REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1903. 
REPORT OF THE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. 
SUBMITTED TO THE TRUSTEES JANUARY 18, 1904. 
To the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden: 
We are sorry to again announce the loss of two of the 
original members of the Board, appointed by Mr. Shaw: 
Mr. Joseph W. Branch, who died on June 9th, 1903, 
and Dr. John Bates Johnson, on October 6th, 1903. 
The following memorials were adopted by the Board and 
ordered entered upon its records :— 
IN MEMORIAM — JOSEPH W. BRANCH. 
In the death of Mr. Joseph W. Branch, the Trustees of the Missouri 
Botanical Garden mourn the loss from their number of an active and 
useful associate. 
Appointed originally and personally by Mr. Shaw himself, and by birth 
a fellow townsman of his, he had served faithfully from the beginning of 
the existence of the Board. Of those original personal appointments 
only four survive. 
Mr. Branch, during all the years of his service, took studious pains to 
be present at the monthly meetings of the Board. In those meetings a 
sturdy standing on his part for what he thought right, or what he con- 
ceived to be the duty of the Board, was witnessed more than once. His 
surviving associates desire to give permanent record to their sense of 
bereavement in his death, and to their grateful appreciation of the 
qualities of character which contributed to the helpful and efficient work 
which he wrought by their side. 
Along with this minute to be preserved, they ask leave to send their 
condolences to be mingled with the tears of the afflicted family and 
home, over the going away from human sight of one who after more 
than three score and ten years of arduous toil now rests from his 
labors. 
(7) 
