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About Yale Alumni Magazine | View Entire Issue (March 29, 1899)
YALE ALUMNI WEEKLY > PROF, MARSH'S ESTATE, Almost all of it Given to YVale—The Funeral Wednesday. By the will of Prof. Marsh, which was filed in the Probate Court on March 23, all his property, both personal and real, with the exception of $10,000 to the National Academy of Sciences, was left to Yale. His beautiful home and grounds at 360 Prospect street, the lat- ter covering I0 acres and worth in the neighborhood of $85,000, was left to the University for the uses and purposes of a botanical garden, and his collection of orchids, numbering about 2,000, together with other greenhouse plants, were given to form a nucleus for the new department. | The will also gave Professor Marsh’s entire library of about 5,000 volumes to the University. The library is mostly on vertebrate Paleontology, but comprises many books on Physi- ology, Ornithology and Amthropology, besides Cuvier’s works complete and a history of Paleontology by Adam Beringer, in 1726. It includes also the latest complete works of Huxley, which were a Christmas gift from the author. to Prof. Marsh in 1895. The sum of $30,000 of the estate of George Peabody, which Prof. Marsh was authorized to dispose of, was left to the Corporation to be expended in publishing the results of his explora- tions in the West. The residuary estate, which is augmented by the sale of Prof. Marsh’s Oriental collection, pictures, furniture, silver and bric-a-brac, is left to Yale to be expended in promoting original research in the Natural Sci- ences. of this residuary estate will come close to $100,000. The funeral services of the late Prof. Marsh were held in Battell Chapel at 2.30 Wednesday afternoon, March 22, and were attended by a large body of the Faculty of the University, and by many friends. The sermon, which was a eulogy of Professor Marsh was. delivered by Prof. George P. Fisher. It is printed below. After the singing of two hymns by the Chapel choir, President Dwight pronounced the benediction. The burial was in the University lot in Grove Street Cemetery. The honorary pallbearers: were: Charles D. Walcott, and Arnold Hague, Yale ’63S., Direc- tors of the U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C.; Prof. George F. Barker, Yale ’58S.; Prof Asaph Hall: Prof. Edward S. Dana, Yale ’70; Prof. William H. Brewer, Yale ’52S.; Prof. D. Cady Eaton, Yale ’60; Prof, Addi- son VanName, Yale ’58. Professor Fisher’s Tribute. Professor George P. Fisher spoke as follows: “The event that calls us together is not only a bereavement to personal friends, but also to the University which Professor Marsh has served with so great ability and distinction for a period longer than the lifetime of a generation. Another of the eminent men who have brought honor to this Institution, in our own land and abroad, has departed. Only a few years have passed since Whitney left us, and then Dana, and now a third, a fit associate in service and in fame, is added to the number. “He has left us when he was still in the midst of his work. He was no longer young, but his energy did not flag. He was still on the lookout for new discoveries. He was exhilarated by anything new which had a meaning in his own line of research, as an as- tronomer rejoices at the sight of a new star. Railway cars still continued to arrive, freighted with the bones of animals and with fossil relics of the distant past, for him to examine with eager curiousity, to classify, and to de- scribe in elaborate papers for students of science on both sides of the ocean. His drawers were full of essays not yet finished, and of sketches to illustrate them; for he was, indeed, a model of industry. Not possessed of a fortune, according to the estimates now in vogue, yet, when comparatively young, he had ample means to enable him, had he chosen, to seek for comfort in a It is understood that the amount - “lettered ease.” Naturally fond of so- ciety, he might have made science a recreation and have spent his days in a learned leisure.. He preferred rather to plunge into study with an ardor rarely equalled among studious men. He preferred to employ his time in unceasing investigation, and in the dif- fusion of scientific truth. “To say that ambition mingled in the motives that impelled him is only to say that he was human. But no one who knew him needs to be told. that he was an enthusiast in the branches to which he was devoted. He delighted in dis- coveries for their own sake. To ex- plore the past history of animal life gave him an immediate pleasure. solve unanswered questions in the realm in which he worked was in itself a de- light. Certainly he craved no more praise than he was conscious of having justly earned. The scientific expedi- tions of Professor Marsh to the region of the Rocky Mountains, set on foot by himself, began a little more than thirty years ago. In these expeditions, repeated from year to year, upwards of a thousand new species of vertebrates, as I am told, had been already dis- covered several years ago, when the enumeration was made. HIS SERVICE TO THE INDIANS. “These journeys into wild districts, peopled, as far as they were inhabited at all, by savages, were attended with no little hardship and even peril of life. The fruits of them were presented in a scientific form in numerous papers by Professor Marsh, and in works pub- lished under the auspices of the national government. The Indians were nat- uraly suspicious of companies engaged in an errand to them so mysterious and unprofitable. It was the coming of a strange visitor, not in quest of silver or gold, but ostensibly to rifle the earth of treasures to them valueless and unin- telligible; but by fair dealing Professor Marsh was able to conciliate their re- gard. In his intercourse with them he ascertained that in instances brought to his knowledge they were defrauded by government agents. He set about the not altogether easy task of obtaining re- dress for them. It demanded almost as much courage as he had to exercise in his exploring tours. Not in the least deterred by rebuffs from certain offi- cials at Washington, he persevered until he achieved