The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-02
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ABOUT MUSEUM FUND
Elliott's Idea of Building on
Campus Not Riotously
Adopted.
TOTAL is THREE-FIFTY
Meanwhile Collections Are
Neglected, Says Miss
Mcclure.
TOTAL IS THREE-FIFTY

That MisSoula people might fittingly
express their loyalty to the state Uni
versity by providing funds for the con-
struction of a museum on the campus
was suggested year ago by Chan
cellor E. C. Elliott at a dinner given in
his honor by the Missoula Chamber of
Commerce. That suggestion has borne
fruit. Here's picture of it:
$3.50.
Until a thousand such harvests shall
able geological, botanical. geological
and historical collections must be neg
lected as they now are, according to
Miss Clara Mcclure, who writes about
the matter in the Montana Kaimn.
For several years the collections have
been stored in damp, dark crannies not
Communicated as classrooms. They
have frequently been shifted and are
not accessible. Miss Mcclure inter
viewed DIR. M. J. Elrod, founder of the
museum" Parts of her interview fol-
low:
Montana Lacks Museum.
Museum? We haven't got one,
That is, we have n collection of spcci-
mems. a fine collection. but we haven't
the necessary room for display" said
DR.. NJ. J. Elrod when museum" was
mentioned before him yesterday. I'm
the Railways Of the University hall are
damned the cases which, under better
circumstances would be fine to look at
They fill up the halls, and are used as
receptacles for hats, coats and books.
But as for museum, there isn't one
here any more"
I'VE need a museum proper instead
of the scattered aggregation of cases.
DIR. Elrod gestured pointedly to the
row upon row of specimen cases
around the room which seek to en-
gulf a student even when behind the
massive protection of DIR. Elrod's desk
Part of the collection is stored in an
unused room in the basement of the
library and some of it is in the recita-
ton and lecture rooms in the main
building. The large herbarium is in
the basement hall: the glasses of diff
ferent cases are broken; the material
cannot be seen or studied; the cases
are in the way. Yes, we need a mu-
scum proper"
When the first material was gath
cred for a museum one of the rooms in
University hall was used for storage
Then the library was completed and
the entire basement was given over to
the display Of valuable specimens DR..
Elrod had collected. But the law
school needed new quarters; they
moved from the present commerce
rooms in University hall to the base
ment of the library, and the museum
was moved. Here, there and every
where" again DIR. Elrod waved his
hands suggestively.
"The state biological collection is
valuable because of the money and
time spent on it, and because of its
variety of specimens" says DIR. Elrod
There are the insects, for instance
This collection first started with a
purchase OF butterflies from India. In
addition to these are the thousands do
mated by the late c. A. Wiley of Miles
City. Also there are moths, beetles,
dragonflies and other orders. The in
sects alone fill more than $50 cases.
Discovered by Elrod.
Who knows of the Pyramidula FL
rodi? 1t is one of the S. species of
mullusks which are to be found in
Montana. 1t is named for DIR. Elrod
because he discovered it. Other orders
of this part of the museum are fossils
from the badlands and from abroad
there is also the valuable Homer
Squyer collection.
The herbarium is an important item
OF the museum. The special cases
which hold the $500 mounted speci-
mems extend for 80 feet and are head
high. This collection was started in
1897 DR.. Elrod's own group was added
later. Then when Dr. ]. F.. Kirkwood
assumed the duties of the botany de-
partment more additions were made.
Indian curios.
The university had small assert.
ment of Indian relics Many years az,
DR.. H. D. Parsons left with the uni
versity for display valuable collec
ton of arrow heads mortars an,
clubs; others would do this, too. if as
sured of proper care and attention TO
their collection.
During the past IS years photo
graphic negatives have been accumu
lating in the museum. These negative
represent not only the history an,
growth of the university but the stat
Investigations in botany, zoology an,
geology. Naturally these negative
are Of scientific value, as well as 0
interest. Not until they, with tn
other collections, are in a permanen
place, safe from destructive agencies
will DIR. Elrod be satisfied.