Coboway Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Comowool Honored with Certificate Amid Persistent Rain

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:56 +0000

Wednesday March 19th 1806. It continued to rain and hail today in such
manner that nothing further could be done to the canoes. a pratry were
sent out early after the Elk which was killed yesterday with which they
returned in the course of a few hours. we gave Comowooll alias Connia, a
cirtificate of his good conduct and the friendly intercourse which he has
maintained with us during our residence at this place; we also gave him a
list of our names.do not. The Killamucks, Clatsops, Chinnooks, Cathlahmahs
and Wac-ki-a-cums resemble each other as well in their persons and dress
as in their habits and manners.their complexion is not remarkable,
being the usual copper brown of most of the tribes of North America. they
are low in statue reather diminutive, and illy shapen; possessing thick
broad flat feet, thick ankles, crooked legs wide mouths thick lips, nose
moderately large, fleshey, wide at the extremity with large nostrils,
black eyes and black coarse hair. their eyes are sometimes of a dark
yellowish brown the puple black. I have observed some high acqualine noses
among them but they are extreemty rare. the nose is generally low between
the eyes.the most remarkable trait in their physiognomy is the
peculiar flatness and width of forehead which they artificially obtain by
compressing the head between two boards while in a state of infancy and
from which it never afterwards perfectly recovers. this is a custom among
all the nations we have met with West of the Rocky mountains. I have
observed the heads of many infants, after this singular bandage had been
dismissed, or about the age of 10 or eleven months, that were not more
than two inches thick about the upper edge of the forehead and reather
thiner still higher. from the top of the head to the extremity of the nose
is one streight line. this is done in order to give a greater width to the
forehead, which they much admire. this process seems to be continued
longer with their female than their mail children, and neither appear to
suffer any pain from the operation. it is from this peculiar form of the
head that the nations East of the Rocky mountains, call all the nations on
this side, except the Aliahtans or snake Indians, by the generic name of
Flat heads. I think myself that the prevalence of this custom is a strong
proof that those nations having originally proceeded from the same stock.
The nations of this neighbourhood or those recapitulated above, wear their
hair loosly flowing on the back and sholders; both men and women divide it
on the center of the crown in front and throw it back behind the ear on
each side. they are fond of combs and use them when they can obtain them;
and even without the aid of the comb keep their hair in better order than
many nations who are in other rispects much more civilized than
themselves.the large or apparently swolen legs particularly
observable in the women are obtained in a great measure by tying a cord
tight around the ankle. their method of squating or resting themselves on
their hams which they seem from habit to prefer to siting, no doubt
contributes much to this deformity of the legs by preventing free
circulation of the blood. the dress of the man consists of a smal robe,
which reaches about as low as the middle of the thye and is attatched with
a string across the breast and is at pleasure turned from side to side as
they may have occasion to disencumber the right or left arm from the robe
entirely, or when they have occasion for both hands, the fixture of the
robe is in front with it’s corners loosly hanging over their arms. they
sometimes wear a hat which has already been discribed. this robe is made
most commonly of the skins of a small animal which I have supposed was the
brown mungo, tho they have also a number, of the skins of the tiger cat,
some of those of the Elk which are used principally on their war
excursions, others of the skins of the deer panther and bear and a blanket
wove with the fingers of the wool of the native sheep. a mat is sometimes
temperarily thrown over the sholders to protect them from rain. they have
no other article of cloathing whatever neither winter nor summer. and
every part except the sholders and back is exposed to view. they are very
fond of the dress of the whites, which they wear in a similar manner when
they can obtain them, except the shoe which I have never seen woarn by any
of them. they call us pah-shish’e-ooks, or cloth men. The dress of the
women consists of a robe, tissue, and sometimes when the weather is
uncommonly cold, a vest. their robe is much smaller than that of the men,
never reaching lower than the waist nor extending in front sufficiently
far to cover the body. it is like that of the men confined across the
breast with a string and hangs loosly over the sholders and back. the most
esteemed and valuable of these robes are made of strips of the skins of
the Sea Otter net together with the bark of the white cedar or silk-grass.
these strips are first twisted and laid parallel with each other a little
distance assunder, and then net or wove together in such manner that the
fur appears equally on both sides, and unites between the strands. it make
a warm and soft covering. other robes are formed in a similar manner of
the skin of the Rackoon, beaver &c. at other times the skin is dressed
in the hair and woarn without any further preperation. in this way one
beaver skin, or two of those of the Raccoon or tiger catt forms the
pattern of the robe. the vest is always formed in the manner first
discribed of their robes and covers the body from the armpits to the
waist, and is confined behind, and destitute of straps over the sholder to
keep it up. when this vest is woarn the breast of the woman is concealed,
but without it which is almost always the case, they are exposed, and from
the habit of remaining loose and unsuspended grow to great length
particularly in aged women in many of whom I have seen the hubby reach as
low as the waist. The garment which occupys the waist, and from thence as
low as nearly to the knee before and the ham, behind, cannot properly be
denominated a petticoat, in the common acceptation of that term; it is a
tissue of white cedar bark, bruised or broken into small shreds, which are
interwoven in the middle by means of several cords of the same materials,
which serve as well for a girdle as to hold in place the shreds of bark
which form the tissue, and which shreds confined in the middle hang with
their ends pendulous from the waist, the whole being of sufficient
thickness when the female stands erect to conceal those parts usually
covered from formiliar view, but when she stoops or places herself in many
other attitudes, this battery of Venus is not altogether impervious to the
inquisitive and penetrating eye of the amorite. This tissue is sometimes
formed of little twisted cords of the silk grass knoted at their ends and
interwoven as discribed of the bark. this kind is more esteemed and last
much longer than those of bark. they also form them of flags and rushes
which are woarn in a similar manner. the women as well as the men
sometimes cover themselves from the rain by a mat woarn over the sholders.
they also cover their heads from the rain sometimes with a common water
cup or basket made of the cedar bark and beargrass. these people seldom
mark their skins by puncturing and introducing a colouring matter. such of
them as do mark themselves in this manner prefer their legs and arms on
which they imprint parallel lines of dots either longitudinally or
circularly. the women more frequently than the men mark themselves in this
manner.

