At Fort Clatsop near present Astoria, Oregon, Lewis describes Chinookan eating utensils, woven baskets, and hats, and he enjoys fresh venison brought in by Pvt. Colter. A Clatsop man refuses to trade his otter skin robe for anything other than blue beads.
Comowool Makes a Visit
by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading
Coastal Woven Cone Hat
Allan McMakin/VIAs, in cooperation with Fort Clatsop National Historic Park, U.S. National Park Service.
The Coastal woven hat pictured here was acquired by the Fort Clatsop National Memorial from Quinault Indians on the Makah Reservation, at Neah Bay, Washington.
The decorative features, including the border, are made of dried-and-dyed beargrass leaves woven into the cedar-bark fabric. Notice that the tip of the hat somewhat resembles the tapered inflorescence (cluster) at the top of the beargrass stalk before the uppermost flowers have opened.[2]The natural model for the knob atop the hat is uncertain. Castle McLaughlin, Arts of Diplomacy (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2003), 102-103.
Pricey Otter Pelts
one of the party was dressed in t[h]ree very eligant Sea Otter skins which we much wanted; for these we offered him many articles but he would not dispose of them for any other consideration but blue beads, of these we had only six fathoms left, which being 4 less than his price for each skin he would not exchange nor would a knife or an equivalent in beads of any other colour answer his purposes, these coarse blue beads are their f[av]orite merchandiz, and are called by them tia Commáshuck’ or Chiefs beads. the best wampum is not so much esteemed by them as the most inferior beads.
—Meriwether Lewis
Fresh Venison
Sent Coalter [Colter] out to hunt this morning, he shortly after returned with a deer, venison is a rarity with us we have had none for some weeks. Drewyer also set out on a hunting excertion and took one man with him. he intends both to hunt the Elk and trap the beaver.
—Meriwether Lewis
Woven Baskets and Hats
their baskets are formed of cedar bark and beargrass so closely interwoven with the fingers that they are watertight without the aid of gum or rosin; some of these are highly ornamented with strans of beargrass which they dye of several colours and interweave in a great variety of figures; this serves them the double perpose of holding their water or wearing on their heads; and are of different capacites from that of the smallest cup to five or six gallons; they are generally of a conic form
—Meriwether Lewis
Weather Diary
aspect of the weather at rise
Wind at Weather at 4 OC. P.M. Wind at 4 OC. P.M. cloudy after rain S. W cloudy S W rained incessently all night, insect in motion
—Meriwether Lewis[3]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of the month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
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Plan a trip related to January 17, 1806:
Fort Clatsop is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The site is managed by the Lewis and Clark National and State Historic Parks.
Notes
| ↑1 | Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | The natural model for the knob atop the hat is uncertain. Castle McLaughlin, Arts of Diplomacy (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2003), 102-103. |
| ↑3 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of the month” column and spelled out some abbreviations. |
