housands of sightseers every year; yet inconceivable as it may now seem, this marvellous region was unknown to the world until 1870. Being difficult of access, because f

ition and, having observed that there were many beavers in the headwaters of the Missouri River, desired to try trapping there. Having obtain

o marvellous as to tax the credulity of even his own senses; among them a glass mountain, geysers sending up great volumes of water hundreds of feet high into the air,

d nature and adventure had become his ruling passion. After hunting and trapping for several years he returned to St. Louis. Here he told his friends the marvels

s wonderful adventures, glass mountain, and boiling springs among the snows were falsehoods and could find no place for publication. Coulter gave interviews

riend but spared his life for the time being. After the Indians had consulted for some time in regard to what should be done with Coulter, the chief asked him if he could run fast. Coulter replied that he could not. He w

Park, Wyoming Looking dow

TO

some three hundred yards in front of them. At a given signal he told Coulter to save himself if he could. At once the war whoop resounded and six hundred demons were on the track

Being exhausted, and fearing that at any moment the spear might be hurled at him, he concluded to surprise th

ell, breaking his spear. Before the prostrate runner could recover himself Co

to the water and swam as fast as he could. Observing a raft of drift-wood that had lodged against a small island, he dived under the débris, and thru

sland and climbed over the drift-wood, scanning every possible place of concealment. Seeing no trace of their white prisoner they reluctantly returned to the mainland. Coulter rema

to kill the wild game for food; moreover, the distance to the nearest fort was at least a seven-days' journey. But he was in excellent physical condition and, being inured to hardships a

of it published, but he could find no periodical or newspaper willing to print his statements. In Bridger's case, however, there was ground for doubt,

by the shot. He again fired with more deliberation, yet with the same result as before. Having fired twice more with no effect he seized his rifle by the barrel and rushed toward the antlered monarch

of great power. On going around to the other side of the mountain he caught sight of the elk, which he jud

into adjoining territory. The Indians were troublesome; nevertheless many prospectors ventured into the regio

formed to ascertain the truth concerning these statements. The expeditions set out during the consecutive years 1869 and 1870. On their return exce

vided with a military escort. One of the members of this expedition wrote up a series of excellent articles whi

gical section was under the direction of Dr. P. V. Hayden. Mainly through Hayden's influence and foresight Congress withdrew the tract now comprising Yellowstone National Park from occupancy or sale, and dedicated and set it apart as a public park

he park are obeyed. No one except the troops is allowed to bring firearms into the park, and the wild animals, now carefully protected by law, have greatly multiplied. Through subsequent acts of Congress two forest reserves

eir dams. The grizzly and the black bear flourish in the park and have become quite tame. In the neighborhood of the camps and

loes is jealously protected, and food and shelter are provided for them during the winter when necessary

ied in killing in order to preserve the other game, but the wild ruggedness of the territory,

eep the water of the streams from freezing. The United States Fish Commission has taken special care in stocking the fishless streams with trout, and now the Ye

ited for grazing, but for agricultural purposes the park

ble for good lumber. The quaking aspen is the only deciduous tree that is abundant. Elk an

le and blue in ever-varying intensity, while later in the season Jack Frost with his magic brush paints

l varieties of the lupine and the larkspur clothe the hillsides with every shade of color, while the modest violet seeks secluded spots in

, notwithstanding its high elevation. The average temperature at the Mammoth Hot Springs in January, the coldest month, is 18° F., and in J

enormous expense. The United States Government has already expended upward of one million dollars in road-making and bridge-building. There ar

eresting places. Our tour embraces Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Fir

de along the foaming, dashing Gardiner River through a canyon bearing the same name. Portions of the way unfold bold, picturesque scenery, giving a f

the rocks and discharging directly into the Gardiner River. This stream, the Boiling River, we are

l, where are also the administration head-quarters of the park. A

he hot water that issues from them. The terraces, containing upward of two hundred acres, are delicately tinted in beautiful shades of red, yellow, orange, brown,

g supported by delicate columns, some of which resemble organ pipes. Different names are given to the terrace

re's work and are filled with water of wonderful transparency; while the variety

Kitchen, Cupid's Cave, and the Stygian Cave. In many of these caves there is an accumulation of

iff, sometimes called Obsidian Mountain, which is an immense mass of black volcanic

e superintendent in charge of the work hit upon a happy device by which to quarry it. Log fires were built along the base, and when

Park, Wyoming Mammoth H

TO

s become more numerous until we reach Norris Geyser Basin. In this locality the odor of sulphur is strong and unpleasant. A little farther on a loud roar startles us, and a few mome

er, several new ones have opened, one of which rivals Roaring Mountain. Constant and Minute-Man Geysers, though small, are frequent and vigorous in action. In p

rehole, we ascend the right bank of the stream to Lower Basin. On the road we pass many springs; the most conspicuous of which, Be

ground that is very hot, we are nearly suffocated by the fumes of sulphur. All around us are hundreds of seeth

coming from a large steamer about to leave its moorings. We follow in the

ound, while the rock around the orifice is black as jet. The guide tells us that this huge steam vent is called the Black Gro

ational Park, Wyo

TO

ction numerous pools, moulded and nicely ornamented, are seen sunk in this stone table, while in the centre there is a large and deep pool filled with hot water, but looking like a beautiful spring. At the time

visitor feels sure he is gazing at the hidden fires beneath that heat the water. It is the illusion caused by superheated steam escaping through a fissure in the r

l of dirt. Excelsior Geyser, not far away, is really a winter volcano, its crater being a seething caldron n

and fifty feet. The eruptions take place at long intervals-seven to ten years. On account of

he geysers in this basin we shall find Grotto, Castle, Giant, Giantess, Bee Hive, Splendid, Grand, and Old Faithful. Each of t

wrinkles on its face tell of long-continued service. Every seventy minutes this faithful worker sends up a column of water

Upper Basin we follow along Firehole River to the mouth of Spring Creek, then along this creek to the Continental Divide. From the

le body of water supplied by ice-cold streams formed by the melting snow on the surrounding mountains. This body of water, of which t

m unfit for food. Researches have been made seeking the cause of the disease in order, if possible, to apply a remedy, but so far to no purpose. It

ts on the lake are most beautiful. A steamer plies on the lake carrying mail and passengers. The bird life on this bod

ap of more than three hundred feet to the rocks below, where, breaking into millions of particles, it forms a great cloud of spray. The water then dashes on with renewed vitality between

uning only with himself and nature regarding the unfathomable significance of such marvels. When the famous painter, Thomas Moran, desired to reproduce in colors on canvas this masterpiece of nature, he gathered his

n stands out unique among the world's wonders. Its beautiful panorama of stained walls, down which trickle streams of water which brighte

the Fossil, or Petrified, Forest. This section, especially attractive to the sci

al ages. Here on the north flank of the mountain are two thousand feet of stratifications. On the ledges, tier above tier and story

ranging through the eons of the past! So perfect are these petrifactions that the a

h the crust of the earth. It is not improbable that at some future time, by the further wrinkling or sinking of the s