The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06
Professor Borden's Museum
A Remarkable Institution
Valuable Collection of Scientific Curios Rare Books
in an indie Village

fixed by any but experts. A group OF three
thousand crinoids is alone valued at $4,000
and many other OF the exhibits are OF al
most priceless value y small piece OF paper
bearing an imprint from the first telegraph
is highly priced by Professor Borden. The
imprint contains the name OF the professor
and was made and given 10 him by Profess
sor Morse in Washington city in 1874. while
the great inventor had his newly invented
instrument on exhibition at the Capitol.
one exhibit is labeled "Alabaster cup. Sou
venir du Rigi." In it are impressed these
words:
I bring to thee this memeato bright
Every country on the globe is represented
by some odd and interesting thing, and the
archaeological display is notable and
varied Many articles here collected are
from ancient Rome and Pompeii Interest
ing objects 10 citizens of this part OF the
state are shards from the site of old Fort
Fsnney, that was located in this city. An
entire list Of the thousands of old and
valuable objects would make entertaining
reading, while an opportunity to look upon
them is high privilege.
Believing that a liberal education is the
best preparation for the struggles OF life.
Professor Borden, seventeen years ago, es-
tabished a college in his town, from which
have gone forth hundreds Of well educated
young men and women. During this time
Professor Borden has virtually maintained
this college and placed IT in a prosperous
condition, with its efficiency fully de-
veloped
The greater part OF the life OF Professor
Borden was spent farmer. but from
early years he took great interest i'm geology
and began 10 study this science and 10 col
lect specimens. His vast knowledge and
wealth have made this pursuit a successful
one. Much of the wealth OF Professor Bor-
den was dug from the silver mines of Colo
RADIO. When engaged in this pursuit he
had. as one of his partners in the enter
prise, Marshall Field. OF Chicago.
Because OF what he believes ingratitude
on the part OF the citizens Of the place
which he has done so much 10 develop from
a struggling little village into a busy little
town, Professor Borden will probably move
his college and museum 10 some nearby
city, and already this city (Jeffersonville)
and New Albany are each trying 20 secure
them, with the advantage in favor OF the
last named. The trouble all arose over the
incorporation of the town. which Is known
as New Providence. although the post
office and railroad station are named Bor-
den. When preparations were made 10 In
corporate, a large tract of farm and knob
land belonging to Professor Borden was in
cluded in the town. The professor was
naturally opposed TO this and made losing
| fight against incorporation. Next came the
election of town officers and Professor Bor-
den was a candidate for trustee. Again no
\ met defeat at the hands Of the people whom
he believed his friends. and who owed so
much to his generosity and public spirit.
| This was more than he could stand. and he
! has about decided TO leave the place.
Professor Borden shows little signs OF his
| advanced age. and the photograph herewith
! produced was taken on his eightieth birth
day. The rugged life he lived when young
man well prepared him for the struggles OF
modern life, and he now has little OF the
| appearance of an old man.
| Simple in habits. kind and generous to
fault, strictly straightforward and scrupu-
lousy honest in his dealings with man. he
now beholds with sorrow the unapprecia-
tiveness of many TO whom he has ever been
| a friend, generous and kind.