The favorite ornament of both sexes are the common coarse blue and white
beads which the men wear tightly wound arond their wrists and ankles many
times untill they obtain the width of three or more inches. they also wear
them in large rolls loosly arond the neck, or pendulous from the cartelage
of the nose or rims of the ears which are purforated for the purpose. the
women wear them in a similar manner except in the nose which they never
purforate. they are also fond of a species of wampum which is furnished
them by a trader whom they call Swipton. it seems to be the native form of
the shell without any preperation. this shell is of a conic form somewhat
curved, about the size of a raven’s quill at the base, and tapering to a
point which is sufficiently large to permit to hollow through which a
small thred passes; it is from one to 11/2 Inches in length, white,
smooth, hard and thin. these are woarn in the same manner in which the
beads are; and furnish the men with their favorite ornament for the nose.
one of these shells is passed horizontally through the cartilage of the
nose and serves frequently as a kind of ring to prevent the string which
suspends other ornaments at the same part from chafing and freting the
flesh. the men sometimes wear collars of bears claws, and the women and
children the tusks of the Elk variously arranged on their necks arms &c.
both males and females wear braslets on their wrists of copper brass or
Iron in various forms. I think the most disgusting sight I have ever
beheld is these dirty naked wenches. The men of these nations partake of
much more of the domestic drudgery than I had at first supposed. they
collect and prepare all the fuel, make the fires, assist in cleansing and
preparing the fish, and always cook for the strangers who visit them. they
also build their houses, construct their canoes, and make all their wooden
utensils. the peculiar provence of the woman seems to be to collect roots
and manufacture various articles which are prepared of rushes, flags,
cedar bark, bear grass or waytape. the management of the canoe for various
purposes seems to be a duty common to both sexes, as also many other
occupations which with most Indian nations devolves exclusively on the
woman. their feasts which they are very fond are always prepared and
served by the men.

