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 June 20, 2003

Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark's Bicentennial

Botanical Discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Camas (Camassia quamash)

Collected on June 23, 1806 on the Weippe Prairie along Jim Ford Creek just south of Weippe, Clearwater Co., Idaho.

Captain Lewis gives a very distinct and detailed description of this Original People's favorite in his journal entry on June 11, 1806. In fact, he devotes more time writing about this plant than any other collection during the expedition. Pursh, in his work with the specimens shortens Lewis's words to a single line: "Near the foot of the Rocky mountain on the Quamash flats-Jun: 23d 1806."

Pursh does provide a full description of the new species in Latin and lists some of the common uses for the plant in that day. He notes that camas is "an agreeable food to Governor Lewis's party, they occasioned bowel complaints if eaten in any quantity." Lewis and Clark mentioned the plant frequently as it was abundant and no doubt provided a nice addition to their diet.

Due to our very early spring this year, bloom time has passed for this beautiful and useful native. It's a good time to plant, however, at our low Spring Sale prices. See this and many other perennials, shrubs and trees at the nursery and gardens now.

Camas

(Camassia quamash)

At this time in 1806:

On the morning of June 18, the Corps awakens to find their horses have scattered hither and yon in search of food. He says:

At 9 o'clock we collected them all except one of Drouilliard's and one of Shields's. We set out, leaving Shields and Lepage to collect the two lost horses and follow us. We dispatched Drouilliard and Shannon to the Chopunnish Indians in the plains beyond the Kooskooskee in order to hasten the arrival of the Indians who had promised to accompany us, or to procure a guide at all events and rejoin us as soon as possible. We sent by them a rifle, which we offered as a reward to any of them who would engage to conduct us to Traveler's Rest. We also directed them, if they found difficulty in inducing any of them to accompany us, to offer the reward of two other guns to be given them immediately, and ten horses at the Falls of Missouri.

We had not proceeded far this morning before Potts cut his leg very badly with one of the large knives. He cut one of the large veins on the inner side of the leg. I found much difficulty in stopping the blood, which I could not effect until I applied a tight bandage with a little cushion of wood and tow, on the vein below the wound.

Colter's horse fell with him in passing Hungry Creek and himself and horse were driven down the creek a considerable distance rolling over each other among the rocks. Fortunately he escaped without injury or the loss of his gun.

By 1 P.M., we returned to the glade on the branch of Hungry Creek, where we had dined on the 16th inst. Here we again halted and dined. As there was much appearance of deer about this place, we left R. and J. Fields with directions to hunt this evening and tomorrow morning at this place, and to join us in the evening at the meadows of Collins's Creek, where we intend remaining tomorrow in order to rest our horses and hunt. After dinner we proceeded on to Collins's Creek and encamped in a pleasant situation at the upper part of the meadows about 2 miles above our encampment of the 15th inst. We sent out several hunters, but they returned without having killed anything.

They saw a number of salmon [trout] in the creek and shot at them several times, without success. We directed Colter and Gibson to fix each of them a gig in the morning and endeavor to take some of the salmon. The hunters saw much fresh appearance of bear but very little of deer. We hope by means of the fish, together with what deer and bear we can kill, to be enabled to subsist until our guide arrives, without the necessity of returning to the quamash flats (Wally notes this is our friend, the camas!). There is a great abundance of good food here to sustain our horses.

The next day at 2 pm, Shields and Lepage made it back to the group with two deer but without their horses. A few salmon, some deer and one small bear were taken on June 19 and 20 but the provisions were not enough to sustain the Corp. They decided to go back to the quamash flats after all to await their guide.

Current events:

Thursday, June 19, 2003 -- 1:00 pm
Friday, June 20, 2003 -- 8:00am
Saturday, June 21, 2003 -- 9:00am

The theme of the 2003 Symposium will focus on the perspective of arts, culture, and language through the interaction of the two peoples. The three day symposium will feature:

• Presentations by national and local historians, field trip and historical overviews along the trail, traditional and Native American view of arts, culture, and language
• Book signings by renowned and local authors Featured Speaker: Gary E. Moulton is the 2003 keynote presenter, he is the Thomas C. Sorensen Professor of History at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and editor of the Journals of the Lewis and Clark edition.
• Other speakers include James Holmberg, Kat Imhoff, and others.

To obtain more information or to register:

Libby Rawls
Phone: (208) 792-2282
Fax: (208) 792-2444
E-mail: earawls@lcsc.edu or rgdebacker@lcwarriormail.com
Web Site: www.lcsc.edu/cp/lewisclark/2003

June 24, 2003

For more information call: (509) 525-7703

June 27-29, 2003

The festival will provide a variety of stage entertainment and presentations. Portrayals of William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and, Lucy Marks (mother of Meriwether Lewis) will add to the entertainment. The characters will stroll around the Faire to interact with visitors. Nez Perce cultural presentations will include storytellers, drummers and dancers in native regalia. The Lewis & Clark re-enactors, the Hog Heaven Muzzle Loaders, will demonstrate dug-out canoe construction in their recreated encampment.

Many vendor and artisan items will be for sale including Lewis & Clark memorabilia, handcrafted artwork, and great food. Children’s activities include candlemaking, facepainting, and storytelling. Festival is organized by the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce and grant funding has been provided by the Idaho Governor's Lewis & Clark Trail Committee.

Contact:
Doreen M. Krabbenhoft
Lewiston Chamber of Commerce
111 Main Street, Suite 120
Lewiston, ID 83501
208-743-3531
208-743-2176 (F)
lccdir@lewistonchamber.org
www.lewistonchamber.org

June 20, 2003 - June 21, 2003

The celebration kicks-off on Friday night with a street dance. On Saturday morning, a parade will march down Highway 93, beginning the day long festivities at the Community Center. This years' parade theme is 'New Beginnings'. The festival area will feature bingo, an auction, and informational booths from local organizations. Food and drink, arts and crafts, and games are only a sampling of what you will find at Lolo Days. The Travelers' Rest Chapter of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation will again bring their traveling trunk to Lolo Days. They will also recreate an authentic encampment along Lolo Creek, celebrating the community's history as one of Lewis and Clark's campsites. The Peoples' Center in Pablo, Montana will also participate with a performance by traditional dancers and drummers. There will also be the chance to learn and compete in Native American games.

Contact Information:
PO Box 1111
Lolo, MT 59847
Phone: 406-273-0182
Website: http://www.lolomontana.com
Email: lolokid@micro-mania.net

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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