Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1870-10-27
PICTC9Es OF TRE YasLLOwsToNE
COUNTRY.
3ULPRHUR MOUNTAIN AND MUD
VOLCANO

SULPHUR MOUNTAIN AND MUD
VOLCANO.
September first our party struck camp near
the Falls and moved up, still on tho west
side of the river. towards the lake. lIauser.
Stickney, Langford, Moore, and myself,
yet satisfied with our views of the Falls did
not accompany the train, but returning
spent the day til high twelve, shaking our
souls with the beauty and inspiration
flowing from those Incompatible master.
pieces Of nature. In about six miles from
the Falls we came to q broad, open space of
wland, through the centre of which runs
We crossed without any trouble, where we
anticipated much. From this creek we first
came in sight of our train, near the base Of
an isolated mountain, to the right Of our
course, and some two or three miles away
from the river. We could also rec smoke or
vapor rising in continuous columns from the
western end of this mountain Pushing on
as fast as the wet and loose nature of the
ground would admit, we we're soon in the
midst of new field of wonders, apparently,
in the very crater of an extinct volcano,
whose smouldering fires were finding vent
through hundreds Of smaller outlets. The
field of this activity was confined to the
southern slope of this mountain. At its base
were several large sized, hot, boiling, sui.
phur springs. One among these deserves
particular mention for size, activity. and ap-
pearance; its basin was twenty feet in diam.
eter. and was full to overflowing with scald-
ing water of yellowish clouded color, much
imprcgnatcd with sulphur. which was de-
posted all around the margin Of this basin
and along the channel, by which its over
flowings passed away. The water in the
basin was in constant, violent agitation,
sometimes bursting out with terrific force,
throwing the whole Of its contents into
the form Of All irregular cone, six feet in
hight, and dashing it when it fell all over
its sides, whence part would trickle back
and the most run away. The margin was
beautifully scallopcd and fluted, its inner
facing bright yellow as pure birthstone, fa-
ding into gray further back. From another
smaller crater, lower and further to the west,
issued dense, sulphurous vapors, in irregu-
lar jets, accompanied with deep, cultural
sound. somewhat resembling the sound of
steamboat when laboring over sand.bar.
No water was visible in this crater, but ito
dashings in the depths below could be dis.
tinctly heard, and occasionally drops were
thrown out. All over the southern slope of
this mountain, from hundreds Of crevices is.
sues fumes and smoke of sulphur, whilst
every such outlet was encircled with con-
verg,ng chrystals and orificcs of pure
bright, yellow birthstone. So brittle was
the crust that it was constantly breaking
under our feet, opening occasionally toview
the most beautiful little caves and gr0ttoes,
lined throughout with the same bright, vel.
low chrystals So hot was the surface Of
this part Of the mountain that our thick boots
in rapid motion could hardly be kept tolera-
BILE. Acres Of surface were thus covered
with almost pure birthstone. The speci-
mems we brought away will speak for them
selves. At tho southeast foot of this noun.
tain was distinct basin of springs, which.
~ they did not exhibit any wonderful
symptoms, we did not visit, but mounting
again our horses we rode over to an entirely
separate basin, about thirty rods to the south.
west, where, In our approach We were
to dismount, % our horses began
% break through. Ii this hesrt-shaped b..
Nm were scores of mud springs Of oil de.
grees of consistency, and Of great variety of
color. It was the most dangerous looking
crater to explore of any that we traversed.
The surface appeared to be simply crust of
indurated mud over boiling lake of fire and
brimstone. Down through the many vent
holes VIC could see the ye'lowish liquid,
boiling and spluttering in receding csverns
connected together. It looked
like IN internal dye.houao, where pots of
pigments were In process Of preparation.
Here was a pot of light yellow color. within
two feet another of pink, and another Of
lead color, with various intermediate shades. |
The tout ensemble was decidedly unique and
in the extreme.
So long had We tarried to survey these
that we lost oil thought of our
distant train and declining day. Putting
lpurs to our horses We bounded over hills
md heaths in the supposed direction of our
rain, skirting on our way > lazy creek,
,oiled up like . monster serpent under .
and bluff; then, through, low, dat bot
Iom, almost ON . level with the rivers sur.
lace, and covered with coaFse swamp Ry1ss
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