398 The American Geologist. December, i9uo 
younger geologists who had aheady accompHshed consider- 
able scientific work of high merit. His efforts along the lines 
of investigation in which he was engaged portended a most 
promising career. He was for several years engaged upon the 
^lissouri geological survey and upon the United States geo- 
logical survey. At the- time of his demise he was occupied in 
carrying out certain lines of geological work for private cor- 
porations. 
Mr. Marbut was born in 1871. After passing through the 
common schools he was engaged in teaching in the public 
schools of southern Missouri, he was a graduate of the Mis- 
souri state university, and was valedictorian of his class. 
From 1891 to 1897 Mr. Marbut was more or less con- 
tinuously connected with the Missouri geological survey. As 
assistant topographer he was largely instrumental in con- 
structing the beautiful topographic bases of the Clinton, Cal- 
houn and other sheets published by the Missouri geological 
survey. During the season of 1897 he was given charge of 
.the work of collecting data in regard to the coal deposits of 
north Missouri, the results of which were to be published as 
a part of the final report on the coal resources and coal geo- 
logy of the state, that was planned and well along in prepara- 
tion, by Dr. Ch.rles R. Keyes. The summer of 1897 was 
spent by Mr. Marbut in topographic mapping for the United 
States geological survey. 
As Mr. Marbut's main work was in economic geology 
and largely undertaken for private corporations, few of his 
results have yet found their way into print. In 1898 he was 
engaged in mapping topographically and geologically the 
properties of the celebrated Liberty Bell Gold Mining com- 
pany, at Telluride. Colorado. When this was completed he 
was appointed engineer for the same company, having charge 
of the properties at both Telluride and Joplin, Mo. For the 
Liberty Bell company Mr. Marbut made z\\ elaborate investi- 
gation of the lead deposits of southeast Missouri and especial- 
ly those of the St. Francois district. 
In January, 1900. Mr. Marbut accepted the appointment of 
engineer and assistant superintendent of the Columbia Lead 
company, with headquarters at Esther, Mo., where the mines 
of this company are located. This post he held at the time of 
his death. 
Personally, Mr. Marbut was frank, generous, and of pleas- 
ing disposition. By his modest demeanor, his quiet enthusiasm 
for his work, and' his strict attention to duty at all times, he 
soon won for himself the highest regards of his associates. 
His sterling qualities and indefatigable effort enabled him to 
accomplish whatever he once set out to do. His intellectual 
attainments were of a high order. 
