112 McGEE MEMORIAL MEETING 



New York, had reached the age when his physical forces were yielding 

 to the strain at Albany, where during his long career he had been 

 amazingly successful in antagonizing state officials by defeating their 

 efforts against him. He felt that it would be well for him and for 

 the work if a younger man could be put in charge while he could 

 still control the appointment of a successor. Several men were con- 

 sidered and at length he decided that, if McGee would take the place, 

 he would retire at once. 



Within a few days later, I had occasion to visit Washington and 

 took advantage of the opportunity to lay the matter before McGee, 

 then connected with the Bureau of Anthropology, of which Major 

 Powell was the head. He was assured that the appointment was 

 certain, if he desired it; he knew perfectly well the conditions and 

 burdens of the position; they were such as appeal to an aggressive 

 self-confident man. After the matter had been laid before him, he 

 was asked for an answer. Tears were in his eyes and some had found 

 their way to his cheek. "That is what I have wanted^what I have 

 hoped for; but I can't go; the Major needs me." That was all; the 

 answer was final. Major Powell had become unable to perform the 

 duties of his office, and McGee was one of the few who knew it. He 

 was doing double work, the Major's and his own, for the Major's sake, 

 because years before Powell had recognized the young man's ability 

 and had given the opportunity to prove his worth. 



McGee's loyalty to his friends was intense, almost a weakness. 

 He seemed little capable of fighting a battle for himself and appeared 

 practically indifferent to attacks upon himself; but he resented with 

 almost hatred what be believed to be injustice to one whom he knew 

 to be his friend. In such cases he was betrayed into a harshness of 

 language which startled those who knew him best. But, as I well 

 know, the inherent manliness of the man led him to regret such 

 outbursts, and to repent in sackcloth and ashes. 



It would be impertinent for me to speak about the scientific worth 

 of McGee's work, as for the most part it concerns portions of the 

 geological column outside of my restricted area; but one thing is cer- 

 tain, he saw phenomena clearly and recorded his observations hon- 

 estly, in such fashion that, if he had made errors in observation or 

 conclusion, the reviser would find no difficulty in discovering them. 



