Fort Clatsop

February 15, 1806

"after dark Sergt. Pryor arrived with Gibson.  we are much pleased in finding him by no means as ill as we had expected.  we do no conveive him in danger by any means, tho' he has yet a fever and is much reduced.  We beleive his disorder to have orriginated in a violent cold which he contracted in hunting and pursuing Ilk and other game through the swams and marshes about the salt works.  he is nearly free from pain tho' a good deel reduced and very languid.  we gave him broken dozes of diluted nitre and made him drink plentifully of sage tea, had his feet bathed in warm water and at 9 PM gave him 35 drops of laudanum."

February 16, 1806

"Gibson's fever still continues obstenate tho' not very high; I gave him a dose of Dr. Rush's* which in many instances I have found extreemly efficatious in fevers which are in ay measure caused by the presence of boil.  

Dr. Rush's*  - "Rush's pills" or "Thunderclappers" results were similar to a laxative

February 17, 1806

" One of the men brought word from the salt works, that they had made about 4 bushels of salt; and the commanding Officers thought that would be sufficient to serve the party, until we should arrive at the Missouri where there is some deposited."

February 18, 1806

" A sergeant (Ordway) and five men set out to go to the salt works, to bring the salt and kettles to the fort... they returned and reported that the waves ran so high in the bay that he could not pass.   in the afternoon we were visited by eight Clasops and Chinnooks from whom we purchased a Sea Otter's skin and two hats made of waytape and silk grass and white ceder bark.  they remained untill late in the evening and departed for their village.  Sergt. Ordway brought me a specemine of a species of pine* peculiar to the swamps and marshes frequently overflown by the tide as this is a distinct species..."   Lewis

pine* - Sitka Spruce, described by Lewis on February 4, 1805. 

February 19, 1806

"Sergt. Ordway set out again this morning with a party for the salt works by land.  in the evening Sergt Gass returned with the flesh of eight Elk, and seven skins; having left one skin with Shannon and Labuishe who remained over the netul to continue the chase.  we had the Elk skins divided among the messes in order that they might be prepared for covering our baggage when we set out in the spring.  The day was very wet and stormy."  Lewis

February 20, 1806

"This forenoon we were visited by Tah-cum* a principal Chief of the Chinnooks and 25 men of his nation. We had never seen this chief before. As he came on a friendly visit we gave himself and party something to eat .  we gave this chief a small medal with which he seemed much gratifyed. in the evening at sunset we desired them to depart as is our custom and closed the gates. "   Lewis

Tah-cum* - Tahcum, or Taucum (Tawkum), was known to traders by 1794, and was later acquainted with the Astorians and the North West Company.  At one time he was at odds with Comcomly and Shelathwel which might account for his not having visited the fort with those chiefs. 

February 21, 1806