Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-06

S%N tiEssl anthropoll gical speci-
&AN ES{-I mems in the Smithsonian
WIN ~ institution bear her
name. Emma Dean
MRS POWELL and Mai. John Wesley
Powell were married in Detroit, Mich. in 1861.
Mr.. Powell was professor of geology in Bloom
ington university, Illinois, when the war was
precipitated. and he. like many others, for
sock academic halls with its congenial pursuits
for the more stirring scenes of the battlefield.
Their wedding journey was to the seat OF war
in the southwest.
Not very delightful situation this. for a
''honey-moon"-but Mrs. Powell had heroic
blood in her veins, and she followed the army
without hesitation, bearing the inevitable in
conveniences and privations Of camp life with
womanly fortitude. Major Powell was on Gen.
McPherson's staff, and within a month after
his marriage he lost his right arm at the battle
of Pittsburg landing or Shiloh. His young wife
was on the field, at headquarters when he
was wounded, and she then and there enlisted
petual pass" to follow the army and thus ena-
BILE her to act as his right arm, otherwise he
would have had to leave the service.
Mrs. Powell is an interesting conversational
list, and gives graphic descriptions of life and
scenes in the moving armies of the west.
She lived hard; her home often a Sibley tent;
her furniture of the rudest; her table service
of tin, but her cheerful acceptance of the con-
ditions proved her soldiership good and she
deserves a brevet of at least ornamental aid
for having kept most serviceabie man at the
front when, If she had been less heroic, they
would have made the circumstances an excuse
for returning to the pursuits of private life.
But after many ''movings on" the war being
over they returned to Bloomington University,
and Mrs. Powell for an interval enjoyed domes-
tic life at home.
Major Powell soon afterward undertook a
geological survey in Arizona, at the instance
Of his college, but which proved to be of so
much public interest that out of it grew the
government survey. That expedition did
Its work before the main Pacific railroad
was built, and Mrs. Powell spent eight happy
summers with the party, enlivening the mo-
notony OF the life as only a woman's presence
can. For six months at one time she never
saw q white woman, and she could ride
all day on horseback like a veteran
Her dress on such occasions consisted
OF plain waterproof cloth reach
ing to the top of stout boots, and an English
felt hat with blue or green veil, which COM
pleted costume adapted to rough service.
They dwelt in tents or under shelving rocks
and the mess-kettle held sayory ''stews'' that
were eaten with appetites not too refined for
even squash sauce on one occasion, without
anything but salt to season it, Ii took the
party some six weeks to pass over ground that
the screeching trains now fly over on the wings
Of steam in three days.
CROSSING PIXIES PEAK.
Mrs Powell is the first woman known to have
crossed Pixies Peak. They spent one winter in
the White river valley of Colorado. The men
of the party built a log cabin commodious
enough to accommodate them all. The stone
chimney was put outside, and. as they were all
hunters, they soon had the floor covered with
the skins of wild animals, which, with
such rude furniture as they could
devise, made their habitation very comfortable
They had a library which consisted of three
volumes, which, limited as it was, they were
never tired of or able to exhaust. The Bible.
Shakespeare and Nicholas Nickleby. There
Mrs. Powell became interested in and pursued
the study Of ornithology. Many of the inter-
esting specimens contributed to the Smith
sonian collection Mrs. Powell prepared, or as
sisted others In preparing. When the branches
OF the government survey were consolidated
and Major Powell was placed at the head of il.
they settled in Washington.
Major Powell purchased a house on NJ street
between 9Th and 10th, where they have resided
Tor seventeen years, and most charming home
has grown up about them. Here, after they
and daughter was born.
This home though elegantly furnished does
not owe ITS charm to the upholsterer. Its par
lors contain mementoes Of their travels. Paint
grandeur and the richness Of coloring of the
scenery they explored. In the rear
Of the saloon parlor is a little apart
ment known as the Majors Cosey."
The upper half sashes of the south-windows
each has a photograph transparency of Colo
RADIO scenery. Here are many precious me-
mentos of friends and several gems by cele-
brated artists, both in oil and water color
Here Is the Majors private desk and the easy
thrown over it.
Mrs. Powell is in person Of medium height
neither a bruno nor a blonde, but with the
cheerful yivacity that characterizes the one
combined with the repose and power Of the
other type OF womanhood Her face is pleasant
and winning In expression, while tenderness
characterizes the lines of the mouth and her
conversational ease renders her a charming
hostess. Her receptions or lat homes" are al
ways something more than mere conventional
ties. There Is always music, elocution, an
essay, or something to minister to the cult
waited taste.
She has sole control Of the domestic manage.
men. Of her home, buying supplies and direct
Ing Its weii-appointed service, but still finding
time to be a most Jealous member Of the Gar
neld hospital board of managers.
The woNES's METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY,"
The Women's anthrOpological society is an
unique organization that embraces in its men,
bership some Of the most cultured women of
this city. little over four years ago a lady
Of decidedly scientific turn Of mind said to
another with bias that way: Let US organ
ne an anthropological society. To this
her friend assented, although they were
assured by the first speakers hus-
band and other scientists not opposed in
any way TO the idea, that such project was
ladies could be found deeply enough inter-
ested in science TO form the nucleus" Il
seerned. however. that the scientists were mis-
taken. for twenty-one women were found ready
and willing to organize.
Mrs. Tilly Stevenson Is credited with the or
igination and organization Of the women's
snthropolo8ical society. The object Of the
organization was Ito open to women new fields
Tor systematic investigation, TO invite their CO.
operation In the development of the science Of
snthropology. Mrs. Stevenson served as pre-
siding officer for three years and since her re-
t,rement Mrs. Sybil Augusta Carter wife Of
the Hawaiian minister, has filed the presiden-
eal chair. Mrs. Stevenson travelled extern
sively with her late husband, and shared in his
work with an intelligent and enthusiastic SYM
patty. Many Of the most interesting speci-
mems Of native pottery in the National museum
bear her name as collector.
MIS- Sybil Augusta Carter, the president of
The society, has contributed much to the in
eerest OF the meetings with her papers on the
"Hagaiian's domestic hfe." xrs Carter il
woman Of motherly presence, dark eyes and
hair. She presides with much dignity and il
- much at home in the Chair as in her
drawing-room- She recently sailed for Hawaii
There are two vice-presidents-Mrs Mary
Parke Foster, wife Of the ex-minister to Spain,
and Miss Alice G. Fletcher. The corresponding