The Van Buren press., 1903-08-15
WITH THE EDITORS.
Some "reminiscences OF Our Visit TO
Omaha. Salt Lake City, Yellowstone
National Park and Other
Points of Interest.
WHERE GUsH THE GEYsERs.

the crest of the Rocky Mountains, due
west of Yellowstone Park. The main
range of the Rocky Mountains forms
the dividing line between Montana and
Idaho, hence the name MOnida. The
hour is S a. IN. July 12th and everybody
is on tip-toe of expectation. One 10y
one the eleven-seated Concord coaches,
drawn by four mountain horses are
driven to the front of the only hotel
MOnida boasts of--for be 1t said Monida
is not city of the first, nor second even
hardly third-cass; 1t has one hotel
where they know how to charge for
nOthing-one general store, one liquid
dispensary and the offices of the Monida-
Yellowstone Transportation company
which has the contract of carrying rs
through the Park. Now there is but
one lett and in it the writer and seven
compauions-all men, and most of them
belonging to the species of biped gener
ally designated as bachelors store their
baggage-some Of it very carefully and
some not so carefully-t there Is a.
whoop, a cracking of the whip and we
are off for long drive. Our party is
made up of nearly all Southerners ;
there are only two from north Of Mason
and Dixon line in the party, but they
are rs warm-hearted as any. The dean
Of the party is w H Judson of Bessemer,
Ala. and from his state also is f. l..
Mckenzie, of Tallassee, Mississippi is
represented by F. l., Gillespie of Green
wood and J. A. Richardson (the serio-
comedian) of IndianOla, Louisiana by
Chas. Schwing of Plaquemine, Illinois
by w. l.. Jones of Lebanon, Frank Zins
of st. Clond Minnesota, the seventh
member, when at home dispenses saur-
kraut editorials to his constituents and
finds time to run IA brewery on the side
This with your humble servant made up
the party that was dubbed the Rough
Riders.
The drivers of the company know
their business; they handle the ribbons
and whip in manner that calls for ad-
miration. AS a rule they are well post
ed regarding matters of interest to the
tourist and as further rule are cOurte-
ous--at least we found them so, 1t is
seventy miles from Mouida to the west
entrance Of the park, but the road with
but few exceptions, is good the scenery
due and the air delightfully."- cool-the
only thing TO trouble us is the alkali
dust which has begun to make our lips
sore and which calls for cold cream and
vaseline. For Il few miles the road
passes over the foot hills and enters the
Centennial Valley, following the base
of the Continental Divide covered with
snow, which looks inyitingly cool. At
Swan Lake we stop for luncheon having
already thirty miles Of the sixty five we
must cover before night to our credit,
Here we get into timber country fir and
a few aspen, however, being the only
trees that appear to be able 10 withstand
the intense cold In the valley there
are cattle and sheep ranches and fine
summer pasture, though we are informed
the snow is there to deep in winter for
any domestic animals, but horses. The
horses Of the Monida- Yellowstone com.
pany are turned loose here after the
tourist season closes and allowed TO
hustle for themselves until the following
spring Not alone does 1t snow here in
winter, summer sometimes has surprises
Of that nature in store so for instance,
we were told two-inch snow fell here
and in the Park on July 4th After
luncheon we have change Of horses
and pass the Red Rock lakes in Alaska
Basin, crossing the divide at Red Rock
Pass into Idaho near Henry Lake where
Frick, the one-time right.hand man Of
Andrew Carnegie, has hunting lodge,
aud recross the range again into Mon
tana at Targhe Pass, near the western
boundary Of the Park, This piCtur-
esque route from the west into Yellow
stone Park has long Oeeu used by trap
pers hunters and Indians and was made
famous by the Ne2 perces raid through
the Park IN 1877 when followed by
General Howard scommand, Red Rock
Lakes are one Of the main sources Of the
Missouri river and are 1000 miles by the
course Of the stream from the Gulf Of
Mexico, Henry Lake on the other hand,
Is one Of the main sources Of Snake river, |
which cmpties into the Pacific, Both
lakes are breeding grounds for ducks !
and geese and afford excellent sport for
the hunter during the season Trout
and grayling are found In abundance in
the lakes and streams, In plain view
from Henry Lake are the Teton Mount.
aims, seyenty-hye miles distant,
Grayllng Inn, our first nights stop
Is reached after sunset. II ~ made up
Of u number Of log houses laid ont IN
the manner Of an old.timc frontier post.
Here the Madison river made welcome .
sound to the fisherman car but all
We got for our pains In getting up Mt an
early hour 10 try our hand at catching
some Of the famous Madison Gmyling
was cold and wet feet
We leave Groylng Inn at sa, N, aud
\ live mile drive hrIngs na % lhn pnrk.