The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-04-14
YELLOWSTONE PARK.
THE WORLDS MOST MAoNIFI.
CENT PLEASURE GROUND.
The Paradise Of the Rockies . Trset
Of Over $500 Square Miles. Its
Geysers and Game.


What more finely illustrates the
scale OF magnificence on which the
lines Of life are laid in this country
than the fact that it has a pleasure
ground which contains 1915 square
miles? That is the Yellowstone Park,
set apart as a pleasure ground by
Congress in 1872. Although some
thing was known of the wonders of
the region comprised in this park as
early as 1906, when the Lewis and
Clark expedition was out, not until
1869, according to the Pittsburg
Times, was anything like a careful
survey Of it made. Further surveys
were made in 1870 and 1871, and Con-
gress, impressed by the descriptions
of its mountains and canons, it's
lakes and waterfalls, and geysers and
hot springs, resolved to close il
against settlement forever and keep
it az place for pleasure and for Sci
ence.
1t lies almost entirely in the north
western corner of Wyoming, and in
the centre of the Rocky Mountain
system. which passes through that
state from northwest TO southeast Its
surface has a mean elevation Of about
5000 feet above the sea level In the
eastern portion is the majestic Absa-
roka range, which sends up peaks to
the height of IL 900 feet. This range
separates the waters Of the Yellow
stone from those of the Big Horn,
and in sublimity Of scenery is not
surpassed in the United States.
OF the lakes the largest is the yell
lowstone, having an area Of 13O
square miles, maximum depth Of
l30 feet, and reposing at an elevation
OF 7,7SS feet above the sea. Into
this the Yellowstone river pours
through it, and out again for dis
tance of fifteen miles, it approaches
the Grand Canon and tumbles over
the Upper Falls, ia feet, and half
mile further down pitches over the
Lower Falls, sheer descent of 800
feet, at the ordinary stage carrying
200 cubic foot per second. Here il
enters the Grand Canon, which for
scenic effect is unequalled in the
world, although it is not so deep as
some of the canOns of the Colorado,
ranging from 600 feet at its head to
/ 200 near the middle, where it passes
the Washburne Mountains. Near the
foot of the canon. Tower creek, drain
ing the concavity of the horseshoe
formed by these mountains, flows
into the Yellowstone after making 81
leap of 1872 feet into the gore where
it meets the Yellowstone. A few
90 ha
the park is Joined on the east by the
Lamar, which drains a large part Of
the Absaroka range, and then enters
the next canon, and emerging is
Joined by the Gardiner, which comes
tumbling from the highlands drained
bv its three forks. Within the drain
age of the Yellowstone river are the
geysers, seventy-tive of them active
and some Of them throwing column
of water 200 feet into the air, and the
hot springs - 5000 Of them - the
waters of some with silica in solu-
ton. and Of others charged with iron,
sulphur, alum, these latter making
bands Of rich color in the white sill
lea. which, deposited on the ground,
covers it with hard floor.
The geysers of the Yellowstone re-
gion are the grandest in the world.
Beside them those Of Iceland and
New Zealand sink into ignificance.
West from the lake on little tribu-
tary of the Fire Hole River are geysers
throwing columns 219 feet into the air.
The forests Of the park are of Douglas
spruce and yellow pine, and cover
about SO per cent. Of the area. The
trees are large, but stand so thickly
that the visitor who leaves the road
must guide himself by the sun or by
a compass, for landmarks are invisi-
BILE. The native fauna is abundant,
for the animals having learned that
they are safe from the hunter, in the
park have taken refuge there in great
numbers-elk. deer, antelope, Noun
tain sheep and bear, besides smaller
animals, are not only numerous but
tame. The only herd of wild buffalo
remaining is to be found III the park,
where also, in some parts, moose are
to be seen. In the winter herds Of
elk. numbering several thousands,
gather there, and many during the
summer also. The park has large
herds of deer, but as the flies in sum-
mer drive them to the highest eleva-
tions. they are occasionally unseen
by visitors, who think there are none
there. OF the presence of the bear
and mountain lion there can be no
doubt. since ii was n question
couple of years ago whether Or not to
allow the hunters to go after them,
because they had been destroying the
buffalo, elk and deer. 1t was decided
in the negative then, with the conclu-
sion that if il was necessary to Kill
them it could be done by the troops
! in the park, under strict instructions.
| II was desirable not to give hunters
any privilege on that ground lest they
should claim il on some other and
make havoc of game kept to crafty
I curiosity and serve the ends Of