Comowool and the two Cathlahmahs left us this evening. it continued to
rain so constantly today that Sergt. Pryor could not pitch his canoes.

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Chief Comowool Trades Roots; Sea Otter Skins Coveted

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:31 +0000

Sunday 17th January 1806 This morning we were visited by Comowool and 7 of
the Clatsops our nearest neighbours, who left us again in the evening.
They brought with them Some roots and beries for Sale, of which however
they disposed of very fiew as they asked for them Such prices as our Stock
in trade would not licence us in giveing. The Chief Comowool gave us Some
roots and berries, for which we gave him in return a mockerson awl and
Some thread; the latter he wished for the purpose of makeing a Skiming
Net. one of the party was dressed in three verry elegant Sea otter Skins
which we much wanted; for these we offered him maney articles but he would
not dispose of them for aney other Consideration but Blue beeds, of those
we had only Six fathoms left, which being 4 less than his price for each
Skin he would not exchange nor would a Knife or any other equivolent in
beeds of aney other Colour answer his purpose; these Coarse blue beeds are
their favourite merchandize and are Called by them Tia com ma shuck or
Chief beeds, the best Wampom is not as much esteemed by them as the most
indifferent beeds. Sent Colter out to hunt he Shortly after returned with
a Deer, Venison is a rarity with us we have had none for Some weeks.
Drewyer Set out on a hunting expedition one man went with him. he intends
to hunt the Elk and trap the beaver.

The Culianary articles of the Indians in our neighbourhood Consists of
wooden bowls or troughs, Baskets, Shell and wooden Spoons and wooden
Scures or Spits, their wooden Bowles and troughs are of different forms
and Sizes, and most generally dug out of Solid piecies; they are either
round, Square or in the form of a canoe; those are extreemly well executed
and maney of them neetly covered, the larger vessels with handholes to
them; in these vessels they boil their fish or flesh by means of hot
Stones which they immerce in the water with the articles to be boiled.
They also render the Oil of the fish, or other animals in the Same manner.
Their baskets are formed of Cedar bark and bargrass So closely interwoven
withe hands or fingers that they are watertight without the aid of gum or
rozin; Some of those are highly ornimented with the Straps of bargrass
which they dye of Several Colours and interweave in a great variety of
figures; this Serves a double purpose of holding the Water or wareing on
their heads; and are of different Capacities, from that of a Smallest Cup
to five or Six gallons, they are generally of a Conic form or reather the
Segment of a Cone of which the Smaller end forms the base or bottom of the
basket. these they make verry expediciously and dispose of for a mear
trifle. it is for the Construction of those baskets that Bargrass becoms
an article of traffic among the nativs of the Columbia. this grass grows
only on their mountains near the Snowey region; the blade is about 3/8 of
an inch wide and 2 feet long Smothe plient & Strong; the young blades
which are white from not being exposed to the Sun or air, are those which
are most Commonly employ’d, particularly in their neatest work. Their
wooden Spoons are not remarkable nor abundant, they are large & the
bowls broad. their meat is roasted with a Sharp Scure, one end of which is
incerted in the meat while the other is Set erect in the ground. The Spit
for roasting fish has its upper extremity Split, and between its limbs the
Center of the fish is incerted with its head downwards, and the tale and
the extremities of the Scure Secured with a String, the Side of the fish,
which was in the first instance Split in the back, are expanded by means
of Small Splinters of wood which extend Crosswise the fish. a Small mat of
rushes or flags is the usual plate, or Dish on which their fish, flesh,
roots & berries are Served. they make a number of Bags and Baskets not
water tight of Cedar bark Silk Grass, rushes, flags, and common Gorse
Sedge-. in those they Secure their dried fish, roots berries &.-

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Clatsops Demand Blue Beads for Sea Otter Skins

