Clark: September 5, 1804
The expedition set out early under strong southerly winds and rigged a jury mast to sail. They passed a large island where the Poncar (Niobrara) River enters the Missouri, and noted bluffs with mineral springs tasting of salts. Wildlife sightings included turkeys, grouse, wild goats, and black-tailed deer. Clark sent Shields and Gibson to the Ponca village two miles up the river, finding it empty as the Poncas were out hunting buffalo; Gibson killed a buffalo in the town. The party stopped at an island Clark named No Preserves Island to build a cedar mast, and hunters brought in three bucks and two elk, which were jerked.
5th September 1804 Wednesday, Set out early the wind blew hard from the
South as it has for Some Days past, we Set up a jury mast & Sailed, I
saw a large gangue of Turkeys, also Grous Seen Passed a large Island of
about 3 miles long in the Middle of the river opposit the head of this
Island the Poncarre River Coms into the Missourei on the L. S.the
S. S is a Clift under which great numbers of Springs run out of mineral
water, Saw Several wild goats on the Clift & Deer with black tales,-
Sent Shields & Gibson to the Poncas Towns, which is Situated on the
Ponca river on the lower side about two miles from its mouth in an open
butifull Plain, at this time this nation is out hunting the biffalow they
raise no corn or Beens, Gibson killed a Buffalow in the Town, The two men
which has been absent several Days is ahead, we came to on the upper pt.
of a large Island at 3 oClock to make a mast Sent out Some hunters on the
Island (which I call no preserve Island, at this place we used the last of
our Preservs) They killed 3 bucks, & two Elk which welurked
—
September 5th Wednesday 1804 Set out early the winds blew hard from the
South, Goats turkeys Seen to day, passed a large Island (1) opsd. this
Island near the head the Poncasar River Coms into the Missourie from the
West this river is about 30 yards wide. dispatched two men to the
Poncaries Village Situated in a handsom Plain on the lower Side of this
Creek about two miles from the Missourie (the Poncasars nation is Small
and at this time out in the praries hunting the Buffalow), one of the men
Sent to the Village Killed a Buffalow in the town, the other, a large Buck
near it, Some Sign of the two men who is a head.
above the Island on the S. S We passed under a Bluff of Blue earth, under
which Seveal Mineral Springs broke out of the water of which had a taste
like Salts, we Came too on the upper point of a large Island (which I call
No preserves Island) here we made a Ceeder Mast, our hunters brought in
three bucks, and two elks this evening which we had jurked
One of the hunter Shields, informed that he Saw Several black tailed Deer,
near the Poncaser Village
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
5th September 1804, Wednesday. Set out early. The wind blew hard from the south, as it has for some days past. We set up a jury mast and sailed. I saw a large flock of turkeys, and grouse were also seen. Passed a large island of about 3 miles long in the middle of the river. Opposite the head of this island, the Poncarre (Ponca) River comes into the Missouri on the L.S. (larboard side). On the S.S. (starboard side) is a cliff under which great numbers of springs run out of mineral water. Saw several wild goats on the cliff, and deer with black tails.
Sent Shields and Gibson to the Poncas towns, which are situated on the Ponca River on the lower side, about two miles from its mouth, in an open beautiful plain. At this time, this nation is out hunting the buffalo. They raise no corn or beans. Gibson killed a buffalo in the town. The two men who have been absent several days are ahead. We came to on the upper point of a large island at 3 o'clock to make a mast. Sent out some hunters on the island (which I call No Preserve Island, as at this place we used the last of our preserves). They killed 3 bucks and two elk, which we jerked.
---
September 5th, Wednesday 1804. Set out early. The winds blew hard from the south. Goats and turkeys seen today. Passed a large island (1). Opposite this island, near the head, the Poncasar (Ponca) River comes into the Missouri from the west. This river is about 30 yards wide. Dispatched two men to the Poncaries (Ponca) village, situated in a handsome plain on the lower side of this creek, about two miles from the Missouri. (The Poncasars nation is small and at this time out in the prairies hunting the buffalo.) One of the men sent to the village killed a buffalo in the town; the other, a large buck near it. Some sign of the two men who are ahead.
Above the island on the S.S., we passed under a bluff of blue earth, under which several mineral springs broke out, the water of which had a taste like salts. We came to on the upper point of a large island (which I call No Preserves Island). Here we made a cedar mast. Our hunters brought in three bucks and two elks this evening, which we jerked.
One of the hunters, Shields, informed that he saw several black-tailed deer near the Poncaser (Ponca) village.
This modernization is AI-generated for accessibility. The original above is the authoritative version.
Entities mentioned in this entry
Auto-extracted from the entry text. Hover any entity for context.
