Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/377

 DOCUMENTS 369 at Snake River with 50 men. They have great quantity of goods en cache. They have been hunting on the Upper Snake. They were set upon by the Blackfeet on Yellowstone River and 18 men killed. They had intended to go to the Flatheads this fall but were deterred by the advanced season. Thursday, 14 Oct. A. (?) Plante, M. Plante, P. Findlay, & Payette killed each a buffalo. Are now in a barren country covered with wormwood. Wednsy. 20. Reach what is called the Fountain & a swamp where Goddin's River has its source. A road here thro' the mountains to Days' Defile : A road also from the south. Buf- falo are numerous but the Banock Snakes have driven off the elk. Saturday 23rd. The women availed themselves of the hot springs to wash their clothes. Tuesday, 2nd Nov. Camped near head of Day's River. Three years ago a party of freemen wintered here with Mr. McKay 18 we met 2 Flatheads. Their camp is 6 days' march off, very strong, Flatheads, Pendant d'Oreilles and Spokanes with Nez Perces being together. Saturday, 6 Nov. The two Flatheads left to-day. I wrote by them to Mr. C. F. McLoughlin apprising him of our route. Tuesday, 23rd Nov. A party of Freemen under Mr. Ogden passed the winter here some years ago. There was neither ice nor snow in the valley then. Sunday, 28 Nov. Stormy cold weather snow showers (?) and drifting. Crossed the height of land 12 miles S. E. The snow 2 ft. deep. The horses are jaded. People are fatigued. Large herds of buffalo are about. Wednesday, Dec. 1. Proceeded to the entrance of Day's Defile. 1 ? Six of the men, August Finlay at the head of the party, O. Finlay, M. Finlay, A. Hoole ( ?). A. Plante and Bte Gardipie separated from camp and took the road round the 18 Consult Mr. Ogden's journal for winter of 1828 when he was so anxious about this Thos. McKay party; the latter was son-in-law of Chief Factor John McLoughlin at Fort Vancouver. 19 Where the river canyon opens upon the plain, which they crossed a few days later in about the line of branch line of Oregon Short Line of today to the Blackfoot Mountains east of the Snake River and City of Blackfoot.