Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-09-19
YELLOWSTONE RIVER.

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YELLOWSTONE RIVER.
Lii 1866, Judge III. r. Hosmer and his fam
ily. together with many oil crs, made 4 trip
down tile Yellowstone river III Macklnaw
boats, starting At q point on the river twenty
ave miles from Bozeman As everything
connected with ttis Yeliewstone y Interest
ing at this time. We publish below an extract
from one III Judge Hosmer's letters:
ss1'he description Of the lover valley Of
the Tellnwstone givcn by Captain Lnwis,
without being FIJI. is very accurate ingeo-
graphical Information. HI was enabled BY u
to anticipate orir approach to the yarious
landmarks. rapids, and the mouths Of the
various tributaries. In minor details II Is de-
ficient. No continuous account Of this val
ley from the canyon, twenty-five miles be-
vord Bozemai,. to the mouth, q distance OF
eight hundred and twenty miles, has ever
been published. For the first eighty miles
from the mouth Of the canyon) the river Is
almost one continuous rapid. Numerous
ledgv islands are scattered aleng., furnishing
coverts for large nocks Of ducks. The banks
are generally abrupt. in many places precip-
lions. tIiekIy covered with soil. and sparsely
covered with stnntcd pines. Occasional ac-
ctimulations IL de6ris spread out into small
bottoms covered with Immense cottonwoods.
The banks On each side rise gradually into
lofty hills. but the vegetation is light. Long
high ranges # mountains approach the ri
yer OH each side. The water here Is pure
and very transparent. The bends OF the
stream are somewhat angular. formed OF
long and straight reaches. SO that the eye
ran Otter follow them for six or eight miles.
Dense thickets Of willow grow along the
margins ard on the Islands.
Tie second day we came in sight Of the
vast ridge of yellow sandstone from which
pears tc be about 300 feet high. and this part
twenty miles long. The bluff it forms is
PERCEPTIONS. The top is covered with pines.
The valley of the river here il greatly ex-
banded, spreading ont into allnvial bottoms
six to eight miles swide, gradually growing
into upland and foothills. The soil here is
equal to that OF the Gallatin. The descent
.af the stream IS less rapid than above, miles
intervening without any perceptibla inclina-
ton The termination Of this portion of the
ridge Is at an angle of the river where it has
worn passage through. the rock on each
hand exhibiting a sheer hold precipice 81
stratiiiel sandstone, very hard, and OF a deep
acher color. The river is quite shallow
" here it crosses this ledge. which stretches
off on the west side in a straight line across
the valley twenty or thirty miles. The bot
toms here are extensive, between the ridge
ard river. and are susceptible Of high cult.
vation. There are frequent long groves Of
cottonwood here. We passed through this
marvellous ridge five or six times iii travel.
ing three hundred miles. In some places il
follows the river fer miles, casting its sonber
shadow on the water. In others it Is curl
ously crowded into rescmblanccs of towers.
castles, cltadels, etc.
z At the terminus OF the ridge, the river.
iACs GaSCl w tHIIN AaAC StAs-
ment. by the contributions OF Rose Bud,
clark's Fork, and Big Horn. is fully one mile
wide and very deep lis waters are turbid
its banks low. and it rolls down MI immense
volume Of water, ind sturbed by ripple,
through large spreading meadows beautified
by occasional trees and carTeiet with thick
grass. With the exception Of d few rapids
this is the general character of the scenery
until we approach the mouth at Powder ri
yer. Here sudden change takes place. and
all at once We are usfered from the highest
state Of yerdure to thar Of extreme. absoluts
slesolation. Here commences the Mauvasi.
Tssves, and from this point to its mouth the
same general features characterize the seer
cry as those found along the Upper Missouri
intensified, if possible. by frequent views Of
long burnt plains, scanned with immense RI
vines and dotted with enormous tables Of
baked clay. It is. without exception, the
most horrible looking country ever saw
The bills and mounds of stratified clay along
the bank of the river frequently rise 200
teet, void OF vegetation. The river IS here 4
dark drab color, with shifting channels and
numerous sand-bars. Its clay banks for bun
dreds Of miles exhibit on each side contiilu-
Gus veins of ligEife. "A railroad could Dt
easily built along its course, except the ISL
miles frem the mouth OF Powder river down
ADORE Powder river the obstrucfiors are lev
and easily overcome. Three hundred or foul
hui bred miles would be through the largest
and richest valley in Montana. vet unsettled,
and not more than / 800 to 1000 feet above
the level Of the sea-
THE Democracy Of California have nomi
mated John G. Burch as candidate for judge