Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-09-29
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cludes some of the greatest scientists of the
United States, and, in its nonresident member
ship, some of the greatest scientists of the world
There are botanists, astronomers, ornitholo-
gsts and in fact, scientists of all kinds and de-
scriptions, to be found nightly in the great,
sweeping parlors of the clubs quarters There is
just as much hospitality and jollity In the club
as to be found in the rooms of any social
organization in the world-and learning besides
there also In order to be a member Of the Cos
club you must have something besides
money and social standing. 1t is probable that
there many members of other organizations
in Washington, who would be willing to throw
their memberships into the deep sea- if the act
would buy for them admittance into the club
of these scientists.
The headquarters of the Cosmos club are in
the old Dolly Madison" residence. 1t was there
that the widow of President Madison lived and
held social sway for years after the death of her
husband During the Civil war, for time, Admi
raj Wilkes lived in the Madison house. It was
Wilkes who took Mason and Slidell from the Brit
ish steamer Trent" and thereby nearly brought
on war between the United States and Great
Britain at time when such a war might have
insured ultimate victory to the Confederate arms.
The biological survey of the United States
government has lost the services Of DR.. c. Hart
Merriam, who for years the surveys chief,
and who in the early days worked so hard to
make theservice what he succeeded in making 1t,
one of the most useful departments of govern
IT,.
the Hartman Foundation for Geological Re-
search. Mrs Hartman the widow of r. H. Har-
Timan, the great inancier and railroad man, has
carried out the wishes of her husband, and has
SGT aside large sum Of money to be used for
purposes of geological study. Acting unqueston-
ably in line with her husbands wishes, Mrs. Har-
riman requested DR.. Merriam to take charge OF
the work
1t is probable that the former chief Of the bio
logical survey is the foremost authority in the
United States in matters pertaining to certain
lines OF natural history work. 1t was Dr. MerN
riam more than any other man, to whom Theo-
dore Roosevelt went for advice about the scope
of his expected work in Africa. The doctor and
the colonel have been friends since boyhood;
when in New York state both were pursuing bird
studies and exchanging letters on general sub
jects Of natural history.
These words about DR.. Merriam and the Har-
riman Geological Foundation lead to tell a
story about the late fnancier which perhaps
will throw some light side of his life con
corning which most people probably know little
one year ago last winter l went south from
Washington bound for Augusta, Ca, with a
friend. e. II HarTiman's private car was at
tached TO the train at one of the stations on the
way. 1t happened that my friend was close per
sonal acquaintance of Mr. Hartman and he was
invited to dine with the hnancier on his private
car, and was told to bring his friend with him,
provided the friend would like to come.
There were several men Of large affairs at
that little dinner party, one of the guests being
the president of one of the greatest railroad
systems in the world. The conversation, natl-
rally, was about big affairs of the financial world,
concerning which knew very little, and am
free to confess, cared much less, After hearing
a good deal about certain things concerning
which the discussion WAS more or less unintent
gib3e 20 me, yentured TO break into the oonveg>
sation and to tell Mr. Hartman that had such
of the journals of the Hartman Alaska nxpedt
ton" as already had besn published, and moro
over, that had read theua
For tie next two hours had aInpaS svtdenoe
that II a. Hartman cared for something besidee
rafroada Ten or tvelye pears beioao ~ bad