431
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry.
Washington, D. C., March 27th 1886.
Prof. Charles E. Bessey, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska,
Sir:
I am in receipt of your favor of the 19th instant offering facilities to this Department for investigations of contagious diseases of animals and particularly hog cholera, at your university. This Department has been engaged for the past 8 years in the investigation of swine-plague, and I am very much interested in bringing these investigations to a successful termination. Very substantial progress has been made during the last year and we are now almost to a point where we desire to make some researches in the West where this disease is so prevalent. I do not feel that it would be good policy to appoint any perosn who has not been connected with the investigations of the past and who consequently would not have the advantage of what we have learned, to conduct such work. But I shall be happy to allow one of our experienced men to visit your place during the summer and stay a sufficient length of time to solve those questions which have presented themselves to us and which cannot be well worked out here.
432
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry.
Washington, D. C. 1886
2 B.
If this plan meets with your approval, I shall be very glad to avail myself of the facilities which you offer.
Very respectfully, F. C. Nesbit. Acting Commissioner.
(A copy of the above was invertently sent yesterday without signature.)
433
Iowa Agricultural College. Zoological Department.
Ames Ia. Apr 23 86
Dear Prof Bessey
A day or two since a letter was received here from the Ag. Coll. of Mass. stating they desired to secure a Prof. of Entom. & Zool. who could also teach Physiol & Vet. science. While I do not know for sure that the change would be desirable I can have little doubt that it would be advantageous to me, especially under present circumstances, & as they do not seem to wish the Vet. pushed particularly. — Stalker is sure I could manage what they want in that line.
Probably you have received a similar letter & if so [?] you have no other candidate I would be very glad if you would
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mention my name.
In case you have not had such a letter will you be so king, if you can do so conscientiously, to write to the Pres. stating you have learned they desire to fill that position & say what you see fit as to my qualifications.
With kind regards to yourself and family —
Very truly yours Herbert [?]
435
Iowa Agricultural College. Zoological Department.
Ames Ia. Nov. 20. 1886
My dear Prof Bessey –
You have perhaps already learned something about the doings of our Board of Trustees but I wish to write you a little more in detail about some things. You know, of course, of Prof Wynn's resignation a year ago, an act which seemed necessary in order to save him the years time and if possible to gain a little feeling toward him in the Board. At this meeting the Board refused to consider asking him to withdraw his resignation so he is of necessity out of a position.
It seems pretty hard after the work he has given to the college, [sic.] and he is not very well prepared I judge to get along without some position. We have [?] here that there is a vacancy in your Univ. and if so would you