The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-24
NO GLACIAL MAN.
Prof. w. III. Holmes Proves One Sci
eDtifc Theory 81 Myth.
Chicago Post.


Prof. w. II. Holmes, of the University
of Chicago, has met the masters of the an
thropolOgical world and has convinced
them they are wrong. The Chicago man
went to the convention of scientists at
Toronto and exploded the theory of the
masters that there was a glacial man in
America. The theory long accepted was
that there was a glacial man on the western
continent, and that he moved about at
about the same early hour in the world 5
history when the prehistoric man of Eu-
rope cutting palm trees with stone
ak and fighting the sabertCOth and taking
care of his hair-covered mate and his UNI
has been opening volumes of the rocks in
every corner of the continent the last TWEEN
ty-fiye years, and who long ago convinced
himself that the glacial man would nave
to go, went to Toronto and won the sclen-
lists of the world over to his belief.
The case is the more interesting because
DIR. Putnam, of Hazard, who had charge of
the anthropological department at the
worlds fair, was a strong adherent of the
belief in the glacial man. DR.. Abbott, one
of DR.. Putnam's most active heutenants,
shared the convictions of his chief, and
went down the Delaware valley, where he
thought he found evidences of the an
Holmes heard of it, and being wise man,
he did not deny what DR.. Abbott had
claimed. He too, went down the Delaware
valley with Professor ROllin D. Salisbury,
found what the Harvard man had found,
1t was good evidence, but it was not all.
1t might prove something, DuC II was not
conclusive. SO he went farther looked into
the older rocks, studied the ancient soils
and became convinced that his original
theory was right, and there was no glacial
man in America Then when DR. Abbott
got up at Toronto and told the assembled
scientists he had found evidences in the
Delaware Professor Holmes rose and
showed that he had found more. Sir John
Evans of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, was CONVINCED
the Chicago man was right, and the erudite
~nf q
concentrations on Professor Holmes be-
cause he had established a fact.
Prof. Holmes has full charge of the de-
partment of anthrOpology in the university,
and is one of the most enthusiastic special
lists in the West. He finished scientific
course in the McNeely Normal College in
1870. when twenty-four years old. He was
appointed to the chair of physical geogra-
ply and natural history. and in 1871 moved
to Washington, D. c., and became attached
to the Smithsonian Institution. year lat
er he went with the Hayden exploring eX-
petition, and in 1874 was transferred 70 the
geological corps and PLACED in control of
the San Juan country. He held this posi-
ton until the reorganization OF the survey
works on his own account.
In 1881 Professor Holmes was reelected
geologist under Director J. w. Powell and
was placed in charge of the aboriginal pot
terry at the national museum with the title
of honorary curator. The bureau of ethnol-
ogy passed into his care in 1889 ana IN Sep
tember 1892 he was elected professor of
archaeological geology in the University Of
Chicago. His books cover a wide range OF
subjects He is a recognized authority on
aboriginal art and the development OF the
races on this continent;
on the glacial man" subject on IN. which bic
nam, of Harvard, and the whole accepted
theories of the world. he has very carefully
fortified himself by diligent study in every
part of the country. His plan of following
Or. Abbott in the Delaware valley, was
quite like him. Learning that DR.. Abbott
had found indications that the glacial man
was co-existent with the prehistoric man OF
Europe Professor Holmes went to the same
geological library of facts and studied. He
was prepared to revise his conclusions if he
found them wrong. He found the evidence
which had convinced the Harvard man, but
he dug deeper and learned enough to con-
flute the Eastern scientists and confirm his
own previously formed theory. Then he
rose in the meeting and told DR.. Putnam
and DR. Abbott far more than they knew in
their own line. He is Woodworking, con-
scientious man, and the recognition he has
won at the convention of scientific men is
a deserved tribute to the diligence and sa-
gacity of a Western man. The University
Of Chicago are proud of Professor w. H
Holmes.