Missouri River, first view of Rocky Mountains — Joseph Whitehouse: May 30, 1805
Cloudy weather with rain and a strong northwest wind delayed departure until about 10 a.m., and the cold, chilly conditions made for disagreeable work. The party passed white clifts on the south side and used towing lines to advance roughly 8 miles, stopping to dine on the north side. They observed two recently abandoned Indian camps, one of 29 Blackfoot lodges marked by piles of mussel shells, and another larger site of 50 to 60 lodges. Hunters killed an elk and two buffalo.
Cloudy & rain, the wind high from the N. W. we de–
layed untill about 10 oC. then Set off, though disagreeable
working. passed white Straight range of Clifts on the S. S.
proceeded on with the towing lines about 5 miles & halted to
dine on the N.S. Some of the hunters Shot an Elk. cold
chilly wind & rain. passed a Camp wher 29 lodges of the
blackfoot Indians had lately been & left piles of mussel Shells
at each fire. Came 8 miles. we Camped at a handsom narrow
bottom covered with thin c. wood timber, where 50 or 60
lodges of Indians had lately been Camped. they were gone
as we expect up the river. they left Several lodge poles &
considerable of fire wood gathered. 2 of the hunters went
across the river on the hill & killed 2 buffaloe.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Cloudy and rainy, with a high wind from the northwest. We delayed until about 10 o'clock, then set off, though it was disagreeable working. We passed a white, straight range of cliffs on the south side. We proceeded on with the towing lines about 5 miles and halted to dine on the north side. Some of the hunters shot an elk. The wind was cold and chilly, with rain.
We passed a camp where 29 lodges of the Blackfoot Indians had lately been, and they had left piles of mussel shells at each fire. We came 8 miles. We camped at a handsome narrow bottom covered with thin cottonwood timber, where 50 or 60 lodges of Indians had lately been camped. They were gone, as we expect, up the river. They left several lodge poles and a considerable amount of firewood gathered. Two of the hunters went across the river on the hill and killed 2 buffalo.
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