Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-16

arranged, and many had entirely dis
appeared. labels were missing, and the
work Of arrangement seemed disheart-
ening indeed But with Characters
tie energy the new curator began his
well-niSh Herculean task. and I'm the
course Of a few months something Of
order and system began 20 make It's
appearance But arrangements We're
hampered by lack OF room, and with
much OF the display little else than
mere piling together Of the specimens
was possible. II was at this time that
the museum was given a strong inn
petus By the accession Of Dr. Tai
IMAGES personal mineral and fossil coll
lectiOns. numbering between two and
three thousand specimens. From this
point the growth Of the institution has
been almost phenomenal
In 1892 Il became apparent that the
museum must be again moved 10 larger
quarters At about the same time the
question Of establishing a Church Uni
versity was also agitated, and IL was
finally decided that the Literary and
Scientific Association should construct
a building. the upper foor OF which
should be used as museum display
rooms while the lower foors would be
devoted 10 the work Of the Church Uni
versity This building was erected on
First North between First and Second
West streets, on the old EllerbeCk
property, and early IN 1898 the museum
was moved into these new quarters
Later this property, by the endowment
OF a University professorship by the
association, passed into the hands Of
the State University, though the mu-
scum has remained there until the pres
ent.
As stated before. the growth Of the
Museum since 1891 has been little short
OF marvellous. In 1912 Il had the good
fortune, under the direction and man
acement OF its curator (Who had by
this time been made also president Of
the institution, 10 secure possession Of
and develop a unique deposit Of gyp-
sum, var, seenite, from which were
obtained the largest mineral crystals
that have ever been reported. Indeed,
as testimonials OF their excellence.
medals and diplomas have been
awarded TO the museum and its presi-
dent Jointly, both al the Chicago
Worlds Fair. and at the Trans Missis-
sppi Congress. although IN neither case
did the president OF the museum make
any exhibition Of them, and. at the
request OF the government specimens
have been recently sent 10 be exhibited
at the Paris Exposition. Specimens OF
these crystals have not only been
eratuitously distributed 90 most Of the
leading museums and colleges Of Amer
lea and Europe, but by careful and
judiciOus management. the material
has been disposed Of 20 collectors and
Others so that Il has Melted the museum
several thousand dollars IN specimens.
Among the most important additions
since DR. Talmage assumed control
NAV be mentloned-O) some two thou
sand mineral specimens, obtained by
exchange and purchase, principally
from Ward. Foote. and the National
Museum. though many have been Sc
cured from educational institutions Of
the country GA magnificent collec-
ton of several hundred Utah birds
and mammals GA superb set OF
plaster casts Of extinct reptiles and
mammals as Wen as many rare and
Interesting fossils Ozone Of the most
complete collections OF Gin Dwellers'
remains 10 be found IN the United
states. The latter Is OF especial interest
20 visitors and includes some eleven
"mummlhed" or deslccated bodies Of
that ancient. mysterious race.
The Deseret Museum has been adj
mitted 10 the Museums Association
of the world. with headquarters In
Great Britain. and rs president has for
wears been "a member Of The governing |
council OF that distinguished orCaniza-
ton.
Thus IN a few years the museum has
crown from a few cases Of specimens. |
unknown beyond the confines Of our