Necrology of i8go. 



295 



at dinner if he could not be assured of the name of the variety. Into 

 everything, and particularly his editorial work, he carried this desire for 

 exactness and bottom facts. 



The following brief extracts from a large number of notices of our 

 friend's life serve to emphasize the statements already made in this sketch 

 Beginning from across the ocean, Maxwell T. Masters, editor of 'J'he Gar- 

 deners' Chronicle, writes; "Thurber did excellent work as a botanist, whilst 

 as editor he occupied a unique position and delighted and instructed thou- 

 sands who knew nothing of his personality and were ignorant even of the 

 Doctor's name." 



The American Agriculturist records these words for its revered editor • 

 "Few men, if any, have exerted so powerful an influence on progressive 

 American agriculture as has Dr. Thurber." 



In the 'lorrey Bulletin the following, among appropriate words by Dr. 

 Rusby, may be found: " Graminology was his well-known specialty and 

 there were few, either in this country or abroad, who were his equals.'' 



The leader in the Garden and Forest for April 9 opens as follows : "The 

 death of Dr. Geo. Thurber ends the career of the most accomplished hor- 

 ticultural writer America has produced." 



In person Dr. Thurber was remarkably conspicuous, while at the same 

 time extremely modest and retiring. As a young man when starting out 

 upon the Boundary Commission he was like an arrow in straightness fully 

 SIX feet in height, broad shouldered, fair in complexion and remarkably 

 handsome. His face, as familiar to the writer in later life, was brim full of 

 kindness and sunshine, and with his massive head and long flowing hair 

 "The Doctor" was "the observed of all observers" wherever he might be 

 His conversation was animated and ofttimes brilliant, full of a mother's 

 tenderness and pity for the unfortunate, and reeking with sarcasm for the 

 pretender in any form. He suffered wrong in silence when he only was 

 concerned, but would always champion the cause of the injured and 

 oppressed. When he returned from Mexico on the Boundary Commission 

 he brought with him a youth of Chihauhua, who for some time attended 

 school at Thurber's suggestion and expense. And so it was throughout his 

 life._ He was ever doing some kindness to others, often to his own incon- 

 venience. His open heartedness prevailed at all times when there was any 

 genuine call for sympathy. In short, genial and generous, great in knowl- 

 edge, patient in work, keen of perception, kind hearted, frank and true 

 sound m judgment, with a most retentive memory, sensitive and sympa- 

 thetic, considerate and courageous, such are some of the sterling qualities 

 which combined to make up our revered scientific editor and friend It is 

 men of this stamp who make the world better while they live and long 

 after, but sadden with a deep loss the lives of many when they pass away 

 To have the intimate friendship of such, is to dwell in the companionship 

 of great souls. ^ 



Severe labors and accompanying exposure during the four years upon the 

 frontier were largely responsible for the rheumatism to which Dr Thurber 

 was a victim for many years. This and overwork paved the way for more 

 serious troubles that nearly incapacitated him for labor during his last few 

 years, and entailed much pain and suffering from which death only could 

 relieve him. ^ 



He was buried in the Swan Point cemetery, overlooking a beautiful valley 

 near Providence, R. I., where in early life he first began a career of bot- 

 anizing that reached across the continent, and the results around the world 



