In the preparation of the first four chapters the use of explorer and trapper journals was imperative. The Journals of Lewis and Clark, Patrick Gass’s Journal, and Robert Stuart’s Discovery of the Oregon Trail are basic.

Trapper activities and Indian life are effectively treated by Stallo Vinton in John Colter; Alexander Ross, The Fur Hunters of the Far West; Hiram Chittenden, The American Fur Trade; John Neihardt, The Splendid Wayfaring; J. Cecil Alter, Jim Bridger, Trapper, Frontiersman, Scout and Guide; Bernard De Voto, Across the Wide Missouri; and Robert Vaughn, Then and Now. A correct conception of original Indian life and character will reward the student of Rudolph Kurz’s Journal and Washington Irving’s two volumes: The Adventures of Captain Bonneville and Astoria. George Catlin’s monumental treatise on North American Indians is also a classic on that subject.

Important in the field of writings dealing with the partial and final discovery of Yellowstone are Nathaniel P. Langford, Discovery of Yellowstone Park 1870, together with the shorter accounts of his companions as recorded in Louis C. Crampton’s Early History of Yellowstone National Park and Its Relations to National Park Policies. The Yellowstone explorations of James Stuart and Walter W. DeLacy and others are found in Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana, volumes one to five inclusive.

John G. White’s scholarly manuscript entitled “A Souvenir of Wyoming” contains much material of a provocative character. Nice points of detail are raised concerning John Colter’s route and other trapper visitations.

The chapter on “Travel and Accommodations—New Businesses” was the result of a search through the standard magazines covering the half century from 1870 to 1920. The State College of Washington collection was found adequate for this survey.

It would be impossible to write the story of the Park’s administration without a review of all the Annual Reports of the Acting Superintendents, and Superintendents of Yellowstone National Park. The Park Library has a complete file from 1872 to the present time. In addition, the Reports of the Secretary of the Interior and the Reports of the Director of National Parks, covering the same period, were essential cross references in this effort. A complete set of these reports is available at the State College of Washington. A perusal of the soldier (scout) diaries in the Park Library gave the substance for the discussion of that interesting phase.

Among guide books The Haynes Guide is in a class by itself. It is not only an invaluable hand book to the casual tourist, but it is an excellent encyclopedia for research.

The Earl of Dunraven’s Hunting in the Yellowstone affords an excellent narrative from the standpoint of measuring the progress of all phases of Park activity.

Yellowstone Nature Notes is the best source for those sprightly experiences that make life so interesting and pleasant in the Park.