Sharp County record., 1879-01-02

SlCal survey is ueldlncu ~ Iuo bi'tu"
Pacific Hotel by the illness of his wife,
To a representative of the Times who
called upon him, yesterday, he gave an
interesting account of the operations
and adventures of the expedition in the
Yellowstone country during the past
summer. When he left the Rocky
Mountains all but one of the different
divisions comprised in the expedition
had returned to the usual rendezvous,
or winter headquarters, at Cheyenne,
whence the members of the scientific
corps will proceed to Washington to
elaborate the field notes into reports,
embracing maps, charts, and various
other illustrations descriptive of the
region traversed.
This party of scientists took to the
field in July. There were 40 men in
the different divisions, and 81 animals
were required to transport provisions,
instruments, and personal effects. The
seasons work, as a whole, has been
highly satisfactory. The field OF opera
tions covered the most interesting por-
ton of the Rocky Mountains lying in
Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana terri
tories, out of which flow many streams
of indispensable importance TO the
miner, the stock raiser, the agriculturist,
and the tourist. The territory covered
embraces the Yellowstone Park, in
which the Investigations of the explorer
may be at all times most usefully pros
ecuted. Especial 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 ut
termost ends of the earth. The exam
ination of the whole district was
thorough. Carefully detailed observa-
tions, locating all the geySers, hot
springs, and mud volcanoes, were re-
corded, and will be used in the prepara-
ton of charts. Numerous sketches and
photographs were also made, and the
temperature of each of the springs, and
measurements of their dimensions, were
accurately ascertained. 1t is calculated
that the material and data collected will
enable the survey to make q report, and
charts, so accurately describing the
park that any changes by vandalism or
natural causes in the curious features
hereafter may be readily detected.
While this work was being performed
by one branch of the expedition, other
divisions were engaged in an examlna-
ton of adjacent districts. The party
having charge of the primary triangu-
latlons covered an area during the sea-
son of about $4,000 square miles. The
height of over $50 mountain peaks was
determined. The highest of these are
from 10000 to $4,000 feet above sea
level. Fremont's Peak and Mount
Washburn are among the very tallest.
The expedition endured many hard
ships, and met with many thrilling ad-
ventures. The crossing of the swift
mountain streams in that region was
often attended with extreme peril to
both human and animal life. The ami
mails were frequently led along the
most dangerous defiles. One mule bear
ing a heavy pack missed its footing and
tumbled over a precipice 1000 feet
high The men peered over the brink
and saw 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-iires and shoot moose, elk,
deer, and bears. The Grand Canyon
of the Yellowstone was explored by
Prof. 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 at the bottom of this awful chasm
that stars are plainly visible i'll the sky
at any hour in the day. The loneliness
of the place is dreadful. Waterfalls are
numerous. The four highest and grand
est ones are called the Tower, Sho~
shones and Upper and Lower Yellow
stone Falls. The Lower fell has @
plunge of nearly 400 feet; the others
average about 100 feet. The average
width of the river in the canyon is less
Lnan OUp lSSt. hS CSt5pI SttC St1 cclS
were re-examined by Prof. Hayden, to
ascertain whether the phenomena had
developed any new features.
GOLD FAITHFUL"
the largest of the group, is still subject
to hourly eruptions, the intervals Of
activity occurring as regularly as the
ticks Of clock. When at work "Old
Faithful" projects a stream of boiling
hot water 200 feet in the air. The par
ty camped for several days Ntthin 60
yards of this geyser, the mild tempera-
ture of the spot greatly mitigating the
rigors of the weather, which was severe
ly cold and tempestuOuS, snow having
fallen to the depth of two feet in some
localities. The suffering experienced
by the men was intense. Mr.. Wilson,
in charge fthe primary triangulations,
had his knees and face severely frosted.
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