The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-07-13
GED1.OG "
An Account of ITS study In the Camp
or,be Harvard SCHOOL, Kenincky.
HARVARD School OF Geology !
July 9Th 1875

HARVARD School OF GEOLOGY
July 9Th 1875
| Editors OF the Register.
do not know whether You ant
your readers take much interest in thl
School or not, but as it Is one of tn
most bold undertakings in behalf 0
practical education that has ever beer
instituted, the public should know some
thing of it.
Its located in Kentuckey, near Cum
berland Gap, upon the Western slope o
tho Pinnacle. The students are camped
upon part of the old camping ground o
the army. in an airy and healthy place
where they enjoy the cool, pure air o
the mountains, and can be SuppI!cl
with all the luXuries of the valleys. i
would be difficult to find u more suit
able place for the camp than the one
where it is situated
The school is under the direction o
Prof. y. S. Shaler of Harvard College
and is the first of its character ever set
on foot. He had to limit the number
of students to about twenty-five, whict
made it difficult for the students to get
into the school. There was such a rush
of students that he was induced to in
crease the number to thirty. lie chose
ONLY those who were recommended a>
the best of students. Nearly all of
them are teachers in high schools and
colleges and are men who mean u i'm
prove their time. Perhaps their ha.
never been school Of better educated
men under the direction Of professor
than is this one
The principal object. Of this school !,
to give the students u practical know.
ledge of Geology, though kindred branch.
O. Of science will be taught. 1t has
been found that there are scarcely twenty
Gcologlsts in this country, who are able
to stand alone in this science. The
knowledge of this fact, together with
thc.enthusiasm for his department OF
learning, induced the professor to organ
ize this for the particular advancement
OF the study of Geology in this country
II is destined to have rs great
"A reputation rs the the school of Protcs'
,or Agrassiz did before his death. Ii
has been found long since that the only
way to study natural science to nd
vantage, is to have the objects Of study
before the pupil, where he can see and
handle them. The school was located
mere, because it is one of the most III
teresting geological points in the country
and u greatea Scope'of geological phc-
nomcna Is conferred here than at almost
any point that could be reached by
such school. The students are re-
qurcd TO 20 out on the mountains and
make their own observations. The pro-
lessor Accompanies them and calls then
attention to the most important points
answers questions, and suggests points
for the investigation of the student
When they come back to camp they
will bc expected to answer any questions
TINT may Toe asked them about the geo
lorical structure of the country they
have been over and also to make accur-
( ate maps of it. 1t has been propose,
/ to follow this kind of study for the frs
/ two or three days of the week and EN-
| brace section of the country reaching
/ about five miles in every direction from
/ the camp. The student, will then b,
/ divided INTO several sections and sen
out from camp to be gone the rest of III,
week under the direction of . competent
instructor. These sections will be expect
ed to 20 distance oftwenty or thirty
mile. from camp. There has also been
proposition for party to extend its worl
MS far rs Black Mountain, n. 9. The
students will in this way be enable
ed to gain a knowledge Of geolog!
which it would be impossible to gair
except by going with practical geoi"
gist Very few could enjoy such ad
yantagr> rs this, and hence this school
may be considered real benefit to til,
country.
The students have assembled from
all parts of our country without ref
ference to party. beIicf or education, far
Their then that they are all well cGucat
ed. ThrvSae all dressed for their work
and YOU would scarcely recognize then
from some of the people who live here
/, il WAS not for that indel!ib!r stamp .
intellectual labor which impr"sscs ltsei
upon the person and character of III
who devote themselves to mental labor
But it may be Of interest to some t
know what country this is. The rich
soil of Kentucky is known and spoken
ofall over our country; especially th'
blue grass region. After We left The
railroad we passed over Laurel, knoA
and Bill counties, Space will not ALLOW
ne To describe the poorncss OF the soil
the poverty of the people and the sener
al rum into winch the country appear
to be sinking. But the halt rooiec
houses aud washed lands tell lis in thun'
der tones that there Is something wrong
here The country l. falling into decay
As last rs il we'll can. j. y. VI.
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