The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-30
Henry s. Pritchett Appointed super
intendent of the United States
Coast and Geodetic Survey.
DAY OF THANKSGIVING FIXED
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT
NAMING THURSDAY, NOV. 25.
Talk with Col. Morrison Regarding
Interstate-COmmerce Commission
and Cases Before the Court.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 2s.-The President

WASHINGTON. Oct. 29-The President
to-day made the following appointments:
James LongStreet of Georgia, commits
sioner of railroads., vice Wade Hampton,
Henry S. pritchett, of Missouri. superin-
tendent of the coast and geodetic survey,
Miffiin w. Gibbs. of Arkansas, consul of
car.
James e. Stillman, collector of customs
for the district of Pensacola Fla; Isaac
n. Moffatt, collector OF internal revenue
for the First district of New Jersey; Zoeth
Houser. marshal of the United States for
bert S. Kenny United States navy, to be
pay director, with relative rank of captain;
Assistant Surgeon Charles f.. Riggs, United
States navy, to be passed assistant surgeon,
with relative rank of lieutenant, junior
grade; Owen Summers, of Portland, APP
praiser of merchandise in the district of
Willamette, Oregon; Richard L. Scarlet,
surveyor general of Florida.
Prof. Henry S Pritchett the new SUPER
intendent of the coast and geodetic survey,
is widely known in scientific circles and in
st. Louis, where he has resided for a num-
Der of years. He is esteemed for his social
qualities, well for his literary attain
ments. For a number Of years past he has
been connected with the Washington Uni
versity. Professor Pritchett was born at
Fayette, Mo-. in the year 1856 His father
was Rev. C. w. Pritchett, a well-known
minister of that place. The boy was edu-
Gated at Pritchett College, in Glasgow Mo,
and early in life evinced a great liking for
scientific and mathematical subjects The
study of astronomy was particularly hob
by with him, and in this direction he soon
outstr1pped his instructors
After quitting college Prof. Pritchett
went to Washington, u. c. and became a
s storss az lhe onliea states Naval Observ
Prof Asaph Hall, the man who discovered
the moons of Mars. In the year 1876 Prof.
Prltchett was made computer at the OBJ
servatory and two years later was APP
pointed assistant to Professor Hall. In the
same year Professor Pritchett was sent to
COLORADO by the government to observe
total eclipse of the sun. His official re-
port of that event stamped him as an as
tronomer OF more than ordinary ability,
and his reputation as a scientific man grew.
His next official appointment was that of
chief astronomer of Morrison College. Glas-
gov, MO-, which was made in 1880. That
position Professor Pritchett held but one
year, resigning it to accept the offer made
him by the Washington University of this
city. TO become the institutions assistant
professor of mathematics and astronomy
me following year in 1882, the professor
national government to New Zealand to
observe the transit OF Venus. The next
year he conducted pendulum observations
LOT the goVernment FOR determining the
hgure of the earth in New Zealand Aus
tralia. China and Japan. His reports OF
theSe observations are file in Washing
ton, and are much consulted by scientists
They are written in an entertaining as well
as instructive manner, which makes them
interesting reading to one not conversant
with technical terms
In 1884 Professor Pritchett returned to St
LOUIS and was appointed professor of
mathematics and astronomy in Washing
ton University which position he still holds
On Jan. l. 1889, there was total solar
eclipse. visible on the Pacific coast. and
Professor Pritchett conducted an expedi-
ton from the university to California to
observe 1t. Quite a number of local sci
entists made the trip. During the years
1882 and 1898 Professor Pritchett was presi-
dent of the Academy of Science of St
Louis, and in 1895 the degree Of doctor of
philosophy, summa cum laude, was con-
ferred upon him by the University of Mu-
Mich. ProfeSsorA Pritchett is also of lit
erary turn of mind and has frequently con-
trfbuted articles to the Astronomische
Nachrichten and the Astronomical Journal
General Longstreet, appointed commits
sioner of railroads, is the famous Confed-
crate general who has been prominent in
the South since the war as one of the lead
ing Republicans. He was a devoted friend
or President Grant. and has before held
office under Republican administrations
General Longstreet was recently married
to young lady of Georgia.
Judge Gibbs, who has been selected as
consul at Tamatave, is one of the promi-
nent colored men of the South