The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-05-06
great head.

The big trees have been often referred
to and b. people who were SO much
more gifted as liars than | am that |
shrink from the task of writing about
them. We saw probably a hundred Of
them, but | will not try to speak OF more
than four or five. Each of the larger
ones is named-some Of them for the
great generals. II for the Y. NJ. C. A.
and one for Colonel InSersoll. The name
of Colonel Ingersoll has been torn from
the tree it belongs 10. and it is not known
who did it. Probably some one who diff
fers from Colonel Ingersoll, but has not
been able to express himself otherwise,
has torn his name off. This shows that
if we cannot readily reply to a man we
may hamstring his pet horse and thus
show that we do not indorse him any,
way.
There is one big tree around which the
entire trainload of people stood. This
gives an idea how large it is. There
is a solemn grandeur about these trees
which makes even excrrsionists and tour
lists silent for five or six minutes. |
measured one tree and have the string
with Inc. 1t is 90 feet III circumference.
and yet it Is not the largest in the red
wood family.
The first big tree in Calaveras county
was about 50 feet III diameter. and the
stump Is used for a dancinghonr. Thirty
two people have danced there at one
time. and Il besides the band stood on the
stump and looked on. 1t was cut down
by five men, who worked - DAYS at il.
using pump angltrs for the purpose. An
other larger tree was used in making suf-
ticient ties for the Southern Pacific rail
road, and the top furnished the wood
work for the Palace hotel III san Fran
cisco. Il hotel 20 large that the Office does
not know what guests are in the house,
and escaping criminals often secrete
themselves by engaging a room there.
Thu Father of the Forest was 10
feet IN circumference and 400 feet high.
In The Tree Of Refuge 23s head of
stock sheltered themselves fer II days
during a large storm. 1t is a hollow tree
with hot and cold water in it.
Visitors pin their cards on these trees.
thus giving an added dignity to the tree
by showing its wide circle of acquaint-
ance. These cards show generally how
our Job offices are progressing and the
wonderful age III which we live. Some
talk is now heard about bringing The
Tree of Refuge to the Worlds fair and
setting 1t ont near the piaisanee, but
wiser men think that the exposition
should be removed to the large tree.
Santa Cruz is a tidy town on the bay
with the best kind Of bathin. facilities.
The streets are beautifully covered with
bitumen, which is quarried near by and
shipped everywhere. It l. Il most re-
markable street covering and lasts for
ever. Ii there be anything that Cali
fornia needs except greenbacks for gold, |
Idonot know what it is unlessit be coal, :
and that will be found ONE day.
Lick's observatory is supposed to be at
San Jose, but you AVE to ride 2. miles
to see it. This was because land WAS 50
high in San Jose that the observatory
had to go out of town to locate. In OH
places in the state land was 50 high a
few years ago that an observatory was
not necessary. Now it is within the
reach Of all. !
Mr.. Lick was an eccentric maj with
throat whiskers and some means. Wish
ing TO contribute something to science.
he secured the greatest lens he could
buy and then fitted it up for the purpose
Of prying into the armament a little
farther. With this instrument quite a
number Of new stars have been discog-
cred. but no impro. ernents made On
them 50 far. Eastern people wishing to
see these nezg stars can obtain excursion
tickets for 500 to 500, embracing a |
pleasant and sonl stirring drive oyer t1a