The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-11-08


expedition, now engaged in surveying
the National Park and portions of the
Yellowstone river, writes some very in
teressing PARTICULARS to the New York
Epezis, Pasf
The branch of the survey under the
immediate command of Prof. Hayden,
having gathered at Fort Ellis. Organized
as follows: DR.. Hayden. geologisi; Mr..
Savage, assistant; Mr.. Burch topogra-
Pher; DR.. PeA.e, mineralogist; Mr..
Holmes, artist; Mr.. Logan, executive
officer; Mr.. GAnnett, astronomer; Mr..
Wakefield, meteorologist; Mr.. brown,
assistant: Mr.. ChristmaD, photographer;
Mr. Bingham, assistant; Mr.. Platt, nat
urAlist; Mr.. Sloan, assistant.
The survey proceeded across the
country to the Yellowstone river. The
frat natural wonder encountered was
the peculiar formation of uplifted strata
known as the Devils Slide. This con-
sists of two parallel walls of reddish
clay, running down the side of the
mountain with a smooth surface be-
tween them, supposed to be composed
Of clnnahar, the whole forming q curl
Gus freak of nature.
The c~lcareous deposit along the
route announced an approach to the
famous hot springs on GARDENERS river.
We encamped al the foot OF the hill
side whose surface they had incrusted
with such beautiful formations. The
snowy whiteness Of the deposit, spark
ling under the sunlight, presented the
appearance Of a frozen cascade. The
next day q closer inspection revealed
new beauties to our game. The upper
plateau, elevated about two hundred
feet above where we were enczmped,
was covered with little pools from six
to eight feet in diameter, and varying in
depth from few inches 10 sevral feet.
The edges were rounded, by the out
flowing water. ss beautifully as If carved
by hand; indeed, they resembled the
basins Of artificial fountains. The in
ieriors were stained with yellow, red
and green from the deposits of sulphur,
iron and copper with which the waters
are charged, the whole resembling an
artists palette colored with patches of
most brilliant colors. A white cloud of
steam nses from the mouth Of the main
spring flowing from the crest of the
hill Ii Is about thirty feet in diameter,
while the water IS so transparent that
one can gaze into the u.trzmarine depth,
but looks N vain for the bottom. The
temperature Of the water il lS2 degrees
Fahrenheit. The water escapes into
the basins below, where one can battle,
regulating the temperature according
TO the distance from the source. The
edges of these natural bath-tubs are dec
grated with bexutitul bead work that
il would be almost impossible to imi-
tate by art
Not less wonderful. though rot so
beautiful 5 q calcsreous cone rising,
from out the plane skirting the noun
tain, to a height of Fifty feet, with a
diameter at the base Of about twenty
feet il Is evidently an extinct eeyser,
and Is formed, like High Rock spring at
Saratoga. by the deposit Of the never
ceAsine fow. forced upward by the pres
sure beneath. This, from some natural
cause, is gradually closed at the SUM-
NIT Ii stands as q monument of q
former age
The country from this point became
more difficult to travel, as we were ap-
preaching the land OF cAnons. Several
tributaries Of the Yellowstone here
empty into the main river.
Two days march brought US to the
mouth Of the great canon Riding
along the high plateau browning its
side We FIRST noticed the bzsaltic col
umns, Gaping the opposite bank with
q regularity resembling art more than
nature and presenting IN appearance
not unlike fertilization. IL Is similar
TO the formation of the Giants Cause
way and reminded me of that curious
place. The scene below was almost
fearful to behold the river fairly LASH
ing the rocks In it, rapid descent at the
bottom of the canon one THOUSAND feet
deep The roar Of the great falls first
announced It's presence; and a rapid
ride. though scarcely apace with our
brought tnen in view.
What shall say in their praise. How
describe them? Nontmorency excels
in height Niagara, in grandeur and
force. Trenton. IN beauty; but the great
Yellowstone Falls combine the beauty
Of all three. The river flows smoothly
IS il approaches this, the natural food
gate Of tine great lake. until, narrowed
BY the rocks, it precipitates itself over
the ledge and falls three hundred and
fifty feet ON the rocks beneath, sending
up cloud of spray and making . roar
that can be heard for miles around.
Grandeur and sublimity only can de
scribe the scene.
About ten miles above the falls we
came to most interesting group Of hot
springs, named ;he '-Seven Hills One
Of these had . powerful steam vent,
making noise resembling high-pres-
sure engine, which we named .Locomo-
tive Jet" The temperature was 1S7
degrees Fahrenheit, which, at this high
altitude, l. boiling point The crust