El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-12-02
PALO DUR0 IS
GREAT CASH
IN EARTH
A Canyon in the Panhandle
Is One of Natures Phe-
nomena.
1T MAY BE MADE
A NATIONAL PARK
Bv ". D. HornadyA

The mental picture OF the panhandle
Of Texas does no. embrace any scenic
beauties except Lerk-fs &c tllC person
who las been So fortunate as to have
viewed the wili and insplring sights Of
the PalO DurO canyon. This canyon IS
one Of natures phenomena. 1t might
be likened to a broad and deep cash
upon the surface Of a region Of almost
ltmttless plains. 1t IS one Of those Gu
riOsittes that are found in various parts
Of the world which offer no good scien-
tlfic explanation.
It is proposed that this scope Of in
teresting and picturesque scenery shall
be made q national park by the federal
government The Texas state legisla-
ture passed a measure four years ago
ceding to the United States the territory
embraced in the canyon for national
park purposes, but this liberal offer has
not as yet been accepted by congress.
It is expected, however, that it will be
perhaps at the next session and steps
will then be taken 10 not only pro-
teCt and preserve the natural wonders
Of the region, but that it will become
a wild game preserve equal to that Of
Yellowstone park.
Is a Cash In the Earth.
To call this remarkable freak Of na-
ture a canyon is a misnOmer. 1t is in
reality a precipitOus depression in the
earths surface, the cause Of which is
a matter Of contention among geolO-
gists. The most reasonable explanation,
average layman as being probably cor
rect, is that this cash in the panhandle
plains was caused by sinking OF the
formation beneath it aeOns ago. It is
situated in the very heart Of what was
formerly known as the LlanO EstacadO,
or staked plains. From its rim and eX=
tending as far as the eve can reach in
all directions is a level and bOundless
derneSS such as characteriZes the Palo
Duro canyon This depression in the
earth's surface has n length Of about
200 miles, extending from near the Dor
der lying between New Mexico and Tex
as, to near the caprock that separates
the plains country from the undulating
region Of the more eastern part Of the
state. The average width of the can
yon is about five miles. In some places
II broadens to a width OF % to 15 miles.
That portion which has been ceded by
the state or Texas to the federal gov
eminent for national park purposes is
about 80 miles long and embraces
within its depth some of the most in
spring and wonderful scenery that eX-
lists upon the continent. The walls of
the canyon have a height Of 500 to
1900 feet, and so precipitous are they
that there are only a few places where
1t can be entered. Nature has been
prodiEal in the distribution OF her IA.
vors In this slit in mother earth
The surface Of the depressed terrific.
~ is so dissimilar in its settings from
the expansive region that makes I'D the
country above it that it might well be
imagined as belonging to an entirely
different land The plains are treeIess
and possess mOnotOny Of level same
ness that does not arouse those deep
feelings Of sentiment and reverence
which Overwhelm the mind OF man
when viewing the more rugged and pic
turesque handiwOrk Of nature.
Much of 1t UnexpIOred.
Many Of the wild recesses of the Palo
Duro canyon have as yet not been ex-
plored. The level and long stretch OF
territory embraced IN its area Is for
the most part covered with a tanRle-
wood Of brush, OvertOpped with giant
trees of many varieties some Of them
being strange to this latitude 1t is in
some respects a veritable tropical viii
derness, particularly during the sum-
mer season. The fact that it is stu
ated many hundreds Of feet below the
surrounding earth surface gives the
vegetation therein a protection from
the wintry blasts and makes II. during
the coolest weather, one vast hot house
A blizzard may be raging above. but
within the security Of the walls OF this
canyon warmth IS always to- be had
Rendezvous for COmanehes.
So well known were the delights OF