Semi-weekly herald., 1909-03-08
GREAT NATIONAL PARK
WITH REAL GLACIERS
fBy william E. Curtis. Correspondent
Chicago Record-Herald)

WASHINGTON, req. 10 Ing oHi
creating Glacier National park. west
of the summit OF the Rocky mountains
and south of the Canadian boundary
line In Montana. includes about l,3oV
square miles of the finest noun
tain scenery upon the continent aver
aging about 10000 feet above the sea
level, containing about $50 lakes and
sixty-eight glaciers, which are said TO
be the only live glaciers In the United
States outside OF Alaska. The bound
ary lines commence at point on the
Canadian border at the middle OF the
Flathead river, thence following south
erly along and with the middle OF
Flathead river to its confluence Win
the Middle fork of the Flathead river
thence following the north bank OF
the Middle fork to where 1t is crossed
by the right of way Of the Great North
ern railway; thence following the said
right of way to where 1t intersects the
west boundary OF the Blacheet In
dian reservation; thence northerly
along the Canadian boundary TO the
place OF beginning.
Those who are interested in this
enterprise are confident that the Ca
madam government will reserve sim
| liar area in the contiguous territory
oil its side of the border, or even a
larger area, which will make this the
greatest preserve for wild animals In
| the civilized world. 1t Is intended
hereafter to permit shooting within
this park and fishing at such times
and under such rules and regulations
as the secretary of agriculture may
provide. He is authorized TO lease
ten acres of land to individuals or
| clubs for not more than twenty years
for the erection of summer homes,
club houses and hotels for the accom-
mediation OF visitors; and persons now
having summer homes or clubs within
the territory will be permitted TO re-
main, subject to such regulations as
may be prescribed The secretary OF
agriculture is authorized to sell the
dead and fallen timber; to lease the
streams for not exceeding fifty years
| for power, irrigation or any ether law
full purpose, and he may authorize the
construction of railways along the
Flathead river or any of its tribn'
taries, subject to the same rules that
apply to forest reserves.
The territory included in Glacier
National park is already well known
to American sportsmen. Ambassador
| Bryce, Secretary Bacon, Senator Pen
rose and other prominent men have
been up there fishing and shooting
There is practically no agricultural
land and no mineral bearing forma
| tions of commercial value. In the
canyons C-e roaring streams fed by
melting ice and snow, and there are
more than $50 lakes which abound ii
| fish of many varieties. The whole re
gion is inhabited by wild animals
Mountain goats, mountain sheep, black
| bears, deer, elk and moose are abun
dant, as well as a great variety OF
birds. The animals use 1t as breed
| ing ground, because they can find
perfect protection.
The waters flow In three different
directions. finding the Hudson bay, the
| Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific ocean
Some of the mountains are of unparal
leled beauty, the highest peak having
| been named in honor of the late
Grover Cleveland.
| r. II. Chapman of the geological
surveys who has explored the terri
tory thoroughly, says that the proposed
Glacier National park includes zone O
the most beautiful mountain region.
in the world. To the east stretche.
mile upon mile of open grass lant
practically treeless. drained by the
Missouri and Saskatchewan river sys
tens. In sharp contrast to the plains
rise the mountains, which. seen from
distance, present rock wall o.
great steepness, extending apparent,
unbroken for miles. This. the eastern
face OF the range, is actually cut by
long, deep U-shaped canyons, which
have been largely formed by the great
glaciers which once flowed from the
mighty snowcovered peaks and ridges
forming the divide between the waters
OF the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Ii
the canyons are roaring streams
which head in the melting ice and
snow, flow into placid lakes and event
ually into the arroyas of the plains
Between the canyons the long, finger.
like ridges rise to considerable
heights, the timber covered foot slop.
Ing steeply until a region OF brush
covered broken rocks is reached
which in turn leads to the case OF
precipitous cliffs.
THE canyons at the head usually
terminate In great amphitheaters. ris.
ing. cliff on cliff. in a stairway of tre.
mendous proportions. many steps of
which retain an ice mass slowly flow
Ing across 1t. each fed from a large
Ice field above until region of high
snowbanks is reached The main
Rocky mountain mass is actually made