The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-10

ned unDounded, Tor the river,
lieh meant just a little faster
II was the first day IN more
than a week that We were able to
keep right in the heavy current
and make our crossings without
taking to the backwaters and
by the towheads.
We hurriedly packed our canoe
and showed off before the weather
would have chance 10 change,
though there wasn't a cloud TO be
seen in the sky. In sheer exuber-
alton we pushed hard when we
could have drifted.
Knife Il Beautiful
In a little more than an hour
we made the run OF nine miles TO
the Big Knife river and turned
into its clear, green waters in
search Of the little city of stanton
and brunch" This was our first
experience with a clear river run
ming into the muddy Missouri.
Where its waters entered the
parent river. there was q sharp
line from bank TO bank separating
the waters Of the two rivers. We
could look right down into the clear
waters OF the Knife at this point
and see the almost straight wall Of
murky sediment that was the Mis-
souri,.
Our half mile voyage up the
little river was one of unparalleled
beauty. Shaded by great trees
were masses of wild roses in full
bloom, their soft aroma held close
to the water by the cool, damp air.
Push On At Once
Brilliant-hued birds fitted from
branch to branch, their shrill har-
mony drowning out the hosrse
oroak OF the awkward blue herons
Below the town, in the cool shade
Of majestic cottonwoods, WAS
little picnic park. its rustic stone
blending with the nat
lral setting.
Stanton was one of the prettiest
little towns we had seen along the
river. principally because of its
trees. Most of the towns were set
back from the bottomlands and
the houses were almost entirely
devoid OF shade of any kind and
we saw little shrubbery.
However, we did not tsrry long.
for such a day was not to be
After q hurried eombina-
ton breakfast and lunch. we again
pushed off and wasted nearly half
an hour feeling our way out into
the main channel through the sand
bars.
At Fort Clark Stn.
Ten miles farther we came to a
little town some distance back from
the right bank We knew this TO
be Fort Clark Station, and imme-
started searching the sur
rounding hills for the little stone
house built TO house the tablet
concentrating the vicinity where
Lewis and Clark spent the winter
near the Mandan villages. We say
the vicinity, because the exact spot
on. the bottomland where they had
their camp has long been washed
away by the river.
The spot where the tablet is be-
ing placed is either near or on the
sight Of old Fort Clark. which. il
must be remembered, had nothing
to do with the earlier expedition.
Fort Clark was q trading post
started around 1880 and Clark was
not in any way connected with 1t.
Eat at Washburn
We finally were able to focus
our glasses on the tiny house far
up on the hills. overlooking a great
bend OF the Missouri. 1t was site
chosen with care, for from It's
heights could be seen mile after
mile Of the river in both directions
and II commanded a clear view OF
the surrounding plains and bottom
lands.
Unfortunately, We were unable
TO reach 1t from the river because
OF a high cut bank that gave us
no landing for many miles as the
river swung far TO the east.
So, after taking several long
range pictures OF the site, we push
cd on To the comfortable little towr
of Washburn for a late lunch and
dinner combined. II vas such q
nice day that we had made up oul
minds to travel until dark and per
haps even make Msndsn.
sleep In open
Pushing on after Washourn, VI
passed several more deserted gran
elevators that were listed a. town
and postoffices on our charts.
The last one, Wogonsport, vi
planned 10 reach just before dsri
and spend the night there. but VI
couldn't even find II. though late
we found out we had passed u
location around eight O'Clock. b
nine fifteen II was too dark 10
further progress. 30. putting In O
towhssc. we prepared TO spen
the night.
IL VAS one OF the most beagtlfl
nights We had enjoyed on IN
river. The sty was devoid Of cloud
and a thres-ausrter moon shed
soft twilight over the land. Tn
stars. always bright, blinksd re
assuringly a. Us IS we decided :
forsgo putting up the tent an
sleep on our mattresses In tn
open.