The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-22

science, for at that time at the Uni
versity Of South Carolina under
Cooper ard Vanuxem and at Yale un-
der DR.. Silliman, were given the only
publicly known lectures on geology in
the United State.
At this time Dr. Robert Wilson
Gibbes, having just graduated from
the South Carolina college, was elect
ed assistant to DR.. Cooper and enter
ed upon his duties at once. Seven
years afterward, upon the forced re-
tirement of DR.. Cooper in 1884, DIR.
Gibbes was appointed to the chair of
chemistry. He declined a permanent
however, preferring to
devote his attention to medicine. DR..
Gibbes was preeminently a scientist
and, aside from his profession, found
time TO devote to the collection Of
valuable geological specimens and
made many contributions to scientific
thought.
1t is needless to say that the i'm
press of Cooper, VanuXem and Gibbes
gave wonderful impetus to science
here at the university. With Cooper
we have our first introduction to
modern chemistry, physics and
geology. So important a part was
now held by the sciences that it is
almost with fear that we turn to the
next reports of the board of trustees.
Their choice, however, falls upon
William II. Ellet Of New York.
DR.. Ellet entered upon his duties
as professor Of chemistry, mineralogy
and geology in 1885 and continued in
that position until 1S4S. A man of
thorough attainments and great abil-
ity as a lecturer he was able to i'm
press his subject upon his students
by his clear and complete exposition.
The courses themselves were said to
be as complete as were given by any
other institution in the country. His
skill in experimental demonstration
was unusual, and, according To La
Borde, he made probably the first gun
cotton in the United States, and GER
tainly fired on the campus the first
gun with cotton manufactured by
himself in his laboratory He gave
a method for its manufacture for
which the legislature complimented
him and presented him with a service
of silver. He first exhibited the cleo
trio telegraph to the people of the
state, and also was probably one of
the first in the United States to pro-
duce . photograph"
Upon the retirement of DR.. Ellet,
Richard L. Brumby of Sumter county.
q first honor graduate of the class
of 1924 Of this college, was elected to
succeed him. Pof. Brumby had been
a lawyer, planter. editor and finally
professor of chemistry at the Univer-
sity of Alabama subsequent to his
graduation. The reputation was made
while professor in Alabama brought
his election to succeed DR.. Ellet. Prof
Brumby still further enlarged the
scope Of scientific lectures (by intro
ducing additional work in geology.)
Too close confinement at his work
forced him to resign after serving
seven years with great success.
| have now to present but two other
names, which are not only insepara,
bly, connected with the old college,
but whose influence is yet largely felt
in the college atmosphere. | refer TO
John and Joseph LeCOnte. At the
suggestion of Prof. Brulnby, his de-
partment had been divided into two
chairs, and 10 John LeConte was git-
en- the chair OF natural and mechani-
cal philosophy, while Joseph LeConte
was elected to the chair of chemistry.
The brothers, John and Joseph Le-
Conte, throughout their long and use
ful lives, were so intimately connect
ed that in this sketch they may be
taken together. Born in Liberty
county, Georgia, their childhood was
spent in scientific atmosphere for
their father, Louis LeContc, was q dis
tinguished naturalist and a graduate
Of Columbia university. Upon reach
ing manhood, both having graduated
with high class honors from the Uni
Verslty Of Georgia. they entered upon
the only profession then open to men
of scientific inclination ana studied
medicine at the College Of Physicians
and Surgeons Of New ork. After
practicing medicine a while, John in
savannah and Joseph i'm Macon. we
hnd them occupying chairs in their
alma mater and later elected to pro.
icSS"rships in the South Carolina Col