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The
first white man to set foot in Garfield County in so far as any records
disclose, were the great explorers, Captain Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark, on their return from the mouth of the Columbia, May 3,
1806.
After wintering near the mouth of the
Columbia they started to retrace their journey to the East. On
arriving at the mouth of the Walla Walla river (Wallula) the Indians
suggested that they take the Nez Perce Trail, which would make their
trip to the mouth of the Clearwater shorter and easier than following
the swift waters of the Snake by canoe, around the great northward curve
of that stream. They set out eastward over the ancient trail. On Friday,
May 2, 1806, this party of thirty-two besides Sacajawea's
"papoose" camped on the Patit Creek ,a short distance east of
Dayton. On the morning of May 3, they set out toward Garfield
County.
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