The Rise And Decline Of The Ol})mpia Oyster 



he was recognized as an eminent biologist authority 

 throughout the United States. The Olympia Oyster was 

 one of his favorite subjects. He graduated hundreds of 

 students from his department. Many of them have be- 

 become well known biologists for other states, some for 

 the Department of Fisheries of the United States Govern- 

 ment or the Fish and Wild Life Department. Several have 

 found their place with the Washington State Department 

 of Fisheries. Others have become employed in the oyster 

 business in this state. Many of these biologists have 

 devoted themselves to oyster biology in this state to the 

 Olympia Oyster. So directl}^ and indirectly, Dr. Kincaid 

 has had a tremendous part and influence in that industry. 

 I have been told by those who attended his lectures 

 that they were something to look forward to. He had a 

 keen sense of humor, and a fitting story to illustrate each 

 point. This was true also in his public speaking. I have 

 many times joined his audience in laughter. I can well 

 remember the first time I saw Dr. Kincaid. It was about 

 the year 1905. I was driving a horse and buggy near the 

 Harry Weatherill oyster bed. Looking through the 

 woods, I saw a young m^an with a pole in his hand; on the 

 end of the pole was a net. His heavy black hair was di- 

 sheveled; he wore no hat; he was waving the pole wildly 

 in the air as he ran through the woods. Somewhat con- 

 cerned, when I arrived at the Weatherill home I told Mr. 

 Weatherill of the incident, and asked if there was a 

 wild man in their vicinity. He laughed and replied, No, 

 that is young Kincaid; he is just catching butterflies." He, 

 at that time, lived in Olympia, where his father was a 

 Doctor. Dr. Kincaid was for some years the City Health 



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