The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-07-02

supporters. Numerous national parks have al
ready been established by the government some
because OF their recognized standing natural
wonderlands. such as Yellowstone, and others
through insistent championship of enthusiasts.
The youngest member of the playground fam
lily. now knocking at the door for national protec-
ton, is the proposed Glacier National park in
northern Montana There some people in the
east who do not even know that there are gla-
ciers in the United States today. but think Of
them as extinct monsters belonging to past geo.
logic era To such the very name, Glacier park,
Is an education. There no longer, 1t is true,
vast continental glaciers; even the great frozen
regions Of Alaska are small in extent compared
with the ancient glaciers, but the remnants of the
one-time universal ice sheets, such as be
seen In Glacier park. are majestic and numer-
Gus as to awaken in the mind of the traveller SEN
timents Of unbounded and wonder at Ma
lures matchless handiwork.
Give a month at least to this precious
serve" says John Muir, some ten years ago, in
speaking of the delights of this region. "The
time will not be taken from the sum of your life.
Instead Of shortening 1t will indefinitely lengthen
it and make you truly immortal"
Nor the attractions of the Glacier park
region confined to the scenic. Here lies, for in
stance the majestic Lake Mcdonald, full of brisk
trout, described by Mr.. Muir, in the heart Of
the splendid Flathead forests Of giant pine,
spruce and cedar, while ten miles above is Ava
lanche lake, shimmering at the foot of group Of
glacierladen mountains. Far up the white peaks
one hardly fail to meet the white goat or
American chamois, while in other retreats dwell
deer elk and bear and many smaller, sleek-furred
animals enjoying their beautiful lives in company
with numerous bird species.
It Is hoped that the present session Of con-
gress will preserve for the nation this latest
playground and constitute it another of our ma
tional parks. 1t will then be our second largest
park, surpassed only by the Yellowstone.
The Sixtieth congress made a favorable re-
port on a Glacier park bill. which had also the
strong support of the secretaries of the interior
and agriculture. This report was based largely
upon a topographic survey made four years ago
By United States geological survey party. and
upon a later compilation by Robert H. Chapman,
one Of the party. embracing total area of about
] 900 900 acres lying just south of the Canadian
line and between F1athead river and the Black
| feet Indian reservation. This contains 60
or more true glaciers, ranging in size from small
glaciers of few each to those covering five
square miles. 1t also contains over $50 glacial
lakes from few hundred feet to ten miles in area
The Rocky mountain system in the United
States abounds In regions Of wild and magnificent
scenery but it is doubtful il any of them sur
passes in grandeur and interest that of Glacier
park. From its area water flows to Hudson bay,
the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific ocean. Mount
Cleveland, it's highest peak, reaches an elevar
| ton of 0434 feet and there many other rug
| ged mountains ranging from 5000 to 10000 feet
above sea level. This area Of the northern Rocky
mountains, says Mr.. Chapman which lies to the
north of the Great Northern railway and to the
| south of the Canadian boundary, is one Of the
most beautiful mountain regions In the world
Approaching the divide from the plains region to
| the east the mountains present to the traveller