SIXTEENTH . I NNUAL MEETING. 



daring the summer vacation of 1867, lie lirst became personally acquainted with Prof. 



Mudge, when, by special invitation, he "spent three royal weeks" at his home in Man- 

 hattan: The days were spent in scientific rambles and in making collections in the 

 vicinity, and the nights until a late hour in discussing scientific subjects. During this 

 visit was matured the plan for organizing the Kansas Natural History Society, which 

 afterwards grew into the Kansas Academy of Science. Of this organization Prof. .Mudge 

 was elected the first President, and was again President at the time of his death. " During 

 those twelve years be was unwearied in bis labors for the Academy, always cherishing 

 plans for its development and growth, and whose success formed one of the most joyous 

 experiences of his life. In no organization did he take a greater interest, and be has 

 come in from the plains, hundreds of miles, bronzed and travel-worn, to attend its meetings." 

 The next step of which 1 am aware was the publishing of the following letter, in the 

 Journal <»/' Education for March, 1868, (vol. 4, page 268: > 



A NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



Editors Journal of Education : Allow me to call your attention to the importance of forming a Natural 

 History Society in our stale Tin' benefits flowing from Midi an organization would lie various, among 

 which I will mention the following: 



1. It would afford means of associated effort. 



•J. It would give inspiration to naturalists. 



:;. It would afford opportunities for exchanges. 



4. It would diffuse a spirit of scientific research. 



5. It would put the state in direct communication with the various scientific bodies of the country. 

 <i. Large collections would ultimately he made by such society, which would be permanently se- 

 cured to the State. 



Has not the time arrived tor the friends id' natural science to move in the matter'.' Some of the 

 Leading naturalists of tin- .State are favorable to tin- organization of such a society ai an early day. 

 The State authorities would doubtless aid such a society in publishing valuable reports ami in storing 

 collections. Very truly yours, J. D. Parker. 



In my pursuit of material, I have been fortunate enough to induce Prof. Parker 

 to favor me with a record of recollections, which I will read in extenso: 



Fort Stockton, Texas, August 20, 1883. 



/>,-. .1. //. Thompson, President Kansas Academy of Science— Dear Sir: Cheerfully I comply with the 

 request contained in your favor of August Kith, and give what information I can in regard to the Srs1 

 meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, and the preliminary steps which led to the organization of 

 i in- Society. 



When I was culled in April, 1867, to Lincoln College, Topeka, there was no scientific association in 

 Kansas, and no general interest in science apparent in the State. The people of Kansas had suffered 



intensely in the bonier strife followed by the civil war, of which at Topeka there were still evidences 



in i he rifle pits along the southern edge of the town, and in i be palisades still standing at the intei sec- 

 tion of Kansas avenue and Sixth street. 



Prof. B. F. Mudge, of the Kansas Agricultural ( ollege, bad published a report on the geology of the 



Stale and another report had been published by Prof. (r. C. Swallow, late of the University of Missouri ; 



Prof. Frank II. Snow had recently been called to the University of Kansas. These scientists ami some 



others were pursuing various lines of investigation, but there was no organization to bring them to- 

 gether to secure the results which How from associations. I was impressed with the necessity of some 

 society to accomplish this object. 1 determined, if possible, to organize a State Scientific Society. After 



agitating the matter several] iths, and not meeting any encouragement at Topeka, 1 wrote to Prof. 



B. F. Mudge, who replied thai his heart was with us in the work, but he feared it was tm. early in the 

 history of the State to organize such a society. Accepting an invitation to visit him during the long 



vacation, I spent three royal weeks at his house in Manhattan, where we discussed the subject very 

 thoroughly during our scientific rambles in that neighborhood. Before my return, Prof. Mudge prom- 

 ised logo into the movement. Satisfied with his indorsement and promised cooperation,! returned 



home, and sel the mallei bet', , re 1 lie people of the Stale through I he public press. In due time a call 

 « as published and circulated, which received the signatures of various scientific and public men of the 



state, to hold a meeting in my recitation room in Lincoln College, Sept. I. 1868, A gnat storm occurred 

 two days beforethe meeting, which threatened to interfere with it. But Prof. Mudge camedown the 

 daj beforethe meeting full of enthusiasm in the new movement, and the meeting was held at the ap- 

 pointed time, with a very small attendance; but we organized the Kansas Natural History Society, of 

 which Prof. Mudge was elected the first President, and I was elected the first Secretary. 



For two years Prof. Mudge and I struggled hard to keep the association alive, for we had great mis- 



