The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-03-20
- o. s. Cos.

The news OF the sudden death OF Col
n ; GOss, state ornitholOgist, was re-
eeived every where in Kansas with pro-
found regret He was one OF the best
known men ia the state, having come
to the territory IN 1857. locating at Eeo-
sho Falls He was the first postmaster
of EeoshO Falls, which Office he held
from 1857 until the breaking out of the
war He was born in Lancaster, y, H,
June s, 1926, the youngest OF four chill
dren-tvvO sisters and a brother His
parents were of old Puritan stock.
While n. 5. Goss was yet in mis- teens
his father lost his property and re-
moved to PewaulSee, Wis. Thus, in "a
new country, and without ample means
for n collegiate education, Mr. GOSs be-
gan his life's work, with only a com
mon district school and academy TO as
sist him in his pursuit of the natural
sciences From childhood he had a
deep love and admiration for birds and
made them a study He worked through
the day and studied during the even
ingS; and at idle times during the dav
even, whenever there was a lull for q
few minutes, he was at his books.
He entered business for himself, and
at the age of 2S, married Miss Emma Z.
Brown, of PewaulSee, Wis. He moved
TO Waverly, Ia, with a view of entering
into the banking business. While look
ing about him and making arrange
ments for the location of his business
his young wife was taken from him
Death had robbed him of his bride OF
only two years. Overcome by the loss
of his beloved companion, the place no
longer seemed like home to him, and in
the spring of 1887, in a buggy, accom-
panied by friend, he sought home in
Kansas, not knowing or caring where it
might be. After following the Neosho
river for some distance they selected
the spot where NeoshO Falls now stands
rs their new home. Only two or three
families were along the river for miles.
A town was laid off and Col. Goss be-
came its first postmaster. In 1855 a
grist mill was esta blished and Col. GOss
sold flour and meal to the Indians, re-
ceiving in return for the same Indian
ponies, buffalo robes and some money
He was elected and commissioned
major in 1860, and lieutenant colonel in
1868 of the Sixteenth Kansas militia
cavalry; was in active service during
the fourteen days call" and the Price
raid; and, being familiar with the In
dian territory, acted on several Oc-
casions as a scout for United States
soldiers stationed at Humbol
He was appointed register of the
land Office at Hum boldt in 1867 and in
1869 resigned to become land attorney
for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas rail-
way, with headquarters at NeOsho
Falls. It was through his eSertions
that the road built through the NeOshO
valley, and at a meeting OF the stock
holders of the road held at EmPOria
May 10, 1866, Col. GOss was elected
president. He was also land attorney
for the Santa Fe at one time.
Esta blished at 1.-The Falls" once more
he found ample time for his favOrite
study, and his collection of birds began
to grow rapidly and attract attention
throughout the state and abroad. He
had made himself comfortable in this
worlds goods, and in 1881 donated his
collection to the state without any re-
enumeration, but upon the condition
that it be known as the 'tGOss ornithO-
logical collection" and that he be the
custodian during his lifetime. This Of
fer was accepted and a room was set
apart for it in the capitol building by
the legislature and also one for his own
use. In the fall of 1881 he took up his
residence in Topeka.
He has made frequent trips to various
localities in North and Central America,
along the coasts and among the islands
of the Gulf of California, among the
everglades of Florida, along the north.
west coast and the coast of Labrador,
among the Rockies, the Sierra Nevadas,
the great lakes and the rivers, search
ing almost every part of the continent
for birds and giving to the state by his
labOTs a collection of North American
birds which rivals or exceeds any pri-
vate collection in the union
In 1888 he compiled and published a
catalogue of the birds of Kansas, a
neatly printed pamphlet of thirty-four
pages. based upon observations in the
field and knowledge gathered during a
residence of over twenty-six years in
Kansas The catalogue embraced forty
nine families and $50 species and sub
species In 1886 he revised the cata-
lOgue, increasing the species to 335.
In October, 1858, he was elected a
member of the American OrnithOIogicaI
union, organization established IN
New York with a membership of fifty,
and composed of the distinguished orni-
biologists OF this country This com
Pliment was unsOught and was even
without his knowledge.
The value of his collection has been
estimated at s1OO. eco by competent
judges.