338 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
in October. In November and December Mrs. Churchill, 
Mrs. Baird and Lucy were all ill, necessitating the Pro- 
fessor’s constant presence, except for about an hour a 
day for several weeks. 
To Mr. Samuel Hubbard, San Francisco, from Spencer F. Baird. 
WasuHINcTON, Feb. 27, 1861. 
My pear Mr. Hupsarp, 
All our anxious expectation of our dear friend Dr. Kennerly, 
absent from us so long, has been checked by the sad news of his 
death between San Francisco and Acapulco, on the steamer the first 
of the month. We had a letter by overland mail last night announcing 
his intention of starting, and having previously seen his name in the 
“Poney”’ (Express) list of passengers, were surprised to find it wanting 
in that published in yesterday’s New York papers. A note from Dr. 
Suckley however, received this morning, gave the distressing news 
of his death. We have no particulars, and we do not see Mr. Alden’s 
name among the arrivals, who we understood started with him. 
Perhaps he has been delayed over a steamer by matters connected 
with Dr. K. 
Although no relation to him whatever, his death is a sad blow 
to Mrs. Baird and myself. He was a student in college while I was a 
professor, fourteen or fifteen years ago, and he has been like a son 
or younger brother ever since. Our house has been his home and 
during the whole four years (nearly) of his absence, scarcely a steamer 
left without a letter from us. 
To George Gibbs, New York City, from Spencer F. Baird. 
Wasuincton, March 3d, 1861. 
My pear Mr. Giszs, 
Yours of the second came this morning. I have seen Mr. Alden 
and learned from him all there was to communicate.” 
I am much obliged for the photograph, and think I will try to get 
a larger picture painted from it. 
2 About the death of Dr. Kennerly, who had been naturalist and 
surgeon connected with the Northwest Boundary Survey. 
g y 