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:31 +0000

Saturday January 17th 1806 This morning we were visited by Comowool and 7
of the Clatsops our nearest neighbours, who left us again in the evening.
They brought with them some roots and buries for sale, of which however
they disposed of but very few as they asked for them such prices as our
stock in trade would not license us in giving. the Chief Comowool gave us
some roots and buries for which we gave him in return a mockerson awl and
some thread; the latter he wished for the purpose of making a skiming net.
one of the party was dressed in three very eligant Sea Otter skins which
we much wanted; for these we offered him many articles but he would not
dispose of them for any other consideration but blue beads, of these we
had only six fathoms left, which being 4 less than his price for each skin
he would not exchange nor would a knife or an equivalent in beads of any
other colour answer his purposes, these coarse blue beads are their
favorite merchandiz, and are called by them tia Commashuck or Chiefs
beads. the best wampum is not so much esteemed by them as the most
inferior beads. Sent Coalter out to hunt this morning, he shortly after
returned with a deer, venison is a rarity with us we have had none for
some weeks. Drewyer also set out on a hunting excertion and took one man
with him. he intends both to hunt the Elk and trap the beaver.

The Culinary articles of the Indians in our neighbourhood consist of
wooden bowls or throughs, baskets, wooden spoons and woden scures or
spits. Their wooden bowls and troughs are of different forms and sizes,
and most generally dug out of a solid piece; they are ither round or simi
globular, in the form of a canoe, cubic, and cubic at top terminating in a
globe at bottom; these are extreemly well executed and many of them neatly
carved the larger vessels with hand-holes to them; in these vessels they
boil their fish or flesh by means of hot stones which they immerce in the
water with the article to be boiled. they also render the oil of fish or
other anamals in the same manner. their baskets are formed of cedar bark
and beargrass so closely interwoven with the fingers that they are
watertight without the aid of gum or rosin; some of these are highly
ornamented with strans of beargrass which they dye of several colours and
interweave in a great variety of figures; this serves them the double
perpose of holding their water or wearing on their heads; and are of
different capacites from that of the smallest cup to five or six gallons;
they are generally of a conic form or reather the segment of a cone of
which the smaller end forms the base or bottom of the basket. these they
make very expediciously and dispose off for a mear trifle. it is for the
construction of these baskets that the beargrass becomes an article of
traffic among the natives this grass grows only on their high mountains
near the snowey region; the blade is about 3/8 of an inch wide and 2 feet
long smoth pliant and strong; the young blades which are white from not
being exposed to the sun or air, are those most commonly employed,
particularly in their neatest work. Their spoons are not remarkable nor
abundant, they are generally large and the bole brawd. their meat is
roasted with a sharp scure, one end of which is incerted in the meat with
the other is set erect in the ground. the spit for roasting fish has it’s
upper extremity split, and between it’s limbs the center of the fish is
inscerted with it’s head downwards and the tale and extremities of the
scure secured with a string, the sides of the fish, which was in the first
instance split on the back, are expanded by means of small splinters of
wood which extend crosswise the fish. a small mat of rushes or flags is
the usual plate or dish on which their fish, flesh, roots or burries are
served. they make a number of bags and baskets not watertight of cedar
bark, silk-grass, rushes, flags and common coarse sedge. in these they
secure their dryed fish, rooots, buries, &c.

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Clark Appraises Clatsop Character and Trading Habits

