The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-10-24
Memoir OF the Late Professor Jacob
He'll

Whle the death of Professor Boil is la
meated by the circles Of science throughout
the United States and his native land, 1t IS
peculiarly so in Texas, and more especially
in Dallas, where his parents, brothers and
sisters. as most estimabe citizens, have re-
sided over a quarter of century.
Mr.. Boil WAS born in tho canton of Aar-
con, Switzerland, on the 29.h of May, 1923,
and died in camp on Rsd River in Wilbar-
ger county, Texas, on the 29gh Of Septem-
her, 1880, his disease bang Inflammation of
the bowels, brought on BY recent exposure.
As already published, his remains were
sought by his devoted brother, Henry, and
inferred by those of his father in Dallas, fol-
lowed to tho gra o by his relatives, the
mayor, council and city Officials, and ono
of the largest funeral procsssiors ever seen
in Dallas, on the 10Th of October.
His earlier education was acquired at the
college Of Bremgarten, Baden, and the
Gymnasium college Of Aarau, whore he
studied pharmacy for three years, followed
by two courses of lectures at the University
of Jena, in Saxony, He then married and
went into business as pharmaceutical ut
Bremgarten; but In all this time was de-
voice to the science of natural history and
geology. In this time he was prof ssor in
natural history in the college of Bremgar-
ten, being also a member of numerous scien
tillc societies in Switzerland and Germany.
For years. covering this period Il his lie,
he made annual and sometimes semi-annual
explorations OF tho Alps, in the cause
Of science, and won wide reputation by his
researches and published essays. He was
also appointed by tho gov rnment examiner
! of ply sicians and pharmsceutsts, and also
held the government seal in tho departments
OF zoology and natural history. lie also held
from the government the position Of captain
of n company of sharp shooters. He was an
active co-aborer with others in preparing
that great and scientific work, the geological
map of Switzerland.
After seventeen years thus spent, he closed
out all his private business, in order TO devote
his entire time to the cause Of science. II
was about this time that he received d.
plUma as honorary member and doctor of
the Leopold Orden.
In 1869 Professor Boil first came to the
United States and was atiectionately received
by his old friend, Agaseiz, at Harvard Uni
versity, Cambridge. lmpelled by the love OF
son and brother, he came to Dallas and
passed nearly year in Texas, in that time
making and taking with him
what is nowt known in Har-
ward rs the Texas collection Of minerals,
plants and insects, for which no received II
handsome sum.
On his return to Harvard he was ap-
pointed by Agassiz custodian of the zoologi-
cal department o.. that ancient seat of 10 m
ing, with permission to return to Switzerland
for brief period. Arrived in his native
land, his government demanded his SER
vices in the Investigation of
the phyloxera, the insect then
80 alarmingly destructive to the vineyards of
Europe. Under a deep sense of obligation,
he received permission to return TO Harvard
but was speedily recalled to Switzerland by
the illness of his wife, which continued for
two yeNrO, ard in 1878 ended in her death.
lilo was, all the while ongrossed in scientific
discoveries and contributed various papers to
the cause of science.
Aftor the death Of Mrs. Boil he again ven
turned TO Harvard to find his friend and pat
ron, Agassia, dead, and thcn resolved TO make
Texas tho field OF his future labor. He ar
rived here late in in 1878 or early in 1874
and ever since has been II citizen of Dallas
his son and two daughters came to him u
year or two later.
The labors of Professor Boil in Texas, bC
ing under employment from the United
States or scientific societies elsewhere, ar,
but slightly known to the general public
But the writer Of this humble tribute know!
that they have been incessant and enthusi
astic. Under the United States grasshoppel
commission, the whole area of Texas wa,
assigned to him by an appointment of which
any scientist would be proud. His researches
into the geology, mineralogy, botany ant
zoology of Texas have been interesting anC
rich in results. His collections have beer
bought in Philadelphia, Cambridge and Eu
rope, with q zest llatteriug to him and graft
flying to his friends. His roof covered at tht
time of his death and yet covers, collections
that have astonished every old citizen o
Texas, however enlightened, VIII,
has visited them, and among the visitors, hay,
been Cows. Coke, Hubbard, Roberts and ,
large number of our most prominent publi,
men, ali of whom formed of Mr.. Boil higt
opinion and iet proud to know that we hs(
such man in our state an est mate richl,
enhanced by his modesty, amounting to diff
hdence among strangers, and his unsophisti
Gated candor devotion TO duty, and his il
born love of his kinda model man in man,
OF the excelencies of character.
He died in harness, at the post of duty
died in the wilderness, in a "dugout," at
tended by a single countryman and such big
hearted COW boys as CHANGED, 10 passing, I,
ieara that d stricken stranger lay at death
door. Among them no died and by them h
was buried. The frontier wire bore tn
tidings to Dallas. His brother Henry, GU
old neghbor and friend, sought, found an,
brought his rem,ins here to rest beside tn
ashes OF their father, in Dallas. The peopl
bore testimony to his worth BY attending III
last rites. His aged mother his children, hi
brothers, sister and kindred have the symps
thy Of all who knew him.
The writer deems II sacred privilege |
add his individual testimony to the grea
worth of the deceased, with whom he had 70
years 50 often held sweet communication
whor. ne had learned so much--and of whor
he mad fcndly All icpated so much for tn
population, development and grandeur o
Texss n n
DALLAS, Oct. %, lss1.
MRS MOHL'S LETTER