Baker, Arthur B. Letter to Ward, Henry A (1883-05-04)

Great Bend, Kansas. May 4/88

Dear Prof. Ward
I reached here last evening.
find the weather is usually cold for
this region and season, but yet much
pleasanter and warmer than at home.
I got through without much fatigue,
and today am feeling as well as when
I left home. I purpose to remain
here a fortnight or so - long enough to
become well accustomed to the
climate, then go north to the Kansas
Pacific and west on that line. I want
to stop at Wallace, Kas. a few days - in
the midst of the chalk - and look
about a little; but shall work steadily
toward higher altitude.
I see that the Kansas and Union Pacific

Baker, Arthur B. Letter to Ward, Henry A (1883-05-04)

have been consolidated, so your pass,
I suppose, covers both. If it should
chance that Henry has a little spare
time before going over to Cala. he
might go via Kansas and stop off
a while with me. I should be far
from sorry if he could do so.
When Henry's movements are decided, I
will conform my plans to his, so as
to take advantage of the pass.
Have you obtained any Antelope yet?
I am told here that they can be had
(purchased) not far west from here.
I do not count much on the information
but in case it should be correct, how
many skins are wanted? Any skeletons
or young? Prof. Wilder wants a skeleton.
He gave me a list of material which may
be furnished to the amount of $200. -
principally Carnivora (hearts, brains, skulls,
skins and foetuses). He seems to be affected
with a sort of Felidae mania; and anything

Baker, Arthur B. Letter to Ward, Henry A (1883-05-04)

in the line of cats is a special
desideratum. From what he said
I should imagine that your "word" in
my favor was rather unqualified.
I was sorry not to have had time and
strength to go about the University a
little.
I mail with this a M.C.Z. skeleton
list which I sometime ago appropriated.
If someone can conveniently check such
American species as have been furnished,
and return list, I will be on the lookout
for species wanted, of which I believe
a number - especially of birds, - are
western forms, and not uncommon.
I hope soon to interview a "Prairie Dog"
colony and forward results. In case there
should be foetuses should you want any?
If there is any work that I can do
which can bear the delay of transit, I
shall be glad to attend to it. If a mammal
list can be checked with species furnished

Baker, Arthur B. Letter to Ward, Henry A (1883-05-04)

I will prepare "copy" for remaining labels;
if that will be any help. I have the
necessary literature, except for bats.
The egg catalogue MSS. I shall begin
on at once.
Please give my regards to Mrs. Ward and
all members of the family. Henry, I hope
is steadily gaining. I should be glad
to have a line whenever convenient, as
I am far enough from home to make
letters not unwelcome,
Respectfully yours
Arthur B. Baker
I would not have written with pencil
had there been opportunity to use
ink.