sister, Mrs. Evelyn Witcher. The death of Major Gentry occurred May 22, 1890. In every relation of life, as husband, parent, cititzen, soldier, and public official, he was a model of integrity and noble purpose. His services in behalf of his home county and the adjacent region can not be overestimated. Keenly alive to its possibilities, and hoping for its occupation by a large and desirable population, he never lost faith in the ultimate success of the various enterprises intended to accomplish this end, nor did his effort ever lag, nor were his means ever withheld. It is to be said that his wise discernment was amply vindicated in the magnitude of accomplished results. While incessantly busy with important concerns to the advantage of the community, he neglected no personal duty nor interest, and his unflagging industry, wise management and great business ability caused him to be regarded, as he is now remembered, as the model farmer of his region. He accumulated a large estate comprising six thousand acres in his home place, splendidly improved, and nearly all under cultivation or used in rearing stock. His personal success in these lines of industry, was of vast advantage to others. through imitation of his methods, and through availing themselves of new and desirable breeds of domestic animals of his introduction. His conduct in the outer world was governed by the same high principles which characterized him in his home. life. Refined in manner, genial in disposition, pure-minded and temperate in all ways, he was held in affectionate regard by all the thousands who esteemed it a pleasure to know him and to enjoy his friendship. He particularly endeared himself to very many during and immediately after the Civil War, when he expended a comfortable fortune in providing for the wants and ameliorating the conditions of such as had suffered impoverishment. Charitable and merciful, his home was ever a refuge for the weary and distressed throughout his life. His tenderhearted sympathy required no personal appeal, nor could sickness or disaster afflict one within his knowledge, that he did not make it his errand to visit the unfortunate and make generous bestowal of his means and services. To few families is it given to inherit so highly honored a name as is borne

by the descendants of the truly noble William Gentry.

Gentry, William Miller, was born at the family homestead in Pettis County, September 19, 1837, son of Richard and Alzira (Miller) Gentry. His boyhood was spent upon the farm, and his rudimentary education was obtained in the school established by his father. While the famous Kemper School was still located at Fulton, he entered it as a student, continuing his studies there after its removal to Boonville. After leaving this school he returned to his home and assisted his father in the management of his extensive farming and stock interests. The Civil War interrupted his farming operations for a while, and when a call for additional men for the defense of the homes of loyal citizens was made, he joined the State Union forces and served until the danger was past. The death of his father, in 1865, left him and his brother in charge of the valuable interests founded and nurtured by the elder Gentry, and to their care he devoted the remainder of his life. Though a Democrat of the same type as his father and brother, he never sought nor consented to fill public office. Fraternally he was a Master Mason. December 2, 1885, he married Bettie H., widow of Reuben J. Gentry. While in the prime of manhood, apparently with many years of usefulness before him, he was stricken with an illness which resulted in his death, May 1, 1889. It should be said of him that the traditions of the old and honorable Gentry family guided him throughout life, and his career, though free from ostentation, was, nevertheless, marked by a publicspiritedness, and liberality of thought and action in consonance with the spirit which has characterized his family throughout all its generations.

Gentry County.-A county in the northwestern part of the State, bounded on the north by Worth County, east by Harrison and Daviess Counties, south by DeKalb County, and west by Andrew and Nodaway Counties; area, 313,000 acres. The surface is generally undulating, with large areas of bottom land along Grand River, the principal stream, which runs through the county in a southeasterly direction, in an irregular

