Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — Joseph Whitehouse: August 31, 1805
On a fine morning, the party set out early and after two miles reached Indian lodges where they purchased fine salmon caught in river weirs. A stranger thought to be a Flathead Indian fled at the sight of them. After crossing the river for breakfast, two men sent to trade for more salmon found camps abandoned. The group traveled over rough, steep hills and white eroded earth, then a smooth plain, navigating a treacherous rocky mountainside near the river. A hunter killed a deer, and they camped at a creek in Indian lodges.
a fine morning. we Set out eairly and proceeded on 2 miles
and passed Several Indian lodges where we bought a nomber
of fine Salmon. the natives have wires [weirs] fixed across the
River in which they catch more or less evverry night. a
Strange Indian came in Site of these lodges who they expected
to be one of the nation called the flat heads. he ran as Soon
as he Saw us_ Several of these natives followed after him. we
went on a Short distance further crossed the River and halted
for breakfast. one man out a hunting. 2 men Sent to Some
other Indian Camps, with Some articles to buy Some more
Sammon, but they had moved their Camps and we got none.
we then proceeded on over rough hills Some of them high
& Steep, deep Gullies and white earth which had been washed
down by rains &c. went about eight miles and halted to bate
_ our horses and dine. 4 or five of the natives follow us. Some
pitch pine on the Mountains which make near the River on
each Side. we proceeded on over a Smooth plain about 7
miles and passed along [th ]e Side of a mountain near the River,
where the Stone lay one [up]on another and full of holes, So
that it is allmost impossable for horses to pass without break-
ing their leggs. we then passed along the end of this moun-
tain. Come to a large creek which falls in on the East Side.
we followed up this creek or Spring branch. found pleanty of
wild or choke cherries and Servis berrys. one of the hunters
killed a Deer at the edge of the evening. we Came [blank
space in MS.] Miles this day and Camped at the Creek where
we had Several good Indian lodges to Sleep in this night.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
A fine morning. We set out early and proceeded on 2 miles and passed several Indian lodges where we bought a number of fine salmon. The natives have weirs fixed across the river in which they catch more or less every night. A strange Indian came in sight of these lodges who they expected to be one of the nation called the Flatheads. He ran as soon as he saw us. Several of these natives followed after him. We went on a short distance further, crossed the river, and halted for breakfast. One man out hunting. 2 men sent to some other Indian camps with some articles to buy some more salmon, but they had moved their camps and we got none.
We then proceeded on over rough hills, some of them high and steep, deep gullies and white earth which had been washed down by rains, etc. Went about eight miles and halted to bait our horses and dine. 4 or five of the natives follow us. Some pitch pine on the mountains which come near the river on each side. We proceeded on over a smooth plain about 7 miles and passed along the side of a mountain near the river, where the stones lay one upon another and full of holes, so that it is almost impossible for horses to pass without breaking their legs. We then passed along the end of this mountain. Came to a large creek which falls in on the east side. We followed up this creek or spring branch. Found plenty of wild or choke cherries and serviceberries. One of the hunters killed a deer at the edge of the evening. We came [blank space in MS.] miles this day and camped at the creek, where we had several good Indian lodges to sleep in this night.
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