The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-17
JulY 0aYs
In the Park

Special Correspondence Of the Standard.
Mammoth Hot Springs. Yellowstone
National Park. July 15-Captain James
b. Erwin has returned from the east
and resumed command of this port. re-
lieving Lieutenant Cross as superin-
tendent of the park. Captain Erwin
anne here a year ago In eommand Of
the Fourth cavalry squadron. which re-
lieved Captain Anderson's command
Since the war began he has beer In
Georgia, his native state, assisting in
the organization of hat states quota
of volunteers. and was appointed colonel
and acknowledgement on the stan Of
General Granger. but the war depart
ment, believing his services were more
needed here. refused to confirm his ap-
pointment. and ordered him back. as
General Young's successor. Gener
Young has returned from Cuba and Is
reported seriously i'll with fever.
The sundry civil bill. as finally passed
by congress, carries $4,000 for the i'm
provement and protection of the park.
Active preparations are in progress for
its disbursement. Men and teams are
being assembled, and the usual repair
and construction crews are being or
ganized under Captain Erwin's per-
n direction, assisted by A. E. Burns.
who has for several years been EN-
ployed as overseer Of the road work.
Lieutenant Lindsey has been promot-
ed, but has not yet received orders to
join his new regiment, the First cavalry.
The project for roa work for this sea-
son does not contemplate the opening
of any new route. All existing roads
will be put in a state of thorough re-
pair. Considerable work will be put
on the western entrance. which Is now
travelled by the Monida and Yellow
stone stage line. All the old trails in
the park which have become numbered
with fallen timber, as well as several
new trails, will be cut out and blazed.
The old wooden bridge in Golden Gate.
which Is considered no longer safe, viii
be replaced by a substantial stone
structure.
The station on Snake river will be
moved to the bridge. New station build
ings will be constructed at the Upper
Basin. Thumb Lake Outlet and canyon
for the use OF the attachments sta
toned there. The government compeis
all individuals n corporations who
have leases in the park to erect slightly
and substantial buildings after plans
approved by the department. while the
government buildings at the above
places are old novels. ~disgraceful In APP
DttA dl1Es a iOA hR1tI Gh[
and entirely uncomfortable and made
duate for the shelter of the troops. They
will be replaced by comfortable. slightly
and appropriate buildings. Captain Err
win also intends to erect during the
summer some 20 small cabins at remote
places in the park for the shelter or
scouting parties when travelling on
s~nowshoes. The protection of the game
during the winter months. which is at
best a difficult task. n not unattend-
ed by danger, will then be greatly ia
cilitated.
Except the buffalo. all kinds of game
in the park are increasing. A scout re-
ported seeing a bunch OF 800 elk cows
recently. and thought there were $50
calves with them. while several cases
have beene reported of elk cows fol-
lowed by two calves each. a rather IN
usual occurrence. All the beaver colo
MES are flourishing, and new colonies
are being reported by the scouts at
every trip they make.
The buffalo problem, however. now
seems harder han ever before The
main bunch. numbering about 80. has
recently been visited, and while they
seem to have wintered well. and TO be
entirely undisturbed, yet not a single
calf. nor a track OF a calf. could be
discovered. There seems to be a large
preponderance Of males in the hero.
and II for some cause they have ceased
breeding their extinction Is. of course.
only a matter of a few years. Captain
Erwin is very much Interested In the
protection of the game. and viii make
every effort to preserve the buffalo IN
particular.
The number OF tourists TO date -
about the same as last year. The num-
Der OF campers to date is $50. as against
e97 for the corresponding time last year.
and the number carried by licensed
transportation is 121. rs against 132 last
year. The wylie camps are fairly well
p~atronized.
The Monfda and Yellowstone stage
line is now running daily stages into
the park from Monida. and Is bringing
sayeral Messengers every day.