The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN
 NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
pr. Phillips Now In St. Louis concIud- ing Deal for Shipment of the Won derfuI Exhibit at Worlds
 Falr to Birmingham.

Washington.
 George Griffin, owner of the Empire laundry, has made this valuable museum possible by the presentation to the Bir- mingham High school of the hnadsomest collection of stuffed American wild birds and animals placed on exhibit at the St. Louis Worlds Fair. The collection will be presented to the pupils of the Birmingham public schools by MT. Grif- fin as a memorial to his little daughter, Mary Griffin, who died last year at the Hayne school
 For this valuable aid to scientific study MT. Griffin paid in the neighborhood of s10O0. Experts at St. Louis say that the collection is worth not less than $S0O0 but as the owner an old taxidermist, was forced to sell for lack of funds to con- tinue his work. 1t was purchased through the good offices of Judge N. B. Feagin at great bargain.
 pr. Phillips In St. Louis.
 pr. J. H. Phillips. superintendent of the public schools, Is now in St. Louis making final negotiations for the pur- tional purchase of many other valuable collections, which will cost about 5000 over and above the price paid by MT. Griffin.
 In a conversation over the long dis tance telephone yesterday Dr. Phillips said that he had already given check for a part payment, so as to hold the collections, and that he would start home in few days. 9g W l A. o. Lane, president of the board of education. was in St. Louis with Dr. Phillips. In making a tour of the grounds in search of specimens for the high school museum they were presented with several valuable small collections Mir. McGee. who has been in charge of the department of anthropology, present. ed the high school with a series of studies showing the progress of man from cave-dweller to the present state of civilization. Other exhibitors have given smaller collections and 1t now | seems certain that the new Birmingham high school building will be adorned with | Al Room Provided for Museum. | A part of the high school building has been set apart for the museum and from present indications 1t will be almost filled by the time the building Is tl-rown open to the pubic
 When questioned concerning his magni- flcent gift to the public school system yesterday, MT. Griffin was very reticent concerning it. "I hope it will be of scien- tific benefit to the students" said Mir Griffin, "and if my gift will stimulate others to add to the collection I win be pleased"
 It has been suggested by Judge Feagln. and the idea will probably oe adopted. that over the Mary Griffin collection be placed an oil portrait of the little daugh- ter of MT. Griffin and that oh portraits of Audubon and Wilson. Americas two greatest ornithologists be placed on eith- CT side of It.
 It has also been suggested that the fol- lowing appear beneath the portrait of lit- tie Mary Griffin: These, Audubon and Wilson. Americas greatest ornithologists, fao fria Io 4y,, wlldwoods and the waters, I present to the students of the Birmingham public schools
 Judge FeagIn Started In. l To Judge Feagin is largely due the | credit of securing this valuable museum | and to MT. Griffin Is due the credit l of beginning the actual establishment of | a great scientific museum in Birming- l ham.
 | While visiting the fair at St. Louis Judge Feagin discovered the wonderful bird exhibit in the forestry building and so impressed was he that he began mak- ing inquiries as to the purchase price. He discovered that the taxidermist who had assembled the stuffed birds in such large collection, was forced to sell at sacrifice. The collection Is believed to
 be worth not less than 5000 and the Bir- mingham judge secured 1t at a price os a little over 5000. Without losing A mo- ment's time Judge Feagin hurried back home to raise the money with which to make the purchase. Two or three public | spirited citizens, took the matter under advisement and A. o. Lane president of the board of education and Dr. Phillips hurried back to St. Louis to conclude the trade. The deal was concluded yesterday for the collection.
 Contains Over 600 Specimens. The Griffin collection contains 22 cases of birds and small wild animals and there are few over 600 hundred specimens, including practically every bird known to science in America. In addition to this there are several smaller collections which can be bought at a great bargain and Dr. I Phillips will remain In St. Louis to con- clude a deal for these as soon as the l purchase money can be raised. 1 It is necessary that 5000 more be rais- ed to secure these additional collections