Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/37

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D. Thompson's Discovery Source of Columbia
27

temporary protection of goods and furs is not positively known, but it was not far from the fine log building which has been erected as a memorial there, at the joint expense of the Canadian Pacific R. R. and the Hudson's Bay Company, and which was dedicated with fitting ceremonies in the late summer of 1922.

Finnan MacDonald, the assistant of David Thompson—with the rank of clerk, was a remarkable Scotchman, then young and with limited experience, who remained in the Columbia basin till 1826 or 1827, and explored many parts of this region, and whose career demands a special contribution.

Jaco Finley, whose name appears, afterward built Spokane House (1810), and was a resident there as late as 1825-6. His name remains attached to several streams and localities of Old Oregon, and it is evident that he had been across the Rockies before 1807, and was then, probably, living in the Flathead country as a trapper on his own account. He again took on employment by David Thompson a few months later.

Mention is made of the name Ear Pendant Indians— referring to the Pend Oreilles; and this is the earliest use of that name which occurs to the writer. It must have come from free trappers—Indians or mixed blood, who used the French language and had already penetrated into the region of the Spokanes and other tribes.

Mention of the establishment of trade on waters of the Columbia in 1807 by Americans is merely an item of gossip, and shows how fast news travels among the Indians. This must have referred to the arrival of Manuel Lisa's men on the Yellowstone river, and possibly at the three forks of the Missouri on a trapping expedition. Those traders were from Saint Louis, and included two of the Lewis and Clark party—notably one named Colter.