Charles Bessey, Letters, 1891

San Diego, Cal., Dec. 9, 1891 Prof Charles E. Bessey: Dear Sir: Last October I came to California on sick leave, and have spent a few weeks at Los Angeles, and at San Diego. This is a delightful country, and the climate agrees with me. As I read of the snow and blizzards in Nebraska, I look out of my window, and see the trees bending under the weight of oranges and lemons, and feel quite contented to live in this land of fruits and flowers. San Diego is a lovely city, and is destined, I think, to become the queen city of Southern California.

Since coming to California, I have been ordered before a Retiring Board, which meets soon at Los Angeles. Gen. McCook has recommended my retirement, so I suppose I shall soon become a citizen of California, where I hope to make my home. Should I recover my health, under the influence of this delightful climate I hope still to be useful in the cause of science. I left the proposed Arizona Academy of Science in good hands, and expect an organization will be effected this winter. I should be most happy to receive any items of news regarding the work and success of the Nebraska Acdemy of Science. Yours Very Truly, John D. Parker Past Chaplain

Davenport Iowa July 23/91

Prof Bessey Dear Sir

Your letter is at hand and in reply will say that, I have not fixed a price on the collection but have written to parties asking what they thought I should get for it. Could you (as a friend) give me some idea of the price I should place upon it , & if you wished to include the library or only the herbarium? If the library whether the entire library or only the Scientific works of which there are some very valuable books. Mr. H. N. Patterson of Oquawka-Ill- might be able

to give you more information than I [can] as he went through the collection and seen many of the books. Dr Parry at one time offered the whole collection to [ ] Leland Stanford for $10,000. I do not expect to realize that much unless he should wish to secure it. The Botanist at one State Univ would like the Herb. to go there, would value it more for the authority than the mere collection. I hear Prof. Coulter wishes to purchase a bot coll. for the Indiana University of which he has recently been appointed President. Any assistance you can give me will be greatfully received. Sincerely Yours

E. R. Parry

Subject matter refers to the disposition of Herbarium of Charles Christopher Parry after his death & previous dated letter, 1891.

Davenport Iowa - Nov [ ]

Prof Bessey

Dear Sir - I wrote you some weeks ago [solelative] to the herbarium - hope you received it . but as I have no reply will say if you have any thing special to communicate, would be glad if you would write at once, as I expect to leave next week on Saturday for an abscence of three or four weeks. Please direct care Dr. Cantwell 13th & Main [ ] Davenport - Iowa- Hastily Yours, E. R. Parry