I have never Seen worn by any of them.
They Call us pah-shish-e-ooks or Cloath men. The dress of the women
consists of a roab, tissue, and Sometimes when the weather is uncommonly
Cold, a vest. their robe is much Smaller than that of the men, never
reaching lower than the waist nor extending in front Sufficiently far to
cover the body. it is like that of the men confined across the breast with
a String and hangs loosely over the Sholders and back. the most esteemed
& valuable of those robes are made of Strips of the Skin of the Sea
Otter net together with the bark of the white Cedar or Silk grass. these
fish are first twisted and laid parallel with each other a little distance
asunder, and then net or wove together in Such a manner that the fur
appears equally on both Sides, and united between the Strands. it makes a
worm and Soft covering. other robes are formed in a Similar manner of the
Skins of the rackoon, beaver &c. at other times the Skins is dressed
in the hair and worn without any further preperation. in this way one
beaver Skin or two of the rackoon or one of the tiger Cat forms a vest and
Covers the body from the Armpits to the waist, and is confined behind, and
destitute of Straps over the Sholder to keep it up. when this vest is worn
the breast of the woman in consealed, but without it which is almost
always the case, they are exposed, and from the habit of remaining loose
and unsuspended grow to great length, particularly in aged women, on many
of whome I have Seen the bubby reach as low as the waist. The petticoat or
tissue which occupies the waiste has been already described (See 7th Novr.
1805) formd. of the Bark of white cedar, Silk grass, flags & rushes.
The women as well as the men Sometimes cover themselves from the rain by a
mat worn over the Sholders. They also Cover their heads from the rain
Sometimes with a common water cup or basket made of Cedar bark and bear
grass.
Those people Sometimes mark themselves by punctureing and introducing a
Colouring matter. Such of them as do mark themselves in this manner prefur
the legs and arms on which they imprint parallel lines of dots either
longitudinally or circularly. the woman more frequently than the men mark
themselves in this manner. The favorite orniments of both Sexes are the
Common coarse blue and white beads as before discribed of the Chinnooks.
Those beads the men wear tightly wound around their wrists and Ankles
maney times untill they obtain the width of three or four inches. they
also wear them in large rolls loosly around the neck, or pendulous from
the cartelage of the nose or rims of the ears which are purfarated in
different places round the extremities for the purpose. the woman wear
them in a Similar manner except in the nose which they never purfarate.
they are also fond of a Species of wompum, which is furnished by a trader
whome they call Swipton. it seams to be the nativ form of the Shell
without any preperation. this Shell is of a conic form Somewhat curved
about the Size of a ravens quill at the base, and tapering to a point
which is Sufficiently large to permit a hollow through which a Small
thread passes; it is from 1 to 11/2 inches in length, white, Smooth, hard
and thin these are worn in the Same manner in which the beeds are; and
furnish the men with their favorite orniment for the nose. one of these
Shells is passed horizontally through cartilage of the nose and Serves
frequently as a kind of ring which prevents the string which Suspends
other orniments at the Same part from Chafing and freting the flesh. The
men Sometimes wear Collars of Bears Claws, and the women and children the
tusks of the Elk variously arranged on their necks arms &c. both male
and female wear bracelets on their wrists of Copper, Brass or Iron in
various forms. The women Sometimes wash their faces & hands but
Seldom. I think the most disgusting Sight I have ever beheld is those
dirty naked wenches.
The men of those nations partake of much more of the domestic drudgery
than I had at first Supposed. they Collect and prepare all the fuel, make
the fires, cook for the Strangers who visit them, and assist in Cleaning
and prepareing the fish. they also build their houses, construct their
Canoes, and make all their wooden utensils. the peculiar province of the
woman Seams to be to collect roots and manufacture various articles which
are prepared of rushes, flags, Cedar bark, bear grass or way tape, also
dress and manufacture the Hats & robes for Common use. the management
of the Canoe for various purposes Seams to be a duty common to both Sexes,
as are many other occupations which with most Indian nations devolve
exclusively on the womin. their feasts of which they are very fond are
always prepared and Served by the men.-.-.
it Continued to rain So constantly dureing the day that Sergt. Pryor Could
not Pay his Canoes. The Clatsop Chief Commowool and the two Cath-lah-mahs
left us this evening and returned to their village.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday March 19th 1806. Indians described. The rain and hail continued in such a manner that nothing could be done to the canoes. A party was sent out early after the elk that was killed last evening, and they returned with it within a few hours. We gave Commorwool, also known as Cania, a certificate of his good conduct and of the friendly relations he has maintained with us during our residence at this place. We also gave him a list of our names, etc.
The Killamox (Tillamook), Clatsops, Chinnooks (Chinooks), Cathlahmahs (Cathlamets), Waukiacums, and Chiltz resemble each other in their persons and dress as well as in their habits and manners. Their complexion is not remarkable, being the usual copper brown of the tribes of North America. They are short in stature, rather small, and poorly shaped, possessing thick broad flat feet, thick ankles, crooked legs, wide mouths, thick lips, noses that stick out and are rather wide at the base, with black eyes and coarse black hair.
I have observed some high aquiline noses among them, but they are extremely rare. The most remarkable trait in their features is the peculiar flatness and width of the forehead, which they artificially obtain by compressing the head between two boards while in infancy, and from which it never afterwards perfectly recovers. This is a custom among all the nations we have met with west of the Rocky Mountains. I have observed the heads of many infants, after this peculiar bandage had been removed at about the age of 11 or 12 months, that were no more than two inches thick at the upper part of the forehead and rather thinner still higher up. From the top of the head to the tip of the nose is one straight line. This is done in order to give greater width to the forehead, which they greatly admire. This process seems to be continued longer with their female children than with the males, and neither appears to suffer any pain from the operation. It is from this peculiar form of the head that the nations east of the Rocky Mountains call all the nations on this side, except the Aliahtans or So-so-ne (Snake Indians), by the general name of Flat Heads. I think myself that the prevalence of this custom is strong proof that those nations originally came from the same stock. The nations of this neighborhood, or those listed above, wear their hair loosely flowing on their backs and shoulders. Both men and women part it down the center of the crown in front and throw it back behind the ear on each side. They are fond of combs and use them when they can obtain them; and even without combs, they keep their hair in better order than many nations who are in other respects much more civilized than themselves.
