Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1916-11-04


for scientific study for years.
Other notable peaks in Yellowstone
National park are: Bunsen peak, 9,1O0
feet high, named for r. M. Bunsen,
a celebrated chemist; Mount Everts,
1900 feet, named for Il. G. Everts, a
member Of the Washburn party; Mr.
Everts was found nearly dead after
being lost from the 1870 expedition
for 81 days; Mount Sheridan, 10000
feet, named In honor of Gen. Phil
Sheridan; Mount Langford, 10000 feet
named for Explorer Langford, and
Mount Washburn, 10,345 feet, named
for Gen. II. ID. Washburn.
1t was up in the Businesses of these
peaks that the Nez Perces Indians lay
in wait for the struggling streams of
soldiers who had been sent to deliver
to them message of peace from the
Great White Father in Washington.
In many places one can find traces
of the soldiers weary march. Crude
bridges, just strong enough to bear
the weight of the transport wagons,
structures, have been kept as monu-
ments 10 the memory of the valiant
men who battled here against the red
skin foe. One can see In many places
the burns on the trees caused by the
ropes the soldiers used in lowering
their wagons and cannon down the
precipitous sides of the mountains.
Plenty of Wild Animals.
One of the very interesting things
to the traveller in Yellowstone are the
wild animals which roam through the
reservation. Bison, genuine relies of
the herds of other days, can be seen
in their wild state. The government
is making extensive experiments with
this herd to increase it in numbers
without reducing In any way the pur.
ity of the blood strain. The younger
bison are generally kept in fenced
areas to guard them from attacks of
carniyorous animals roaming the park
at night.
Bear are plentiful. They can be
seen around the hotels every night
where they come for food. These are
mostly black bear; but once In a while
big, old, silver-tlp bear-the giants
of their kind-comes down, and the
black bear promptly scatter, for the
sllver-tip loves a fight with black
bear as much as he loves the refuse
from hotel tables. And Mr.. Black Bear
knows it; hence his quick disappear.
ance at such moments.
Soldiers are always on guard at
feeding time, so that the traveller is
protected in the event bear sees
something better than hotel refuse to
chew upon. The bear are carefully
watched, and If an animal shows
signs of being unruly he is herded up
into the leSs-frequented parts Of the
park. Should be continue to be vicious
to a point where he is menace, an
army board sits in judgment upon him,
and If he is found guilty the death
sentence is passed.
But bears are not the only animals
coming in for official censure. Noun
tain lions. wildcats and gray wolves
IIONC 81 tlletl lut9
must receive the same summary treat
ment from the military.
Down in the lower sections of the
park. in the valleys and great mead
| ows, are vast herds Of elk and deer
| Antelope usually seek out the more
remote sections in summer, and con-
sequently are not seen as often as the
| other wild denizens.
The lakes and streams abound with
various species of fish, so that the
angler can find plenty of the speckled
tribe to test his skill and patience.
The name Yellowstone is derived
from Mi-tsi-a-da-zi, word in Minata-
rec. one Of the Sioux family of Ian
guages. Literally interpreted, it
means Rock Yellow river" The
French equivalent, Roche jaime, was
in common use among the Indians as
early as 1904, although when or by
whom the name was given is unknown.