The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-02-20
And Expenses OfEMainten.
ance for SchOOllSectiOn
snecial 10 DAILY Leader.

Snecial 10 Daily Leader.
Aline, okla, Feb. 2O.-The bill re-
Gently introduced in congress by Dele
gate Mcclure to make territorial
park out of the school section near
Aline, now known as Big Timber park
IS intended to preserve the biggest
trees in Oklahoma and a picturesque
spot which was when Oklahoma was
still far out on the frontier fayorite
camping ground for Indians, trappers.
hunters and military expeditions. In
summer or winter there was always
excellent protection from the elements.
Through the grove flows Eagle
Chief creek, fed by hundreds Of clear,
softsprings, bursting from hillside and
canyon. Every old timer who ever fol
lowed the aAttle trails of the south
west knows the big timbers Of the
Eagle Chief
In this park there stands unrivaled
the largest cottonwood tree Known,
ana the biggest tree of any kind
which is now growing in Oklahoma. It
Is not tree that is impressive for its
beauty, but primarily on account of its
venerable appearance and its evident
great age.
The trees age is question At
Top ka there is cottonwood tree
which is known to be over 60 years
oil and is three feet in diameter.
The Oklahoma giant is seven feet
through and over thirty feet in girth
The frequent fires that swept the Ok
lahoma prair.es before the advent of
civilization have left their marks on
It's trunk. and the winds have fre-
quently torn away great branches.
Considering the setbacks of this sort
which It has experienced in its growth,
it is estimated that the big tree must
be at least $50 years old. Practically
all of the south half of the section is
covered with a heavy growth of tim
ber. most OF walnut and burr oak, with
occasional mulberry blackberry, cot
tonwood and elm trees. In this vicinity
also are Whist are said to be the only
lpawpaw trees iP Oklahoma. A walnut
log tweny feet long cut from this grove
scaled thirty-eight inches at the small
er end.
The spring in the Big Timber park
was for years an oasis for travellers
and military expeditions bound for
Mexico and the southwest During the
war with Mexico General Phil Kearney
and his troopers encamped there on
their way across the desert An old
Indian scout now residing in Woods
county tells some great stories of the
big trees In connection with the In
dian depredations Of early days. 1t
was a rendezvous for the Indian war
parties, and under the trees many a
war council was held and plans laid
for raids. massacres and battles.
Woods county people have been
| Nothinb ou tue pam iSA pdi n ibA
many years. Ezra E. Hartshone Of
Aline former member of the Oklaho-
ma legislature has had il as his cher
ished plan for seven years, and now
believes that his enorts are TO be
crowned with success
No appropriation is asked from con
gress the territory being willing to
take charge Of the park and provide
the means for Improvements and main
tenance The last territorial legisla-
ture by unanimous vote passed a joint
resolution asking for congressional ac-
tion. For many years a big G. A. II.
reunion has been held in the park
every year, and for this reason IL was
considered that the north part OF the
section. which is unwooded, should be
set aside as soldiers home site. that
provision also being included in the
memorial adopted by the Oklahoma
Legislature.