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:27 +0000

Saturday 4th January 1806 Comowool and the Clatsops who visited us
yesterday left us in the morning. Those people the Chinnook and others
resideing in this neighbourhood and Speaking the Same language have been
very friendly to us; they appear to be a mild inoffensive people but will
pilfer if they have an oppertunity to do So when they Conceive themselves
not liable to detection. they are great higlers in trade and if they
Conceive you anxious to purchase will be a whole day bargaining for a hand
full of roots; this I Should have thought proceeded from their want of
Knowledge of the Comparitive value of articles of merchindize and the fear
of being Cheated, did I not find that they invariably refuse the price
first offered them and afterwards very frequently accept a Smaller
quantity of the Same article; in order to Satisfy myself on this point, I
once offered a Clatsop man my watch a knife, a Dollar of the Coin of U
State and hand full of beeds, for a Small Sea otter Skin, which I did not
much want, he immediately Conceived it of great value, and refused to Sell
unless I would give as maney more beads; the next day with a great deel of
importunity on his part we receved the Skin in exchange for a fiew Strans
of the Same beeds he had refused the day before. I therefore beleive this
treat in their Charector proceeds from an avericious all grasping
dis-position. in this respect they differ from all Indians I ever became
acquainted with, for their dispositions invariably lead them to give what
ever they are possessed off no matter how usefull or valueable, for a
bauble which pleases their fancy, without Consulting its usefullness or
value. nothing occured to day, or more So, than our wappato being all
exhausted.

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Men Move Into Huts; Cuscalah Trades a Sea Otter Skin

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:24 +0000

December 24th Tuesday-5 Some hard rain at different times last night, and
moderately this morning without intermition all hands employed in Carrying
Punchens & finishing Covering the huts, and the greater part of the
men move into them a hard rain in the evening.

Cuscalar the young Clot Sop Chief Came with a young brother and 2 young
Squar, they gave or laid before Capt Lewis and my Self a mat and each a
large Parsel of roots, Some time after he demanded 2 files for his Present
we returned the present as we had no files to Speare which displeased them
a little they then offered a woman to each which we also declined axcpting
which also displeased them. Jo Fields finish for Capt Lewis and my Self
each a wide Slab hued to write on, I gave a handkerchief &c

—

Tuesday 24th December 1805 hard rain at Different times last night and all
this day without intermition. men all employd in finishing their huts and
moveing into them.

Cuscalah the Indian who had treated me So politely when I was at the
Clatsops village, come up in a Canoe with his young brother & 2 Squars
he laid before Capt Lewis and my Self each a mat and a parcel of roots
Some time in the evening two files was demanded for the presents of mats
and roots, as we had no files to part with, we each returned the present
which we had received, which displeased Cuscalah a little. he then offered
a woman to each of us which we also declined axcepting of, which
displeased the whole party verry muchthe female part appeared to be
highly disgusted at our refuseing to axcept of their favours &c.

our Store of Meat entirely Spoiled, we are obliged to make use of it as we
have nothing else except a little pounded fish, the remains of what we
purchased near the great falls of the Columbia, and which we have ever
found to be a convenient resort, and a portable method of curing fish

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Coboway

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:42:24 +0000

Coboway was the principal chief of the Clatsop people at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s winter on the Pacific coast (1805-1806). He maintained a diplomatic relationship with the expedition throughout their stay at Fort Clatsop.

The Clatsop traded food and goods with the expedition during the difficult winter months. Coboway visited the fort frequently and provided information about the local area. When the expedition departed in March 1806, Lewis gave Coboway a certificate and left a copy of the expedition roster posted at the fort.

Coboway was later given an English name, “Commissioner,” by American traders. The Clatsop people suffered devastating population decline in the early 19th century due to introduced diseases, and their territory was eventually absorbed by the broader Chinookan cultural sphere.

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Departure from Fort Clatsop After 106 Days

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:34:32 +0000

After a wet, miserable winter on the Oregon coast, the expedition began the long journey home. Lewis reflected on their 106 days at Fort Clatsop with characteristic understatement.

“At this place we had wintered and remained from the 7th of Deer. 1805 to this day, and have lived as well as we had any right to expect.”

Before departing, Lewis posted a notice on the fort wall listing the expedition members and their route — hoping it might be found by any trading vessel that visited the coast. He also gave a copy to the Clatsop chief Coboway.

The return journey would prove faster but no less eventful, including the decision to split into two parties to explore more territory, Lewis’s violent encounter with Blackfeet warriors, and his accidental shooting by one of his own men.

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