Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-18
A LOST MISSOURI ISLAND,

One OF the most noted localities on
the Missouri river in the palmy days
Of steamboating on that stream was
Cow Island. an island located in the
river about seven miles above Weston
and opposite the old town Of Iatan 1t
then contained about one thousand
acres and was densely covered with
primeval forest Of cotton wood. It ac-
CURED its peculiar name from the fact
that at an early day-sOme time in the
last century, French trader, in as
cending the river, found here a solitary
COW. the first ever seen 50 high up,
and the only one then within hundreds
If miles. She had been stolen, doubt
less. by the Indians from the white
settlement. on the Mississippi near St.
Charles, driven up the river and placed
m the island to prevent her escape.
The French gave To the island the
name. Isle de Vache, the English
meaning Of which was Cow Island
The island was in former days
place of historic interest and was
! noted landmark. not only among the
aarly voyaEers and steamboat men.
but the early explorers as well Lewis
ma Clarke landed here and replen-
shed their larder with several deer on
July 8. 1894. They found at the head Of
the island large lake, now called
Bean Lake. containing beaver and
many water fowl. 1t was the hrS
beaver they had seen. Captain Maj
tin. another explorer. Wintered here
with Il detachment of troop in lSlS-s.
And here Major Long. on his famous
expedition to the Yellowstone held
council with the Kansas Indians on
August "a 1919. In fact. the principal
village of that tribe was located on the
island. and they had been seated there
from time Immemorial They had
their councils there with the Pawnees.
Gowas. Sacs and Foxes and other
tribes from the north side Of the river
The island was first opened by Major
John DouEherty of Liberty. Mo. the
father Of the present congressman
from that district who in his day was
4 famous trapper and member OF tne
American Fur Company. and rent
many years among the Indians me
'ur company had a number Of tradins
posts on the upper Missouri, where
they kept merchandise which they ex-
changed with the Indians for fWs.
NJ or DouCherty laid off the town OF
'Gian. named for an Indian chief IL
then had bright prospects, and was
located on the banks of the river. but
it is not as large now as ii was forty
years ago-it died with the navigation
Of the Missouri. Cow Island. too Is
gone. Like many smaller islands VI
the river it has been swept away by
the rapacious current of that stream
until now not an acre is left, and the
fact that such an island ever existed IS
unknown to the present Seneratfl'
Tie old Missouri has cut some hlsu
capers within the last half century
and the channel is not where it once
was. AT the foot Of the bluff al
Weston. where stood Warmers ware
house, from which the bales Of henp
We're roWed directly onto the bows 81
tho boats. is now an immense WHO"
and bar, and the river is a half miie
way. Iatan, the once promising CITY,
$ now an inland village two miles
rom the river bank. Such have been
he changes in this part of the river IN
he last fifty years that. should one Oh
he old river pilots return today. ne
would not recognize a single landmark