The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-11
Hr. McMickIe, of OswegO, and
His Discovery.
Appeals to Government to Help
Him Out.
He WOULD PROVE 1T.
Says Mississippi Valley Is Cradle
of Human Race.
Smithsonian Institute Not En-
thusIastIc on the Subject.

congress receive many peculiar letters
month in and month out, some OF
which properly could be denominated
''cranlk'' letters. Occasionally, how
ever, one comes in which at first ap-
pears to be of the crank variety, but
which later and more careful study
shows to have some merit or feasible
tty.
One of the members Of the Kansas
delegation recently received a letter
from c. McAIiclzle of Oswego. Kansas.
It was a peculiar letter, on a somewhat
peculiar subject, but the Kansas mem
Der carefully read it through and de-
cided there was more or less of merit
in it, so intelligently was the subject
matter of the letter discussed.
The correspondent claimed that he
was actuated by an interest in science
and archaeology, and set forth his be-
lief that he could demonstrate to any
scientist, student. or bibliologist that
the valley Of the Mississippi river was
the birthplace Of the human race. The
moundbuilders were the antediluvians,
ne thought. Mr.. NcMickle desired an
appropriation made by congress for
some officer Of the Smithsonian institu-
ton to make excavations in the states
of Mississippi and Arkansas. Certain
ruins he mentioned in the state of Mis-
Efssippi as being in the right place for
the Bible city Of Enoch-
In true scientific style, Mr.. McMiclle
speaks of the position Of the planets
on November 8. 1856" the original
length of the year and day" again of
''the redistribution of the waters;
changes in sea level; why there are no
deposits Of coal in the Torrid zOnes
cause Of flood, ETC."
No selfish reason was assignee this
Kansan declared, his interest being
solely in the case Of science and
archaeology
received the letter promptly presented
1t to the Smithsonian institution for its
careful consideration. The Smithsonian
institution referred the matter to the
bureau Of ethnology for reply. The chief
OF that bureau states that explorations
IN the Mississippi region have by no
means been completed, and that there
IS still much to be learned in regard to
However he stated that the bureau of
ethnOlogy did not contemplate at this
time further work in the Mississippi
valley. and would hardly recommend
the use of Smithsonian funds for the
purpose OF making the researches sIlg-
gested by Mr.. McMickle. The ethno-
logical bureau states that Mr.. Nc
Aickle. while stating a good deal that
1T believes in, entertains still many
views totally at variance with the
scientific branches of the government
and the best informed archaeologists.
The Kansas member of congress
Miclxle. and asked him if he had other
suggestions or facts which he desired
to lay before the government, but so
far the Oswego scientist has not re-
piled.
It is probable that the battleship
Kansas will be ready for launching and
christening purposes some time the
latter part of this year, or early in the
spring Of 1906. This can be done before
the ship is actually completed. Then
up, being the selection of some young
woman from Kansas chosen by Gov
srnor Hoch- The question of the man
ner Of christening will also be up, and
payne viii be on. In this connection
It Is proper to remark that the navy
department has not been known to de-
viate from the tfTne-esta blished custom
OF the use of champagne.
Kansans are a bit peculiar when they
come to Washington. 1t was only a
few weeks since when W. Y. Morgan of
Hutchinson refused, though he was
here about a week, to go to the White
House and meet the president. This did
not arise from any feeling. against the
chief executive. Of course, but was due
solely to Mr.. Morgan's belief that the
interview was not necessary; that 1t
would be OF the briefest possible dura-
ton; that it was simply intruding him
self without cause; and that he had
seen the president, and heard him
speak, several times, anyway. And now
comes Earl ". Evans of Wichita, jun
Tor member of Governor Stanley's law
firm, who is doing Washington, aided
to a considerable extent by his fellow
townsman, Victor Murdoch To Mr..
Murdoch he cOnfided his belief, so it is
understood, that the beautiful library
Of congress, one of the most magnifi-
cent buildings in the world, was really
not as fine as it was said to be; and
that he had for years cherished the
pIeasantest and happiest Illusions in re-
gard to it, which he was not now going
to dispel by a visit to it. So, while Mr..
Evans viii see everything else of note
in and about the capital of the cOun-
try, he viii not set foot inside the
handsome seven million dollar struc-
ture, that is world renowned.
T. c. Magofin Of Lyons. Kan, who
was for some years q clerk in the bu-
reau of census, has recently been made
a special agent of that Office. and viii
go into the field to secure statistics on
manufactures.
Mr.. Murdoch was happy the other
day because one Of his old soldier
friends, through his interest, was allow
ed a fine rate of pension. The soldier
is Andrew F. Fflkins, and he lives at
Canton, in Mcpherson county. The rate
allowed is $72 per month.
David D. Leahy, secretary to Victor
Murdoch, burst excitedIy into Senator
and announced that an epoch in his
Washington career had been reached
IT was walking down the senate CORR
dor Just now" said Mr.. Leahy. land
all of a sudden the tall form of Senator
Fairbanks doomed up. I made a re-
spectful bow as reached him, and he
put forth his hand; shook me warmly;
and his face lighted up with a pleasant
smile. There is no doubt that he was
glad to see me, but there is some doubt
as to who he really thought I was But
Il was an epochi"