Clark: May 3, 1806
The party traveled 28 miles northeast across high plains, following Kimooenimm Creek and a tributary toward the Southwest Mountains, despite a violent storm of rain, hail, snow, and strong winds at their backs. They noted richer soil and taller grass than in plains farther downriver. Along the way they met We-ark-koomt, a Chopunnish chief known as Big Horn, who had brought ten young men to greet them. Their Walla Walla guide and three companions departed abruptly. They camped in a cottonwood grove, finishing the last dried meat and dogs, with no food for the next day.
Saturday 3rd May 1806 This morning we Set out at 7 A.M. Steared N. 25° E
12 m. to Kimoo e nimm Creek through a high leavel plain this Creek is 12
yds. wide pebbly bottom low banks and discharges a Considerable quanty of
water it head in the S W. Mountains and discharges it Self into Lewis’s
river a fiew miles Above the narrows. the bottoms of this Creek is narrow
with Some timber principally Cotton wood & Willow. the under brush
Such as mentioned in the N. E. Creek. The hills are high and abrupt. the
lands of the plains is much more furtile than below, less Sand and Covered
with taller grass; very little of the aramatic Shrubs appear in this part
of the plain. we halted and dined at this Creek. after which we again
proceeded N. 45° E. 3 mes. through a high plain to a Small Creek 5 yds.
wide, a branch of the Kimooenimm Creek. the hills of this Stream like
those of the Ki moo enimm are high its bottoms narrow and possess but
little timber. the land of a good quallity dark rich loam. we Continued
our rout up this Creek on it’s N. Side N. 75° E 7 mes. the timber increas
in quantity the hills continue high. we met with the We arh koont whome we
have usially distinguished by the name of the big horn Chief from the
circumstance of his always wareing a horn of that animal Suspended by a
Cord to his left arm. he is a 1st Chief of a large band of the Chopunnish
Nation. he had ten of his young men with him. this man Went down Lewis’s
river by Land as we decended it by water last fall quite to the Columbia,
and I believe was very instremental in precureing us a hospital and
friendly reception among the nativs. he had now come a Considerable
distance to meet us. after meeting this Cheif we Continued Still up the
Creek bottoms N. 75° E. 2 m. to the place at which the roade leaves the
Creek and assends the hill to the high plains: here we Encamped in a Small
grove of Cotton trees which in some measure broke the violence of the
wind. we Came 28 miles today. it rained, hailed, Snowed & blowed with
Great Violence the greater portion of the day. it was fortunate for us
that this Storm was from the S. W. and of Course on our backs. the air was
very cold. we devided the last of our dried meat at dinner when it was
Consumed as well as the ballance of our Dogs nearly we made but a Scant
Supper, and had not any thing for tomorrow; however We-ark-koomt Consoled
us with the information that there was an Indian Lodge on the river at no
great distance where we might Supply our Selves with provisions tomorrow.
our Guide and the three young Wallah wallah’s left us this morning reather
abruptly and we have Seen nothing of them Sence. the S W. Mountains appear
to become lower as they receed to the N, E. This Creek reaches the
mountains. we are much nearer to them than we were last evening. they are
Covered with timber and at this time Snow.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Saturday, 3rd May 1806. This morning we set out at 7 A.M. and steered N. 25° E. 12 miles to Kimooenimm Creek, through a high level plain. This creek is 12 yards wide, with a pebbly bottom and low banks, and discharges a considerable quantity of water. It heads in the S.W. Mountains and empties itself into Lewis's River a few miles above the narrows. The bottoms of this creek are narrow, with some timber, principally cottonwood and willow. The underbrush is such as mentioned in the N.E. Creek. The hills are high and abrupt. The lands of the plains are much more fertile than below, with less sand and covered with taller grass; very little of the aromatic shrubs appear in this part of the plain. We halted and dined at this creek.
Afterwards we again proceeded N. 45° E. 3 miles, through a high plain, to a small creek 5 yards wide, a branch of Kimooenimm Creek. The hills of this stream, like those of the Kimooenimm, are high; its bottoms are narrow and possess but little timber. The land is of a good quality, a dark rich loam. We continued our route up this creek on its north side N. 75° E. 7 miles. The timber increased in quantity and the hills continued high.
We met with the Wearhkoont, whom we have usually distinguished by the name of the Big Horn Chief, from the circumstance of his always wearing a horn of that animal suspended by a cord to his left arm. He is a first chief of a large band of the Chopunnish Nation. He had ten of his young men with him. This man went down Lewis's River by land as we descended it by water last fall, quite to the Columbia, and I believe was very instrumental in procuring us a hospitable and friendly reception among the natives. He had now come a considerable distance to meet us.
After meeting this chief, we continued still up the creek bottoms N. 75° E. 2 miles, to the place at which the road leaves the creek and ascends the hill to the high plains. Here we camped in a small grove of cottonwood trees, which in some measure broke the violence of the wind. We came 28 miles today. It rained, hailed, snowed, and blew with great violence the greater portion of the day. It was fortunate for us that this storm was from the S.W., and of course on our backs. The air was very cold.
We divided the last of our dried meat at dinner, when it was consumed, as well as nearly the balance of our dogs. We made but a scant supper, and had nothing for tomorrow; however, Wearkkoomt consoled us with the information that there was an Indian lodge on the river at no great distance, where we might supply ourselves with provisions tomorrow. Our guide and the three young Walla Walla men left us this morning rather abruptly, and we have seen nothing of them since. The S.W. Mountains appear to become lower as they recede to the N.E. This creek reaches the mountains. We are much nearer to them than we were last evening. They are covered with timber and at this time snow.
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