Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-25
EXPLORING ROCK CREEK.
Horseback Excursion Of the Park Com
mission Today.

mission Today.
EsoUE vALLEY-PRELrMINAKY OBSERVATIONS
WITH A VIEW TO LOCATION OF THE GREAT
PARK-LooKINa FOR BOUNDARY STONE.
The Rock Creek Park commission is ap-
preaching the conclusion of its survey labors
Its members have seen the tract IN which
the great reservation will finally be
located and they have about made up
their minds a. to where the lines will run.
Another day or two of exploration will settle
this and then Capt Rossell can start out on the
final surveys, from which q map OF the park
will be constructed. That will ease the minis
Of some people and disturb the equanimity of
Others
The cool nor'western zephyrs were hunting
around this morning for whiskers to blow
sion assembled on p street just west of Iowa
circle. They were Secretary Langley
of the Smithsonian Institution and Mr..
r. Ross Perry. The former arrived on the
scene in his carriage; the latter awaited his
arrival while leaning against the English
saddle that was burdening the back OF chest
nut mare. 1t was to be a horseback excur-
sion, SO Prof. Langley sent messenger
after the animal he was to bestride.
Capt. ..Rossen drove up in his buggy.
leading behind the vehicle a pale-colored
equine of meek demeanor. The STAR reporter
was there. Gen Casey was not. Business of
an urgent nature compelled the chairman of
the commission to forego the pleasure of hav-
ing his interior department Jared out of posi-
ton while seeking new beauties over the hill
and dale with which the Rock creek region is
SO literally supplied.
Gen. Boynton was ready in front OF his home
on X street between 18th and lith when the
imposing procession approached and there was
no delay. The occasion was somewhat men,
orable one for the general, it being only the
second time since the close of the that he
had INDUCED in equestrianism. But he hasn't
forgotten how to ride.
ENJOYING THE OZONE.
The delicious air along the Broad Branch
road was remarked upon frequently and evil
IDENTIFY appreciated. Pierce's mill was
passed at a rapid gait and at times
the quiet country folk might have easily
imagined that horse race was
in progress. From the Military road the party
branched OF into the Daniels road; literally
and truthfully into it, for the soil moist. TO
put it mildly. A path crosses the termination
of the Daniels road and along this toward the
Brown place.
HUNTING FOR A BOUNDARY STONE.
At tumble-down cottage halt was made in
order that information be obtained as to the
whereabouts of one of the boundary stones. A
young colored woman. surrounded by several
children, numerous pigs. number of tagless
ems, could throw no light on the
subject, SO Mr.. Perry and Capt. Rosse.
theslatter now mounted on his pale horse
moved over the hills in search of a guide
while Gen. Boynton and Prof. Langley
spread huge map out beneath a persImmor
tree and talked business. During the absence
Of the boundary seekers a messenger arrived
with the professors saddle horse. and when
Mr.. Perry and Capt. Rossell returned in CON-
pany with a guide. but without the stone,
everybody was ready to move on.
HUNTING FOR NEEDLE IN HAYsTAcK.
Led by Mr.. Cummins, one Of the landowners
whose property will be required of him, the
the monument which marks a portion of the
northern line. As search it resembled
very much the popular pastime of hunting fol
a needle in a haystack and il was just about a:
successful All the members of the band OF
explorers, with the exception of Gen. Boynton
stuck as closely as possible to Mr.. Cummlns.
GEN. BorNroN MISSING.
The general went off by himself, and wher
the others had come to the definite conclusion
that there wasn't anv such thing as boundary
monument within ~ miles the general was no.
that the veteran woodsman, soldier and iourna-
list would allow himself TO be seriously mis-
placed, but every one did fear that he might
have more than little trouble
i'll finding his way out of the dense
growth, which was in places too thick
trate. So a motion was made to yell
Capt. Rossell tried and did very well.
Then he tried again and came within
trife of breaking record, to say nothing OF
l.
his throat. Commissioner Perry also startled
the echoes and the horses by regu-
lar Biffa1o Bull war whoop, after which he
modestly retired to give The STAR representa-
tive chance. But there was no response
and after posting q guide to direct the
fifteen minutes the little cavalcade
moved sadly toward the bed of the creek,
feeling convinced that unless the general was
heard from within a week the Cincinnati Com
,ae''cal Gazette would have to Gil a vacancy on
its staff.
ROUGH RIDING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.
1t was a comparatively easy thing to say,
''Let US ride down TO the creek" 1t was some
thing else to do it Dead leaves and
moss and twigs covered the sloping and
muddy soil to such a depth that the horses
frequently sank until their knees we're almost
hidden in the decomposing mass. Springy
branches and elastic saplings gave way grace
fully as the leader pushed them ide, and
then they bounded back just in time to smite
somebody's nose or cheek. Hands an faces
were scratched and the hard hats worn by
some of the adventurous ones looked
as though they might have been res
cued from beneath few tons Of
brick. Green vines, many OF them prickly
as cactus, insinuated themselves between the
knees Of riders and the saddles almost u nhors-
ing the victims and while attempts were being
made to get clear Of the interrupting creepers
one mans horse tried to amputate