The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-02
A GLIMPSE OF WYOMING.
THE STORY OF jim BRlDcER AND
THE FORT HE ESTABLISHED.

A Description OF the Bad Lands aud Some
OF Their crsious fossil Remains and
Archaeological Treasures - Looks Like
Some Ruined City Of tho Gods.
Many years ago--way back In the
forties, IN iact-old Gen. Ashley, ac-
companied by the well known aapper
and mountaineef. Jim Bridgor, turned
west from the shcetsladee, or Green
river. After following one Of its numer-
ons tributaries, called Henry's Fork, for
the distance ~ about thirty miles. they
changed their course and proceeded due
north, to find themselves ono day tpoa
the ridge Of steep bluffs overlooking the
valleys Of Smiths and Blacks Forks. and
upon the latter stream they decided to
establish q trading post. Gen. Ashley
was supposed TO have been at that time
in the employ of the American Fur COM
pany, and for some reason or other soon
retraced ms steps eastward, leaving Jim
Bridger IN possession Of the valley that
now bears his name
jim, with spirit Of pardonable pride.
called his camp ''Fort Bridger." He
married a wife, built hut Of woven
willows and logs, after the fashion of his
Indian neighbours, and for several years
carried on a most successful traffic with
the Indians and the emigrants, chiefly
Mormons, who began 70 settle in the We
entity.
Among the guides and trappers who,
during the years following its establish
ment, made Fort Bridger their head
quarters. were two Frenchmcn, named
Gosha presumablya contraction Of Cau-
tier and Mariana, known by their conf
rados as the "toad oatin' pafley yoos
They were perhaps the first 10 discover
certain very minute weapons and crude
tools of stone and iron upon the plateau
of Smiths Fork. and Interpreted TO tray-
elers the following fantastic Indian leg
end concerning their origin and utility
A race Of pyemies had formerly inhabi
ted the valley and heights, and wagod
eternal war upon the eagles. They FASH
toned and stored away in numerous
mountain caves and crevasses the tiniest
arrow heads and spears, and fought We
liantly for their existence. But in the
end the eagles were victorious, and de-
voured their lilliputian adversaries with
pitiless voracity. Then in after years the
rains washed down the weapons, and the
Indians made use of them for petty traf-
iic and various games
Since 1868 the tertiary beds in the VIZ
cinity of Bridgcr have proved Of primary
importance 10 gcologists and palcontolo-
eists in all parts Of the world. and Pro-
lessor Geikie, of Edinburgh, IN the inter-
cstng sketch be pubished OF IBIS journey
through the United States, speaks of the
intense eagerness with which DE bed all
ways looked forward to visiting the
"most wonderful fossil beds of the
world-the cretaceOus and tertiary de-
posts Of northwestern America. ~ The
yield OF fossil specimens in fact, has
equaled that Of the famous tcrres maui
VASES Of Dakota, and extensive research
by Professor Hayden, Professor Marsh,
DR.. Leidy and other noted scientists
have brought to light an especial fauna,
the former existence of which was un-
known.
Among the earlier and more unim-
portant fossils discovered in the Green
river and Bridger basins were flies,
fishes, insects and shells-especially the
long, gracefully shaped oyster shells, SO
abundant in central apd northern Europe,
known as Ladies Fingers" Almost re-
markable specimen was the feather Of
bird which Professor Marsh regarded as
unique and Of great value. Many species
of turtle were discovered, the vcrtoor@
Of crocodies. and, ia the intervening
years. the cranial bones of a mammoth
extinct animal to which Professor Marsh
gave the generic appellation Of Dinoce-
rata, and which Dr. Leidy, on the other
hand. designated as the Umtatherium.
Some impression Of the size OF the spcci-
mems may be gained vixen it is stated
thatthe finely preserved tusks are twenty
inches long and the jaw bones, showing
the perfectly enamcied teeth and deer
fancs. measure over q foot in length
To DIR. j. Van A. Carter, residing at
Fort Bridgcr, and Or. Corson, Of the
army. is due the credit of having dis
covered many Of the finest fossil spcci-
mems TO be seen in the archaeological
collections of the Smithsonian Institution
and the Academy Of Science, OF New
York. and to the remains of small ami
NAL similar to the European hcdgehog
forwarded by DIR. Carter TO Or. Leidy,
was piven the name.of OmOmys Cartcri,
in honor of its discoyelrr. Tho "moss
agate" beds are especially numerous
around Bridgcr, and occasionally stones
Of great beauty. which would take an
extraordinary polish, were sold for so
and SIS. Bits of amber. resembling the
nurky gems found on.the coast Of Pal
estine. are now and the picked up, and
a few beautiful specim Of opals have
been found among the Uintah mountains.
In appearance. the "uad lands OF
Bridcer basin more nearly resemble the
rnins Of the Nile. near the confines OF
the desert. than any-other atural forma-
tion or artificial constructions visited by
the tourist of the present day. Though
deficient in great historic interest, the
indescribablo grandeur and picturesque
ness of the locality, apart from the curl
osity excited by scien tiic research
make exploration in the bad lands
delight to all artists and lovers oil beauty
IN its most savage form.
Professor Denton's brief but graphic
a.sc.;n4ion cannot be il lprovcd upon, 50
Igive it here it'll.
oI.ooking from the summit Of high
ridge ON the cast. a tract OF country con
tajSinp 500 or coo square miles IS dis
tinctlv visible over tn whole surface
is rock, bare rocks clt- INTO iaVin i.s'
CANYONS. gorges and val leys, IN magnini,,
cent relief. terrace on terrce, pyramid
above pyramid, rising to mountain
a million spectators. wal Is, pillars, tow tow,
ers, castles everywhere IL looks hhs
some ruined city Of the gods, blasted
- drsolofe lint grand beyond a