The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-15
THE NATIONAL PARK.
Where it is Situated, and the Territory
il Comprises.
The Wonderland of the Northwest De-
scribed by a Resident Among
the Geysers.

The following CONN unication in regard
| to the National or Yellowstone park, viii
be read with great interest, as it gives
very elaborate description of that mar
velous domain, preserved by the United
States. 1t is written by SIr. q. W. Mar
shall, a former resident of Rock Island
county. but now living in the center of
the park:
EDITOR ARGUs:-Perhaps some of your
readers would like to hear something of
our great National park, the wonderland
| of the world. The width of the park is
about sixty miles and length seventy
miles, and is generally mountainous. 1t
| is covered over with fine growth of
young timber, mostly of spruce and pine,
among which are a number of beautiful
parks and small valleys, great Yellow
stone lake, the largest body of water of its
| height in the world, and the Yellowstone
river flowing FRONT distance Of eighteen
miles to the Yellowstone valley, height
of 1896 feet, forming the grand canyon.
All tourists claiming it to be the grandest
scenery in the world. Among the most
attractive places are Tower falls, Petry
Fiede forest, Noda Butte, other mines and
many other things 100 numerous to men
ton. The wonderful geysers, three in
number. are named the Fountain,
Comet and bee Hive" throw boiling
water to the height of from seventy to
two hundred feet once in twelve or
81
hundreds of other boiling springs. The
formations and combs around these are
beyond description, in regard to beauty
The middle geyser, which has been called
"HelPs Half Acre, "a very appropriate
name for the place, but which is now
called Excelsior) is the largest Of any in
the park. Its eruptions are very irregu
lar. but when it is in working order throws
more water than the Others and often a
great deal Of small rock. weighing from
one fourth of pound to three pounds,
are thrown to the height of from two
hundred 10 two hundred feet.
The Crystal lake is within two hundred
yards and is a beautiful sheet of boiling
water 1t has been sounded TO the depth
of $50 feet, but no bottom has been dis
covered. The formation and coloring
around the lake is beyond the power Of
any writer to describe. Six miles from
| the upper basin where the rest OF the
large geysers are located, known as "Old
Faithful" Castle" Beehive" Grand
Clam" Saw Mill "Groto," River
side, Tan" and number of others.
These geysers throw boiling water from
one hundred TO two hundred and fifty feet
high. There are a great many more boil
ing springs, some of which contain great
medicinal qualities and have cured several
cases of rheumatism.
Thirty-eght miles from the lower basin,
on the north line of the park, is the Nam
moth hot spring, q great resort, and the
most beautiful of any in the park, forming
terrace after terrace of . great variety in
Colors formed On the sides of the mountain
four or five hundred feet high, with
beautiful valley below Here the National
Park Improvement company have located
their Mammoth hotel. being the largest
west of St Paul or Omaha This hotel
was built in 1888. The government has
its headquarters here, which were built in
the years 1876 and 1877. and are on
high ELEVATION beautifully located, The
first public house in the park was erected
in 1879, by G. W Marshall. in the lower
basin, and is stfll owned by him. The
government expended about $50, eco last
season on roads, and VIII no doubt expend
similar amount the coming season, al
though the roads are now very good. so
that tourists can visit nearly all points of
interest with carriages and other vehicles.
The route to TIE park is over the Union
Pacific TO Ogden. Here the traveller
can stop over and see the great Salt
Lake city and visit the temple
which has been under construction for
about thirty years, but not yet completed.
From Ogden you take the Utah Northern
railroad to Beaver Canyon and from there
it takes you two days, distance OF 30
miles, with wagons, to reach the Cortcs
or Marshall's hotel, through a beautiful
country, level roads and light ranges of
mountains upon both sides. The snow
capped peaks and the trees in the dis
lance makes it very interesting tip.
Up Henry's Peak, on Snake river. to
Henry's lake, small but beautiful sheet
of water, three miles in length. which
abounds IN trout. A great many packard
geese inhabit the lake Here the lover of
sport can find any kind of game he wishes
to shoot-bear, elk, moose. and deer
From the lake you proceed through the
Targee pass to the Fire hole basin. The
Union Pacific has made a survey through
from Beaver Canyon by this route, and il
will no doubt be built the coming season
to the line of the Park, and when com
pleted will only leave twenty-four routes
to be made by carriage. The time now
is about four days from Omaha, and every
accommodation to make it pleasant trip.
The Northern Pacific have also line
completed within forty miles of the lower
basin. Within three miles of the MAN.
moth Hot Springs, Wakefield Hoffman
has line of covered spring wagons and
good stock. which make good time
Persons wishing to visit Montana can
go by the way of Virginia City. This
is q thriving town with two boarding
houses, five or SIX large groceries, several
dry good stores, two hotels, the largest
the Madison house, owned and kept by
T. ]. Farrell, in connection with which
he keeps good livery stable
with splendid outfits, for the
park. This route TO the park is
up the Madison valley. principally stock
country. Game and fish are abundant in
the mountains and streams The distance
by this route is about eighty miles and
takes about two days Mining, farming
and stock raising make this country a
lively place. There are some good loca-
tions to be had One of the largest
ranches which is eighteen miles from Vir-
ginia City, last season raised 800 bushels
of wheat, besides oats and vegetables.
The season to visit the park is in June,
In July the flies are very troublesome
August and September are really the best
months. October is generally stormy
month, although up to the 18th of the
month it is very good. Where the streams
never freeze the winter is pleasant beyond
description
! no IS loo t>or