Dougldss Ilmtt/hton. — A. Winr/iell. 137 
1844.'*' The advantages of such a combination were at once 
comprehended, and the project was warmly endorsed, and a 
committee appointed to "memorialize the proper department 
of the Government." The land commissioner, however, fear- 
ing the ordinary surveyors would not possess sufficient geol- 
ogical information, hesitated, until Dr. Houghton himself 
offered to take tlie contract. This was signed June 25, 1844, 
and tire remainder of that season and the season of 1845 were 
occupied in comjileting preparations and carrying on the 
work. His contract with the surveyor general was nearly 
completed, when the lamentable event occurred which put an 
end to his zealous and useful activity in the development of 
the natural resources of his adopted State. 
Dr. Houghton's death occurred by drowning, October 13, 1845, 
on the west shore of Keweenaw point, n;)t far from Eagle river. 
He was returning in an open boat, willi four men, from a trip 
made to provision one of his parties. Overtaken by a severe 
snow-storm with high wind, about nint^ 'oclock in tl)e evening, 
the boat was thrown endwise by the waves, and dashed on 
the rocks. Doctor Houghton, with tw(> of his vo3'ageurs, was 
lost. His remains were recovered in the spring of 1846, and 
interred in Elm wood cemetery, Detroit. The place is marked 
by a monument erected by Mrs. Houghton. 
It would not be proper to extend this notice ; though it would 
be interesting and edifying to contemplate an analysis of Dr. 
Houghton's character, and seek to discover the elements of that 
power by which he commanded the respect, and even the ad- 
miration of all who made his acquaintance. This, however, is 
the less necessary, as his life and character have been so well 
portrayed by a surviving friend, professor Alvah Bradish," an 
artist of wide reputation, an appreciator of science, and a 
member of various learned societies. Mr. Bradish for many 
years, was Emeritus incumbent of the Chair of Fine Arts in 
the University of Michigan, and for several years delivered 
lectures. In this volume the biographical sketch of Houghton 
occupies 75 pages. It is followed by brief sketches of several 
■"-Imer. Jour. Sci. vol. xlvii, 1844, p. 115. 
" Memoir of Dowjlasm Iloufihton, fimt state geologist of Michigan. With 
an appendi.t containing reports and abstracts of the first geological survey, 
and a chronological statement of the progress of geological exploration in 
Michigan. Bv Alvah Bradish, A. M., Detroit : Kaynor ifc Tavlor, 1889, 
8vo, ;502 pp. * 
