MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH AUSTIN HOLMES 29 



In 1908, when President Roosevelt took up the question of the conser- 

 vation of our natural resources, Doctor Holmes was appointed a member 

 of the National Conservation Commission, and he had charge of the 

 inventory of the nation's mineral resources. 



In all Doctor Holmes' work his central thought has always been the 

 development of the mining industry and the improvement of conditions 

 affecting the miner. In carrying out these great ideas, he thought only 

 of the object to be attained and paid little or no heed to personal attacks 

 or opposition, such as inevitably accompanies a forward movement or 

 investigation that requires the cooperation of both the legislative and 

 administrative departments of our government. When, however, an attack 

 was made on him that appeared to endanger the work itself in which he 

 was engaged, he was then ready to put forth all his efforts to meet and 

 defeat the opposition. 



Doctor Holmes was human as the rest of us and occasionally was for- 

 getful in regard to certain things that were to be clone. This character- 

 istic of his sometimes led to severe criticism of his work by those who 

 were not thoroughly acquainted with him. Whenever any apparent neglect 

 on his part was called to his attention, the matter Avas instantly taken 

 care of and ample apology made for the oversight. Doctor Holmes was 

 excessively careful to observe all the little courtesies of life and was a 

 splendid representative of the Southern Christian gentleman. 



Doctor Holmes was born at Laurens, South Carolina, November 23, 

 1859, and died at Denver, Colorado, July, 1915, after nearly a year's 

 illness and fight against tuberculosis. His ill health was undoubtedly 

 brought on by severe exposure in connection with the examination of 

 mines after explosions and of hardships endured in investigations regard- 

 ing mining conditions in Alaska. His parents were Z. L. and Catherine 

 (Nickles) Holmes. 



His early education was in the schools of South Carolina, but his uni- 

 versity work was at ( !ornell, where he graduated in 1881, taking the degree 

 of B. S. Later lie received the degree of D. Sc. from the University of 

 Pittsburgh, and in 1 !)(>!) the degree of LL. D. from the University of 

 North Carolina. During bis college course Doctor Holmes devoted espe- 

 cial attention to chemistry (including the chemistry of explosives), to 

 metallurgy, geology, general physics, and mining. He visited mining 

 regions and metallurgical plants in many parts of the United States, 

 Germany, France, Great Britain, and Belgium. 



In the fall of 1881 he became professor of Geology and Natural History 

 in the University of North Carolina, and held this position until 1891, 

 when he became State Geologist. 



