File:C. Hart Merriam papers - including correspondence, papers relating to career with the United States Biological Survey, 1798-1972 (bulk 1871-1942) (1871) (20574385576).jpg

Title: C. Hart Merriam papers : including correspondence, papers relating to career with the United States Biological Survey, 1798-1972 (bulk 1871-1942)
Identifier: chartmerriampape040merr (find matches)
Year: 1798 (1790s)
Authors: Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942; Bailey, Florence Merriam, 1863-1948; Bailey, Vernon, 1864-1942; Muir, John, 1838-1914. crp; Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. crp; Online Archive of California
Subjects: United States. Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy; United States. Division of Biological Survey; United States. Biological Survey; United States. Bureau of Biological Survey; Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (U. S. ); Harriman Alaska Expedition (1899); Bering Sea controversy; Bears; Biogeography; Natural history; Ornithology; Botany; Life zones; Wildlife conservation
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Contributing Library: The Bancroft Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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V FOR OCTOBER 192 9\^' meeting firmly fixed the boy's resolution to become a natur- alist. It was Baird who gave Merriam his first big oppor- tunity for adventure with one of the government expedi- tions. In March, 1872, three months after his six- teenth birthday, the boy was notified that he had been ap- pointed naturalist of the Hayden survey in the Far West, which enabled him to begin on a large scale the collecting of birds and mam- mals in the then little known territories of Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. The party, under the leader- ship of Dr. F. V. Hayden went directly to Cheyenne and thence to old Fort Rus- sell to be outfitted. Two groups were then formed and young Merriam was as- signed to the Snake River di- vision commanded by James Stevenson. On the way across the plains, the tram moved so slowly that mem- bers of the party were able to jump off the cars, hurried- ly collect a strange plant or bush, and swing aboard the lumbering train again as it rounded a loop of its circuit- ous route. The course taken by the Stevenson party was through Ogden to the Wasatch Range and the great Salt Lake country, thence into southeastern Idaho and the Malade Valley to Fort Hall. Here the wagons were aban- doned and the journey con- tinued by pack train across the Snake River at Eagle Rock and then northward to Teton Basin. From this point the division followed Henry Fork to Henry Lake, across the watershed into Montana and then eastward through Tahgee Pass to what is now Yellowstone National Park. During part of the trip Indian guides were em- ployed, but the return trek was made without this assist- ance, and at Two-Ocean Pass the party was snow- bound for several uncom- fortable days. On a butte in the Teton Range one night, Frank H. Bradley, the chief zoologist, and Merriam, who were re- connoitering, built a fire to attract the at- tention of the main party, and were aston- ished to find themselves suddenly surround- ed by a band of Indians. The two prison- ers had visions of a first-class scalping party, and much explaining was required as to the object of their presence there before they were finally released and allowed to resume 33
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Dr. C. Hart Merriam, noted naturalist whose ethnological studies of the California Indian are but part of hils many scientific activities their journey after this embarrassing delay. At Fort Hall, where the party was dis- banded, the explorers were compelled to re- main many days because of Indian troubles. Although a mere lad, Merriam did a man's work all that summer, earning the admir- ation of every man in the outfit because of his expertness as a rifleman, and achieving something of a national reputation as an or- nithologist. The winter of 1872-3 was spent in Washington preparing a written report dealing with the birds and mammals collected by the survey, and also identifying and labeling a collection of birds and bird skeletons obtained by Henry W. Elliott in the Pribilof? Islands. Merriam's services were eagerly, sought for another expedition the next summer, but Professor Baird advised him to go in- stead to the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale for lectures and laboratory work in zoology under Verrill, and in botany under

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