Montana, 1899

File — Box: 4, Volume: 15

Identifier: II

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Douglass received his M.S. degree from the University of Montana at Missoula, spent the summer on a fossil collecting expedition, and then worked for the university preparing the specimens collected on the expedition.

13 June--"Drove up to the University, getting there at just about the time appointed. I was called into the room where the faculty, board and class of '99 were. The class had on their college robes and I felt rather out of place, but did not worry much about it. Soon we went up to the chapel. Mr [blank] of the Anaconda Standard read the address and the diplomas were presented to us. I had the honor of being the first to receive the Masters degree in the University. I have not been working for the degree but for the love of the work but the degree is very acceptable just the same."
19 June--"I am at work on my thesis most of the time getting it ready for publication."
27 September--"The indications are that my journal is dying a lingering death and is to be a thing of the past .... There are so many things to which I shall wish to refer to later."
18 November--"I find that this summers collection is richer even than I supposed. The camel skeleton that we obtained S.E. of New Chicago is near complete, though there are no jaws and teeth. The Palaeanenyx [prehistoric deer] skeleton near the same place is one of the best I have found so that I can almost restore Palarneyx. What I thought was Merycochoerus [one of the extinct Oreodonts] is a new genus if not a new Order. A fragment of jaw I have been cleaning today proves to be not only a good part of a jaw but a good portion of skull and perhaps a new genus."

Dates

1899

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.