Distinctly Montana Magazine

68 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 - 2 4 experience with camping. In November, 1870, he landed a job as the illustrator for the inaugural issue of a high-end periodical, Scribner's Monthly. Though Moran was a gifted artist and illustrator, it was diffi- cult to make much sense of the Moore and Trumbull drawings and sketches. He had not seen these things with his own eyes. He did the best he could, but deep inside, it fed right into his pent-up wanderlust. He wanted desperately to see and paint them himself. He was keenly aware of the works and notoriety of landscape painter Albert Bierstadt for his paintings of the Yo- semite Valley. Deep down he wanted that for himself, too. About the same time, Hayden had heard of the Washburn Ex- pedition's discoveries and immediately petitioned Congress for funds for a believable scientific survey of the area, backed up by images from his team's photographer, Jackson. By June, 1871 Hayden's team was assembling all the necessary resources to head into Yellowstone. When Moran heard that there was to be another survey of Yel- lowstone that year, he moved heaven and earth to tag along. For- tuitously, Moran knew Jay Cooke, a wealthy financier involved with the Northern Pacific Railroad. Cooke was also an associate of Langford's, so he knew what the Washburn expedition found. A rail route through Wyoming would benefit greatly from the possible tourism Yellowstone could provide. Between Cooke and the magazine, Moran was able to raise sufficient funds to tag along at no expense to the expedition, with promises of paint- ings and stories in return. Hayden had actually planned to have two other artists along, including Albert Bierstadt, but neither of them could make it. This was Moran's big chance to establish himself as a rival to Bierstadt. So, with his place on the team now assured, Moran headed west, rendezvousing with the Hayden team in Virginia City in July, 1871. Moran and Jackson couldn't have been more different in terms of life experiences. Jackson had been out West for many years now— first during his stint as a robust bullwhacker, then as Hayden's photographer. He knew the West and how to live in it. By contrast, When Moran HEARD THAT THERE WAS TO BE ANOTHER SURVEY OF YELLOWSTONE THAT YEAR, HE MOVED HEAVEN AND EARTH TO TAG ALONG Mammoth Hot Springs, Upper: The figure is Thomas Moran (photo by William Jackson, 1871). Lower: One of several of Moran's painting of the terraces (1872) YELLOWSTONE'S PHOTO COLLECTION, NPS

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