92 BOOK OF A HUNDRED BEARS 



It was the first scientific, authentic delimitation 

 and description of all these wonders. Just before 

 leaving the Park, while encamped at the junction 

 of the Gibbon and Firehole rivers, Cornelius 

 Hedges suggested the idea that this wonder 

 region should be set aside as a national park and 

 pleasure ground. The idea was adopted and from 

 that night dates the fact that you and I may see 

 these wonders without charge. From that hour, 

 the night of September 19, 1870, which deserves 

 a date by itself, began the idea of a national 

 park. General Washburne died a year later, as a 

 result of the exposure and privations endured on 

 the trip. But Langford and Hedges, enlisting 

 others with them, carried through Congress an 

 Act constituting the Park, '^dedicated and set 

 apart as a public park and pleasure ground for the 

 benefit and enjoyment of the people." 



Langford was made the first superintendent, 

 without any salary, and so served for five years. 

 He deserves the title of ''Father of the Park." To 

 him, more than to anyone else, we owe the 

 motive, inspiration, and practical result of it. 



