174 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 
: 8 
Deas Wine, CaRLISLE, Sept. 3, 1847 
I intended to have written from Phila. about the Pup Mr. 
Hobart has for me in Pottsgrove, asking him to send it down to the 
city. . . . Won’t you bring the pup on when you come? I 
want him very much. 
We returned yesterday from our travels, and I would have 
written to you all about them before this only I kept putting it off 
from day to day in order that I might be able to narrate the adven- 
tures of the morrow which always promised to be more wonderful 
than those of the day before. You will be here so soon that it will 
be hardly worth while now to write down what it will be so pleasant 
to relate personally, my results, and experience. I hope to show 
you a great collection of Fish, having collected very many, among 
them the large fish of Lake Champlain and other northern lakes, 
Rock & Black Bass, Lake trout, Esox estor, &c &c. 
The sixth of November the sad news was received of 
the death of Mrs. Baird’s brother, William Churchill, 
at Matamoras, Mexico, from yellow fever. Ten days 
later the College students were all out searching for one 
of their number, John Blair, who had disappeared the 
previous Sunday in a state of mental derangement. His 
body was found in a small stream near the town. 
On the second of December William M. Baird was 
married in Philadelphia to Miss Harriet Holmes. On the 
last day of the year Charles Churchill came to bid adieu 
to his family, and departed immediately for Mexico, 
having volunteered as an aid to General Wool. 
From J. D. Dana to Spencer F. Baird. 
November, 1847. 
Dear Barrp,— pte 
I was glad to hear again from you and felt some disappointment 
that after an announcement some months since I did not see you 
here. I am much obliged to you for your kind offer with regard 
