On September 2, 1919, I left Zarephath, New Jersey for Denver,
Colorado. Seven days later, accompanied by my brother and his wife,
Rev. Charles W. and Lillian O. Bridwell, I started on a trip to the
Yellowstone National Park. Traffic on the railroads was so heavy out
of Denver that we had some difficulty in getting properly routed, but
finally succeeded. Twenty-four hours later, we reached Cody, Wyoming,
the eastern entrance to the Park. We secured lodging at the Irma
Hotel, founded by William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), and named for his
favorite daughter.
On the walls of the office and in the halls of this hotel were
splendid paintings, in which the whole history of the famous
frontiersman and Indian fighter was shown. Hours could profitably be
spent studying these pictures, in which one could learn more about the
"Wild West," of former days, than one could get from the average
history. All of the famous Indian chiefs were there, among them, Red
Cloud, Sitting Bull, and Black Bird. Their features were so perfectly
outlined I almost felt I was looking into their faces.
There were so many tourists we were fortunate in getting
accommodations at this place, when arrangements had not been made
ahead. Since I felt the need of rest, and my brother wanted more
information concerning the tour through the Park, we concluded to stay
over for a day. We held an open-air Gospel meeting here, and had the
opportunity of getting acquainted with some of the people whom we told
about the work of the Pillar of Fire organization.
At one time we had about decided to hire an automobile and drive
through the Park, but later, concluded it would be too much of an
undertaking, and made arrangements with the Yellowstone Park
Transportation Company to take us through for about forty-three
dollars each; this included board and lodging at the Yellowstone
Camps.
At 8:15, on the morning of September 12, we boarded one of the big,
yellow touring-cars, with a number of other passengers, and proceeded
on our journey. We had nothing to do with the selection of our
automobile party, but could not have been better suited. About four
miles west of Cody, we entered the SHOSHONE CANYON, three miles from
the first tunnel. In the meantime, we were climbing up the
mountainside so rapidly that it was soon hundreds of feet to the chasm
below.
In a little while we reached the top of the SHOSHONE DAM, to the left,
and here made our first stop. The scenery, while approaching and when
leaving the dam, was the most magnificent I have ever beheld.
Word-pictures fail to give even a slight idea of the depths of the
canyon, the wonderful tints and hues caused by mineral formations and
volcanic action in ages past. The trees on either side were of such
immense height, that I was almost staggered. I was not expecting
anything like this, on the run from Cody to the boundary of the Park;
and surprises awaited me every moment of the time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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