The Bozeman courier., 1927-07-15

Word has been received in Living
StOn of the death at Rochester, n. Y,
of Maj. Moses Harris, So, the first mill
tary superintendent of Yellowstone
park,
Capt. Moses Harris was acting superin--
tendent Of Yellowstone park from Aug.
IT, 1886, until May 81, 1889. He was
born in New Hampshire Sept. g. 1889,
and began his career as a private in the
United States army March 49, 1857 He
rose rapidly through the ranks, gaining
his commission as second lieutenant dur
ing the Civil war May l8, 1864. He was
made captain June 20, 1872 and elevated
to the rank of major July %, 1892. He
retired from active duty March z, 1893.
He was the first military superintendent
of the park, having been preceded by
David Uear, civilian.
Captain Harris had a high record as 6.
military officer in the United States army
and was several times cited for gallant
and meritoriOus service in battle. He
was awarded the medal Of honor Jan. %,
1896, for most distinguished gallantry
in action at Snithfeld, w. Va, on Aug
"a, 1864. He also participated in Indian
expeditions through the southwest and
northwest following the Civil war.
Annual Reports
Annual reports made by Captain Har-
ris indicate the difficulties experienced
by a park superintendent in the earlier
days of park history were not much diff
ferent than now. Annual reports OF the
acting superintendent indicate that he
had the welfare of the park very much
before him, as he was continually press
ing for better hotel and camping taclli-
ties. He kept a close check on the game
in the park especially the buffalo. AS
for the scenic attractions, he speaks Of
guarding them carefully and mentions IL
several Instances the expulsion from the
park of men he found scratching anc&
defacing geyser and hot spring fOrna--
tiOns. He was also an advocate OF game
protection laws for the territories sur
rounding the park, as hunters in those
days made a practice Of preying on the
bison which were unprotected when they
strayed over the park line.
Good Roads Booster
| Captain Harris was a booster for goo0
roads in Yellowstone park and was con-
stantly reporting the needed improve
ments to the parks road system. he;
patrolled the park rigidly for the protec-
tion of tourists and his soldiers were in
! structed to exclude all obnoxious anC3
! disorderly characters" to avoid the neces-
sity for violent arrests. During his term
of office, but one minor stage holdupe
occurred in the Yellowstone and the two
lhighwaymen, one Of them a man who
had previously been expelled from the
park for poaching, were apprehended ano-
held for trial in Bozeman, as the holdup
occurred in a section Of the park lying
in Montana.
Despite these varied problems, which
aslo included hunting invasions by bands
of Indians from Idaho, the superintend-
ent by careful planning and rigid dts-
cipline had his work we'll in hand after
his first year in the Yellowstone. His
untiring interest and constant effort won
for him the distinction of being one OF
the most successful of park superintend-
ents and Yellowstone park will mourn
the passing of a friend in the death OF
this man who, even in this early day,
area as a playground for posterity anc.
who strove to the best Of his ability to
preserve its attractions and make it more
accessible and convenient for the travel
ing public.