complete success. At a later time, it is interesting to remember, he was called upon at his own home by a band of Indians, and he entertained a famous chief for a number of days, in his dwelling. A like hospitality he showed to a rough backwoodsman, who had served him as a guide. “Tt is more appropriate to another occasion, and for those engaged in pur- suits kindred to his own, to define the precise character and to sum up the re- sults of Professor Marsh’s scientific labors. It is needless to say, that they have received a full recognition, from masters in science, and through medals and diplomas from universities and learned societies in America and in Europe. THE STORES OF THE MUSEUM. “As I entered the Peabody Museum yesterday, the building seemed to be full of his presence, as if he were the sole tenant. It was largely owing to him, indirectly at least, that the spacious edifice was erected. Through the in- valuable collection which he made, and which is stored within its walls, it will stand as a monument of his scientific work, and equally as a memorial of his love to Yale University, and of his generous devotion to its interests. His zeal in gathering this collection not only inspired him in his own personal labors to find its contents, but moved him to spare no expense in enriching it by costly purchases. Whenever he learned that something new had been unearthed, which promised to be of value to his science, he either hurried to the spot as fast as a swift train could carry him, or a telegram went im- mediately to one of his agents to pay its price. All these fruits of so many years of vigilant exertion and of an unstinted outlay of money, he finally transferred as a free gift to the University. Add to this proof of loyal attachment to the [Continued on 237th page.] O- From one end of the land to the other, wherever men who demand the best are found, Fownes’ Gloves are the recognized | s standard of merit and fashion. They are best for dress, for the street, for riding, driving, or golfing — for all occasions and all purposes. rectly gloved. sell them. To wear them is to be cor- All leading haberdashers Two Yale Winners, The first annual intercollegiate gym- nastic meet to decide the intercollegiate championship was held Friday, March 24, in New York at the New York Uni- versity. Among the entries for the all- around championship were the follow- ing: - Yale -men:< R.° G: -Cigpp, oy a. Captain of the Yale Gymnastic Team; W. L. Otis, 1900, and E. L. Eliason, 1901, also of the Yale team. First place was won by R. G. Clapp, which makes him intercollegiate champion. F. J. Belcher, of New York University, won second place, with E. L. Eliason of Yale third. Cups were awarded to the first, second and third man in each event, and a loving cup to the winner. of the all-round championship. Bicycle Tires. Ican send you by Mail or Express, Prepaid, a good HARTFORD Single-tube Tire for $2.50, $3.00 and $3.50. CORRESPONDENCE ‘SOLICITED. WwW. P. WEAVER, Columbia Bicycle Agency, New Haven, Conn. Reference—Alumn Weekly. New York University Law School. DAY CLASSES (LL.B. after two years).—Twelve hours’ required work and six hours optional per week. The daily sessions (from 3.30 to 6 P.M.) are So arranged that the student may do effective work in an office every day. EVENING CLASSES (LL.B. after thee years).— Ten hours’ required work and four hours op- tional per week. Daily sessions from 8 to 1o P.M. LIBRARY FACILITIESare excellent. The Law Library contains over 11,000 volumes. FEES FOR TUITION, - $100 PER YEAR. For circulars, address L. J. TOMPKINS, REGISTRAR, Washington Square, New York City. Cuas. ADAMS. Yale ’87. ADAMS, MCNEILL & BRIGHAM, BANKERS & BROKERS, 71 Broadway, - New York. Members New York Stock Exchange. Stocks and Bonds Bought and Sold. Investment Securi-~ ties a Specialty. ‘Long Distance Telephone, 2976 Cortlandt.” ALEX. MCNEILL. Ww. S. BRIGHAM. Yale ’8%. LEOPOLD H. FRAXNOKE. ALBERT FRANCKE,. Yale ’89. ° le 791 Yale Ss. b. 7H; & A. FRANCKE, BANKERS AND BROKERS. 50 Exchange Place, - - New York, Members New York Stock Exchange. Buy and Sell on Commission Stocks and Bonds dealt in at the New York Stock Ex- change. Also Miscellaneous Securities not listed on the Stock Exchange. Long Distance Telephone, 1348 Broad. GEORGE E. IDE, President. EUGENE A. CALLAHAN, General State Agent of Connecticut, 23 Church Street, New Haven. ‘Wm.Schwarzwaelder & Co- ESKS i LIBRARY = . CLUB AND. OFFICE... .<. D Furniture. 343 Broadway, N. Y. City. SEND FOR CATALOGUE. A BIT OF HISTORY. [From Woodward’s “ Insurance in Connecticut?’] The tna escaped the fire of December 16th, 1835, in New York City—the first in the Series of great American conflagrations—which destroyed property to the value of $15,000- 000, and bankrupted twenty-three out of twenty-six local insurance companies. the city the following year, having for agent Augustus G. Hazard, afterwards the organizer and president of the Hazard Powder Company of Enfield. It was not so fortunate in the fire of 1845, which swept $6,000,000 of property from the business center of the metropolis, and cost the Aetna $115,000. When the news reached Hartford, Mr. Brace called together the directors and told them that the calamity would probably exhaust the entire resources of the company. Going to the fire-proof vault, he took out and laid on the table the stocks and bonds representing its investments. else to take the initiative. what will you do?” “Do?” replied he. Little was said, each member waiting for some one At length the silence was broken by the question: “ Mr. Brace, “Go to New York and pay the losses if it takes every dollar there,”’ pointing to the packages, “and my fortune besides.” “ Good, good,’’ responded the others. “We will stand by you with our fortunes also.” So it had always been with the A:tna in every crisis which it had before faced. The same spirit had carried this famous Company through where others had gone to the wall. This was the last close call for the tna. To-day with its cash capital of $4,000,000, a net surplus of nearly $4,500,000, and a system built on the priceless experience of Seventy-nine years, it is hardly possible to conceive cf its having a close call, It entered .
