Captive Tourists Virtual Cache
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This is an easy, interesting roadside virtual cache with an interesting historical piece of Yellowstone National Park.
For a short history regarding one of the Captured Tourists:
George Cowan, having been shot, had afterwards been nearly brained by a warrior who struck the prostrate man on the head with a large rock. Left for dead, he came to within hours of his wounding, tried to stand upright, but was shot again—this time in the hip by a warrior lingering nearby. Cowan did not move, and after several Nez Perce men passed by driving horses without observing him, he waited awhile and then pulled himself along the ground by his elbows through the stream and along it for a distance of one-half mile. He alternately crawled and rested and, over the next four days, traversed about twelve miles. Near the place where the wagons had been abandoned, Cowan found his bird dog, who stayed with him through his subsequent journey. At one point in his travail, Cowan saw Fisher's Bannocks, but fearing they were Nez Perces, he remained hidden. Finally gaining the camp site at Lower Geyser Basin, he found a dozen matches, and with potential meat and fire at hand, and strengthened with some weak coffee he managed to brew in an old fruit can, Cowan rested overnight, then started back to the mouth of the East Fork of the Firehole, confident of being rescued. Howard's scouts with "Captain" Rube Robbins encountered Cowan on August 29 and were able to inform him that his wife and sister-in-law had been released safely. The next day, Howard's surgeon treated his wounds. Cowan, Oldham, and Arnold continued with the troops, but later departed for Bozeman via Mammoth Hot Springs and Bottler's Ranch.
See the Park's link for additional historical information about this event: (visit link)
Additional information about the event: (the following information comes from the book Lewis & Clark: An Illustrated History. Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns, 2002).
The Lewis & Clark Expedition upon their journey to and from the Pacific Ocean met the Nez Perce Indian tribe. The expedition needed the Nez Perce's assistance with food and information in spite of the tribe's own poverty. In addition to receiving "roots and bread...A chief provided them with horses to eat--and refused any payment." Meriwether Lewis wrote in his journal, "[The chief] said that the whitemen might be assured of their warmest attachment and that they would always give them every assistance in their power; that they were poor, but their hearts were good. I think we can justly affirm, to the honor of this people, that they are the most hospitable, honest and sincere people that we have met with in our voyage" (page 190). Chief Joseph was to write years later, "The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark...They talked straight, and our people gave them a great feast, as a proof that their hearts were friendly. These men were very kind...All the Nez Perces made friends with Lewis and Clark, and agreed to let them pass through their country, and never to make war on white men...It has always been the pride of the Nez Perces that they were friends of the white men" (page 220). Unfortunately, with the Nez Perce relocated to a reservation, and their attempt for freedom by leaving the reservation resulted in an incredible journey though one of suffering. They were trying to gain their freedom by fleeing to Canada which included traveling through Yellowstone National Park. After 1500 miles of flight, and after 17 battles with the Army, and against incredible numerical odds, Chief Joseph surrendered within 40 miles of the Canadian border. He said, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." Of interesting history among the Nez Perce who surrendered was a 70 year old man named "Tzi-kal-tza" who the Nez Perce told army officers was the son of William Clark (of the Lewis & Clark Expedition; page 220).
Please note the map of the Nez Perce campaign trail on the information board- it emphasizes the incredible journey they made in their attempt for freedom.
In order to claim this virtual cache, please answer the following question obtained from the information board located at this site in Yellowstone National Park.
1. Describe what is the picture (or send a digital to me with your e-mail) of that is located on the right side (north side) of the information board?
Please don't include the answers in your cache log, even if encrypted. NO Internet "finds".
Enjoy Yellowstone National Park! It is the greatest park on Earth!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)