The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-27
in YELLOWSTONE PARK
An INDIANAPOLIS TOURISTS IMPRESS
sIONs or THE PLACE.
Natural Scenery of Variety and
Character Not Elsewhere to BE
Found In This Country.


earth presents TO the scientist, the ordinary
tourist. and the person Of feeling and senti-
ment such an unending panorama of fas-
chatting and surprising objects in nature.
Here the geologfst can read earth's history
I'm its rocks tossed in chaotic confusion by
great commissions; the bOtanist revel in the
diversified hues Of its Astounding flora; and
the BIOLOGIST find enough in the animal
kingdom TO keep him long interested. Here
are found in al area not larger than four
Indiana counties, so many curiosiues, such
sublime and bewildering scenery, that one
hardly knows where TO begin to name them.
Here, for untold ages, fire and water, the
two great elements. have had a battle
royal for supremacy. This conflict has
torn down as well as built up. On every
side, the evidences OF this mighty struggle
appear. In this museum OF nature, at an
elevation of from 500 to 5000 feet, are
found petrifed forests. rushing rivers,
dashing cascades. roaring falls, steaming
mountains, snow-capped peaks, electrified
SUBMITS, boiling. eruptive geysers, and
placid hot and cold water lakes. An at
tempt fully to describe this aggregation OF
natures attractions would be futile; but
enough may be suggested to induce lovers
OF the beautiful. profound and sublime TO
go and see for themselves.
Some fifteen hundred miles north and west
of Indianapolis. the present center of popu-
lation and civilization, high up in the Rocky
mountains, accessible by the ordinary
means Of travel from the North and West
only. lies this wonderland. 1t comprises
the Continental Divide" where standing
at an altitude OF more than eight thousand
feet, on a vertebra Of the Rockies, looking
east or west. a short distance intervening,
is seen gushing from the rocks the sources
of the noble Columbia and the mighty Mis-
souri,. 1t is no unimportant experience to
see these sparkling, snow-fed rivulets. the
one starting in its flow thousand miles to
the Pacific, and the other on its way more
than twice that distance to the Atlantic
What fancies for the imagination In con-
templating these great water arteries, as
they gather strength in their sweep TO the
seasi
After trip by way Of Chicago across
the Mississippi, through St. Paul and Min
neapolis, and eight hundred miles beyond,
we reach Livingston, Mont. The journey
has taken US, for the greater part of the
way, over a smooth and most fertile coun-
try, varied only by the bad Lands of
Dakota, which are worthy of special note.
For fully a hundred miles, as far as the
eye can reach, in all directions, rising out
of the plains, TO varying heights of hun
bred feet 70 several hundred. are seen
pyramids, square, oblong and conical. They
vary in area at their base from a small
garden to a good size farm, and can be fair
~ classed among the great wonders of ma.
ture. In the higher attitudes, approaching
the foot hills of the Rockies, they stand
out bold and bare; while in the lower eleva-
ofrr- ~
are covered TO their tops with a grassy
coating that subdues their harshness to
quiet beauty.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.
At Livingston, five thousand feet above
sea level. the air is perceptioiy pure and
light. Here the tourist enters Paradise
Valley, and after a ride. by rail, of ifty-one
miles up the Gardiner river, reaches CHINA
bar. This is within three miles of the
northern boundary line of the park After
changing the mode of travel to Rockaway
coaches or spring wagons. the traveller is
soon within Uncle Sans exclusive domain,
where, by plainly printed and numerously
posted rules and regulations, 1t il learned
that things there. animate and inanimate,
are to be seen and enjoyed. but not defaced,
frightened, killed or carried away. X
brings a sense relief to know that there
Is an occasional spot in wide creation.
where all can come and go, and where the
yandal of modern Americanism cannot
paint and plaster on rock or tree, the highly
exaggerated virtues of his many nostrurns.
Paternalism and executive control as here
seen. meet most responsive approval The
only purloining Uncle Sam allows, with I'M
stinted generosity and in which nature
joins with lavish hand, is the taking and
carrying away the shadow of things real
by the disciples of the kodak, whose num-
bers are legion.
The entrance to the park. to the traveller
whose mind is filled with too great antici-
patton. may be disappointing; so much the
better. as it prepares him for the feast
ahead. AT Gardiner, lonesome little valley
town. one steps from it's only sidewalk
into the park. Here the valley is narrow.
the surroundings sterile, bleak and dead
save the Gardiner river. which adds some
life to the scene. Rising on both sides
from four to eight thousand feet the
mountains stand sullen and frowning
Nearly CT the right is pointed out Sepulchre
mountain At its top. by bringing into
play lively imagination, can be seen the
outlines OF prehistoric giants tomb To
the right. again, but some miles to the
seen Electric Peak. Around its summit. ow-
ing to the peculiar commingling of mineral
deposits. the lightnings flash and play with
splendor and vividness rarely seen else
where. II is stated that the engineers
have been unable TO make a satisfactor
survey OF this immediate region by reason
OF the erratic reflections OF the COMPASS.
caused by the magnetic influences OF this
mountain.
Ascending the Gardiner river Few miles
farther. and after creeping up some two
thousand feet higher. Yellowstone Fort is
reached, a fort only in name, as it does
not now consist OF fortified structures, bu,
neatly painted, comfortable buildings, OF
barracks, where is quartered a company
of blue coats, who assist in policing the
park. Here the traveller registers his name
and here. also. he begins TO drink in the
wonders of this enchanted spot. In the
narrow valley 10 the west mis- attention
Is attracted to n conical-shaped rock, rear
ing its head some fifty feet known as
Liberty Cap. This. upon closer inspection.
proves TO be a landmark OF an extinct
geyser. as shown by its formation and
cavernous crater within. and remains as a
silent specter OF former glory and activity
A short distance 10 the south the ter
races reached. the only one now a