Selections from:
Dana Journal-
This journal was challenging to read as it was in light pencil and a difficult penmanship. He writes in a notation style and is most concerned with rocks and soil types as the expedition geologist. He did note a few native place names from the Clatsop area
37- prairie nearly 3 sq miles -just burnt over by Indians- fires extending into adjoining forests and enlarging the prairie land
38- opposite Fort Vancouver- low flats flooded at high water of spring freshets interconnected by numerous canals & swales cut it up into small inlets monthly too low for cultivation.
41 (French Prairie) ride 15 miles over large prairie- occasionally intersected by lines of pine forest in lower lands & along small streams
42 (Mr Hines at mission) says that near the sawmill 9 miles up the Wallamet the high prairie borders the river
44 September 7 1841- large part of the prairie lately burnt over and the blackened … appears like … the burnt region… burning prairies…The more distant part of the … obscured by the smoky …arriving from the burning of the country. Now is the season for such conflagration in the Indian territory.
45- September 9 – dry grassy- mostly burnt over scattered oaks… by prairie fires
47- came upon an Indian burying ground- … small spot 20 yards square many of the graves recent- a pole or a piece of board erected over each with a … pan or wooden vessel stuck on the pole- probably died of fever and ague- the disease that has depopulated the country.
47- September 11- hilly country … atmosphere so thick & smoky that view confined to a few miles around
49- country blackened by fires dreary beyond description
Dana, James Oregon Journal 1841, Dana Family Papers (MS164), Folder 134, Yale University Library.