The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-04-07

in these subjects, both in America and Europe.
While he was President he laid the foundation
for the modern system of government crop re-
porting by personally watching the markets Of
Washington for eight years and recording the
earliest and latest appearances of 81 different
farm products.
As scientist his name is preserved in SCI
entifc records in the Latinzed technical name
of an extinct ground sloth whose fossil remains
he was the first to describe, "Megalonyx Jeffer-
soni." When he sent Lewis and Clark on their
famous exploring expedition into the newly-ac-
qured territory beyond the Mississippi, one Of
the duties with which he charged them that
of making accurate and complete records Of the
natural history Of the region, the life of the ma
tive races, the fauna and flora, weather condi-
tons and the like. 1t is not generally known,
perhaps, but he was also interested in ethnology
and in 1871 he made a tour of Long Island to
visit the Indians of that region and to record
their language. The result 200-word vo-
cabulary of these Indians, the manuscript Of
which, in Jefferson's own handwriting, is still
preserved
Rotation of crops and other forms of scientific
agriculture, however, are not the only things
for which the agriculture of today is indebted to
Thomas Jefferson. When the farmer plows up
old meadow, turning the sod over upon itself,
he can thank Thomas Jefferson, the inventor
For it was this man who invented the pillow mold
board which makes modern grassland blowing
possible. When the motorist folds down the top
of his car to get the full benefit of the cool
breeze he can thank Jefferson for the invention
which makes it possible to do so. When the desk
worker tits back in his comfortable swivel chair
swings around easily instead of getting up
and turning the chair. he should remember CRATE
fully the of Thomas Jefferson for it
this Virginian who invented the only improve
ment in seating devices since the time of the
early Egyptians. In fact, all inventors should
look upon Jefferson as their patron saint. For
when man devises something new and estab-
fishes in court his right to it against those who
would initiate it and profit thereby he is in
debted to jefferson for laying down the principle
upon which the United States patent Office Is
founded.
No less interesting than jefferson the scientist
and the inventor, is Jefferson the patron of fine
arts. He was keenly interested in literature and
was himself a writer of note. He was musician
and an accomplished violinist 1t is recorded
that when his early home the house of his IA
ther at Shadwell was burned In ITO, although
he lost all of his books and papers, he rejoiced
In the fact that his violin was saved by negro
servant. AS an artist he expressed himself best
in architecture, and monuments to his archtec-
tural taste to be found today In the beau
tiful buildings of Georgian style on the campus
a
but more particularly on his estate nearby the
famous Monticello.
Such was the man whose birthday we cele-
brate on April 13. When Jefferson was approach
ing the end of his long and varied career, he
composed the epitaph which he wished to have
inscribed upon his tomb. It read: "Here was
buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declara-
ton of American Independence of the Statute
of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and the Fa-
Their of the University of Virginia" If Jefferson
were TO be remembered for nothing more than
those three things, his fame would be secure
But history has written these other achieve
ments under his name. He was member of the
Continental congress. 1775-76 and signer of the
Declaration. In 1776 he was a member of the
legislature of Virginia and leader in inpor-
tant legal reforms. In ITO he was governor of
Virginia: In 1873 member of congress; from
1854 to 17S9 he was United States minister to
France: he was the first secretary of state serv-
ing in Washingtons cabinet 1904; he was Vice
President 1797-1S01 and he was the third Presi-
dent of the United States 1sO1-1SO9 During
his Presidency he made the famous Louisiana
purchase from France, which carried the Amer
lean flag in one giant leap from the Mississippi
to the summit of the Rockies and paved the way
for the extension of this country from sea to
sea.
&c by Western Newspaper Union,