The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14

George W. Goode, captain First United
States Cavalry, stationed at Mammoth Hot
Springs, Wyo., has submitted his annual
report, acting superintendent OF the
Yellowstone National Park. to the Secre-
tary of the Interior, and it was given out
yesterday in printed form. 1t is very in
teresting throughout and contains great
deal of valuable information TO everybody
who takes an interest in this great ma
ticnal reservation of the beauties and won
ders Of nature.
Speaking of protection of the park, Cap
tain Goode says in part:
For the winter season l shall make
some changes, retaining the station at the
Thumb as late as possible in the fall on
account OF the returning hunting parties
from the Jackson Hole country. /. is my
intention 10 put detachment with a civil
ian scout at Knowles Cabin TO watch the
Heiiroaring country. and have the south
west corner of the reservation frequently
secuted from the Snake River station dur
Ing the fail ana winter
The establishing of snowshoe cabins
throughout the park was an excellent step;
they are most effective as a means of pro-
lection during the winter, the scouts be-
Ing able to cover practically the entire
reservation and penetrate TO localities
which would otherwise be inaccessible at
time when poachers are at work
These cabins are now being rationed
and put in proper shape for winter use
Their location and number is shown by
appended map, taken from Captain Browns
last report.
The civilian scouts do excellent work
and are Indispensable TO satisfactory adj
ministration Of affairs, as regards the pro-
lection of the game, etc. Their work. in
conjunction with that of the local magis-
trate, has been, l believe, the salvation
OF the game up to the present time.
1hese men know the country and are
trained woodsmen in all seasons. whereas
the soldier, as a rule, is replaced be-
fore he has time to become proficient in
such duties
Besides the work of the scouts and
soldiers from Fort Yellowstone, making
the round of sncwshoe cabins during the
winter, the instructions for the detach-
Eents at the permanent stations require
frequent scouting trips within their dis
tricts, SO that the entire area of the res
ersstion is under fairly effective sur
veillance during the hunting season and
winter; without an increase in the num-
Der OF scouts, however, it is impos-
sibie to prevent poaching.'
The report states that the grand total
OF all visitors to the park during the
season of 1900 numbered S,g2S
Regarding the conditions of the wild ami
mails and fish, Captain Goode mentions
several interesting facts:
i have the assurance of the scouts,
he says, who have seen the game at all
seasons, that, with tine exception of the
bison tAmerican buffalo), all varieties,
incl Ind toll
deer. elk. moose. sheep, and mountain
lions are increasing, notwithstanding that
the antelope range IN winter over the
north boundary and the elk in the fall
over the south boundary. where many of
them are killed.
Owing to scarcity of feed the antelope
Will almost certainly wander in large
numbers across the northern boundary
into the Yellowstone Valley, where their
chances of getting back into the park
again are very few. 1t is for this reason,
and because of keeping stock out of the
park, that the fence across this part OF
the boundary is SO necessary.
Twenty-nine head of buffalo were
counted by scouts last winter. and there
were possibly ten more in the park that
were not seen
Unless stations are located near the
Two southern corners of the reservation
falo VIII be eNterminated in a few years
With that addition to the facilities for pro-
lection they can be preserved and will in
crease
The trout in Willow Creek and Glen
Creek, although apparently as numerous
as ever, are SO small as TO indicate the adj
Visibility of prohibiting fishing in those
streams during the next season. Other
wise there is no change in the conditions.
Hnr CT ,hrAt, -
being full of fish of good size, notwith-
standing the large number taken out every
season"
But two casualties during the season
within the park limits were reported to
the superintendent of the park
Concluding his report, Captain Goode
makes the following recommendations:
The appropriation OF $40 900. to be ex-
pended in the proper Quartering of SOL
diers at the stations throughout the park.
That new stations be built ~ near
southwest corner Of park on Bechler
River: t2) where southern boundary
crosses Snake River tpresent Snake River
station TO be abandoned); go at southeast
corner, on Thorofare Creek: a) on the
Gallatin River or Fan Creek, near north
west corner. 60 and at the town of Gardi-
ner Mon.
That never less than two troops OF
ton for its protection.
That the number of permanent scouts
be increased to ten, with suitable guar
tiers for same at Fort Yellowstone and
Lower Geyser Basin in order that the
acting superintendent may divide the en-
tire reservation into districts, to be con-
stantly patrolled by them, after the man
ner of game wardens.
That no individual nor business con-
Wit ba
limits of the national park
That it shall be violation of park
regulations TO use any location within the
park as range for stock, and that no
stock shall be allowed within the limits of
the park which is not at all times under
such control that il can not stray away
from its owners.
'Tha; 1t shall be necessary TO give suit
able bond in order to obtain license to
personally conduct camping parties through
the park; that the number Of such licenses
be limited TO ten, the number OF passen-
ger wagons in each case being limited to
five.
That In accordance with the terms of
Its lease. the Yellowstone Park Associa-
ton be required to furnish transportation
exclusively for Its guests throughout the
park
THAT registered guides be required to
sign an agreement, which. while they are
in the national park, places upon them the
obligation to enforce the regulations and
protect the interests of the Government.
That the introduction Of liquor of any
kind into the park, except as provided for
under authority of the Interior or War
Departments, shall be prohibited by park
regulations.
That all money appropriated for the
purpose OF Improvement and protection.