558 FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO OLYMPIA. 



mit is west one mile to the small creek before mentioned, and then nearly south, down the valley 

 eight miles, over a fine road, descending very gradually. This valley is a prairie from a quarter 

 to half a mile wide, and wooded with open pines in small groves. Leaving this creek, the 

 course is southwest, over a country thinly wooded with pines of a fair growth for three miles, to 

 a fine prairie of a hundred acres in extent, in the centre of which is a beautiful small lake. 

 Thence two miles through pine openings, when we reached a fine prairie, bordering a consid 

 erable fork of the Big Blackfoot, upon which stream we encamped, having made twenty-five 

 miles from our encampment on Dearborn river. A very cold rain commenced at 9 a. m. this 

 morning, and continued all day, rendering travelling very disagreeable. The night was too 

 cloudy to observe for latitude. 



September 13. It was still raining heavily this morning, and upon some of the most elevated 

 mountains snow fell during the night. At 9 a. m. we started down this fork, passing through a 

 beautiful prairie half a mile in breadth, and in four miles struck the trail of the main train, which 

 comes in on a course north 65 30 east; and in half a mile farther crossed the stream I have 

 named &quot;Lander s fork,&quot; and which I suppose to be the main fork of the Big Blackfoot river. After 

 crossing, the trail continues down the river on a course south 68 30 west. 



As, according to your instructions, my route from this point will be that taken by the main 

 train, of which an accurate survey has already been made, it is not deemed necessary to run a 

 compass line between this and the St. Mary s valley. We pushed on rapidly, and encamped at 

 the edge of the large rolling prairie, a few rods below the encampment of the main train Sep 

 tember 24 and 25, 1853. 



September 14. Last night was very cold, with a heavy frost, and ice made in a bucket of 

 water an eighth of an inch thick. Passing over the high prairie, we obtained a good view of the 

 valley of the Blackfoot, which is here some fifteen miles broad. The soil is good, timber is 

 abundant, and I should think this a good locality for farms. The road during the day continued 

 good, passing over prairies and through open pine woods. At 6 p. m. we encamped, having 

 made to-day 30 miles. 



September 15 and 16. Continued on, and reached within five miles of Fort Owen. The next 

 day, directing the men to come on slowly with the train, I started early for Cantonment Stevens, 

 and reached it at 1 p. m., and was welcomed by Lieutenant Mullan, and also Mr. Adams, who 

 came up from Olympia ten days since. Mr. Burr has concluded to remain in the employ of Mr. 

 Adams, special Indian agent, during the winter. 



September \.Sth was devoted to receiving and packing up sixty days rations received from 

 Lieutenant Mullan, exchanging receipts for animals, &c., and conferring upon the proper route 

 to be taken in carrying in our parties. 



In conformity with your instructions, it was my duty to proceed by the Cceur d Alene mission, 

 and Lieutenant Mullan determined to take a new route by the Lo-Lo fork, it being understood 

 that our parties should rendezvous at Wallah-Wallah. I employed as guide a Spokane Indian 

 who had come up with Mr. Adams from Wallah- Wall ah. 



September 19. Left Cantonment Stevens, accompanied by Lieutenant Mullan. At Fort Owen, 

 twelve miles from the Cantonment, we separated our band of animals, and Lieutenant Mullan 

 pushed on and encamped beyond the first crossing of the St. Mary s river, while I encamped four 

 miles this side. 



September 20. Started early, and at 9 o clock passed Lieutenant Mullan s camp. He will be 

 delayed a day or two by the loss of yesterday of a pack-mule, with his tent and mess equipage. 

 Continuing down the St. Mary s, crossed Hell Gate, and, passing over a rolling prairie, encamped 

 on the St. Mary s nine miles below, having made 35 miles. 



September 21. This morning the fog was so dense as to render it impossible to see in any 

 direction fifty yards, and in consequence the horses could not be found until a late hour. Con 

 tinuing down the river, the valley, which has heretofore been broad and level, at nine miles from 



