YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION, 1872 
W. II. Holmes, Artist to the Survey of the Territories 
During the winter and spring I had teen engaged in 
drawing for several of the Smithsonian scientists and in 
May received my appointment as artist to the U. S . Geologi- 
cal and Geographical Survey of the Territories, salary $1800. 
I had packed everything in my valise — a slim outfit of clothes 
and a supply of needles, thread, pins, pencils, paper, paints, 
etc., and hade goodbye to Professor Meek and the rest on Wed- 
nesday evening, May 29. Together with Carrington, Logan 
and Kiser, I left Dr. Hayden T s office on the corner of 11th 
Street and Pennsylvania Avenue (later the Evening Star build- 
ing} . Having my tickets to purchase I started down the Avenue 
on foot, employed a negro to carry my valise and reached the 
$M. 4|wOt0 / CM «S' 4 / yvv. 0* 1 1 
depot at 7:30. Mr. Leonidas Hunt was there to hid me adieu. 
Took sleeping car. Crossed ta the summit of the Alleghanies 
at sunrise, a dull, rainy morning, thirtieth of May, Decoration 
Day. Left Pittsburgh at about ten o’clock, and passing through 
central Ohio and Indiana, reached Chicago about 7:00 on Friday 
morning. Spent a few hours seeing this wonderful city, now 
rising from its ashes. It seems quite possible to see it 
growing. . Took supper in the dining car and passed through 
Burlington, Iowa. Re acne d the Missouri at 10:00 A. M. Satur- 
day, and in Omaha we met Taggart, West and Jaycox. Stopped 
until 11:00 A. M. 
our outfits at the 
Sunday at the Wyoming House and completed 
firm of wilcox and Company. As we passed 
