The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-07
The wonders of the Yellowstone Ca.
non nnd the Famous Geyscrs Ina the
[Chicago Times.l

Park.
[Chicago Times]
A gentleman holding prominent connec-
ton with Professor Hayden's geological
survey is detained at the Grand Pacific Ho-
tel BY the illness Of his wife. To repre-
sentative OF the Times who called upon him
yesterday he gave an interesting account Of
the operations and adventures OF the eXpe-
dition in the Yellowstone country during
the past summer. When he left the Rocky
mountains all but one OF the different diyi-
sions comprised in the expedition had re-
turned to the usual rendezvous, or winter
headquarters, at Cheyenne, whence the
members OF the scientific corps VIII proceed
to Washington to elaborate the leld-notes
into reports, embracing maps, charts, and
various other illustrations descriptive OF the
region trayersed.
This party OF scientists took to the field
in July: There were forty men in the dlf-
fercnt divisions, and eighty animals were
required to transport provisions, instru-
mcnts, and personal effects. The seasons
work, rs whole, has been highly satisfac-
tory. The field OF operations covered the
most interesting portion OF the Rocky
mountains lying in Wyoming, Idaho, and
Montana Territories. out OF which flow
many streams of indispensable Importance
to the miner. the stock-raiser. the asrlcultu-
rist, and the tourist. The territory covered
embraces the Yellowstone park, in which
the Investigations OF tnc explorer may be
at all times most useftiy prosecuted. Es-
pecial attention was given to this area,
and the survey OF it is now complete. This
spot abounds in
THE MOST PHENOMENAL WONDERS,
the fame of which has spread to the utter
most ends of the earth. The examination
of the whole district was thorough. Care
fuliy-detailed observations, locating all the
geysers, hot springs, and mud volcanoes,
were recorded, and Will be used in the
preparation OF charts. Numerous sketches
and photographs were also made, and the
temperature of each OF the springs and
measurements of their dimensions were ac-
curately ascertained. 1t is calculated that
the material and data collected will enable
the survey to make report, and charts, so
accurately describing the park that any
changes by vandalism or natural causes in
the curious features hereafter may be readi-
| " detected. While this work was being
performed by one branch OF the expedition,
| other divisions were engaged in an eXalnl-
nation of adjacent districts. The party
having charge OF the primary triangulations
covered an area during the season OF about
eighty thousand square miles. The height
of over one hundred and fifty mountain
peaks were determined. The highest OF
these are from ten thousand to fourteen
thousand feet above sea level. Fremont's
peak and Mount Washburn are among
| the very talleSt.
| The expedition endured many hardships,
and met with many thrilling adventures.
The crossing Of the swift mountain streams
in that region was often attended with eX-
trcme peril TO both human and animal life.
The animals were frequently led along the
most dangerous defi!es. One mule bearing
a heavy pack missed its footing and tumbled
over precipice sixteen huRdred feet high.
The men peered over the brink and saw a
| pile OF
| BONES AND MULE MEAT
| at the bottom, but no time was spent in
efforts TO recover the pack. Wild game
abounded, and the men could sit by their
camp-fres and shoot moose, elk. deer, and
bears. The grand canon OF the Yellow
stone was explored by Professor Hayden,
who had penetrated it once or twice before
in former years. The gorge is 5000 feet
deep, the walls being almost perpendicular.
1t is so dark ut the bottom Of this awful
chasm that stars are plainly visible in the
sky at any hour in the day. The loneliness
of the place is dreadful. Waterfalls arc
numerous. The four highest and grandest
ones are called the Tower, Shoshones, and
Upper and Lower Yellowstone falls. The
Lower fal! has plunge OF nearly 400 feet
The others average about 100 feet. The
average width OF the river in the canon il
less than 600 feet. The celebrated geyscr:
were reexamined by Professor Hayden tc
ascertain whether the phenomena had de-
veloped any new features.
"OLD FAITHFUL"
the largest of the group, is still subject tc
hourly cruptions, the intervals OF activity
occurring as regularly as the ticks OF ;
clock. When at work sod Faithful .
projects stream Of boiling not water two
hundred feet in the air. The party camped
for several days within sixty yards OF this
geyser, the mild temperature Of tha spot
greatly mitigating the rigors CT the weather
which was severely cold and tempe$tuous
snow having fallen to the depth OF two feel
in some localities.
T rrTEp ERoH GILMAN THE FORGER -