The state herald., 1900-02-16
CARRIERS LIFE WORK.
COLLECTED MOUNTAIN FAUNA.
Ancwn an the Log Cabin Naturalist, He
Devoted His Entire Time to His Chosen
Work-.Speclmens to BE Moved to Den-

0hoWn M the Log Cabin Naturalist, He
Devoted His Entire Time to nis Chosen
work.s Specimens to he Moved to Den
vcr.
The Denver correspondent of the Chi
cago Record sent to his paper the fol-
lowing very Interesting account of the
life and work of the late Professor Ed
win Carter:
Hunters and scientists In every part
OF the world will deplOre the death of
Professor Edwin Carter, "the log cabin
naturalist" whose collection OF Rocky
mountain fauna, at Breckenridge, in
this state, Is the only one eXtant.
Professor Carter devoted his life to
the collection and preservation of types
OF the animals and birds Of the Rocky
mountain regiOn-in fact, he sacrificed
his life to his work, as his death, which
occurred recently, was caused by ar
senical poisoning, due to the handling
of poisons In stufiing and mounting
his thousands of specimens.
In humble log cabin Mt the foot Of
n snow-capped mountain and COM
mandlng superb view OF the entire
valley Of the Blue river Is stored the
Carter collection, which has been WIS.,
tied by scientists from all parts Of the
world, and by many curious tourists,
and which has been pronounced the
finest private collection of fauna In ex-
istence. Thousands of dollars have
been offered for the rarest specimens
which were secured by the indefatiga-
Bile naturalist. but Professor Carter re-
fused to part with anything that he
could not duplicate, his object being
to found Rocky Mountain museum to
be located Mt Denver. Now his dream
Is to be realized after his death, rs
John +. Campion, one of the wealthiest
mlne-owners of Colorado, has taken up
the matter and has Interested other
capital, SO the Carter collection will
soon be removed from Breckenridge to
suitable building In Denver.
Professor Carter gave up wealth and
fame for the sake of science. He came
to Colorado in the Pixies Peak gold
rush, being one of the first-comers In
Russell gulch, the Klondike of the
West, in 1859. In 1860 he Joined Il
party bound for California gulch,
where Leadville now stands. He took
up n placer claim, which he finally
sold, and then prospected over the
state Of Colorado with varying success,
finally locating at Black Hawk, where
lie engaged as assistant to a furrier,
In order TO learn the rudiments Of taxi
dermy. His curiosity and interest We're
aroused by the pelts which he handled
and he determined to devote his life to
the gathering of all the specimens of
birds and animals Of the Rocky noun
tain regions. He went to Breckenridge
in 1868 and then settled down to the
accomplishment of theone object which
he had In view. He sold out his min
ing interests. which We're considerable,
and. in spite of the fact that he was
deemed one of the finest judges Of
placer ground in the state Of Colorado,
he refused TO locate and work valuable
claims. prefcrrlng to wander over the
mountain ranges. rifle In hand, study
ing the habits OF animals and birds
and bringing to his log cabin such
specimens rs he lacked. When his
cabin was filed with mounted speci-
mems and hundreds of carefully pre-
served pelts he built larger structure
and kept on with his work. Owing to
the fact that Colorado is the sports
mems paradise and thousands of hunt
ers come to the state annually In quest
OF big game. many animals have he
come entirely extinct In the last few
years. The birds of the state. too,
have been ruthlessly slaughtered and
the wisdom OF Professor Cartcr's early
Start In his work is now apparent, as
there are hundreds OF specimens In the
log cabin hat cannot be duplicated.
In order to secure enough money to
enable hime 10 pursue his life work.
Professor Carter sold many duplicate
specimens to naturallsts In all parts
Of the world and most OF the Rocky
mountain fauna In the great museums
OF this and other countries came from
his cabin and Were mounted by his
hand. He also purchased OF other
tnxidermists and collectors specimens
that his collection lacked. and In this
way he made his exhibit well nigh
perfect. He had n marvellous knowl-
edge Of the habits OF the birds and
animals OF the Rockies, and ms an in
stance OF the thoroughness which char
actcrized his work. his collection OF
ptarinigans includes one for most
every day OF the year. thus enabling
students OF natural history to note the
many changes which occur In the
birds plumage. His skin us "a taxi
dcrmist and his art In impnrting life
like poses TO stuffed animals cQualled
his gifts OF observation. and the
mounting of his specimens Is said TO
be unexcclled. Professors OF learned
societies In all parts Of the world
travelled TO visit the Carter museum.
In order to gain knowledge In the fast
/, disappearing fauna OF western Ameri-
en-. They were always treated with
distinguished courtesy by the modest.
retiring naturalist, who seemed almost
part OF the grand, inspiring wilder
ness which he made his haunt. No In
formation was withheld. aud copvcr-
sailon with Professor Carter on his
fnyorlic theme was regarded ms equal
10 course Ia text books OF nntunrl
history.
The museum Mt breckenridge pre-
sonts bcwlldering sight ny the visitor
enters. Stuffed buffalocs and grizzlies.
brought down with Carriers own rifle,
occLpy the center Of the room. while
around them ON every side nrc lifc-likc
mountain Hons. Eirnngccol0rcd birds,
nests full OF rare and beautiful eggs,
and piles OF valuable nnd skiilfuliy
tanned pclis. The loft IL full Of skins
nnd plumngc. aud there IL hardly u
foot of vacant space IN the building. 40
closely are the valuable specimens
packed. Professor Carter was unable
10 make mn estimate Of the number Of
specimens he Ind gathered. hut the To-
tnl win mount into the tens OF thou.
sands. lie was engaged In the work OF
classification when he died. ana this
work alone VIII require years of effort