The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Excerpts are from "Chief Joseph Country Land of the Nez Perce" by Bill Gulick, 1985

Quoting the plaque on the Lewis and Clark Trail State Park on Highway 12: "In early May of 1806, Lewis and Clark passed through here on their return from the Pacific Ocean."

On April 18, 1806, Clark wrote: "Early this morning, I was awoken by an Indian man of the Chopunuish (Nez Perce) Nation who informed me that he lived in the neighborhood of our horses. This man delivered me a bag of powder and ball, which he had picked up this morning at the place the goods were exposed yesterday."

By the end of April, the par- ty had reached the domain of the Walla Walla tribe of Indians whose powerful, friendly Chief Yellpit invited the explorers "to remain at his village three and four days and assured us that we should be furnished with plenty of such food as they had themselves and some horses to assist us on our journey."

After informing the whites of an overland route that would save them 80 miles, the head man of the Walla Wallas gave Clark a present.

"This morning early, the Great Chief Yellepit brought a very elegant white horse to our camp and presented him to me, signifying his wish to get a kettle, but being informed that we had already disposed of every kettle we could possibly spare, he said he was content with whatever I thought proper to give him. I gave him my sword, 100 balls and powder and some articles of which he appeared perfectly satisfied."

In the spring of 1806, the Corps followed the ancient trail between the Columbia and Snake rivers traveled by Indian tribes. If any of you readers haven't visited the Lewis and Clark Encampment in steel silhouette sculptures, you have a treat in store! George Touchette, my friend and Daytonite, is responsible for this wonderful display. George commissioned the forging of these steel displays of silhouettes depicting a typical campsite of the Corps of Discovery as they passed through the area on May 2, 1806.

I drove there today again through Dayton on Highway 12, turning right at the Patit Creek Road sign, 2.5 miles from Main Street on the Patit Road, situated on the right side. You see an amazing exhibit featuring 80 artistically detailed steel silhouettes depicting a typical campsite. There were replicas of about 25 horses, 38 men, three Indian guides, Sacajawea the wife, mother gatherer, guide and interpreter, son of Sacajawea, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau and Captain Clark's Newfoundland Retriever dog.

In the preface of "Birdwoman: Sacajawea's Own Story" by James Willord Schultz, it reads:

"For many years following the Lewis and Clark expedition, Sacajawea was duly thought of as a heroine and even by many as the true guide of the Corps of Discovery."

Historical research has since demonstrated that, indeed, she did not lead the Corps or serve as a key guide, but rather played a vital role in its survival, and in one instance, in the survival of the records.

Much art and literature was composed to laud her spirit of adventure, her courage and her leadership role in the expedition."

How appropriate that Dayton honors Sacajawea on Commercial Avenue with the beautiful statue of this brave woman who made history possible.