The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1945-09-13
Lewis and Clark
The Great American Odyssey
A Condensed Story Of
the Historic Expedi-
ton of 1906
Copyright 1915 by
Walter MeachaIn
CHAPTER IL

4OA4A 4SOSN l. Va = AVA AAASsAAJ eSS~NOS
the Columbia is smooth and placid,
the mountains and their
growth Of fir, pine, ce-
dar and larch. Swift mountain
streams dash from their high
sources. On the south bank, num-
erous waterfalls tumble from lof-
ty perches. Multnomah, king OF
them all, has drop of 620 feet,
two jumps to make it.
Friendly peaks and canyons pro-
vide q resting place for the clouds
and tall, white helmeted sentinels
stand guard over this panorama
of scenic beauty.
AS they padded down the river
Lewis and Clark encountered the
c hill-uck-it-tequaw Indians whose
chiefs camped with them one
night. On October 20 they passed
and named Cataract Rliclitat
river, Washington; Sepulchre
Memaloose) island, anchient bur-
ial place Of the Indians; Labich's
HooO river, Oregon, and Canoe
creek white Salmon river), WASH
ington. The following day they
passed and named CruZatte's
(WinO river, Washington. Cloudy
weather, wind and high waves
made travelling uncomfortable and
slowed their progress.
Snow was observed on the high
peaks, and Lewis and Clark were
reminded that winter was ap-
preaching. The Indians they en-
countered were friendly and sup
piled them with dogs, berries and
Indian bread. As they padded
abag they saw tall stumps of
trees standing upright on the riv-
er bottom, and soon came to what
they called the "Great Shoot" the
cascades of the Columbia. This
was the location of the legendary
bridge of the Gods" Of Indian
mythology. The Great Shoot is
now covered by the back waters
of Bonneville dam.
Here they unloaded their canoes
and portrayed around the obstruc-
ton. On November 2 they reached
a great landmark on the river,
which they named Beacon Rock.
They gave its dimensions at 1900
feet in circumference and eight
hundred feet in height. It is locat-
ed on the north, or Washington
side Of the Columbia.
Embarking again, they padded
down the broad, easy current Of
the Columbia and camped at the
mouth of a stream on the south
bank, naming it Quicksand (San-
dy) river. On the north bank was
a river where many seals disport-
ed themselves at its mouth, so
they named it Seal WashougaD
river. On November 4 they met
another tribe Of Indians that they
called the Skilloots. On the same
day they passed and named Wa
patio (Cauvie) island, on account
Of the edible root, resembling a
potato, which was found in great
abundance there.
Pursuing their journey, they en-
countered some Indians carrying
blue and scarlet blankets and
wearing sailors jackets, trousers,
shirts and hats, which they had
secured from ships which put In
to te Columbia. Nearly opposite
the present st. Helens, Oregon,
they passed the mouth of the
Lewis river, where they camped.
The next day they passed the
mouth of the Kalama river and,
on the 9Th, passed the Cowelis-
kee (Cowlitz), near the present
Longview and Kelso, Washington.
Lewis and Clark visited with
the Wahkiakum Indians on No
vember 2 and, late in the day,
came in view Of the great Pacific
horizon. No doubt they offered
a prayer of thanksgiving for hav-
ing arrived safely at the goal Of
their ambitions. But they met
with a stormy reception and were
assailed by wind and rain, max
ing a wet cherries camp on the
north side of the river. The next
day they dropped down the river
and entered Shallow (Gray's) bay.
There they were held stormbound
on the rocks for two days. The
weather clearing a little, they
made seven miles down stream,
but again had to land at point
called by Clark, Point Distress
Elice), opposite the present As
toria.
Go be continued