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SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND EXPERIMENT STATION.
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, HORTICULTURE AND BOTANY.
CHAS. A. KEFFER, PROFESSOR IN CHARGE. TOM A. WILLIAMS, INSTRUCTOR IN BOTANY.
Brookings, S. D., ______________1891
Who takes Edgrens place? We are getting along very well here though the Profs in History & Language are not inclined to allow us time for laboratory work and view each step we take with alarm, apparently. It is hard for some people to see that botany should be more than a study of a a few flowers. The China position was again offered me but I declined. I think it might prove a good place were I ready to take it; but it is too far from any where just yet. I need more study and association with men of better minds and better ability before I go off on such a chase. I hope to be able to spend my winters in study for some time yet. Prof. Bruner's surprise was a good one to me am very much obliged to him and all of you who have helped in the thing. Regards to all. Very Resp'ly Thos. A. Williams
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SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND EXPERIMENT STATION.
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, HORTICULTURE AND BOTANY.
CHAS A. KEFFER, PROFESSOR IN CHARGE. TOM A. WILLIAMS, INSTRUCTOR IN BOTANY.
Brookings, S. D., Sept. 27 1891
Dear Dr. Bessey In my last letter to you I mentioned that Kellerman had written me that he was going to Ohio. In the same letter he suggested that if I wanted a better place there was a chance. I wrote Pres. Fairchild concerning it and enclose you his answer. I am in doubt whether to make an application or not. Keffer advises it. My chances for a rise here are about the same as they have been when the funds tc. admit they promise an advancement. As they are at present extremely hard up nothing is certain. I am somewhat doubtful as to whether I ought to even think of trying for such a place or not with my present experience & knowledge. Of course Ihave had all the work in botany here under my charge but that in all probability could hardly compare with what would be required there. I wish you would tell me what you think you know what I can do and also know the character of the work that would be required. I do not want to try for the place unless there is some chance for success. What would you do? Of course there would be but one chance in many of my getting the place even if I do make application. I stated briefly to Pres. Fairchild my capabilities, age tc. from my own point of view and told him upon whom I could rely for recommendations. Will you state just what you think about it. Theres just one feature of things here that I do not like - Politics - and though it is not probable it will bother me, as Iam on the right side (at present at least) still I don't think that the thing ought to enter into such matters. If you think I had best not try the thing tell me so If you think there is a chance for me to
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Succeed will you write Pres. Fairchild and give him your opinion of me? I shall act upon your advice in the matter. Prof. Keffer thinks that I could do it alright but I prefer your judgement to his. I am doubtful myself. Kellerman was very well liked I understand and of course they expect first class work, as you see by the enclised letter of the President My work here this time is very pleasant Have a small class, in Embryology tc. and they are evincing a great deal of interest. VEry Truly Yours, Thos.A.Williams
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FACULTY.
LEWIS MCLOUTH, PRESIDENT. LUTHER FOSTER, AGRICULTURE. ROB'T F. KERR, POLITICAL ECONOMY. L. M. ORCUTT, ZOOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY. S. F. LAPHAM, MUSIC. CHAS. A. KEFFER, BOTANY & FORESTRY. [JAS] M. [SHEPERD], CHEMISTRY. NELLIE E. FOLSOM, PRECEPTRESS. C. [R. CARY], VETERINARY SCIENCE. LIEUT. PETER LEARY, MILITARY TACTICS. WM. S. FROST, SECRETARY & STEWARD. LILLIE A. HARKINS, DOMESTIC ECONOMY. WM. H. H. [PHILLIPS], MATHEMATICS. GEO. E. DAWSON, ENGLISH. ELLIOTT M. [WESTLOCK], MECH ENG. A. M. WHEATON, DAIRY SCIENCE. CURTIS [ ] WATERS, ASST. MATH.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: J. P. DAY, PRESIDENT, MELLETTE. [S.] W. LOCKWOOD, TREASURER, BROOKINGS. A. E. HITCHCOOK, SECRETARY, MITCHELL. C. [P]. PETERSON, DEUEL. ALEX. MCINTYRE, WATERTOWN.
South Dakota Agricultural College AND Experiment Station.
Brookings, S. D., Oct 3 1891
Dear Dr. Bessey Yours of the 30th of Sept. rec'd. Think your plan a good one. Have been looking into the matter of the character of their work there and find that it is no heavier than my work at present. so far as the work truly goes but I realize the disadvantage of following Dr. Kellerman. however they would hardly expect an average man to come up to them, as I understand they almost worshipped him I would much rather not change until things settled here. but one of the best men in the faculty and one that everybody liked very much was dismissed at the last meeting of the board (the first of this month) for absolutely no reason at all but that his place was wanted by a particular friend of the Gov's. Within the last six months there have been quite a number of like transactions rather showing that politics not merit wins just now. My own work here is and has been very pleasant. and if this "mix" blows over and things get settled think that it will come out alright in the end. There is but little hope of much funds for new books tc. for sometime. Have succeeded in getting a good start towards a herbarium this season through collections & exchanges. If fact if it were not for the "Politics" would be quite hopeful. Prof. Hipps wrote to Pro. Fairchild in just the same strain as you suggest before I got your letter. There is more chance to do good scientific work at [Kans] and that is my only reason for wishing to change
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FACULTY.
LEWIS MCLOUTH, PRESIDENT. LUTHER FOSTER, AGRICULTURE. ROB'T F. KERR, POLITICAL ECONOMY. L. M. ORCUTT, ZOOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY. S. F. LAPHAM, MUSIC. CHAS. A. KEFFER, BOTANY & FORESTRY. [JAS] M. [SHEPERD], CHEMISTRY. NELLIE E. FOLSOM, PRECEPTRESS. C. [R. CARY], VETERINARY SCIENCE. LIEUT. PETER LEARY, MILITARY TACTICS. WM. S. FROST, SECRETARY & STEWARD. LILLIE A. HARKINS, DOMESTIC ECONOMY. WM. H. H. [PHILLIPS], MATHEMATICS. GEO. E. DAWSON, ENGLISH. ELLIOTT M. [WESTLOCK], MECH ENG. A. M. WHEATON, DAIRY SCIENCE. CURTIS [ ] WATERS, ASST. MATH.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: J. P. DAY, PRESIDENT, MELLETTE. [S.] W. LOCKWOOD, TREASURER, BROOKINGS. A. E. HITCHCOOK, SECRETARY, MITCHELL. C. [P]. PETERSON, DEUEL. ALEX. MCINTYRE, WATERTOWN.
South Dakota Agricultural College AND Experiment Station.
Brookings, S. D. ____________1891. at any rate I shall not be so terribly disappointed if I do not change. I am hoping to be able to come down to Nebr. by the first of Dec. but don't know yet how my work will come out. Regards to all. Very Resp'ly Thos A.Williams P.S. One of Conway McMillan's students has the botany at Vermillion now. I think he's going to make a very good man.