152 The American Geologist. March, 1892 
executed topographic maps and by many illustrations. Much of 
its success was made possible by the cordial support given Dr. 
Williams by professor Branner, but it bears on every page the 
marks of tireless and painstaking scholarship. Professor Branner 
bears witness in the preface to the enthusiasm and energy with 
which Dr. Williams carried it through, and the writer of this 
memorial, who was also associated in some minor portions of the 
work, can truthfully testify to the consuming interest which ani- 
mated him. Dr. Williams had been appointed assistant geologist 
on the survey in 1891, and in this capacity his name appears in 
the report. In 1891, in connection with Dr. R. N. Brackett, he 
carried on investigations in certain minerals of the kaolin group, 
which appeared in the Amer. Jour. of Science in July last. . 
In June, 1891, the position of assistant professor of geology 
and minerology became vacant at Cornell University, and Dr. 
Williams received the call. He accepted, and after making the 
western excursion of the Geological Congress, attempted to take 
up his duties. But weakness and disease were already laying a 
heavy grasp on him, <A severe attack of the so-called grip in 
March last had sapped his strength, and ill-advised methods of 
work had aggravated its results. Dr. Williams worked well but 
not wisely, and protracted his labors till two and three in the 
morning—such habits are specially injurious in the climate of 
Arkansas—and at last reduced him to the shadow of himself. 
The tax upon him was too severe and his constitution finally gave 
way. Paralysis attacked him and after an illness of about two 
weeks he passed away on the 9th of November, being just 
twenty-nine years of age. 
It has never been the lot of the writer to know intimately a more 
generous, frank and loveable man than J. Francis Williams, and it 
is impossible to speak of him without feeling the deepest emotion. 
His character was such as to indescribably endear him to his 
friends and his abilities and preparation for his work were of the 
highest order. His results were such as to secure for him in 
all the future one of the most honorable places in the records of 
Amercan geological science. 
LIST OF PRINTED PAPERS OF DR. J. FRANCIS WILLIAMS. 
Tests of Rutland and Washington Co. Slates. Von Nostrand’s Eng. 
Mag., No. CLXxxviit, 1884, pp. 101-108. 
Ueber den Monte Amiata in Toscana und seine Gesteine. eves 
Jahrbuch. Beilage Band vy. pp. 381-450, and Taf, x1-xvt, 1887. 
