174 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 



CARLISLE, Sept. 3, 1847 

 DEAR WILL, 



I intended to have written from Phila. about the Pup Mr. 

 Hobart has for me in Pottsgrove, asking him to send it down to the 

 city. . . . Won't you bring the pup on when you come? I 

 want him very much. 



We returned yesterday from our travels, and I would have 

 written to you all about them before this only I kept putting it off 

 from day to day in order that I might be able to narrate the adven- 

 tures of the morrow which always promised to be more wonderful 

 than those of the day before. You will be here so soon that it will 

 be hardly worth while now to write down what it will be so pleasant 

 to relate personally, my results, and experience. I hope to show 

 you a great collection of Fish, having collected very many, among 

 them the large fish of Lake Champlain and other northern lakes, 

 Rock & Black Bass, Lake trout, Esox estor, &c &c. . . . 



The sixth of November the sad news was received of 

 the death of Mrs. Baird's brother, William Churchill, 

 at Matamoras, Mexico, from yellow fever. Ten days 

 later the College students were all out searching for one 

 of their number, John Blair, who had disappeared the 

 previous Sunday in a state of mental derangement. His 

 body was found in a small stream near the town. 



On the second of December William M. Baird was 

 married in Philadelphia to Miss Harriet Holmes. On the 

 last day of the year Charles Churchill came to bid adieu 

 to his family, and departed immediately for Mexico, 

 having volunteered as an aid to General Wool. 



From J. D. Dana to Spencer F. Baird. 



November, 1847. 

 DEAR BAIRD,- 



I was glad to hear again from you and felt some disappointment 

 that after an announcement some months since I did not see you 

 here. I am much obliged to you for your kind offer with regard 



