Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-20
DEATH OF ROBERT, EDWARD EARLL
A Well-KnOwn Member of the Smith.
sOninn Corps.

sOninn Corps.
Mr.. Robert Edward EARL, who died We'd
nesday afternoon, at his residence near
Chevy Chase, was one of the Oldest and
most trusted members Of the staff of the
Smithsonian Institution with, which ts had
been connected in various capacities since
1877. He was born at Waukegan. Ill.
August "a, 1853: educated in the Waukegan
public schools, the University of Chicago
and at the Northwestern University. where
ne was graduated in 1877 with the degree of
D. 3. He entered the service Of the fish
7 commission under Prof Baird as a. fish cuI-
tur1st; In 1878 was transferred to the sci
entihc stan, and from 1879 to 1852 was en-
gagged In the fisheries division of the tenth
census. under the direction of DR.. Goode.
Ito; IRON 1850 to 1883 he was chief of the d.
vision OF statistics in the fish commission.
ne was sent, in 1888, to the international
nsherfes exhibition in London as a member
OF the stan OF the United States commits
as executive officer and deputy representa-
tive His aptitude for exposition work was
80 !uiiy demonstrated on this occasion that
ne ne mas Deen designated chief executive off,
Ger At al the expositions which have since
Deen held. for the exhibits of the Smith
sonlan institution and the National Mu-
scum seoi at louisville and New Orleans. in
1884 and 1885; Cincinnati in 1898: Chico %
1893. and Atlanta, in 1895. At the tinoe ~
ms death he had just completed the I'M
SOUTH Aroih the
since 1883 he had been connected with tho
Natonal Museum, with the grade of cura
tor' ana 1or three years had been editor Of
tne proceedings and Bulletins of the Mu-
scum. he was recognized by his associates
as a man OF fine administrative. ability.
Wnich, combined with great force of char
acter, nad brought him into the position Of
enc OF the most efficient exposition exnerts
IvihG. HIS unsel1sh devotion to his work.
and his absolute trustworthiness were an
preclated by all who knew him. and he was
exceedingly popular among his associates.
Notwithstanding his constant OCCUPATION
IN executive work, he produced and publish
ca considerable number of important pa
pers IN regard to the methods of the fisher
les and the habits of fishes. He was one of
tne best authorities upon the natural his
Tory OF the shad and herring and made
exhaustive studies of the fishery statistics
OF the Atlantic and gulf coasts and Of the
great lakes. Several new fishes were dis
covered by him, one of which, an important
t i Isl, species OF the southern coast, obtained
py MIN at Charleston in 1881 is called in
MS honor Earlls hake, phycis Earllii He
was also skillful fish culturist and had
Mucn experience in the early experimental
work In the propagation of the shad and in
tne establishment of the cod-hatching sta
tlon at Gloucester. ~
He was manoof the purest personal
CHARACTER and a ;ldeveut member of the
calvary Baptst church, He assisted in the
organization Of the adult department of
the sunday school, in,l1SS0, was its first
superintendent, and remained in charge Of
1t until in 1893, when his official duties
called him to ChioSgo. He was one of the
pastors closest friends and advisers.
ms loss Will beideeply felt by many in
washington, and by reason of his peculiar
abilities and his great experience his death
creates aa void which it will be practically
He was one Of the founders of the Dis
trict OF Columbia Society Of the Sons of the
American Revolution and committee,
consisting Of Hon. c. D. walcott, Mr.. H.
+: X Holt Mr. w. 40 DeCaindry, Mr.. F.
". Clarke, Mr.. ]. F. Ellis and Mr. Richard
Dana, DR.. W.. j., Hoffman, DR.. D. Web
ster Prentiss, has been appointed to attend
his funeral, which will be held at the Cal
vary Baptist Church on Sunday at 2
o'clock.
At meeting of the members of the staff
OF the smithsonian Institution and the
National Museum and fish commission.
nelo IN the Office of the assistant secretary
OF the Smithsonian Institution, at noon to-
day. appropriate resolutions offered by Mr..
r: w. True were adopted.
IL was decided also to attend the funeral.
Inc honorary pallbearers thus far select
ed are Dr.. G. Brown Goode. Mr. F. ".
True, Prof Otis r. Mason, Mr.. W. v. Cox.
Mr.. H. l. Geare, DR.. Frank Baker and DR..
H. N. Smith.