The large or apparently swelled legs particularly observable in the women are caused in great measure by tying a cord tightly around the leg above the ankle bone. Their habit of squatting or resting on their haunches, which they seem from custom to prefer to sitting, no doubt contributes much to this deformity of the legs by preventing free circulation of the blood. This is also the custom of the nations above.
The dress of the men, like those above on the Columbia River, consists of a small robe, which reaches about as low as the middle of the thigh and is fastened with a string across the breast. It can be turned from side to side at pleasure, as needed to free the right or left arm from the robe entirely; or, when they need both hands, the robe is fastened in front with its corners hanging loosely over their arms. They sometimes wear a hat, which has already been described (see January 29th). Their robes are most commonly made of the skins of a small animal which I have supposed was the brown mungo, though they also have a number of the skins of the tiger cat, some of the elk (which are used principally on their war excursions), others of the skins of deer, panther, bear, and the speckled loon, and blankets woven with the fingers from the wool of the native sheep. Some of those on the sea coast have robes of beaver and sea otter. A mat is sometimes temporarily thrown over the shoulders to protect them from rain. They have no other article of clothing whatsoever, neither winter nor summer, and every part except the shoulders and back is exposed to view. They are very fond of the dress of the whites, which they wear in a similar manner when they can obtain it, except for the shoe or moccasin, which I have never seen worn by any of them. They call us pah-shish-e-ooks, or cloth men. The dress of the women consists of a robe, a tissue, and sometimes, when the weather is uncommonly cold, a vest. Their robe is much smaller than that of the men, never reaching lower than the waist nor extending in front far enough to cover the body. Like that of the men, it is fastened across the breast with a string and hangs loosely over the shoulders and back. The most esteemed and valuable of these robes are made of strips of sea otter skin netted together with the bark of the white cedar or silk grass. These strips are first twisted and laid parallel to each other a little distance apart, and then netted or woven together in such a way that the fur appears equally on both sides, joined between the strands. It makes a warm and soft covering. Other robes are made in a similar manner from the skins of the raccoon, beaver, etc. At other times the skins are dressed with the hair on and worn without any further preparation. In this way, one beaver skin, or two raccoon skins, or one tiger cat skin forms a vest that covers the body from the armpits to the waist. It is fastened behind and has no straps over the shoulder to hold it up. When this vest is worn, the breasts of the women are concealed, but without it (which is almost always the case), they are exposed, and from the habit of remaining loose and unsupported, they grow to great length, particularly in aged women, on many of whom I have seen the breasts reach as low as the waist. The petticoat or tissue worn at the waist has already been described (see November 7th, 1805); it is formed of the bark of white cedar, silk grass, flags, and rushes. The women, as well as the men, sometimes cover themselves from the rain with a mat worn over the shoulders. They also sometimes cover their heads from the rain with a common water cup or basket made of cedar bark and bear grass.
These people sometimes mark themselves by puncturing the skin and introducing a coloring matter. Those of them who mark themselves in this manner prefer the legs and arms, on which they imprint parallel lines of dots either lengthwise or in circles. The women mark themselves in this way more frequently than the men. The favorite ornaments of both sexes are the common coarse blue and white beads, as already described among the Chinnooks (Chinooks). The men wear these beads tightly wound around their wrists and ankles many times, until they reach a width of three or four inches. They also wear them in large loose rolls around the neck, or hanging from the cartilage of the nose or the rims of the ears, which are pierced in different places around the edges for that purpose. The women wear them in a similar manner, except not in the nose, which they never pierce. They are also fond of a kind of wampum, which is supplied by a trader they call Swipton. It seems to be the natural form of the shell without any preparation. This shell is of a conical form, somewhat curved, about the size of a raven's quill at the base, and tapering to a point that is large enough to allow a small thread to pass through it. It is from 1 to 1½ inches in length, white, smooth, hard, and thin. These are worn in the same manner as the beads and provide the men with their favorite ornament for the nose. One of these shells is passed horizontally through the cartilage of the nose and frequently serves as a kind of ring that keeps the string suspending other ornaments from chafing and irritating the flesh. The men sometimes wear collars of bear claws, and the women and children wear the tusks of the elk variously arranged on their necks, arms, etc. Both males and females wear bracelets on their wrists of copper, brass, or iron in various forms. The women sometimes wash their faces and hands, but seldom. I think the most disgusting sight I have ever seen is these dirty, naked women.
The men of these nations take part in much more of the domestic work than I had at first supposed. They collect and prepare all the fuel, make the fires, cook for strangers who visit them, and help clean and prepare the fish. They also build their houses, construct their canoes, and make all their wooden utensils. The particular task of the women seems to be to collect roots and manufacture various articles made of rushes, flags, cedar bark, bear grass, or waytape, and also to dress and make the hats and robes for common use. The handling of the canoe for various purposes seems to be a duty common to both sexes, as are many other occupations which among most Indian nations fall exclusively on the women. Their feasts, of which they are very fond, are always prepared and served by the men.
It continued to rain so constantly during the day that Sergt. Pryor (Sergeant Pryor) could not pitch his canoes. The Clatsop chief Commowool and the two Cathlahmahs (Cathlamets) left us this evening and returned to their village.
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