Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-11
TRIBUTES TO PROF. MASON
FRIENDS HONOR MEMORY OF
DEAD CURATOR.
His Worth as Scientist and Friend
Praised-Anthropological
Society Meeting.

series of impromptu speeches by
those who were his scientific associates
and bosom friends characterized the me-
mortal meeting for the late Prof. Otis
Tuition Mason. held at the Anthropo-
logical Society last night in the assembly
hall of the Cosmos Club.
A committee of three was appointed
by the president of the society to draft
suitable resolutions upon the death of
Prof. Mason and to report at the next
meeting. The members of this committee,
DR.. D. S. Lamb. DR.. Ales Hrdlicka and
George r. Stetson. were intimate asso-
ciates OF the deceased anthropOlogist.
The meeting was opened by the read
ing of Prof. Masons autobiography, writ
ten several months ago and found
November 5. last The autobiography
told. in Prof. Mason's concise and terse
style. the principal incidents of his life,
his scientific works and his curatorship
at the Smithsonian Institution. greater
part of the paper was devoted to the
latter. and indicated even in his de-
bilitated condition at the time 1t was
written. his deep love for his chosen
work in life and his affection for the ma
tional institution which he presided over.
Following the autobiography various
scientists who were associated with Prof.
Mason and those who had come in init
mate contact with him were called upon
by the chairman to pay tribute to his
memory.
Prof. Theodore Gill. who was closely
affiliated with Prof Mason in many of
his scientific researches, spoke of Prof.
Mason's aversion to the evolution theory
of the development of mankind.
He was always open to argument
said Prof. Gill. land was ever ready to
absorb and study the various phases of
ho 1.rffn fhnU
and in some respects l believe he was
deeply and seriously impressed, but for
some reason or other, possibly from reli-
gious convictions, l don't think he was
ever thoroughly convinced.
I'VE used to have many discussions
upon the subject, but never in any of
them did he give me an inkling of final
deductions. 1 have often thought since
his death. what his beliefs really were
In the matter"
acting curator of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition. pending. final selection for the
vacancy. and in whose anthropolog1cal
researches Prof. Mason always took
deep interest, spoke very feelingly of his
late chief DR.. Hrdlicka gave a brief
resume of Prof. Mason's first illness, from
which he never entirely recovered.
He was a most lovable man." said the
speaker, ''and to me was more than a
friend. His personality was most at
lTdCtlVe anu his QlSpOSltlUH always VI Tie
most buoyant in spite of distress conse-
quent to serious and prolonged illness
and death in his family. With his tender
and affectionate disposition the griefs at
MS home such as have described, could
hardly have been endured by any other
men. Toward the last. though, in his
weakened condition I am inclined to be-
lieve this had a great influence in his
fatal illness.
TT has been and will be very hard for
us, his associates, the realization of his
death. for no one will be able, l fear, to
fill the vacancy, both as a scientist and
a friend. to those who labored with him.
To those of us who knew him and loved
him the peace of his death is satisfac-
ton. Rather than departing this earthly
life he seemed to sleep peacefully away.
never to awake again among u.s.
Others who spoke of their personal as
ISOLATION with Prof. Mason were DR.. F..
w. True Of the National Museum and DR.
D. S. Lamb of the Medical Museum. In
addition several members of the society
told of a number of anecdotes in the
life Of the dead scientist.
During the meeting it developed that
Prof Mason was one of the prime
movers in the organization of the Anthro-
biological Society," and 1t was his sug-
gestion that the name it now bears was
adopted. The organization of the So
ciety was effected by Prof Mason and
several other students Of historical re-
search during the early winter of 1879.