The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-02-24

grounds on the upper Blackfoot, such
being his solicitude for fellow trav
eler in the wilderness. While thus en-
gagged a pack train was seen filing
over the divide from the direction OF
the headwaters Of the Portneuf. II
proved to be trading expedition OF
the Hudson s Bay company under the
command of Thomas Mckay, who en-.
camped at no great distance. Now the
captain was on his way to the Co.
lumbia, country under the domino
tion of that company, so he imme-
diately forgot the object of his wiles
and conjured in his mind scheme to
cultivate the friendship Of the swarthy
brigade commander, one of the most
famous men of his day. Here followed
the celebrated debauch, on beverage
brewed from honey and alcohol as de-
lineated by Washington Irving in his
Bonneville's Adventures.
Before the feast was fairly opened,
M Wyeth, far in advance of his
company, rode up and the captain met
him in a friendly and courteous man.
ner. He acquainted his unwclcomc
guest with the news of the mountains
and obtained from Mr.. Wyeth an ac-
count of events in the east, after
which they parted. The following day
the captain, in his search for the buff
falo, was unable to reach his own
camp and was compelled, therefore, to
accept the hospitality of Mr.. Wyeth
The following day fearful havoc
was wrought in the buffalo herds of
the Blackfoot, in which all hands of
both expeditions took part. Captain
Bonneville then FASTENED on his jour
ney, leaving Wyeth to gather up what
meat he could care for and pursue his
journey in a more leisurely manner
and in company with the sorrowful
trader, Mckay, now suffering from
the effects of the captains compound
of honey and alcohol.
Mckay was in no mood for rapid
travel, however, and fell behind, so it
was the caravan of Mr.. Wyeth that
halted on the bank of the Snake OH
Monday, July the 18th, and fshed in
the crystal waters of Portneuf bot
toms, as noted in the beginning of
this narrative. On the evening of the
l4th the calvacade moved down to
the site of the fort and again en-
camped where they remained for %
days, during which time the fort was
constructed. 1t was made of drift
logs taken from the river, and cot
tonwood timber from the grove near
by, and when completed, it presented
a very formidable appearance, l20xl5O
feet on the ground, with stockada
about 16 feet high which formed the
outer walls of the quarters, and two
bastions on top so arranged that the
guns would sweep either side in ease
of an attack.
While the work was in progress the
scientists and missionaries availed
themselves of the opportunity to rest
and enjoy the novelty of the situation.
Mckay had, in the meantime, fully re-
covered from the effects of ga swarm
of bees in his head and encamped
" it'll the party of Mr.. Wyeth, in order,
doubtless, to observe operations and be
in position to report to his superior
officers at Fort Vancouver. With his
party there were now at Fort Hall
nearly one hundred persons and more
than two hundred and fifty jaded
horses RECALLING themselves on the sue
culent grass of the bottom lands. On
Sunday afternoon, July Goth, 1894, Mr.
Wyeth invited Rev. Jason Lee to
conduct religious services.
First Religious rsrvices
Without the least premonition of
the fact that this was 20 be the first
sermon in future state, or of three
states for that matter, and apparent
ly without any thought of the his
toric significance of the event, pre-
parations were made to hold the serv-
ices in the grove of cottonwood trees,
which grew within few feet of the
west wall of the fort. BY O'Clock
in the afternoon all was in readiness
The French and half-breeds of the
Hudson's Bay company party spoke
English, as did all the Wyeth party, so
the services were conducted for the
whites only. The entire company had
assembled before the appearance of
the missionaries.
Mr.. Lee was tall man but rather
spare and inclined to stOop. lie wore
a full beard of light brown color and
over high forehead he reached high
n heavy Growth of rather darker shade