The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-28
lkTE PROF. PETERS.
dents Interesting Reminis-
csncss Of tho Famous Astrono-
NOR Of Hamilton College.
Something About Man OF Great
Learning and Wonderful
Mental Resources.
eoilections Of His Pecu1iarities n
rofsssor-His Interesting Career
( 4 Tireless Worker.

scoilections Of His Pecu1iarities n
Profsssor-His Interesting Career
4 Tireless Worker.
The Nov York Sun has the following in
terestinR article concerning the late DR..
Peters, of Litchfield Observatory. Hamilton
college:
Prof. Christian Henry Frederick Peters,
vho died Of apoplexy in the Litchfield OBJ
oervatory at Clinton last Saturday morning.
49, probably the most curious figure in
american college life. He was a typical
German professor Of vast learning, appall-
Ing industry and complete devotion to
science. He was generally acknowledged
~ the alumni q Hamilton college, where
ho taught astronomy. to know more physics
than the professor of physics, more Latin
than the professor of Latin and more
Greek than the professor of Greek. He was
thoroughly acquainted with seven or eight
modern languages, from the roots up Pol
itics and political economy were more
familiar to him than they are to nine tenths
Of the leading professional men in the great
centers Of civilization. In his department.
astronomy, his fame was second to that of
served the iron routine of his daily life
could not understand how he found time to
learn and keep ready for use such great
mines of information. The students OF
Hamilton college, however, knew the Sc
cret.
Every morning he rose in time for s
o'clock breakfast at the house of Prof. Oren
Root, his best living friend and the son of
his best dead friend, just opposite the col
!ege campus Immediately after breakfast
" fHun vrrf,r llt,
tail Pocket OF his roomy frock coat and
plodded off tc the observatory. There be
worked witsnut internission, save when
eating tbs two rolls, till dinner at 6 o'c,o,k.
il the night was clear, tho cold might never
BE- 20 intense or the heat never SO oppres-
aive, he hurried back to the observatory
with his after-dinner cigar in his mouth
and worked till daylight. A few hours
sleep and the routine was repeated.
Like a true German professor, Prof
Peters did not feel very intense interest
In teaching the young men of Hamilton
college all he knew about astronomy in
thirteen weeks. He appeared in the class
room with clock-work regularity during the
term the astronomy class met, went through
the lesson conscientiously, held an exami-
nation at the end of the term, and that was
Ill. II young man recited well, all right.
i he recited poorly. all right, too. Prof
sire to learn, he had no desire to make
him learn, for the young man was the only
one concerned, and, therefore, the only one.
TO choose This rather fatalistic philosophy
plan, however. Callow upper class r1nen,
who wished to get free join South Col
leRe poker game, often engaged friends to
answer their names at roll call, and to re-
cite for them. il necessary, in the astrono-
my class: Prof. Peters was too near sight
ed TO remark any incongruities of appear-
ances which might result from sucl
-1EftmRnmfnts. Not inffequently one or two
men would leap out Of the window of the
classroom while Prof. Peters was at the
tion was attracted by the shutting Off of
light or the clicking Of heel ON the win
dow sill, he remarked indifferently: Der
chentleman might choost as veil go oudt
der door,
He was tremendously polite and kind, II
D student touched his hat Prof. Peters
raised his hat. II student raised his hal
and made a deep bow, Prof. Peters raised
his hat and made deeper bow. He re
turned every courtesy swofoid. ,;t ne wa was
but could hate with phenomenal bitterness.
He was very outspoken concerning his dis
likes Few men were less to his liking
than tho Rev. DIR. Henry Darling, presidenl
the presidency about seven years ago K
raise 100000 Presbyterian endowment
fund for the institution. He has never
raised the fund. although no has announced
N0rAUnl4lly G0AL ne was JUST OH Gu0 pOluI o.
doing 90. Prof. Peters had no patience
with this sort of thing, and not long ago
when the president made his ia
i miIliar announcement once more in facult,
II meeting, he commented audibly: "De1c
must be liar somevere aboudt In dis
room.''
There have boon probably few men o.
greater Rallantry toward women than Prof.
Peters. His mouth was full of old fashion
Cd compliments of the most hattering kind,
and only glance from pair of woman ;
eyes was needed to open it. To him al.
women were beautiful and admirable.
least he acted apparently on this belief.
Prof. Peters was of unique personal ar-
pcaranOe. He was of medium height ans
had biz well-formed head. His walk was
half slide and half trot. . combination pro
1 duced By ! Runshot wound received IN thu
u Europesn revolution of 1848-49. His body
II heut forward from the waist up, and he al
ssAWays carried his hands crossed on his back,
He wore iron-gray trousers, bagged at the
u knee. and 4 coat with tails that swung III
time with the peculiar motions of his gait
His hair wa thin and his eyes bulged slight
" His curious ways aud person. as well as
his natural courtesy and kindness, renderel
him exceedingly popular with the student
Who called him s1Twinkle." gave him tw,
boxes Of three-for-a-quarter cigars at tht
I close Of the astronomy term, and bowed
nood-bye to him on the commencement
/ STAGE with q curious mixture OF respect
]. amusement and affection.
The Doctors are Visiting Butte City.