University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1913-11-10


Jesus. l like Spencer and Milton.
Shakespeare is too fiighty. he news
papers give me hints for my mechani-
cal work. Every item that concerns
mechanics l cut out and file. Then
when wish to make something | go
10 my files, spread them out on the
bed ana study them. With several
ideas in mind, am able to concentrate
ON the best one. | always try to
keep out of print myself. You know
you can write story and think it is
the best thing ever penned. only to
pick it up a week later and decide that
it is worthless. Whenever | write, |
keep my name out OF the article.
Il have invented many small i'm
provements about Columbia. Some of
these are illustrated in the textbook
for cement published by The Atlas
Portland Cement Company of New
York. In 1909 an automobile stopped
down in the read and two men climbed
the hill, They wanted my ideas. l
built the first concrete silo in the
country. Whenever people have work
that requires brains they send for E.
Z. Tyler.
The Hermit'S Workshop.
Tyler pushed open the door that
opened into the workshop. Every
where there We're tools.
You see" he said, I was graduated
in mechanical engineering at Emporia
and later at the University of Nebras-
ka. These tools have been the coIlec-
ion of lifetime
On the walls were shelves contain
ing cigar boxes in which were screws,
nails, tacks. staples, rivets and hooks
In each box was driven a sample of
what the box contained On the work
bench We're tack hammers and boiler
makers hammers, saws of every de-
scription, anvils, yisec and wrenches.
Tyler was d steam filter. boilerma-
ker and a plumber. He was proud OF
his workshop.
Il have collection of parasites
from almost every animal" he said,
pointing TO rows OF bottles. | have
them from insects and from human
beings In my files have a collection
of several hundred articles on diseases
that are destructive to man"
Tyler is also trapper. He often
goes into the woods back of his home
and traps small animals. Whenever
a chicken coop at a Geighbor's house
j. raided, Tyler is called with his traps:
Says lie Isn't Lonesome.
Tie has no pets about the house.
Years ago when he first bought the
fourteen acres OF land and built his
house he secured a cat from a neigh
bor The two became real friends.
There came day two years later
when the cat died and since then Tyler
has been the sole occupant OF the
slouse. lie keeps thc mice and rats
out of his home by the use of several
mouse traps which he keeps under
his bed and about his workshop.
He doesn't even smoke.
Il never get lonesome" he said.
When get tired OF the house | take
: a long stroll into the woods. There
l can sit and read and think. l always
enjoy life"
In his little hut away from the tur-
moil Of the world, the hermit" of CO.
is content with only his books. But
he always grcets the visitor with a
cheer. humble and unkept though his
home may be.
With his parting word he enjoys
pointing to a big cement silo that
stands on a hill at nearby farm.
4 ask my friend. the philosopher, =
he will say. what the millionaire left
when he died. And he always says.
Why, he left it all That silo is a
friend of man. l would rather have
it for my monument than a monument
OF gold
We rent cars hy the trip or hour.