New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-17

with the bones and could not get them to leave the
bones. Men and boys would loiter around and stare
at them for hours together. And what was most
afraid Of was their wanting to handle the bones.
felt sure they'd do some damage"
Letters Of advice respecting the proper treatment
of the fossils were addressed to Mr.. Mitchell by
scientific men who had read in the newspapers about
the discovery. Prof Marsh by letter, urged npon
him not to let the bones dry too rapidly, to keep
them in swamp muck rs long as possible, especially
not TO let them be handled while wet, and that all
handling was dangerous. Prof Waterhouse
Hawkins sent precise letter of instructions as to
the preservation of the bones by the immediate use
of glue lie suppOsing it likely that these Ike the
most of mastOdon bones, would crumble or break IN
fragments during removal and drying. The object
of these letters was to the fossils for science
without reference to their possession but Prof.s
Marsh and Hawkins both sent their representatives
at later date to view tho remains and report more
particularly upon them and these intelligent assist
ants communicated many cautions and some knowi-
edge concerning bones to Mr.. Mitchell and it is
fairly due TO him here to say that he proted by the
Instructions, and that the world of science thence
profits in turn by the Jealous care with which these
fossils have been preserved.
ZEAL THAT WAS OF SERVICE TO SCIENCE.
Mr. Mitchell is mason by trade, working when
there is work to be had on buildings in New-York,
and still dependent on his daily labor for support;
but with Scotch frugality and industry he has ac-
quircd little property Since his discovery OF fos-
sls he has fairly mastered general knowledge OF
anatomy and could now pass an examination on that
science better than gany college professors Some
thing of the fervOr that burns III the scientific breast
must have urged him to overcome the various OBJ
stacles he encountered The water In the swamp
gave him great deal of trouble. There was brook
represented in the diagram by dotted lines passing
partly through the excavatiOn) which was night
in his path. To drain it, he cut deep
ditch to the right of it (also represented by
dotted lines), but this soon filled up and ne
was obliged to construct another at
greater distance. After the brook was permanently
diverted, it became evident that spring IN the
swamp lat in the dagram) was the cher source Oh
its water supply. At the time Of the writer's vlsit'
the whole area of excavation, space OF perhaps ~
feet in longest diameter, was full OF water Ohiy py
incessant pumping by horsepower can the water be
brought down enough to make digging practicable.
Once when the water was gaining on Mr.. Mitchell and
his animals were ont, the peoplejn the vicinity
orgapized what is known as "bee'' to help him.
The davis work of the neghbOrs very elective
draining and digging but it had the disadvantage
of making every man in the village think he held
some share in the bones, since he had helped at the
bee 1t was an ungraciOus task to keep such help
full visitors at arms length but events soon proved
it necessary. One day Mr.. Mitchell observed one OF
his neighbors-one of the old-fashioned KIND that
carries heavy cane with a substantial ferruie. pok
ing it among the fossils with the emphasis OF Sir
Anthony Absolute Mr. Mitchell rushed to the res
enc but all too late the ferrnle had punched hole
through the pclyis bone After that, charge of 20
cents was imposed for permission to see the fossils,
and this had a wonderful effect in diminishing the
numbers of the curious crowd.