WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97301 E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
PHONE (503)581-2638 FAX(503)581-9957

Updated May 29, 2003

Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark's Bicentennial

Botanical Discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Orange Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa)

Kamiah in Idaho on June 5, 1806

Various theories are noted about the documentation on this particular plant by different botanical authorities. Ewan held that a specimen at The Natural History Museum in London (which was identified by Pursh as Lonicera ciliosa) is a true Lewis and Clark collection. This specimen is from Canada and according to Eaton is not L. ciliosa but L. hirsuta which does not occur in the areas visited by the explorers. However the lectotype was collected in Idaho near Kamiah on June 5, 1806 and Lewis mentions seeing a "vining honeysickle" on that day. Pursh noted the location of the collection was "yellow; On the Kooskooskee." The general consensus today is that Lewis' "vining honeysickle" is indeed Lonicera ciliosa.

Whatever origination you subscribe to, the Orange Honeysuckle is a dependable, sweet-smelling vine that's sure to give your favorite hummingbird a treat! See our Spring Sale for special pricing on this Northwest Native shrub and other natives.

Orange Honeysuckle

(Lonicera ciliosa)

Heidi Hansen watercolor

(Click on picture for large view)

At this time in 1806:

Supplies are extremely low and the shortages were made worse by some skirmishes with the rivers.

Lepage and Charbonneau set out early this morning to the Indian village in order to trade with them for roots. Sergeant Gass was sent this morning to obtain some goat's hair to stuff the pads of our saddles. He ascended the river on this side and, being unable to pass the river to the village he wished to visit, returned in the evening unsuccessful. Shannon and Collins were permitted to pass the river in order to trade with the natives and lay in a store of roots and bread for themselves, with their proportion of the merchandise, as others had done. On landing on the opposite shore, the canoe was driven broadside, with the full force of a very strong current, against some standing trees and instantly filled with water and sank. Potts, who was with them, is an indifferent swimmer. It was with difficulty he made the land. They lost three blankets and a blanket capote and their pittance of merchandise.  

In our bare state of clothing this was a serious loss. I sent Sergeant Pryor and a party over in the Indian canoe in order to raise and secure ours but the depth of the water and the strength of the current baffled every effort. I fear that we have also lost our canoe. All our invalids are on the recovery. We gave the sick chief a severe sweat today, shortly after which he could move one of his legs and thighs and work his toes pretty well. The other leg he can move a little. His fingers and arms seem to be almost entirely restored. He seems highly delighted with his recovery. I begin to entertain strong hope of his recovering by these sweats.  
Captain Clark, 30 May 1806   

Yesterday evening Charbonneau and Lepage returned, having made a broken voyage. They ascended the river on this side nearly opposite to a village eight miles above us. Here their led horse, which had on him their merchandise, fell into the river from the side of a steep cliff and swam over. They saw an Indian on the opposite side whom they prevailed on to drive their horse back again to them. In swimming the river the horse lost a dressed elk skin of Lepage's and several small articles, and their paint (vermilion) was destroyed by the water. Here they remained and dried their articles.  

The evening of the 30th ult., the Indians at the village, learning their errand and not having a canoe, made an attempt yesterday morning to pass the river to them on a raft, with a parcel of roots and bread in order to trade with them. The Indian raft struck a rock, upset, and lost their cargo. The river having fallen heir to both merchandise and roots, our traders returned with empty bags.  
Captain Lewis, 1 June 1806   

McNeal and York were sent on a trading voyage over the river this morning. Having exhausted all our merchandise, we are obliged to have recourse to every subterfuge in order to prepare in the most ample manner in our power to meet that wretched portion of our journey, the Rocky Mountains, where hunger and cold in their most rigorous forms assail the wearied traveler. Not any of us has yet forgotten our suffering in those mountains in September last, and I think it probable we never shall.  

Our traders McNeal and York were furnished with the buttons which Captain Clark and myself cut off our coats, some eye-water and basilican which we made for that purpose, and some phials and small tin boxes which I had brought out with phosphorus. In the evening they returned with about three bushels of roots and some bread.  

Drouilliard arrived this morning with Neeshneparkkeook and Hohastillpilp, who had accompanied him to the lodges of the persons who had our tomahawks. He obtained both the tomahawks, principally by the influence of the former of these chiefs. The one which had been stolen we prized most, as it was the private property of the late Sergeant Floyd, and Captain Clark was desirous of returning it to his friends. The man who had this tomahawk had purchased it from the Indian that had stolen it, and was himself, at the moment of their arrival, just expiring. His relations were unwilling to give up the tomahawk as they intended to bum it with the deceased owner, but were at length induced to do so for the consideration of a handkerchief, two strands of beads, which Captain Clark sent by Drouilliard, gave there, and two horses given by the chiefs to be killed, agreeably to their custom, at the grave of the deceased.  
Captain Lewis, 2 June 1806

The Corps will soon be back on the trail to continue their trip home as they end their stay at Long Camp.

Current events:

Are you a descendant of a member of the Corps of Discovery?

Clatsop County Genealogical Society
Astoria, Oregon

"Where History Lives!"

The Lewis & Clark Corps Of Discovery Descendant Project

To honor the permanent members of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery that completed the trip to the Pacific Ocean, the Clatsop County Genealogical Society, Astoria, Oregon,  is offering a Corps of Discovery Descendant Certificate to any person that can document they are a descendant to any permanent member of the 1804 - 1806 expedition.

We have expanded our project to include the Collateral Descendants of any member of The Corps of Discovery. All Direct and Collateral inquiries for forms and filing of documents for these projects are to be mailed to our current project address. Any questions concerning any aspect of the project are to directed to shargrov@pacifier.com

http://home.pacifier.com/~karenl/lewis&.htm

June 7-8, 2003

For more information call: (509) 525-7703

Fort Clatsop National Memorial

Astoria, Oregon

Just 5 miles south of Astoria, Oregon on US 101, this is the site of Lewis and Clark's winter-over spot in 1805-1806. The weather was typically Oregon/Washington moist but the Corps made good use of their winter rest. They entertained numerous visitors from the area, providing medicine and bartering opportunities. A great many of the botanical specimens they brought back to the East were collected right here.

Visit this national memorial and learn what life was like for these brave folk. Interpreters in costume will tell you all about it. Close your eyes and you might even think you are back in the days 200 years ago!

Call (503)861-2471 for more information.

Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Northwest History - Spring Celebration Calendar of Events

May 3-July 31 - Skamokawa Indian Village display at the Three Creeks Library

May 9-July 27 - "End of Our Voyage" exhibit at the O.O. Howard House
Wed. through Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. through Sun., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Hosted by the City of Vancouver.

May 31- June 1 - Sturgeon Festival at the Water Resources Education Center
Family activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Center is located at 4600 SE Columbia Way. Event and activities are free. Call 696-8478.

Flyers featuring information on all of these activities is available from the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial office by calling (360) 906-7119 or check the individual websites for more information.

(360) 750-1553 ext. 20 - Vancouver, Washington

Back Issues:

To see back issues of Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark, click on this link to jump to the index. 

Commemorative Painting by Heidi Hansen:

The illustrated map below was created by renowned botanical artist Heidi D. Hansen especially for this website. Done in ink and watercolors, Heidi shows many of the plants Captain Lewis documented overlaid atop a map showing a portion of the journey. (Click on image for large view). All the plants pictured are available from Wally Hansen! See our Spring Sale site and our online catalog for more information.

Good luck and happy gardening!

Wally

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