The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1868-09-19
A Martyer TO science.
HIS WondertWl Life and Tragic Death.

From Boston letter we have the
following interesting story Of the life
and death of young man:
wonder, did you ever hear of
Bobert Kennicott ? Some one told
me the brief story of his life, the
other day, and it is we'll worth re-
peating, though l cangiSe you the
merest skeleton Of sketch. He was
a son of the well.known editor of the
Prairie Farmer, and resident Of
Chicago. In his boyhood NE mani
tested an ehgrossing love Of natural
history, gave his whole mind to its
study, and very powerful and brill
! liant mind it was. | am not we'll
posted in the dates Of this subject, but
| / think he had passed but little be-
yond his maj orty, say in 1860 or 1861,
when he set forth on IN exploring ex-
pedition through che wilds Of the
| Northampton country. He ascended
the Missouri river to its source,
travelled alone through regions where
a white foot had scarcely if ever
trodden, thoroughly explored the
Russian and British possessions in
the Northwest, end carried on a cam
! paign of investigation against beasts,
e birds, and reptiles aAd insects. He
/ visited Sitka, then a Russian post, and
= remained there for a short time. He
9 irpoculated the Russian officers there
r stationed, many of whom we're men
J, of high culture, with his passion for
natural history, and taught them to
a pursue the strides in which alone he
h found happiness. His experinces
7. almost rival those Of Munohausen in
y dangers and difficulties No peril
y daunted him no obstacle discouraged
t. him.
th Once, far in the wilderness, he
h found himself destitute of the pins
m with which bugs and esich" are inns
an -paled; and without moments hesita-
pc ton he set out and made journey of
1t, FIVE hundred miles through the snowy
'st solitudes Of shka to rpleuiSh his stock.
lIi During one Of his visits to this place,
SIS. I think in 1863, he heard Of the war
ug of the rebellion. instantly he started
he over and for the East, made his way
ith to the army in Virginia, associated
up himself with the Sanitary Commission
lin and labored faithfully IN the cause oI
nd humanity till lees surrender
ct Without a moments delay, after tha
I'd event, he turned his steps again to tn,
the Northwest and buried himself in tn,
ing wilderness. A little more than !
EN- year AGO some travellers in that bleai
hey reai5h came upon the figure Of
nd man sitting, compass in hand; befor
, l a map Of thesc Of his recent ez
my plorations, which be had drawn wit
ON a stick upon the snow, dead. 1t wa
feet Young Kennicott, who died as he ha
of lived, alone. His, short life was nj
ing without fruits, however. He ha
old, established intimate connection wit
, on the officers Of the Smithsonian Il
row stitute, who we're filed with wonde
5. ing admiration Of his energy and 10,
ugh of science His contributions to Il
CINE cabinet of that institution were
n a incalculable value and his good dee
ngiy live after him in the acts Of othe
lack whom he taught to love science. n
side. long ago-before the Alaska purcha
tents however-Prof. Baird, of the Smit
d sonian, received string Of birds FRI
by Russian officer stationed at Sitka
bars a gentleman whom kennieott had
them spired with his own zeal in the stu
v for of NATURAL history-which the profess
lOuth affirmed no museum could duplica
1ould Prof. Baird has been solicited to WI
con, a biography Of Kennicott, and
IS Of view Of his travels in Alaska but
heard declines the task, pleading want
of the time, and suggests that Dr.. Simps
n the Of Chicago; should undertake
that work,