Journal Thomsons River November 1843
[Journal kept by Chief Trader John Tod]
Wednesday 1
Very warm for the season_ Lolo & Seina with assistance of Indians cutting the young horses_ Fallerdeau & Douliet laying the floor of the north end of the dwelling house Cha.s Favel fixing doors & windows
Thursday 2
Lolo & Seina as yesterday, but out of fifteen horses cut on the preceding day, two were found dead this morning_ Lolo afirms they must have been previously unwell otherwise they would not have died.
Friday 3
Men employed as before. finished the floor_ fourteen horses were cut yesterday & two of these were found in rather precarious state this morning. Seina thinks they will not survive, not so however thinks Lolo._ Employed a few Indians to break up a piece of ground for potatoes_
Saturday 4
Rather cold but fine weather_
Sunday 5
The three men resumed work as usual dressing boards & making doors_ Indians arrived from F. River but with nothing for trade_ The horses cut last week, excepting the two that died Thurs. night, have all recovered.
Monday 6
A hoar frost on the night_ Fallerdeau & Douliet commenced putting up a stable, the wood of which, excepting the ground frame, was brought from the old Fort. Favel dressing wood for a Privy
Tuesday 7
Rather cold. Men as yesterday_ Indians breaking up ground for a garden next year_ Sold three colts for ten Skins each. No appearance of the return of our people from either OK.n or Colvile
Wednesday 8
A smart breeze from the N.W. & pretty cold. Commenced crossing our horses to the north side of the River, their ground invariably for the winter_
Thursday 9
About noon Nicholas Son, the Indian who accompanied M.r W. Todd, arrived alone with a letter from that gentleman stating that on his return from OK.n. he had remained at the Forks for 15 days in expectation of the YF Express casting up, but there being no appearance of it at the date of his letter (1 Novr) he had come to the determination of proceeding thence to Colvile & sending Nicolas Son on to T. River with our horses, and these I regret to say, are nearly in the last stage of wretchedness_ from the bearer I learn that on leaving this with the Salmon M.r Todd drove on with such haste that the party got to OK.n on their 6th day, the consequence was that the horses Knocked up by the way, some were left on the road, & of these two died shortly after from overexertion_ Those which have reached this are in a most miserable plight, they are not only lean, but dreadfully wounded & bruised, and most of them having lost their hoofs, are quite lame_
Friday 10
Overcast with the wind N.E. Men dressing boards_
Saturday 11
Mild & clear. Ind.ns in our immediate neighbourhood complain of hunger & a few have gone towards F. River to trade Salmon
Sunday 12
Men resumed their usual work dressing boards_ Sent Lolo & three Indians to the upper lake with Canoe & horses for potatoes promised us by the old Chief.
Monday 13
Weather stormy. Men as before_
Tuesday 14
Lolo returned on horse back having left the canoe with thirty bags potatoes above. he brings us intelligence of the Express, one of the party (Moungtiny) having reached his (Lolo's) Camp last night_ In the evening Lefleure arrived with my Letters & says that Messrs. McBean & Todd will be here tomorrow
Wednesday 15
The Canoe reached this with the potatoes, but unfortunately some of them got wet_ Midday the gentlemen with the Express arrived Two Pork eaters only for this place, and one of them is a mere boy_ Sinuh looking after the horses for the party going to N. Caledonia
Thursday 16
Pleasant weather_ It was so late before the horses were brought in that M.r McBean determined to defer starting 'till tomorrow
Friday 17
Very mild for the season_ about 10 Oclock AM. M.r McBean left this for N. Caledonia
Saturday 18
Weather more sharp than hitherto a fresh breeze from the north with a light fall of Snow
Sunday 19
Men recommenced as follows_ Lefleure at work with the frame of the new Mens house. Fallardeau & Douliet at the Saw_ two plastering_
Monday 20
Weather mild_ Lefleure & Camille one of the Pork Eaters employed at the frame of the mens house_Douliet & Fallerdeau at the Saw. Cha.s Favel working at a little house James the other P. E. a mere boy commenced cutting fuel.
Tuesday 21
Sent Scenah to Collect horses for a trip to F. R. for part of our cash of Salmon_ The men as yesterday_
Wednesday 22
Lolo with four Indians off to F. River he is to send two of the Indians back from the cash with 1400 Salmon and with the other two he is to make a tour round by the Canoe tribe
Thursday 23
A strong gale of wind from the North, very cold_ Men as before
Friday 24
Men as yesterday with the exception of Chas Favel who was put to the Saw in place of Fallerdeau, and the latter plained boards_
Saturday 25
Clear & Sharp, the coldest weather we have had this Season_ Men as yesterday Sawing & dressing plank_ Three Ind.ns arrived with twenty martens
Sunday 26
A cold north wind with a light fall of Snow_ Men resumed work as follows Two commenced with the Fort pickets_ Two Sawing plank & one chopping fire wood. Ice drifting in the river
Monday 27
Clear & Sharp but calm_ work as yesterday
Tuesday 28
Very cold with the wind at N.W._ Ind.ns came in from the Lake above with thirty martens which they traded for Capots and blankets_
Wednesday 29
Thick but cold weather_ Men as before In the evening two of the Ind.ns who had accompanied Lolo arrived with 1400 dried Salmon from our cash at F. River leaving still 2060 which are intended for Alexandria, if they will send for them_ Lolo with the other two Ind.ns had gone towards the Couteau in expectation of procuring a few furs_
Thursday 30
The weather excessively cold for the season_ Men sawing, dressing plank & squaring wood for Fort Pickets_
Thompson River Post
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