The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-07
President Taft Begins Three
Days Of Exploration
In the Famous Yosemite Valley
of California.
TO SEE THE BIG TREES
Wonders of the Park Will Be
Explained to Him.
He Is Given Another Golf Stick
at MERGED.

Ell Portal Cal. Oct. Tn the
wilderness of the western slope OF
the Sierras. away from the crowds
and the necessity OF speech
making, President Taft is travelling
by stage coach today toward the Won
derful Mariposa grove of big trees
Altogether, the president has eight
hours of stage riding ahead of him
before he reaches Wawona, WheTe
he will spend the night at the lonely
tavern, on the outskirts OF the
yosemite valley before starting Fri
day morning to penetrate the
Mariposa grove. -
The president and his party, con
Bisting of score of persons, left TINS
little terminal station of the Yosemite
valley railroad at a. M me
coaches will travel steadily -, un u
1880 O'Clock, when stop Will pc
made at the little settlement OF
Chinouapin Luncheon will be
served in the forest there and after
a short rest the journey TOWARD
Wawona will be resumed. the
scheduled time of arrival there being
between 4 and O'Clock. Respite
from the great crowds, the praclne
mountain air breathed amid a scenic
environment, declared one OF the
most beautiful in the world and
simple diet of mountain trout
chicken and bacon and eggs IS ex-
pected to render the president nj Ior
the remainder of his trip.
and restful travelling before him IN
and around the Yosemite. and there
is not a speech of any sort IN slght
until Fresno. Cal. is reacheo heA'
Despite the many suggestions from
the White House at WaSnlns toti'
which have been telegrapheo dhedu'
the hospitable cities OF the West cor con
Of
pairing elaborate bills OF fare TOT 'iie
presid entail banQuetS-
Mr.. Taft has almost given up the
idea of getting simple 1000 at any my
public function, but ne takes eNe
situation philosophically. g..
President Taft after spending 70
night at Wawona and visiting the
big trees tomorrow afternoon, VIII
proceed into toan the Fr TSilgS night at
Glacier Point or at Sentinel Motel;
ON Saturday he will return TO FL
Portal to spend the night ana cary
on Sunday morning Will resume i,ts
Journey toward Los Angeles'' d. Ai'
ing Monday morning
The big Sequoia trees when the
president will see tomorrow ar
known to all the world. Inc Hi tt,e
imoosing are known by name. the
most famous being the Grizzly Glant,
This giant measures more imam avO
feet in circumference at It's pase. Inc
Fallen Monarch, which lies prone III
the forest and upon Whlch stdSe
coach and team of six horses can De
driven is another. But probably the
most interesting is WaWona, HVlHg
monster of the woodland World' salo
to be 5000 to 5000 years old
Through this tree a driveway ten feet
high has been cut in order that the
stage coach may pass beneath
While in Yosemite Park, the preSl-
dent will not be entirely cut off from
fa with the outside world.
telephone wire, equipped with
Geographic instruments. is in reach.
Big Trees First.
The visit to the big trees comes first
in Mr.. Taft's itinerary. Leaving by
coach he and his party will be driven
to Wawona, at the edge of the grove
The forenoon of Friday will be given
over to the big trees, the president
spending tonight at the hotel in wa
wona.
will enter the park from one of the
highest points, and after trip to all
the show places of the upper levels,
will begin descent to the floor, which
is enclosed by almost perpendicular
cliffs of stone more than 5000 feet in
height. It will be the presidents first
trip into the Yosemite and he has
been looking forward to it for months.
both as a sightseeing experience ana
as affording three days of rest from
surging crowds and speechmaking.
When the park officials heard that
the president was coming they ar
ranged to have a troop of United
states cavalry act as his escort for
the day among the big trees and the
two days in the valley.
Mr.. Taft was informed of the plans
at San Francisco and he asked at
once that the escort be dispensed
with. He is anxious that the trip
through the park shall be devoid of
spectacular features and that his visit
shall be relieved as much as possible |
of an official aspect. The president
was pretty tired from his strenuous
day in San Francisco, Oakland and |
Berkeley and retired early last night. |
Personally Conducted Tour.
John Muir, the noted naturalist |
and geologist, Joined the presidents |
party at San Francisco and will per-
sonally explain the wonders of the |
park and valley to Mr.. Taft. The
Yosemite recently was receded by the |
state of California to the United |
States and now is under the same
control as the Yellowstone park. |
Mr.. Taft will be accompanied into |
the big tree grove and into the park
only by members of his party and a |