course. Its chief feeders are East Fork of West Fork, Middlę Fork and West Fork of Grand River. Of Grand, and the streams here named, there are numerous smaller tributaries. Originally one-third of the area of the county was in timber, a large belt of oak, several miles in width, extending through the county from north to south. Much of this has been cleared away and the land converted into farms. About two-thirds of the county is prairie. Throughout nearly all sections of the county the soil is a dark loam, mixed in places with sand, and lying on a base of clay. The timber lands have proved the best for the growing of wheat and other cereals. The average yield to the acre of corn is 35 bushels; wheat, 15 bushels; and, oats, 25 bushels. Potatoes yield 100 bushels to the acre, and all the tuberous vegetables grow equally as well, and reach almost a perfect state of maturity. The grasses, especially timothy and clover, grow luxuriantly and are profitable crops. Stock-raising, dairying and. fruitgrowing are the most profitable branches of diversified farming, which is the general occupation of the residents of the county. About 80 per cent of the area of the county is under cultivation, the remainder being in timber, consisting chiefly of oak, hickory, black walnut, cottonwood, lind, etc. fruit acreage of the county is nearly 3,000 acres. All the hardy varieties of fruits are produced abundantly, and horticulture has for many years been successfully carried on. In the northern part of the county there is a deposit of bituminous coal, which is the only mineral yet discovered in the county. Building stone exists in limited quantities. There is abundance of brick clay, which is used extensively in the manufacture of brick, considerable of which is exported. According to the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1898, the surplus exports shipped from the county were: Cattle, 18,600 head; hogs, 69,600 head; sheep, 2,683 head; horses and mules, 2,390 head; wheat, 27,800 bushels; oats, 938 bushels; corn, 24,500 bushels; hay, 39,400 pounds; timothy seed, 1,000 pounds; lumber, 91,200 feet; logs, 6,000 feet; walnut logs, 24,000 feet; cross-ties, 454; cordwood, 1,212 cords; brick, 768,750; sand, 75 cars; wool, 64,000 pounds; poultry, 690,200 pounds; eggs, 546,000 dozen; butter, 87,500 pounds; lard and tallow, 4,085 pounds; hides and pelts, 63,000 pounds; nursery stock,

The

2,790 pounds. Other articles exported from the county were dressed meats, honey, beeswax, molasses and furs. The exact date of the first permanent settlement in the section that is now Gentry County, and who was the first settler, are matters that remain in dispute. It is generally claimed that no settlements were made in the section until 1840, when a number of people, who for a time had resided in Clay and Ray Counties, located upon the land along the Grand River. It is certain that there were only a few settlers, if any, prior to this time. That in 1840 there was considerable occupation of the lands along Grand River, is evidenced by the fact that the county had a sufficient population for organization a year later. On February 12, 1841, Gentry County was preliminarily organized, and its boundaries defined. The first two sections of the creative act were in the following words: "All that portion of territory now attached to Clinton County, and lying north of the township line dividing Townships 60 and 61, shall be included in a new county hereafter organized and known by the name of Gentry, in honor of Colonel Richard Gentry, who fell in the battle of Okeechobee, in Florida. Gentry County shall be attached to the County of Clinton, for all civil and military purposes, until otherwise provided by law." The organization of the county was perfected in 1843, and the commissioners appointed to select a permanent seat of justice located it on land near the center of the county, and laid out a town, which was called Athens. Later the name was changed to Albany. Gentry County is divided into eight townships, named, respectively, Athens, Bogie, Cooper, Howard, Higgins, Jackson, Miller and Wilson. Omaha & St. Louis branch of the Wabash Railroad passes diagonally through the county, from the northwest; and the St. Joseph branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, from the southwest corner, northeast to north of the center of the eastern boundary line. The number of public schools in the county in 1899 was 91; teachers employed, 141; pupils enumerated, 6,820. The population of the county in 1900 was 20,554.

The

Geological Surveys.-The motive of some of the French and all of the early Spanish explorers was the search for precious metals. In 1541 De Soto is supposed to have

