Charles Bessey, Letters, 1881

Gerards specimen and give my opinion concerning their identity. Gerards species was published in April, B & C's in Dec. of 1874 giving Gerards name priority in case they are the same!

Of the specimens sent, P. pulchella is very near P. Ribis DC but has spores smaller and smoother. It may be only a variety. I still retain it however as distinct.

P. Osmorrhizae C & P is the fungus given in 25th Report as P. Myrrhis Sch[?]., under which name its description (not very accurate) will be found.

Will hand your note to Dr. Murray, Secy. of the Regents.

Very truly Yours Chas. H. Peck.

Putnam

Dec. 21st /81.

Prof. Bessey Dear Sir

I am not unmindful of your request in your [?] letter but you must be aware that I have [?] much within the last three month having been permitted the unstable privalage of [?] to the evey wish of my beloved son & being his sole nurse day & night & also witnessing the most intense suffering unable to eleviate it – & then when the blow came it seemed unexpected & was now the less [?] that it had been dreaded for [&?] long [grass?] –

I may wite you notes

notes when I have a little [?] – did you [do?] our daily paper of the 11th 12th 13th & 14th [sic.?]? have you access to the Bib. D[?] of Iowa [?] is a [?] of my beloved son [easiest?/earnest?] as to [?] I will try & give you some items as to the great work of his life the original investigations & microscopical work & his publishing the Proceedings of the Acad. which was done at a fearful sacrifice of health & labor & money but no more now. I hope the [?] will [?] his labor for the advancemet of [?] sciences his life of permits & [?]

is a benediction to all who witnessed it to me the loss is irreparable he was my counsell[e?/o?]r – my pride my glory – God only knows how I suffer on his loss I would willingly have laid down my life to have saved his – & it is hard to say "Gods will be done" yet I would not see him suffer as he did – so uncomplaining – so [?] to the very end & not for one instant was his glorious intelect clouded he spoke to me even as his spirit was taking its flight & said "How long can this last"

The Acad. hold a memorial [?] Jan. 3rd or 6th I dont know which if you could wite something for that occasion it would be very acceptable, no doubt. His works stand his [?] monument – but the great work of his life is still in M. S. S. & I hardly know hot to handle it —

Yours in deepest affection M. L. D. PUtnam

Prof. Bessey – /Ames –

Biological Department. Professors: C. E. Bessey, M. Sc., Ph. D. Botany. F. E. L. Beal, B. Sc., Zoology. M. Stalker, B. Sc., V. S., Anatomy. D. S. Fairchild, M. D. Pathology. Assistant: H. Osborn, B. Sc., Entomology

Iowa Agricultural College. Ames, April 19th 1881

Mr. R[ainbolt?] Dr Sir

Please preserve and return to me the enclosed tax receipt.

I put it in that you may get description[s?] right.

Truly y[rs?] C. E. Bessey

Prof. If your bro. Herbert is in Texas or in U. S. he can acknowledge deed before Notary Public, Public Commission of deeds for Iowa, Judge of Court of Record