Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition

The Washburn - Langford - Doane Expedition started in 1870 by what is now Yellowstone National Park in the USA. The national park was founded, not least thanks to the findings of this expedition. They deepened the knowledge from the Folsom Expedition of 1869 and formed the basis for the Hayden Expedition of 1871.

The Washburn - Langford - Doane Expedition was prepared with the purpose to verify the confusing array reports of the Yellowstone area, which could be heard by trappers, mountain men, as well as participants of the Folsom Expedition.

The expedition was composed of 19 most prominent men from Montana, led by the Inspector General of the State, Henry Dana Washburn. He was assisted by the writer Nathaniel P. Langford and Lieutenant Gustavus C. Doane with a detachment of soldiers. In addition to the men took forty horses and mules, as well as the dog " Booby " part. The oldest participant was Truman Everts 54 years. The group took supplies for 30 days with them, as well as a tent, weapons and ammunition.

Route

The expedition left Fort Ellis after delays only on 22 August 1870. She entered the territory of today's National Park to the north. On the second day they noticed Absarokee - Indians who watched the Group. As a result, the participants should get during the expedition no more Indians to face.

After passing the Tower case - which they gave the name - they came upon a mountain which they named Mount Washburn. They followed the Yellowstone River to the south, met the three waterfalls Lower Falls, Crystal Falls and Upper Falls. Samuel Hauser surveyed both the Tower Fall and the Lower and Upper Falls with a gewichtsbehangenen cord. Even before they reached the Yellowstone Lake, they saw the first geyser. They christened him Mud Geyser.

The Yellowstone Lake they handled along the eastern and southern shores. On 9 September, Everts stray from the group. For a week they searched in vain Everts. Afterwards, three men separated from the main group to continue to look for Everts outlook; the other continued the expedition. They moved westward into the territory of the many geysers. On September 18, 1870 camped near one of them, the no white man had seen. They were particularly impressed by the periodic eruptions of Old Faithful. They watched him for two days and finally gave him the name. Then they traveled further north to the Madison River. This they followed, leaving on 22 September, the region of today's National Park to the west. The next morning Langford rode to Virginia City and informed there that they had lost Everts. Meanwhile, the military escort broke under Lieutenant Doane head to Fort Ellis to initiate steps to finding Everts there.

On September 27, the main group returned to their homeland. The triple - search party arrived on October 2, without having found Everts. Everts was finally rescued on 16 October by Jack Baronett, a local Scout.

The findings of the expedition were eagerly absorbed and published by newspapers and magazines throughout the country; this is in contrast to the descriptions from the previous Folsom expedition.

Participant

• Elwyn Bean ( Packer )
• Truman Everts ( tax official; 1816-1901 )
• Warren C. Gillette (Dealer; 1832-1912 )
• Samuel T. Hauser (President of the First National Bank of Helena, 1833-1914 )
• Cornelius Hedges ( lawyer and correspondent; 1831-1907 )
• "Johnny" ( Koch)
• Nathaniel P. Langford ( writer, 1832-1909 )
• " Groove " ( Koch)
• Charles Reynolds ( Packer )
• Jacob W. Smith (1830-1897)
• Benjamin F. Stickney (Dealer; 1838-1912 )
• Walter Trumbull ( son of a senator from Illinois)
• Henry Dana Washburn ( Inspector General; 1832-1871 )

The expedition members were accompanied by a military escort, led by Gustavus C. Doane:

• William Baker ( Sergeant )
• Gustavus C. Doane (lt; 1840-1892 )
• William Leipler ( soldier )
• George W. McDonnell ( soldier )
• Charles Moore ( soldier )
• John Williamson ( soldier )