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40^th Helicopter Rescue Unit, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana,

June 21, 2000

[View: northeast.  47º 30’ 26” N — 111º 11’ 29” W]

[Clark]                                                                             June 29^th Satturday 1805

. . . I perceived a Cloud which appeared black and threaten imediate rain, I

looked out for a Shelter but Could See no place without being in great danger of

being blown into the river if the wind Should prove as turbelant as it is at Some

times. . . I obsd a Deep rivein in which was Shelveing rocks under which we took

Shelter near the river. . . Soon after a torrent of rain and hail fell more violent than

ever I Saw before, the rain fell like one voley of water falling from the heavens and

gave us time only to get out of the way of a torrent of water which was Poreing

down the hill in the rivin with emence force tareing every thing before it takeing with

it large rocks & mud, I took my gun & Shot pouch in my left hand, and with the right

Scrambled up the hill pushing the Interpreters wife (who had her Child in her arms)

before me, the Interpreter himself making attempts to pull up his wife by the hand

much Scared and nearly without motion—  we at length retched the top of the hill

Safe where I found my Servent in Serch of us greatly agitated, for our wellfar—.

before I got out of the bottom of the revein which was a flat dry rock when I entered

it, the water was up to my waste & wet my watch, I Scrcely got out before it raised

10 feet deep with a torrent which turrouble to behold, and by the time I reached the

top of the hill, at least 15 feet water. . . I lost at the river in the torrent the large

Compas, an eligant fusee, Tomahawk Humbrallo, Shot pouh, & horn with powder

& Ball, mockersons, & the woman lost her Childs Bear & Clothes bedding &c.—