Page 98 - Cornelius Hedges Story

85 The Cornelius Hedges Story

The efforts of all concerned in promoting “the National Park
idea” culminated in the passage of the act of dedication setting the
Yellowstone area aside for the public on March 1, 1872.308

In 1896, Judge Hedges reflected and commented on Yellowstone
Park, the Washburn party, and his own National Park idea. In a
distinct air of modesty, he wrote:

“The members of the Washburn Party of 1870, who first
suggested and labored successfully with the others to make
known the wonders of the region and secure its dedication
for a National Park, “built even better than they knew.” They
thought chiefly of the wonders on canon, falls, lake, mountain,
boiling springs of infinite variety, and the crowning wonder of
all, the great geysers, throwing vast volumes of boiling water
hundreds of feet into the air, eclipsing those of Iceland, and of
the healthful pleasure to future generations in visiting this cool
region during the heated season. But undoubtedly its utility to
the great central arid region surpasses all other considerations,
and renders its preservation as near as possible in a state of nature
undisturbed, a safe and secure retreat for the great game that
but for this last resort would in all probability be soon extinct,
a sacred trust for our national government. While some think
it wasteful or unjustifiable use of public money to expend in
opening and improving such a vast area as a people’s pleasure-
ground, further consideration will satisfy the worst fault-finder
that his expenditure is more than justified on prudent business
principles. What would otherwise be spent on foreign travel will
more and more be retained at home in visiting our own Alpine
region, Where are congregated living pictures by the hand of
the Creator, far more numerous, sublime and beautiful than
those contained in all the museums of the Old World.”309
Then he added an auxiliary, but interesting, observation and
suggestion:
“And when this travel has increased that horses and bicycles
can no longer suffice, there is enough power that could be
taken conveniently from the upper Falls of the Yellowstone,
and converted to electrical power, to propel cars to every
portion of the Park. All are agreed that steam cars, with their
dangers of spreading fires, and their noise in scaring the game,
should never be admitted to the Park; but these objections do
not apply, at least in much less degree, to electric cars.” 310