6 JOURXAL OF THE 



ness — none with idleness — and his class-room was dreaded by 

 the indolent or careless. It was the deli<i:ht of others. He was 

 a successfnl experimenter, and every operation in chemistry was 

 beautifully illustrated, with the imperfect appliances at his com- 

 mand. He taught by text-books, with explanatory and supple- 

 mental lectures. He was alwavs addino: to the museum, and 

 gathering about him specimens, maps and sections to illustrate 

 his teaching in geology and mineralogy. We used to call him 

 ^ Steam Engine,' instead of Kerr, such was his promptness to 

 titne and rapid motion." 



Another of his students of 1857 and ^^8, whose statement 

 may be relied upon, says: ^^ Professor Kerr brought new life to 

 the college, and was the most industrious teacher I have ever 

 known. He awakened thought and investigation. My class 

 never did so hard work for any other teacher." He occasionally 

 took his students on field excursions in geolog^^ During the 

 summer months of 1861 he led a party of them through a con- 

 siderable portion of the mountain region of North Carolina, 

 making extensive geological and topographical observations. 



Professor Kerr's connection with Davidson College continued 

 from 1856 to July, 1865 (the date of his resignation), but his 

 active work there ceased three years prior to this latter date. 

 Soon after the beginning of the civil war there was a falling 

 off in the income of the college and in the number of students. 

 Professor Kerr requested, and was granted (July, 1862), a leave 

 of absence until such time as he was needed, and in the latter 

 part of 1862 he became chemist and superintendent to the Meck- 

 lenburg Salt Company, whose works were located at Mt. Pleas- 

 ant, near Charleston, S. C. 



This position he continued to hold until April, 1864, when 

 the works were destroyed or abandoned. The company 

 worked profitably during its short existence, and Professor 

 Kerr's services were highly commended. While engaged in the 

 work he introduced several improvements in the process of 

 manufacture of salt, chiefly in the construction of better chim- 

 neys, which operated a larger number of salt-pans; in placing 



