Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-06-09
THE JUMBO OF TREES,
A Petrihed Monster 90 Feet Through and
COO Feet in Length.

The largest tree in the world lies
broken and petrihed at the end Of a de-
file in northwestern Nevada. lis dimen-
slons are so great that those who know
OF its existence 1 state to tell the story
because they hardly expect TO be be-
ieyed; but there is sufficient evidence 10
give the tale credit, improbable though
il may seem.
This tree makes the monarchs of the
Marposa grove seem like impostors,
and compared to it "the tallest pine
grown on Norwegian hills TO be the
mast Of some grea, admiral is but a
wand. As for the story OF its discovery.
it is thus told by Dad Lynn Of Fresno
and supported by other equally well.
known people.
Back in 1860 n company OF about
forty-hye left Red Bluff 10 prospect the
then unknown country beyond Honey
Lake and Surprise Valley. There were
in the party lawyers. butchers, and shoe
makers, but W. were 0He-sided on one
pOint; each individual felt positive that
this was the turning point OF his exist
ence, and that bright, shining gold in
Unlimited quantities would reward the
rather unpleasant jaunt.
The lndians-we called them Ban.
nacks-were at that time raising hair,
and very many sudden moves were at
times necessary in order TO get rid of
their unwelcome attentions. Finding
but little gold in this section Wa travelled
toward Baker county, Oregon. through
a country entirely deuuded Of timber,
except a few dwarf cottonwoods along
the waterways. Close TO the Baker
county line VIC came TO an opening in
the rocks, about wide enough for our
wagons 10 20 through, and on either side
doomed precipices 800 and 600 feet high.
The crevasse was about fifteen miles
long, and at It's end, just 10 the right OF
the trail, we found a number of peuified
tree stumps Of different heights and
efxes.
in their midst on the ground lay a
monster troe, somewhat imbedded in the
soil. 1t was completely petrihed, and,
from the ~ciean-cut fractures ofthe trunk,
seemed 10 have fallen after its petrifac-
ton. At its butt this tree was quite
sixty feet in diameter. We measured
its length with q tape line. II was Just
666 feet long. No limbs remained. but
in the trunks were clefts where appar-
emily limbs had broken of. Amberiike
beads Of petriied pitch or gum adhered
10 the sides Of the trunk for a distance Of
loo feet or more.
Where the huge trunk was broken
squarely off the centre seemed transpar-
ent and the growth marks showed in
beautiful concentric rings. It's natural
appearance was handsomer than any
dressed marble or mosaic | ever have
seen, and we all expressed the opinion
that it would make 4 wonderfully beauti-
ful floor and interior finish for some
grand building.
Il don't often tell this story, because
people do not believe it. but / could 90
to the place now without the least
trouble and point ont this wonder.
Judge Courtney Talbot OF Tulare was
one of our party, and here is an extract
from a letter | recently received from
him which corroborates my tale:
Tulare. Cal.
Ny Dear Old Friend: a have scarcely ever
told about that tree. | once .1et our old COM
panion, Mr.. Whitesldes and told him ny
recollection about the ~tree-that IL was 80
feet In diameter and 66s feet long and per-
fectly petrihcd, told him | scarcely ever
mentioned II, the story being too big for
credence. lie said:
Tell 1t when and where you please. |
stand ready 10 make AFFIDAVIT TO those tg-
ures.'
! afterws d met old Alien Hardin. and ne
said the same thing. can call 10 the stand
10 verify the statement Col. MchinSey, Holt
Fine, Sam King, I. =. Shirley, yourself, and
within reach. | have often wondered why a
great curiosity Ike that should remain un-
Observed so long.
NOW stand ready to prove all this
to any Doubling Thomas who wishes TO
look upon one of Natures grandest
freaks, and who will pay the expenses
of tho trim - AlaL L-L.cta.a E.nanltLar