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President Roosevelt informs Mr. Thompson that he does not think that hunting is necessary in Yellowstone Park, because natural predators such as mountain lions take care of overpopulation and do not pose much of a threat otherwise, unlike in Mammoth Hot Springs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-10
Colonel Young wishes the Boone and Crockett Club annual dinner could be held in Washington. Theodore Roosevelt thinks Yellowstone Park should be extended to the south.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to George Bird Grinnell about the “forestry business.” Taking forests away from the settlers was part of an order issued by President Cleveland when he was at the end of his administration, and he agrees to cut Pierce’s article for Grinnell. Roosevelt also edited Grinnell’s statements about hunting stories. Roosevelt believes that “our scientific people” should care more about hunting. Roosevelt also wants Grinnell to add information about the destruction of the buffalo in Yellowstone Park.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-08-24
Robert Lee Yokum asks Theodore Roosevelt for help in selling the late Scotty Philip’s herd of 300 bison, as there is not enough pasture for them. Yokum suggests dispersing the bison throughout the National Parks to aid in preserving the species. He reminds Roosevelt that he drove the team of buffalo at the celebrations in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
As a member of the Sierra Club, James H. Parkinson has suggestions for the Department of Agriculture to ensure the safety of visitors to national parks and campers in the mountains. These suggestions, which he hopes James Wilson will consider, include more obvious signage on trails about distance to landmarks, the circulation of fire notices, and clear communication with visitors. Parkinson has enclosed examples of some of the signage he believes will benefit the parks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-22
William Alanson Bryan writes Theodore Roosevelt on behalf of the movement to get Congress to create a national park on the island of Hawaii. They would like Roosevelt to support the movement and speak on its behalf.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-08
Major Henry T. Allen sends Adjutant General of the United States Army, Fred C. Ainsworth, a statement of facts in connection with the relief of the Second Squadron, 8th Cavalry, from duty in Yellowstone National Park. Allen explains the history of how the squadron came to serve at Yellowstone, the conditions while they were there, and the generally how the squadron had been received. Allen quotes from several letters mentioning his conduct specifically, as well as that of the squadron, which commend the efforts of both.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-12
Frank Ross McCoy reports on activities in Yosemite National Park, hoping to remind President Roosevelt of the “fine work and sport of the summertime.” John Muir, Joseph N. LeConte, and other members of the Sierra Club have said that the change in the valley has been very positive since it became part of the national park this year. The superintendent, Harry Coupland Benson, knows the park well and is popular with the Sierra Club. McCoy describes the park rangers and some encounters with grizzly bears, noting he found the instinct to shoot very strong but felt “stern duty’s restraining hand.” McCoy says Interior Secretary James R. Garfield came and went in a flurry, mentioning that he finds Roosevelt’s cabinet officers showing up everywhere to be “inspiring,” now that he has experienced it in the Philippines, Cuba, and the United States. McCoy offers his thoughts on race relations between the Californians and Japanese, as well as the attitudes of people on the West Coast regarding the Great White Fleet. McCoy regrets he cannot conduct Roosevelt and his family personally through the park.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-07
This postcard shows Yosemite Valley’s Happy Isles, situated in the rapidly flowing Merced River. The white water of the river seems to be rushing by the trees situated on the banks and, in some situations, in the edge of the river.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “First we see the waters of the Merced River flowing among the Happy Isles where the many natural springs come bubbling up to replenish the [sic] stream.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Valley’s Nevada Falls, where a river rushes off a cliff dissolving into a large plume of spray before landing in the valley below. Pine trees stand int he foreground, as well as on the top of the cliff.
The image of the falls appears to have been glued onto the front of a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Next we pass the Nevada Falls where the great volumn [sic] of water comes down 600 ft in a compound curve and with a roar that can be heard many miles.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Valley’s Vernal Falls, where water drops 350 feet off a cliff to the ground below. The river rushes through rocks at the bottom, and is churned up into a mass of white water.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Vernal falls is near by and is a thing of glorious beauty in the dark canyon where the water comes 350 ft in one perpendicular jump.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Valley’s Vernal Falls, where water drops 350 feet off a cliff to the ground below. The river rushes through rocks at the bottom, and is churned up into a mass of white water.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Vernal falls is near by and is a thing of glorious beauty in the dark canyon where the water comes 350 ft in one perpendicular jump.”
