The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana • 73

Yellowstone Jack: his was first in the park A-43 off- -it jljL For his place in the history ot the first National Park, John Baronett has been called "Yel- i 1 ft II. I 111. 1.1 Photo from William F. Whithorn Gen. George Custer in Indian Territory, but returned in 1870 to be involved in the two things for which he is best remembered in Yellowstone country-finding Truman C.

Everts, who was lost in 1870 and building his bridge in 1871. Baronett's bridge photoed by W. H. Jackson in 1871 lowsione jacK. ne uuiu-uie first bridge to be put across the Yellowstone River and that within the confines of the Park.

His purpose was to profit from In the 1880 U.S. Census schedule for the Upper Yellowstone Precinct of Gallatin County, C. J. Baronett was listed as a guide and scout. Shortly after that he served as guide for President Chester A.

Arthur's horseback tour of the Park. THROUGHOUT his lifetime Baronett was engaged in many prospecting ventures. Historian Hiram Chittenden said that at 66 Baronett was still searching with his old-time ardor for the elusive yellow metal. And even after that he secured money from his family in Scotland to outfit for the Alaskan gold fields. Like his other quests, it was unsuccessful.

The ship was wrecked and the survivors barely made their way to Seattle. Baronett spent his last years in Livingston. On Nov. 28, 1906, one of the most picturesque characters of this part of the country died in a Livingston hospital at 77. 1 in BG WYOMING V- JOHN BARONETT 1 1 V.

WHEN Everts' disappearance from the 1870 exploring party became known, Robert Lawrence, a Helena lawyer, offered on Oct. 6 a $600 reward for his recovery. As a result Baronett and George A. Pritchett were provided with 30 days' provisions and dispatched in search of him. Their announced purpose was to remain until they found him or snow drove them back.

It was Oct. 16 when, as Evert wrote, "Two rough, but kindly faces met my gaze." The two mountaineers had rescued him. THE BRIDGE Baronett built during the summer of 1871 was located just above the mouth of the Lamar. The Hayden parry crossed it en route home from their exploration that summer. During the flight of the Nez Perce across the Park in 1877, the Indians partially destroyed it.

But the bridge was repaired so that the supply wagons (for which a road had been cut through the wilderness from the Lower Geyser Basin) could follow the Indians up the Lamar and into the valley of the Clark's Fork. With some alterations the bridge was used until 1903, and torn down in 1911. Baronett said with some bitterness that the bridge cost him $15,000 to build and that the government paid him $5000 for it. but it cost him $6000 to get ft. Baronett was a scout during incidents with the Sioux, Nez Perce and Bannock, 1876-1878.

the toll early prospectors of the Clark's Fork would pay for its tonvenience. Jt JACK BARONETT himself was interested in the yellow metal which brought men to the West. Born in Scotland in 1829, he early started to follow the sea as his father was in the British naval service. By the time he was 30 he had hunted gold in Africa, Australia, Colorado and California. He also had been in Mexico, China and the Arctic Seas and had been a scout in the Confederate service during the Civil War.

Baronett first came to Montana in Sept. 1864 and set out on a prospecting trip which took him entirely through the region to become Yellowstone Park. He left for a time to scout for HOT SPRINGS STATE PARK Rooming buffalo, natural, bubbling, hot springs, fascinating rock formations, such as RAINBOW TERRACES and tho DEVIL'S PUNCH BOWL thoso aro a fow of tho attractions awaiting tho visitor's oyo. Also located in tho park aro swimming pools, campgrounds, play aroas, and a froo MINERAL BATH HOUSE. GIFT OF THE WATERS The GIFT OF THE WATERS, given to tho Government by the Indian long ago, is re-enacted annually in a beautiful pageant featuring members of the shoshoni tribes.

To add to the celebration, a RODEO, PA-. RADE, BARBECUE, STYLE SHOW, PANCAKE BREAKFAST, and DANCING aro included in the 2-day fun. 1972 's PAGEANT AND RODEO DAYS will be held August 5 and 6. "i HEALTH RECREATION It is all here SWIMMING in one of several pools, (massage available) GOLFING at one of Wyoming's finest courses, FISHING in the Big Horn River and Wind River, CAMPING, and BOATING at nearby (20 minutes) BOYSEN RESERVOIR. Add to this the scenic WIND RIVER CANYON and surrounding mountain country, and you have a sight-seer's pa radix! GOTTSCHE REHABILITATION CENTER, uniquo in Wyoming, attracts ovor BOO visitors a yoar.

Sorvicos offorod include: REHABILITATION COUNSELLING, THERAPY, (PHYSICAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH) and an outstanding BRACE and UMB department. Hero, also, is the BIG HORN BASIN CHILDREN'S CENTER, a special education school for exceptional children, primarily the physically and mentally handicapped. Adjacent to tho Center is a modern hospital, HOT SPRINGS COUNTY MEMORIAL Nearby hotel-offer complete mineral health bath departments. How ere you fixed for "WHEELS" If you art tamporarity without car DOWT FUSS CALL VS! can provUo you with fine new Lincoln 'Mercury Product for day wk month tlulchf EomvI Economical! The Gift of Health and Recreation PPS. If pm?" fK 1 1 eg "of fht sign of th, eaf" linmasnm THERMOPOLIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATE PARK THERMOPOLIS, WO, 82443 '( 'i 303 N.

30th; BILLINGS; MONT. 248-73 15 i..