JOURNAL 



OF THE 



Elislia Mitchell Scientific Society, 



A SKETCH OF PROFESSOR WASHINGTON 

 CARUTHERS KERR, M. A., D. Ph. 



A Lecture before the Mitchell Society, at the University of North 

 Carolina, January 34, 1887, by J. A. Holmes. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen: 



The life and work of Professor Kerr is a theme which needs 

 no introduction before members of this society. Probably but 

 few of those here present knew him personally, but in one sense all 

 knew him. He knew North Carolina better than the people of 

 North Carolina knew him; and yet he was quite widely known, 

 both at home and amoug; scientific circles abroad. In travelino: 

 recently through some of the nooks and corners of this State 

 I have been surprised at times to hear him spoken of where I 

 least expected it; and I know that his fellow-geologists in this 

 country have placed a high estimate on his character and on his 

 scientific work. 



We may be sure of this much at any rate: that wherever in 

 the State there is located a mine of importance, or other valua- 

 ble mineral deposit of any kind, a fine water-power, valuable 

 tracts of timber land, or interesting geological formations — 

 wherever there has been, during these past twenty years, a man 

 who souu;:ht information concerniim: the natural resources and 

 material prosperity of North Carolina — there J*rofessor Kerr's 



