The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-16
The Mammoth Tree Grove Of California.
WASHINGTON MAMMOTH GROVE,

May i2 1895.
San Joaquin county and took up my line of march
for this locality, and arrived here about S +. NJ
yesterday, On my way hther passed through So
nora and Columbia, crossing the Stlnisaas at Alb
bey's ferry" in the mountains. The road from
Sonora to this place Chg Tree is in splendid order,
and can be travelled with perfect safety in buggy
or carriage. The distance from Sonora, via Muir.
phys Camp, is twenty-five miles, On arriving at
this place was much surprised to find iirst class
hotel with every convenience OF similar establish
ment in large city. 1t is well fitted up for the
commodation Of ladies, being amply provided with
bedrooms, parog, &c; there Ii also commodious
stable on the ground, which will accommodate some
forty horses.
In the body of the big tree there il house,
Id by So which contains two fine bowling alleys.
The stump Of the tree is intended for ball room.
] measured the stump myself, at distance of eight
feet from the ground, and found 1t to be twenty-sx
feet in diameter at the narrowest place. am in
debted to Mr.. Chas s. Stevens for his kindness in
guiding me through the forest, and for giving me
the names Of the trees.
The Mammoth Tree Grove contains in its valley
eighty-five monster trees in area Of fifty acres
The Big Tree Ia not the largest tree in the grove
but il il the largest perfect II is ninety-iye
feet in circumference, and measured, after it was
cut down, 800 feet in length, the stump standing
eight feet high. 1t is estimated by the grains of the
stump to be 5000 years old. Five men were occu-
pied twenty five days in Telling il (Which was done
by boripg) and three weeks to strip off its bark to
the height Of fity,twc feet.
IL
ference and nearly 800 feet high it il open in front
about seventeen feet.
The Three Sisters" are group evidently grown
from the same root about 800 feet high, and ninety
two feet in circumference. They are perfect, aud
the most beautiful ones in the whole group.
The Pioneers Cabin" ia $50 feet high; where
the top sbroken oil II has small opening through IT,
The old Bachelor" is quite forlorn looking
gentleman, having many rents in his back and the
toughest looking bark in the whole group, and is
800 feet high, and sixty feet in circumference.
The " Husband and Wife" are about $50 feet
high, and each 60 feet In circumference. They
seem very affectionate, leaning toward each other
at the top.
The Family Group" consists Of twenty-six
trees, the father, mother and twentyfour children
The father, from appearance was blown down many
years ago. This tree measured ITO feet in circumie
renee, and the supposed height while standing was
400 feet; the remaining length, where It was broken
OF by falling against another tree, is 800 feet 1t is
hollow the entire length, and large enough TO ride
into on horseback Nearly half of the trunk il EN-.
bedded in the ground, and measures % feet in d.
ameter above the surface.
The Hermit stands entirely by itself and IL 800
feet high and rs feet in circumference exceedingly
straight and symmetrical.
The Hercules IL $50 feet high and 107 feet in
circumference; this Is the largest standing tree in
the grove aud would make 725 900 feet OF lumber;
it, like many other large trees, is imperfect being
burned on one side eight feet.
The Mother is 81 feet in circumference and 327
feet nigh.
The q Pennsylvania 80 called by two Young
ladies of Philadelphia, is "a feet in diameter and
3I5 feet high.
The North Carolina" is 81 feet across the base
and $40 feet high.
The "Green Mountain State" Is % feet in diane
ter and 500 feet high.
The Mother and Son" are together % feet In cir
conference; the Mother is 325 feet high, and the
Son 800 feet.
The "siamese Twins and their Guardian" The
twins have trunk but their bodies nrc separate
at height of 40 feet. They are 800 feet high. The
Guardian stands by their side, and Is 50 feet in cir
eumference and 325 feet high.
The "Old Maid stands single In her grief; her
head unlike any other trunk In the grove Is entire
ly bare, and slightly bowling. Her height Is 800
feet, and the circumference GO feet.
The Adie and Nary are named after two young
ladies' who made the first buggy drive to the grove
The trees are nearly 800 feet high and 65 feet In
circumference and are very handsome.
The d" Horseback Ride" il an old fallen hollow
trunk OF $50 feet In LENGTH is separated into two
parts. The space ridden through is rs feet and is
IL feet in diameter In the clear
Uncle Toms Cabin" ia about 900 feet high and
30 feet in circumference. The CABIN has narrow
entrance two and half feet in width, and will seat
25 persons; il Is ten feet high.
The Bride OF the Forest" IL not the largest tree
but il noted for having the smoothest bark of any
in the grove. II is $50 feet high and 10 feet In cir
conference.
The Beauty Of the Forests Is 65 feet In circum-
ference and full 300 feet high; ii Ia very straight
and slender. and nearly free Of limbs; the top il
surmounted with beautiful and regular green cap.
The altitude OF the grove is $500 feet above San
Francisco, and 400 feet above Murphys camp. /
had nearly forgotten TO mention that IL showed at
this place last night 10 the depth OF six inches and
at the time am writing IL l. raining very hard.