The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-09-13
|DR. MCGEE WAS
NOTED CEOLOCIST
Bequeathed His Body For Dis
section and Brain to Science.
| SELF EDUCATED SCIENTIST

Explored Tiburon Island In 1ee3-Was
Author of Many Important Works
Defined Love as a Real disorder Of
the Mind"
DIR. W ] MCGEE, geologist, anthro-
bologist, hydrologist, author, secretary
10 the inland waterways commission
nd expert in the agricultural depart
&nent. who died in Washington recent
y, was born on a farm in Dubuque
bounty, Ia, fifty-nine years ago. ....
DR.. MCGEE attended country schools
n Iowa for a short time, but his edu-
alton was chiefly acquired by private
tudy. which he commenced while ell
aged in farm work, when be was be-
ween ten and twenty years old. His
elf education and practical work had
made him one Of the foremost men in
eology and kindred sciences. While
ontinuing his country life he studied
latin. higher mathematics, astronomy,
hw and surveying, appeared as at
Drney in courts and worked at land
urveying in 1S7476. He invented
nd patented a number of agricultural
Instruments, working at forge and
ench from 1877 to 1881. He made a
tudy of geology and archaeology, and
rom 1877 to 1881 he made a geolog-
tal and typographical survey Of north
hstern Iowa. the most extensive ever
kecuted in America mp to that time
Fithout national or state aid, covering
900 square miles.
After examining and reporting upon
be building stones of Iowa for the
Fnth census Dr. McGee in 1868 became
biologist In the United States geolog-
bal survey and was engaged seven
ears in surveying and mapping 300,-
)0 square miles in the southeastern
ection Of the United States and com.
led geological maps of New York and
e United States. In 1898 he was ap-
Dinted ethnologist in charge of the
lreau of American ethnOlogy, during
hich he explored Tiburon island, gulf
California, where he made a study
d sd ' sEt Nllbt liCN Nl bClOlC lONOAN
He also investigated the Charles
n earthquake. In 1903 he resigned
ON the bureau to become chief Of
e department Of anthropology in the
e. buisiana Purchase exposition at St
buis.
Held Government Positions.
when the inland waterways commits
bn was created in 1907 DR.. McGee
hs appointed member by President
oosevelt, and at the same time he
as appointed soil expert in the de-
rtment of agriculture. He was later
hde secretary Of the commission and
Id that position to the time Of his
hath He was one of the most effec-
re advocates and promoters Of or
nized effort among scientific men.
was president of the American An
ropological association, vice presi-
mt Of the National Geographic soci-
), vice president of the Archaeology
Institute Of America, one Of the
itors Of the National Geographic
hgazine and member Of many other
cieties and one of the founders of the
biological Society Of America and the
lumbia Historical society. He was
author of many important works.
Dr.. MCGEE defined love as real dis
Ter of the mind. Nobody is proof
ainst an attack of it. To speak of
as a disarrangement Of the facul-
|s," he wrote, sis by no means to de-
~iha ~ In tnrnlc Gtrnncr - Tlr Mo
|e never had a given name other than
initials "W j. by which he signed
name and also insisted that he be
dressed by those initials without
riods after them. He was married
1888 to Anita Newcomb, a noted
ysician, daughter Of the late Pro
Bsor Simon Newcomb Of the Uni
rsity Of California.
DR.. MCGEE left will bequeathing his
dy and brain for anatomical and
entific study 10 DIR. Edward Anthony
itzka, the famous Philadelphia anat-
ist and neurologist
Disposition Of Body and Brain.
Arrangements for the disposition of
.Jbody and brain Of DR.. McGee in the
Nrest Of science were made during
last three months of his life
rough Colonel Henry @. Rizer, chief
rk Of the United States geological
vey, letters were exchanged for DR.,
Gee with DIR. Spitzka arranging for
bequest Of DR. McGee's body and
ain 10 the specialist, also for the be
est TO him Of the brain Of the late
]. w. Powell, former director OF
geological survey, which had been
DR.. McGee's custody since Dr. Pow.
S death. DIR. Powell was Americas
patest geologist at the time of his
lth.
he will made by DR.. McGee in June
elares:
pursuant p an intention fxed in early
nhood on learning that a certain state
vided by law that medical graduates
uld have had dissecting room expert
g and yet made no provision for requi-
subjects COnfOrmably with the shook.