41 



utilizing tlie assistance of eliemistry in this worlc, and establislied the 

 first chemical laboratory for research, I suppose, ever built in the State 

 of Indiana. I remember well this laboratory in one of the dingy rooms 

 of the old State House as I first saw it in 18G9 or ISTO. Professor Cox had 

 associated with him a chemist of skill and great industry, Dr. G. M. Levette. 

 Doctor Levette was not only a skilled chemist, biit had also a work- 

 ing knowledge of other sciences, and, therefore, his aid in developing some 

 of the phases of the Geological Survey was of the greatest helpfulness. It 

 was in this laboratory that I first saw a quantitative detei'mination, and 

 I rememl>er the feelings with which I used to watch Doctor Levette, Avho 

 patiently permitted me to hang around his laboratory and probably greatly 

 interfere with his work AAithout exhibiting any signs of petulance or re- 

 sentment. All the different varieties of coal which were then known in 

 the State were submitted to the most careful chemical examinations. He 

 also erected and operated a small apparatus liy means of which liitumiu- 

 ous coal could l)e heated under pressiire, making, as he termed it, an 

 artificial colve or anthracite, illustrating proltably some of the methods 

 by which natiu'e has secured tlie deposits of hard coal from those of a soft 

 or bituminous nature. I shall never cease to be grateful for the interest 

 which these two distinguished men took in my visits to their laboi-atories, 

 which. I fear, were all too freiiuent for the even march of otticial business. 

 The personal friendship whicli I formed for Professor Cox at that time, 

 I am glad to say, has continued until the present. He is noAV an old man 

 retired from work and spending tlie evening of his life in the grateful 

 climate of Florida. The services, however, which he rendered to the 

 economic development of Indiana will be more and more appreciated as 

 the years roll by. It was also my good fortune to kuoAV one of the suc- 

 cessors of Professor Cox personally and intimately, namely. Mr. .John Col- 

 lett, who was first an assistant to Professor Cox and became State Geol- 

 ogist in 1880. Mr. CoUett had a wonderfully keen insight into tlie nature 

 of scientific problems and great ability in developing them. His chief 

 worlv toward the economical development of the State was directed to the 

 building-stone industry. He called attention to the remarkable character 

 of the deposits in Lawrence County, and it was during his incumbency of 

 the oflice that the present State House was constructed of the stone of 

 that locality and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument l)egun. Mr. CoUett 

 was chiefly active as a geologist, though contributing in many other ways 

 to the development of applied science in the State. He was the author 



