Chinook woman saved Private Hugh McNeal’s life

Photo: Necanicum River, about 1910.  Creative Commons. 

On January 8, 1806, Captain Clark and a small party of men were visiting some Tillamook and Clatsop people near the Necanicum River (in today’s Seaside, Oregon). In the evening, McNeal went off with a woman, through an arrangement by a Tillamook man – a man who intended to kill McNeal and take his possessions.

Captain Clark was notified of a problem: “…last night about 10 oClock while Smokeing with the nativ's I was alarmed by a loud Srile voice from the Cabins on the opposite Side, the Indians all run immediately across to the village, my guide who Continued with me made Signs that Some one's throat was Cut, by enquiry I found that one man mcNeal was absent…”

Clark sent a group of five men to investigate. They discovered that a Chinook woman, whom McNeal knew, was aware of the man’s plot to harm him. When she tried to stop him, he failed to understand the situation, so she alarmed the men of the village who, in turn, conveyed the warning to Clark. Clark said she “hollow’d” to McNeal, which caused the attacker to flee.

This situation proves the strong friendships which the men of the Corps made with the local peoples all along the Expedition’s route. If not for this observant, brave woman, the life of Hugh McNeal could have ended in tragedy.