traversed southern Missouri in his search for wealth. In 1705 the Governor of Louisiana. sent out an expedition under De Lochon, which penetrated as far as the mouth of Kansas River, but with no success. In 1720 De La Motte explored southeast Missouri, and did some mining for lead in the region since known as the La Motte mines. Soon after, Renault mined near Potosi, and from 1730 to 1770 there was occasional mining in southeast Missouri. The first person of English descent to explore this region was Moses Austin, a native of Durham, Connecticut, who had been working lead mines in Wythe County, Virginia. In 1798 he rode horseback to Missouri, obtained the grant of a league of land from the Spanish government, and soon after opened the first regular shaft for mining and erected a furnace for smelting lead. In 1804 Austin made a report to Major Amos Stoddard, acting Governor, which was later published in the "American State Papers," Volume I. In this report Austin describes each of the ten mines, with some general observations on the district. These mines were operated by Austin for nearly fifteen years. He then went to Texas to arrange for the establishment of a colony there. From Texas he went to Mexico to negotiate for a cession, was imprisoned, came out sick and dispirited, and soon after died at the home of his son-in-law, on Big River, Missouri. His son, Stephen F. Austin, later obtained the grant and established a settlement around Austin, Texas, and died there in 1836.

In 1818, 1819 and 1823 Henry R. Schoolcraft was in the mining region of southeast Missouri. In November and December, 1818, Schoolcraft, with Levi Pettibone, journeyed from Washington County, Missouri, through the then unknown wilderness, to southwest Missouri, exploring caves, examining the rocks, and, on the 30th of November, met hunters on the waters of the White River. There were then two or three families on White River, near the Arkansas line. From thence they journeyed up White River and Swan Creek to Finley Creek, by Ozark Cave, to James Fork, and visited the mine since known as the Phelps lead mine, about five miles from Springfield. A small shaft A small shaft was sunk, some lead ore dug out, a rude log furnace erected, and on January 3, 1819, some lead was smelted. On January 5th they

started on their return trip, passed down White River; thence up. Black River to St. Michael-now Fredericktown-and to Ste. Genevieve. In 1823, when accompanying General Cass to St. Louis, Schoolcraft paid another visit to the mines of southeast Missouri, he saw Austin, and obtained additional information of the mines and minerals of Missouri. As a result, he published, in 1819, a volume on the mines of Missouri. He names mines in the counties of Washington, Ste. Genevieve and Madison, and describes the associated minerals and manner of mineworking. To this he adds a geographical description of Missouri, with its sixteen counties; also an article on the mineral masses of the earth. Another volume he published, entitled "A Tour Through Missouri and North Arkansas," in 1819. He also published a volume with notes of his trip in 1823.

In Volume I of "Western Journal and Civilian," St. Louis, 1848, page 243, Dr. H. M. Prout gives a general sketch of the geology of the Mississippi Valley, and in Volume V, of January, 1853, he further advocates the importance of a geological survey of the State. The "Western Journal," for October and November, 1849, contains lengthy articles showing the value of the mineral resources of Missouri, and the great importance of having made an early geological survey of the State. Dr. M. M. Maughas, of Callaway County, explored central Missouri, and in the "Western Journal and Civilian" for February, 1853, he published an interesting article on his geological researches in Missouri.

Official Surveys and Reports.

In 1839 the State of Missouri had a Board of Improvement, consisting of several members. The president of the board. was George C. Sibley; William H. Morell was chief engineer, and Dr. Henry King was employed to make a geological survey along the Osage River. The act organizing this movement was passed by the Legislature and approved February 9, 1839. Dr. King handed in his report December, 1839. This may be considered the first official geological report ever published on Missouri. Dr. King connected his geological surveys with the southeast Missouri region, and that of the Osage River. He examined the lead mines of Washington and and St. Francois Counties, the region.

around Massies' iron works; thence across the Gasconade and Osage, to Jefferson City. He notes the occurrence of lead and iron, copper, barytes and zinc. He speaks of coal pockets and salt springs. He studies the geology on both sides of the Osage to the west line of the State. He discusses the Osage and its tributaries, the character of the country, timber, prairie, soils, minerals, fossils, and the age of the rocks. In this, he considers the Jefferson City rocks to be the upper member of the lead-bearing series. He further takes notice of the building stone, of the "float" mineral, which he considers to be the remains of a former regular vein. speaks of lead mines in the country, from near Jefferson City to near Warsaw, and of the indications of lead in central Missouri. Pierre Chouteau, of St. Louis, is said to have been the first man who explored the Upper Osage Valley for minerals.