This postcard shows a giant tree, known as the “Grizzly Giant,” in Mariposa Grove, California. A man, possibly Galen Clark, stands in front of the giant trunk, giving it a sense of scale.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The Grizzly Giant is another one of the big trees. This tree is 33ft in diameter and the first limb of this tree is 80 ft from the ground and is 7 ft in diameter while the top of the tree is 350 ft from the ground.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Valley’s Cathedral Spires – two large towering pillars of rock, rising from amidst the trees of the valley.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “On our way back to the hotel we pass Cathedral Spires, two narrow tapering pinnacles of rock, whose symmetry and grace suggest the wonderous [sic] architecture of the old world. Formerly there were three of these towers, but many years ago an earthquake broke one of them off and sent it into the valley far below. These rock get their name from their resemblence [sic] to the Duomo at Florence, Italy and they reach an elevation of 2660 ft from the floor of the valley.”
This postcard depicts the Wawona Big Tree in Mariposa Grove, California. The scale of the tree can be seen by the passageway that has been cut through the trunk of the tree, allowing a horse-drawn carriage to pass through.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The next day we go again to another part of the grove and see another one of the big trees. This one called Wawona–the Indian name for big tree–You can judge the size of this tree from the six-horse wagon being driven thru the tunnel. Even thou [sic] the heart is cut away from this tree it seems to flourish and be plenty able to live and grow many more years.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Falls cascading down its cliff. A path in the foreground runs towards the falls, bordered on either side by trees.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The Yosemite Falls claim the distinction of being the highest waterfalls in the world, plunging down 2600 ft, the water seems as you walk toward it, to come down all in one leap. However it is in three parts. the first leap is 1600ft, then comes a series of small cascades amounting to 600ft and then the final leap of 400ft straight down. The rumbling of this mighty waterfall is like an earthquake and rattles the windows of a house a mile away.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Falls cascading down its cliff. A path in the foreground runs towards the falls, bordered on either side by trees.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The Yosemite Falls claim the distinction of being the highest waterfalls in the world, plunging down 2600 ft, the water seems as you walk toward it, to come down all in one leap. However it is in three parts. the first leap is 1600ft, then comes a series of small cascades amounting to 600ft and then the final leap of 400ft straight down. The rumbling of this mighty waterfall is like an earthquake and rattles the windows of a house a mile away.”
This postcard shows the view from Bridal Vale meadows, looking down the Yosemite Valley. Massive cliffs stand on either side, with a waterfall flowing on the right, while in the distance stand more mountains. In the foreground are many trees standing near a river.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This beautiful view is from Bridal Vale [sic] meadows and on the right is the Bridal Vale [sic] Falls where the water is falling 600 ft. This stream of water is over 30ft wide yet so far away it seems as but a silver thread. On the right is the El Capitan which we will see in a moment.”
This postcard shows Yosemite Valley’s Half Dome towering over the area. In the foreground, a river runs, bordered by trees on either side.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is the large rock called the Half Dome as we see it from the Sentinel Hotel, this is the highest rock of this vicinity, it is 9000ft above sea level and 5000ft above the Valley. its massive front is cleft straight down for a distance of 2000ft and the fractured face turned outward is polished by wind and storm. Milton wrote of “A Rock piled up to the clouds conspicuous afar,” and this describes the Half Dome as it dominates the Valley from almost every point.”
This postcard shows two figures standing on an overhanging rock at Yosemite Valley’s Glacier Point. Beyond the rock stretches the expanse of Yosemite Valley.
The image appears to have been glued onto a different postcard.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is the great Yosemite Falls as seen from Glacier Point. If that boy was to fall over the cliff he would have 3000ft to fall straight down.”