Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-19
In Yellowstone Park
Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.
BY MISS BETTYE ApLEB
Aug. 6, 1905

Aug. 6, 1905.
My idea of Yellowstone Park, de-
rived from people who have been
here, l must confess, was very hazy
Like Mark Twain's story on seasick-
ness, felt that they meant all right
but they all seemed to have the ooh
my, so bad.'
Today, as I attempt to put some
of the wonderful Impressions received
into words, am at loss how to be-
gin. | am like one big exclamation
point
See Yellowstone and live" l should
say, for surely when brought face to
face with the mysterious, awe inspir-
ing beauty that crowds on every hand,
one gets broader conception of life
itself.
Over Park Branch Line.
A branch line in charge Of the Park
transportation agent took us from Liv-
ingston, Montana, where we left the
main line of the Northern Pacific to
Gardiner, the entrance to the park, a
distance of f1ftyfour miles. This ride
was amid the finest of scenery and
gave me my first view of the noun
tains. Through what is known as
the Gateway of the Mountains, the
train swung into Paradise Valley, a
place wonderfully we'll named. The
mountains rising majestically on all
sides seemed to close in and follow
our train in its windings. Sometimes
we were in the very shadow of over
hanging cliffs, then to dash out and
past and beyond, with always the
mountains following.
We left the valley to enter what is
known as Yankee Jim's Canon so
named for an astute countryman who
once controlled the narrow gorge that
furnishes the only entrance to the
park from this direction. Yankee
Jim was shrewd old fellow who ear
ly saw that this strip of canon formed
the only gateway to a region of won
der and so he determined to make it
pay. He established a toll station
and reaped rich harvest until the
government stepped in and interfered
with what was proving a gold mine.
A high peak in the distance is point
ed out as Emigrant peak. Then the
Cinnebar mountain, past the devils
Slide" a sheer smooth chute, drop
ping almost perpendicularly down the
mountain side, and we entered Gardi-
ner, the official entrance to the park
The depot here is a quantity pictur-
esque, low, log structure that calls
forth more than a passing glance of
admiration.
Into the Park.
Here we made quick dash for
the platform and were soon on a top
seat of the leading tally-ho coach with
six powerful horses winding up the
slope to the entrance arch of lava, the
corner stone of which was laid by
President Roosevelt in 1903. This
arch bears the apt inscription, for
the benefit and enjoyment Of the peo-
pie"
"How far to the hotel?" I asked the
driver, picturesque old stager who
handled the horses deity
"Ten miles up, five miles back"
was his laconic answer.
Same road?"
Same road"
One gets used to surprises here.
The road upward is steep grade and
takes twice as long That was the
reason why.
w . nav SSoISSly ohso oioAiiu eiiS
curve of the roadwa, hemmed in by
the mountains, when an eagle circled
overhead, to finally sweep to it's nest
on crag away up the mountain side.
/ took this as personal welcome.
What is in a name, anyway?
A Strange Land.
For the information Of those who
have not read UP the subject l will
explain here, that Yellowstone park
was set apart as public pleasure
ground by an act of congress in
March, 1872. 1t is sixty-two by fifty
four miles in extent. The larger part
of the park is in Wyoming with
smaller portions lying in Montana and
Idaho. The central area of this land
Of wonder is a high volcanic plateau
with an average elevation of about
5000 feet above the sea level To the
south are the magnificent Teton and
Wind river range of mountains. The
Absaroka mountains rise to the east
and Snowy range on the north and the
Gallatin range on the north and north
west. The whole district has been
the scene Of remarkable volcanic ac-
tivity at comparatively recent time,
geologically speaking, and it is traces
of this activity in the form Of geysers,
boiling springs, terrace and crater for
nations, rocky cliffs and deep canons,
petrified trees and sulphur hills that
are the startling attractions.
The park has become huge game
preserve, large number of wild ami
mails, including the last free herd of
buffalos in America, elk, deer, bears,
mountain sheep, ETC., being sheltered
in its recesses. No shooting is al
lowed within the park precincts, con-
sequently the wild animals are very
tame Fishing, however, is permitted
and particularly in the Yellowstone
river is said to be excellent sport.
The park is under the exclusive con
troll of secretary of the interior, ex-
cept in regard to improvement work,
which as l understand falls to the
secretary of war.
To First Hotel.
The drive from Gardiner to Nam
moth hot springs was a beautiful one,