368 
ITINERARY OF ROUTE FROM CCEUR D’ALENE MISSION TO COLVILLE. 
given it upon the maps. Its waters are received from the Coeur d’Alene river, which runs 
through it. Below the lake the river is not easily navigable, there being many rapids, and, in 
numerous instances, it widens greatly and runs sluggishly through a shallow channel. Above 
the lake, I am informed by the missionaries that it is navigable nearly to the Missouri. Upon the 
eastern side appeared a range of hills, along the eastern base of which, I think, the road from the 
mission to Wallah-Wallah passes. 
Leaving the lake, we followed the river on its northern bank, passing a camp of Coeur d’Alenes 
occupied with their trout fisheries. We here witnessed a touching sight, a daughter administer¬ 
ing to her dying father. We encamped at a spring, with sparse grass. Had we gone two miles 
farther we should have found an excellent camp on the river, and the next morning some of our 
animals were found on the very spot. Towards the latter portion of the march the river runs 
over a rocky bed of trap. Three miles before reaching camp we struck the south trail. Dis¬ 
tance thirty-three miles. 
October 17.—Leaving camp, Governor Stevens, Osgood, Antoine, and myself, turned from the 
trail to visit the falls of the Coeur d’Alene river, while Labatt took the train ahead on the trail 
to the Spokane house; our course was south of west, five miles to the Coeur d’Alene river and 
falls. The river here is compressed within a narrow knoll of basaltic rock forty feet high, form¬ 
ing a succession of rapids, which are forty feet in height, presenting a natural barrier to the 
salmon. There are two principal falls—one of twenty feet, and the other forming two of from 
ten to twelve feet each ; in the latter there is a perpendicular fall of seven or eight feet. For a 
quarter of a mile over the rough bed of the rapids we estimated the fall at ninety to one hundred 
feet. One mile below this point we came to the ferry crossed by Saxton. There is a small 
Indian village here, and the Indians were engaged catching salmon. 
From the Coeur d’Alene mission, crossing the river at this point, and on to Fort Wallah-Wallah, 
there is a very good natural wagon-road; the fathers having transported some of their effects by 
this route two years since. 
Leaving the fishery, we crossed the foot of the great prairie, and over a dividing ridge, with 
high and steep banks, entered an open oak and pine plain, extending some eight miles to the 
junction of the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane rivers. In the plain in which the Spokane house is 
situated were two Spokane villages. Here was formerly a trading-post of the Hudson’s Bay 
Company; but the “house” was abandoned many years since, and but a few scattering stones 
now mark its foundation. The train we found a mile below the junction across the Spokane, 
and the Indians indicating a good camp some distance beyond, we moved on eight and a half 
miles, and reached it at sundown. There was good grass and plenty of water, and we soon 
made up a large camp-fire. 
The Indians report a large party having arrived opposite Colville, also a small party from 
Wallah-Wallah to Colville. We hear that Jack, Lieutenant Macfeely’s guide, passed this place 
a few days since, and reported that the party had a hard time. 
We hear also of another, probably Captain McClellan’s party, and the intelligence is confirmed 
of the passage of the Cascades by thirty wagons. Garry, who was with us two hours, says 
there is a good trail from the Spokane house to the Yakima country. Made thirty-two miles 
to-day. 
October 18.—Left our camp and the Spokane river at an early hour, and taking a more north¬ 
erly course six miles over a succession of pine-clad hills, reached a valley from two to five miles 
broad, affording good grass and some arable land. Contiguous to the site of Yohimakine mis¬ 
sion, abandoned six years since by Messrs. Walker and Eels, in consequence of the massacre of 
Dr. Whitman and family at Wailetpu, made a short halt at noon. Governor Stevens learning 
from Antoine that it is twenty-eight miles to Colville, where Captain McClellan’s party is reported, 
resolved to push on and reach there to-night. At five and three-qui rters he reached Brown’s, 
who informed him that the distance to Colville was eighteen miles. After accepting an offer of 
