Laurel outlook., 1945-07-11
I1IIIII11H1IlI11III1I
LEWIS AND
CLARK
The Great American Odyssey
A Condensed Story of
the Historic Expedi-
ton of 1S04-6.
Copyright 1915, Walter Meacham)
Copyright 1915, Walter Meacham)
CHAPTER
Great Falls of the Missouri

Great Falls of the Missouri
The Indians had told Lewis and
Clark that after many days journey
to the west they would come upon
great falls and rapids, where the
water dashed madly over rocky
cliffs, where it was impossible for
boats to live. Captain Lewis and
four of his men went ahead of the
main party and, on June Is, came
upon the spot the Indians had de-
scribed. Here, for a distance of
nearly twenty miles, the Missouri
plunges over spectacular falls and
rapids, taking in that distance, a
total drop of over four hundred
feet. The great falls themselves
have a drop of over 80 feet.
The sight of this mighty work of
nature was an inspiring one to the
captain and his men, and assured
them that they were on the real
Missouri. Names were given to the
various falls as they came to them.
The first and mightiest was called
the Great Falls; then came Crooked
Falls, Rainbow, Golfer and Black
Eagle. Just below the latter falls
was a small island. Here stood a
cottonwood tree on which a black
eagle had built its nest. Disturbed
by it's unlimited guests, the eagle
spread its wings and flew over the
partyas on a trip of inspection.
Finally satisfying itself that the
group meant no harm, the eagle
returned to it's nest and settled its
ruffled feathers. Near this spot is
the present city of Great Falls,
Montana.
Continuing his march, Captain
Lewis came upon a river flowing {
from the west, called by the Indians
the Medicine (Sun) river. Beyond t
were the White Bear islands, where
camp was made. Here they had c
several lively encounters with the T
grizzly bears which inhabited the +
islands, and resented any encroach- t
ment on their domain. v
Captain Clark soon arrived with /
the main party and preparations a
were made to portage around the L
falls and rapids. The portage, COW a
ering 10 miles, took two weeks to d
accomplish. Out of a cottonwood e.
tree they made wheels for a wagon
on which to haul their boats and
supplies. A portion of their goods
were cached" at the mouth of
(Belt Mountain) creek to
their burdens and create a
reserve for the return trip, if they .
we're lucky enough to return.
Lewis and Clark had brought
the United States the iron
of a boat, which they now
put together and covered with skins
If elk and buffalo. But, when the
BOAT was launched, it leaked so
it had to be abandoned. Two
,anoes were made from cottonwood
to take its place. The portage
slow and laborious. The mems
ieet were cut by sharp rocks and
pear, and they had to keep
| sharp lookout for rattlesnakes.
During the portage, Captain
Clark, York, ~Charbonneau, Sacaia-
and little Baptiste were caught
n a ravine during a cloudburst
threatened to engulf them.
lark, at imminent risk of his own,
aved the lives of the Indian woman
nd her papoose.
In this wild district, far from the
influence of civilization.
hey observed Fourth of July. A
reat feast was prepared of the
enderest parts of elk and buffalo
heat. The last of the whisky was
runk in a toast to President JEFF
The flag was flown from a
pole and saluted with a vollev
rom their rifles. Cruzatte tuned
p his precious fiddle and the old
ills echoed to the strains of the
vely melodies he played. The men
ing and danced and made merry.
there was no telling what the
orrow might bring forth. This
as the first Fourth of July cele-
'ation ever staged in present Mon
AS soon as all was ready, the
arty pressed On. On July Is, they
scovered a river flowing in from
e south which they named Smiths
YER, for Robert Smith, secretary
the navy. Three days later a
from the north was NAM
Dearborn river, in honor of
enry Dearborn, secretary of war.
the Dearborn, Clark and
rec c~omDanions str1ck ooroc