In 1849 the Missouri Historical and Philosophical Society presented a memorial to the Legislature, signed by Sol. D. Caruthers, Samuel T. Glover, Falkland H. Martin, William G. Minor and De Witt C. Ballou, setting forth the advantages to be derived from a geological survey, and urgently asking the Legislature to make liberal appropriations for the same. In May, 1849, the Legislature appointed a committee, with T. F. Risk as chairman, to memorialize Congress to set apart one township of land in each land district for the purpose of carrying on a survey, and also to establish a school of agriculture, mining and chemistry. This was adopted by the United States House of Representatives, without a dissenting voice, but was delayed in the Senate and not acted on before the close of the session. On December 27, 1849, Stephen H. Douglas introduced a bill in Congress to authorize an allotment of one township of land in each land district, for the purpose of aiding a geological survey. December, 1852, the Missouri Legislature recommended an appropriation for a geological survey of the State, and the bill was passed April 2, 1853. George C. Swallow was appointed State Geologist, and in June he began his work in the State, which he continued until May, 1861. During the summer of 1853 Swallow made surveys in Boone County, then he explored the Missouri bluffs from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Rockport, Missouri. After this he made a trip across the

In

State to southwest Missouri, returning by a different route; the next summer he did work in central and northeast Missouri, and by December, 1854, he had his report complete, including 450 pages, with five maps with sections. No other man during the same time has ever gone into a strange field, traversed the country and written out its geology in so short a time and with such successful accuracy as he did. In this work he was ably assisted by Dr. B. F. Shumard, Dr. A. Litton and Mr. F. B. Meek. The other assistants in the work were R. B. Price, Dr. J. G. Norwood, Major F. Hawn, G. C. Broadhead, Dr. John Locke, H. A. Uiffers, Warwick Hough, P. C. Swallow, Edwin Harrison, Henry Engelmann and C. Gilbert Wheeler. Most of the State was surveyed by Swallow and his assistants. In 1861 the geological survey was discontinued.

Second Survey.

The second geological survey was made in 1870-5. During 1870 and part of 1871 Albert D. Hager was State Geologist. In 1871 J. G. Norwood was temporarily State Geologist, with G. C. Broadhead, assistant geologist. He was also assisted by Charles M. Litton. Surveys were made in Madison County and in western Missouri. The Legislature, in 1871, established a State Board of Mines and Geology, to consist of four members, with the Governor as chairman. In November, 1871, Raphael Pumpelly was appointed State Geologist. His assistants on the work were Dr. Adolph Schmidt, G. C. Broadhead, William B. Potter, Alex. Leonhard, P. N. Moore, W. E. Guy, J. R. Gage, Charles J. Norwood and John Pumpelly. Dr. Schmidt's work was mainly a description of iron ore beds in south, east and central Missouri. Professor Potter made a survey of Lincoln County. G. C. Broadhead examined the coal fields of western Missouri. Regis Chauvenet made chemical analyses. In June, 1873, Pumpelly resigned and G. C. Broadhead was appointed State Geologist. His assistants were Dr. A. Schmidt, P. N. Moore, C. J. Norwood, H. H. West and J. R. Gage with Regis Chauvenet, chemist. Broadhead made surveys of Cole, Madison and Howard and certain counties of southwest Missouri. C. J. Norwood made surveys of Putnam and Schuyler and assisted Broadhead in other surveys. J. R. Gage made a report on certain lead mines in St.

Francois and Madison Counties, and P. N. Moore made a survey of Limonite ore beds in southeast Missouri. Dr. Schmidt made surveys of the lead and zinc mines in central and southwest Missouri. The survey was suspended in 1875.

Third Survey.

