to natural science. As men of education and culture steeped in the 
Baconian tradition of observing and analyzing nature, they felt a keen 
desire to explore the unknown lands on their doorsteps, perhaps mak- 
ing exciting new finds that would secure their reputations. Moreover, 
as members of a scientific community that extended from Europe to 
all parts of the globe, they viewed such work as their duty. 
Western Academy members were also motivated by patriotism and 
a sense of the Midwest’s economic potential. They wanted to promote 
immigration to Missouri by increasing and disseminating knowledge 
of the region’s fertility and favorable climate. A larger population would 
enhance Missouri’s economy and, concurrently, further the broader na- 
tional aim of extending American institutions and influence west of the 
Mississippi. Similarly, the Western Academy intended to promote set- 
tlement and economic growth by discovering exploitable mineral deposits 
and distributing published descriptions, which would entice entrepreneurs 
to develop what was discovered. 
Finding and developing local sources of iron, coal, lead, clay, sand, 
stone, and gravel were deemed essential to extending industry and pro- 
viding homes, stores, and other structures for the Midwest’s swelling 
population. The St. Louis science group began its work of helping to 
discover mineral resources as soon as it was formed by taking out a 
newspaper notice to inform interested parties that its chemical and 
mineralogical department would analyze all minerals sent to it. How 
much the members learned about the natural wealth of their region as 
a result of its newspaper message is difficult to measure. Nevertheless, 
this part of the association’s mission was at least partially attained when 
some of its members found and described a three-foot vein of good quali- 
ty anthracite coal in Missouri’s Iron Mountain district.* 
All of the mineralogical specimens gathered by the members were 
placed in the Western Academy’s museum, located upstairs in a building 
at the northeast corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets. Many other kinds 
of natural history specimens were brought in by members as well. For 
example, George Engelmann gave his herbarium, mineralogical 
specimens, and bird and animal skins; Henry King donated his entire 
collection of rocks and minerals; and Benjamin Brown contributed 
numerous zoological specimens. 
Others also gave to the Western Academy’s museum. Chief among 
the donors was Merriwether Lewis Clark, son of William Clark, who 
deposited some of his famous father’s ‘‘scientific collection.’’* Other 
prominent citizens, such as Ed Charles, John O’ Fallon, and William 
Stewart, contributed fossils and natural history specimens collected in 
the Far West; Dr. A. Reavy of Illinois supplied the Western Academy 
with a collection of European bird skins; and other individuals presented 
7 
