The Saint Paul globe., 1903-04-25
PRESIDENT LEAVES
NATIONAL
PARK
,tt-5
First He Lays the Corner
Stone of the New Gate at
the Northern Entrance and
Gives an Address on the
Beauties of the Place.

GARDINER, Mont. April 24.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt this afternoon resumed
his tour to the Pacific coast. Before
doing so he participated In the lawing
of the corner stone of the new gate at
the northern entrance to Yellowstone
Park. The ceremony was performed
according to the Masonic ritual and
was in charge of the grand officers of
Montana. Special trains brought hum
dreds of people here, including a large
body of Masons.
The president rode down from the
post, accompanied by Mai. Pitcher. and
was escorted to the gayly decorated
stand, where he delivered an address.
Troops B and G of the Third cavalry,
from Fort Yellowstone, were drawn up
in front of the stand as glx<'d of
honor Frank e. Smith, grand master,
conducted the services, assisted by
Deputy Grand Master Sol Hepner,
Grand Secretary Cornelius Hedges and
Grand Senior Warden Lew Galloway.
The president, on behalf of the Masons
of the state, was presented Masonic
charm mounted on a nugget of Mon
tana gold. There was placed in the
stone picture of President Roose-
welt, number of coins. copies of
newspapers and Masonic emblems.
President Appreciates the Park.
The president began his address by
thanking the people and the soldiers
for his enjoyable two weeks holiday,
anG then spoke of the natural wonders
of the park.
THE Yellowstone Park he said. "is
something absolutely unique in this
world, and, SO far as / know. nowhere
else in any civilized country is there to
be found such a tract of Veritable Won
derland, made accessible to, all visitors,
where at the same time sonot only the.
scenery of the wilderness. but the wild
creatures of the park are scrupulOuS-
ly preserved as they were. The only
change being that these same wild
creatures have been so carefully pro-
tected as to show literally, astound-
ing tameness. Such a great natural
playground in the midst Of our people
is a credit to Montana, Wyoming and
Idaho
The president praised the park and
said more Europeans than people of
Eastern states came to see it. He
continued:
Forest Preservation.
II wish especially to congratulate
the people of Montana, Wyoming and
Idaho. and notably you of Gardiner
and Cinnabar and the immediate out
skirts of the park, for the way in
which you heartily cooperate with the
superintendent to prevent acts of van
dalism and destruction. The preser-
walton of the forests is of course the
matter of prime importance in every
public reserve of this character. Here
all the wild creatures of the old days
are being preserved, and their over
flow into the surrounding country
means that the people of the surround
ing country so long as staey see that
the laws are observed by a1l,' will 1be
able to insure to themselves and to
their children and to their children's
children much of the old time pleas
ure of the hardysl life of the Wilderness
and of the hunter in the wilderness.
have been literally astounded at the
enormous quantities of elk. and at the
number of deer, antelope and mountain
sheep which l have seen on their win
tering grounds, and the deer and sheep
in particular are quite as tame as
range stock.
Suggests Cross Breeds. 7~rs
"a few buffalo are being preserved
[ wish very much that the govern
ment could some where provide for
an experimental breeding station Of
cross breeds between buffalo and the
common cattle. If these cross breeds
could be successfully peFpetuated we
could have animals which would pro-
duce robe quite as good as the old
buffalo robe, with which, twenty years
ago, everyone was familiar, and ami.
mails, moreover. which would be so
hardy that I think they swofad have
distinct commercial Importance. They
would, for instance. be admirably suit
ed. for Alaska territory, which l look to
see develop astoundingly Within the
next decade or two. not, only because
of its furs and fisheries but because
of its agricultural and pastoral possi-
At the conclusion of the ceremonies
the presidents train pulled out for
Livingston. Here Mr.. Burroughs will
leave the party and will spend short
time at Spokane, Wash, and on
ranch in Montana. after which he will
return to his home at Peekskill. N. Y.