The geological survey was reorganized in 1889 with a Bureau of Geology and Mines, consisting of four members and the Governor as chairman of the board. From 1889 to 1893 Arthur Winslow was State Geologist. From 1893 to 1897 Charles R. Keves filled the office. The assistants were C. F. Marbut, Elston Lonsdale, A. E. Woodward, G. E. Ladd, Frank Nason, J. Robertson, H. A. Wheeler, R. R. Rowley, E. M. Shepard, J. E. Todd, Erasmus Haworth. The reports included twelve volumes of from 200 to 400 pages each, and five bulletins and annual reports. In 1897 John A. Gallaher was appointed State Geologist. He has had Marbut and Rowley to assist. The work of the third geological survey has been chiefly in the same field as the others, being brought out in more detail in some districts.

Official publications in connection with geological surveys of MisOfficial Publications. souri have been as follows: Geological Report of Country Adjacent to Osage River, by Dr. Henry King accompanying State Engineer's Report, Jefferson City, 1840; First Annual Report, 1853. Report of Progress, Second Annual Report, 1854; includes 38 pages. Report of Progress, 447 pages; geology, maps, sections, three plates of fossils; Chapters 1 to 5 inclusive, by G. C. Swallow; Part Second, Report of A. Litton on Lead Mines; F. B. Meek on Moniteau County; F. Hawn on Country along Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad; Dr. B. F. Shumard on St. Louis, Franklin and the Country along the Mississippi River, and description of fortyeight species of fossils. Reports of Progress for 1856, 1859 and 1860; G. C. Swallow and assistants. Report of Country Adjacent to Southwest Branch of Pacific Railway, 1858. Annual Report of A. D. Hager, 23 pages, 1871. Geological Report, 1855-71, Jefferson City, 1873; 323 pages, photo-lithographic plates, eight county maps; includes reports on six counties, by G. C. Broadhead; three

counties by F. B. Meek, and twelve counties by B. F. Shuinard.

Report-Iron Ores and Coal Fields-1873. Raphael Pumpelly, director; 190 illustrations; two parts and an atlas; Part I, 214 pages; includes geology of Pilot Knob and vicinity, by R. Pumpelly; second, Analyses, by Chauvenet and Blair; third, by A. Schmidt, Description of Iron Ore Deposits; Part II,440 pages, Chapters 1 to 6, Coal Mines of Missouri, by G. C. Broadhead; Chapters 7 and 8, Geology of Lincoln County, by W. B. Potter; Chapters 9 to 15, inclusive, Reports on Counties of Northwest Missouri, by G. C. Broadhead. Appendix-Smith, Broadhead and C. J. Norwood.

Geological Survey Report 1874-G. C. Broadhead, Chapters 1 to 6, inclusive, and II to 21, inclusive, by Broadhead; Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12, by Broadhead and C. J. Norwood; Chapters 16 and 17, by C. J. Norwood; Chapters 21 to 33, by Dr. A. Schmidt, on Lead Districts; Chapter 34 by J. R. Gage; Chapter 35, by P. N. Moore; Chemical Analyses, by R. Chauvenet; and appendix. Jefferson City, 1874; thirty-five chapters and appendix; 734 pages; ninety-one illustrations; atlas; fourteen maps. Report of C. P. Williams, 183 pages; three chapters, Lead and Zinc; Jefferson City, 1877.

Publications of the Third Survey, 18891900, were as follows: Five bulletins; 470 pages; thirteen plates, eleven figures; A. Winslow, State Geologist and assistants, Ladd, Marbut, Haworth, Woodward; and includes a bulletin on bibliography of Missouri geology by F. A. Sampson; three biennial reports, 150 pages.

Volume I. Coal, by A. Winslow; 227 pages; 131 figures; four chapters, two appendices.

Volume II. Iron Ore; Frank L. Nason; 366 pages; nine plates, sixty-two figures; eleven chapters, two appendices.

Volume III. Mineral Waters, by Dr. Paul Schweitzer; 256 pages; thirty-four plates, eleven figures; ten chapters, three appendices.

Volumes IV and V. Paleontology, by Charles R. Keyes; 314 and 320 pages; thirtyfour and thirty-two plates, nine and two figures.

Volumes VI and VII. Lead and Zinc Deposits, by A. Winslow; 387 and 401 pages; twelve and twenty-eight plates, 71 and