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Tuesday 11th March 2003 Notes: R Coleman |
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Chris was back with us again to give us an insight into the early activities of the two personalities, Edward Drinker Cope, and Othniel Charles Marsh. Both men were contemporaries in the early world of Palaeontology (mid to late 19 century) but of diverse character and background. A tale of: Marsh, from a farming background, but backed by his uncle the philanthropist Peabody; balanced against that of Cope from a reasonably well to do Quaker family, with little financial support in comparison, but an avid interest in all things that had lived or were living. An interest that had began in childhood. Chris told us the story of Cope's unfortunate reconstruction of Laelaps and how Marsh capitalized on this mistake. Another of how Marsh gained access to Indian lands when he struck a bargain with Red Cloud; and the eventual political resignations, followed with an improvement in Indian welfare that Marsh's dogged determination had brought about. The tale of how Marsh and Buffalo Bill became friends; and Bill's visit to Professor Marsh at Yale, in Bill's typical style, announcing his arrival by firing his guns wildly in the air. There were so many tales told of Cope and Marsh rivalry in the field, a feud of almost comic book proportions, and told by Chris with such gusto, that tears rolled down my face as I struggled to hold back the laughter. My thoughts drifted to similar characters today, who are over protective about the collecting haunts. Funny the things you see when you aint got a gun, but those teams of guys were armed to the teeth with: rifles, pistols, Bowie knives and a geological hammer to hand round! Cope left his remains to science, and his skeleton ended up with the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia. It seems that two American palaeontologist wanted to borrow it to take on their lecture circuit. Their request was denied, but a clerical error occurred during the lunch break, and his remains were "booked out" all the same! There is some suggestion that the skull had never been de-waxed properly and that Cope may have had syphilis (how did he find the time or is this an instance of an infection caught jumping!........ from fossil dinosaurs to humans?). Anyway the suggestion is that it may not be the best thing to handle. Cope seems to attract this type of attention as a bust of him has gone missing too! This all leads one to think that he must have a fan club, and probably well earned! Chris finished his lecture on the tale of an expedition of Cope's at
the time of the battle of the Little Big Horn, when Custer met his end.
Cope reasoned that it was 100 miles away and the Indians would take about
a month to get to them! However, the Indians moved quicker and the situation
became desperate, Cope's team loaded their fossils bones onto a wagon
and travelled by the dead of night, whilst during the daytime they hid.
After three days and nights they eventually reached a river crossing held
by the US Army. They hired a barge, loaded their fossils and set off.
A couple of days later the outpost was overrun by the Indians. Chris then
got his Guitar out and we all sang: It is truly amazing how much information on the web there is about these guys: The following links are to get you started: Heads & Tails Cope's big mistake made bigger by Marsh! Another Article on Cope & Marsh Introducing the preservation of the Cope's remains! Cope again: Read last paragraph about Cope's last days. Well, where do you keep your fossils? A Marsh Mistake: If only Cope had known! Bust: Want to earn a $100? The above links are just the tip of the Iceberg. These will give you a good insight into the story that Chris told, he covered most of the information you will find mentioned and lots more you wont find easily! The amount of detail that Chris covered in his one hour talk was incredible! A very enjoyable and unique lecture, one you should not have missed! Text © Roger Coleman 15 March 2003 |
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