The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-20


the Plains" 10 the January number Of
the Galaxy, written by Gen. G. A.
Custer, the distinguished cavalry com.
mander, we make the following extracts,
which will be Eoand fresh and full OF
interests
APPEASANck OF THE PLAINS.
The idea entertained by the greater
number of people regarding the appear
ance of the Plains, while il is very
incorrect, so far as the latter are cou
cerned, is quito accurate aud truthful
if applied to the prairies Of the Western
States. IL is probable, too, that romance
writer's, and even tourists at an earlier
day, mistook the prairies for the Plains
aud 10 describing one imagined they
were describing the other; whereas the
two have little 10 common to the eye OF
the behOlder, save the general absence
Of trees.
10 proceeding from the Missouri
river to the base Of the Rocky Noun
tains, the ascent, although gradual, is
quite rapid. For example, at Fort
Riley, Kansas, the bed Of the Kansas
river is upward Of 900 feet above the
level Of the sea, while Fort Hays, at a
distance Of nearly $50 miles further
west, is about 800 feet alb I'VE the level
Of tie sea. Starting from almost any
point near the central portion of the
Plains, aud moving in any direction one
seems ~ encounter series of undula
tlOns at a more or less remote distance
from each other, but constantly in view
Comparing the surface OF the country
TO that OF the ocean, com parlson often
INDUCED IN by those who have seen
both, it does not require very great
stretch of Imagination, when viewing
this bouudless ocean OF beautiful living
verdure, to picture these successive un
dulations as gigantic waves, not wildly
chasing each other to or from the shore,
but standing silent aud immovable, aud
by their silent immobility adding TO the
impressive grandeur OF the scene. These
fluctuations, varying ia height from
fifty TO Eve hundred feet, are sometimes
formed of a light sandy soil. but often
Of different varieties OF rock, producing
alta distance the most picturesque effect
The constant recurrence of these waves,
il they may be so termed, is quite puz
zling to the inexperienced plainsniau.
He imagiues, aud very naturally too,
judging from appearances, that when he
ascends TO the crest he eau overlook all
the surrounding country, After weary
walk or ride Of perhaps several miles,
which appeared at starting not more
thap one or two, he fuds himself ut the
desired point, but discovers that directly
beyond, in the same direction he desires
to 90, rises a secoud wave, but slightly
higher than the first aud FROM the ores,
OF which he must certainly be able to
scan the country AS far as the eye eau
reach. Thither he pursues his course,
aud, after ride OF from five to ten miles
although the distance did not seem halt
SO great before starting, he finds himself
on the crest, or, az il is invariably
termed, the divide" bu again only Ia
discover taat another aud apparently Il
higher divide rises iG his front, aud AT
abOst the same distance. Hundreds
yes, thousands of miles may be jour
neyed over, aud this same effect wit
messed every few hours.
As you proceed toward the west FROM
the Missouri, the size of the trees dl
minishes as we'll as the number OF kinds
As you penetrate the borders OF the
ladlan country leaving civiliz ,tiou be
hind you, the sight Of forests is no lon
ger enjoyed, the only trees to be- seen
being scattered aloug the banks OF III,
streams, these becoming smaller and
more rare, finally disappeariuga altogether
aud giving place to few scatteriu.
willows and osiers. The greater por
ton OF the Plains may be said to b,
without timber of any kind. As to tn,
cause Of this absence scientific men dis
agree, some claiming that the higl
winds which prevail in unobstructeC
force prevent the growth aud existence
of not only trees but even taller grasses
This theory is well supported by facts
as, unlike the Western prairics, wher,
the grass often ut aims a height sutficieu
TO conceal man on horseback, til,
Plains are covered by grass which rare
ly, only under favorable circumstances
exceeds three inches 10 height. Another
theory, also somewhat plausible, is that
the entire Plains W ire ut one time GOV
cred with timber more or less dense
this timber, owing to various causes
was destroyed, aud has since been pre-
vented from growing or spreading ovel
the Plains By the annual fires which tn,
Indians regularly create, aud which
sweep over the entire country. Thes,
fires nre built by the Indians 10 the fal
to burn the dried grass aud hasten the
growth of the pasturage 10 the early
spring. Favoring the theory that The
Plains were at Que time covered will
forests, is tho fact that entire trunks o.
large trees have been found 10 a stat,
Of petriiaction on elevated portions o.
the country, aud far removed frou
streams Of water.
While dwarfed specimens Of almost