CREEK INDIANS.-EXPLORATION TO COAL CREEK. 
IT 
guage differs from that of either of the neighboring tribes. To-day we saw two Indians quite 
unlike those previously noticed. They were Creeks. One was a lad, with face and features 
almost Grecian. He was dressed in a buckskin hunting-shirt, with a fringed wampum belt 
around his head. By the side of a clear rivulet, in a nook sheltered from the noonday heat, he 
was reclining upon the limb of an oak with perfect grace and Indian dignity, presenting an 
admirable subject for a sketch. 
August 12 —Camp 11.—Have not moved camp for various reasons. Wagons needed repair¬ 
ing. There were king-bolts to be made at Little River, and a guide to be sought. The people 
of the country seem to consider the latter indispensable to the success of our operations. Per¬ 
ceiving that great advantages might be derived from information such as a guide should possess, 
before leaving Fort Smith a messenger was sent to engage Black Beaver, a Delaware chief, 
who, however, declined the service. Since then we have sought for Jesse Chisholm, celebrated 
as a bold guide and good Indian interpreter. His services we hope to secure by waiting a day 
or two, in order to communicate with him. He has gone to hunt for lost horses, and is expected 
back to-morrow. 
While the surveying parties were at work computing and plotting the notes, I rode to 
Shawneetown in search of a guide to accompany an exploration back from the waters of the 
Boggy, passing south of the Shawnee hills, to Coal creek ; but no one could be found willing to 
undertake the trip. Having returned to camp, observations were made for latitude, longitude, 
and magnetic declination of the needle. 
August 13 —Camp IT.—Our wagons are not yet repaired, nor the necessary king-bolts made, 
so that we have been compelled to wait another day. The reduction of the field-notes has been 
continued. This afternoon an Indian came into camp who claimed to be a nephew of Black 
Beaver. He professes to be well acquainted with the country south of the Shawnee hills, and 
says that to-morrow he will conduct us by a smooth and direct route from our camp on the 
Boggy to Coal creek. 
August 14 —Camp 18.—The train resumed its march westward. The expected guide not 
making his appearance, Mr. Campbell, Dr. Bigelow, and myself returned to Shawneetown, 
hoping to find him ; otherwise, intending to make the explorations to Coal creek by ourselves. 
We learned, however, that a Shawnee named Johnson, a great hunter, knew something about 
the country in question. Following such trails as were indicated through the forest, we at 
length reached Johnson’s house, and fortunately found him at home. He agreed to accompany 
us, and we set out. We travelled for two miles down the valley of the Boggy, and turning 
eastward crossed several ravines and rivulets of that stream. Thence a gentle ascent led to the 
top of a ridge, from fifty to one hundred feet in height, which formed the divide. The country 
beyond appeared still undulating, with alternate woodland and prairie. Without difficulty we 
continued our route till, from an elevated spot, the guide pointed over an apparently level 
prairie to the line of Coal creek. Having verified our position and taken a sketch, we returned 
by a different and equally favorable route to Johnson’s house, where supper was prepared, and 
we were hospitably entertained for the night. Johnson seems to be a good specimen of the 
Shawnee farmer. He has several fields of maize, squashes, and beans. Adjoining the house 
is a magnificent peach orchard, whose trees are bent down by their burden of fruit. The farm 
is well stocked with horses and cattle. We saw the Mexican captive boy before referred to, but 
Johnson refused to sell or part with him. 
Our exploration had been perfectly satisfactory. By the route that we examined a wagon 
road could easily be cut, shortening the distance from Coal creek to the Boggy five or six miles, 
and avoiding the Shawnee hills. For a railway the country is highly favorable, both as regards 
grade and curvature. Light excavations and embankments will be required. Sandstone and 
timber are abundant. Were we again to traverse this region Avitli wagons, it would be easier 
to construct a new road through the country specified than to follow the old trail. 
August 15 —Camp 19.—Our guide proposed to accompany us as far as the Delaware settle- 
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