XXXVIII BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
Jessie HK. THOMAS 
On January 14, 1903, a skating accident caused the death 
of Miss Jessie E. Thomas, librarian of the Bureau. 
Miss Thomas was born at Carbondale, Ill., October 31, 
1875. She received a public school education; studied 
French, German, and Spanish under private teachers; 
and during four years which she spent as secretary and 
assistant to her father, Dr Cyrus Thomas, of the Bureau, 
gained considerable knowledge of the Maya language and 
of the literature relating to the American Indians in gen - 
eral, as well as some experience in proof-reading and in 
bibliographic work. She acquired familiarity with library 
methods through attendance at Columbian University, 
Washington, D. C., and in May, 1900, was temporarily 
appointed to fill a vacancy in the staff of the Bureau 
library, of which Mr F. W. Hodge was then in charge. 
In September the appointment was made permanent, after 
Miss Thomas had passed highest in a special examination 
given by the United States Civil Service Commission to 
fill the position. 
On Mr Hodge’s resignation in the following January 
she was put in full charge, and from that time until 
her death performed with marked ability the difficult 
task of administering a scientific library. Much of Miss 
Thomas’s time was taken up by the copying of the Motul 
dictionary (Maya-Spanish, Spanish-Maya) from the late 
Doctor Brinton’s collection, and in addition to her other 
duties she gave considerable attention to bibliographic 
studies intended to lessen the labors of students of anthro - 
pology. 
Her extreme carefulness and methodical habits are well 
illustrated by the perfect order in which all her work 
was left, and her staunch character, modest demeanor, and 
lovable disposition were highly appreciated by her 
associates. 
