Missouri River near Little Sioux River — Patrick Gass: August 11, 1804
Despite rain that fell from morning until nine, the party continued traveling until ten, when they stopped at a high bluff that served as the burial site of Blackbird, a powerful chief of the Maha (Omaha) tribe. The Indians believed Blackbird had ruled as an absolute monarch in life and could still wield such power after death. The men placed a flag on a pole at his grave. They made camp at latitude 42°1'3.3", determined by observation.
morning and continued till nine; notwithstanding which, we
kept under way till ten, when we came to a high bluff, where
an Indian chief had been buried, and placed a flag upon a
pole, which had been set up at his grave. His name was
Blackbird, king of the Mahas; an absolute monarch while
living, and the Indians suppose can exercise the power of one
though dead. We encamped in latitude 42d. 1m. 3s. .3, as
ascertained by observation.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
It rained in the morning and continued until nine; in spite of this, we stayed under way until ten, when we came to a high bluff where an Indian chief had been buried. We placed a flag on a pole that had been set up at his grave. His name was Blackbird, king of the Mahas; an absolute monarch while living, and the Indians believe he can exercise the power of one even though he is dead. We camped at latitude 42° 1′ 3.3″, as determined by observation.
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