http://e-archives.lib.purdue.edu/botpdf/BOTM18760125.pdfTuesday, January 25th, 1876. Pursuant to a call of the President the Board of Trustees met this day at the rooms of Hon. John Purdue, at the Lahr House in the city of La Fayette; Present, Hon. J.R. Coffroth, President, and J.C. Ratliff, John Sutherland, R. Wells, Gen. M.D. Manson, and R.P. Haynes, Trustees—also the Hon. John Purdue. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. Wells, in behalf of the Committee heretofore appointed to locate the site of an Astronomical Observatory, (see page 214 ante) presents to the Board a letter received by him from J. Henry Esq. Director of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, of date Dec. 11, 1875, which is received as the report of the Committee and ordered to be filed. On motion of Mr. Ratliff it was ordered that Prof. Hussey be instructed to receive the bid of the Cabinet Makers’ Union of La Fayette, for the construction of cases for specimens. The Secretary informed the Board that he had received from his brothers Aaron Stein and Nathan Stein of San Francisco, California, a consignment of mineral and other specimens, as a donation to Purdue University, which he stood prepared to turn over as soon as the above cases should be ready—whereupon on motion of Mr. Ratliff it was ordered that the Secretary be directed to certify the thanks of the Trustees to Messrs A. and N. Stein for their donation. On motion the Board adjourned to to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock. Wednesday, January 26th, 1876. 9 o’clock A.M. The Board re-assembled this morning at the above hour at the said rooms of Hon. John Purdue: present as yesterday, except J.C. Ratliff. Mr. L.A. Burke, being present, made his report in writing of his operations as Farm Superintendent for the year 1875. The report was accepted and ordered to be placed on file by the Secretary, and Mr. Burke was directed to pay to the Treasurer the balance of $56.28 appearing due on said report, and said sum is ordered to be transferred and credited to the Stock fund.