By Steven Wade Veatch
Hidden among geological marvels at a mineral show was a cinnabar-bearing chalcedony breccia-specimen (Figure 1). The term "breccia" refers to a rock composed of angular fragments, while "chalcedony" describes a type of cryptocrystalline quartz. Adding "cinnabar" specifies the presence of mercury sulfide, which creates a distinctive red color.
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| Figure 1. Chalcedony breccia in a cinnabar-matrix. While attending the Central Michigan Lapidary and Mineral Society rock show in 2023, the author noticed this specimen for sale by a vendor and purchased it for its interesting geological story and the sad tale about its original collector. From the collection of S. W. Veatch. Photo date 2024 by S. W. Veatch. |
This breccia specimen reveals the Earth’s natural forces and is a reminder of the mysterious disappearing act of a professor. The specimen, a chalcedony breccia, embedded in a cinnabar matrix, unveils a story of geological upheaval. It is also a reminder of the personal upheaval of the man who collected it.
Professor M. W. Harrington collected the cinnabar specimen from a streambed in Nappa County, California (Figures 2 and 3). At some point after he collected this sample, he disappeared. His wife and son relentlessly searched for him over many years. This article takes us on a journey to uncover the mysteries and wonders of this fascinating specimen and the tragic tale of its collector.
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Figure 2. Label of
the cinnabar-bearing chalcedony-breccia specimen collected by Professor Mark Walrod
Harrington for the University of Michigan’s Natural History Museum in Ann
Arbor, Michigan. Photo date 2024 by S. W. Veatch. |
The formation of the chalcedony breccia, which consists of chalcedony fragments embedded in a matrix of finer-grained, granular cinnabar, results from complex geological processes. These types of breccias usually develop in areas of intense tectonic activity or volcanic eruptions, where rocks break apart and then fuse back together.
The distinctive feature of this specimen is cinnabar, a vibrant red mineral consisting of mercury sulfide. Cinnabar typically is found in veins associated with volcanic activity and alkaline hot springs (Chesterman, 1990). It’s the primary ore used to refine elemental mercury and has historically been used to create vibrant red pigments like vermilion.
Geological thought suggests that the formation of this chalcedony breccia within its cinnabar matrix likely occurred during periods of volcanic activity and low temperature hydrothermal circulation. The fracturing of the pre-existing chalcedony, possibly because of volcanic eruptions or tectonic movements, provided the initial substrate for the deposition of chalcedony fragments. The introduction of a cinnabar-rich solution through subsequent hydrothermal processes led to the cementation of the breccia, resulting in the creation of the intricate mosaic we currently observe.
From a scientific standpoint, this specimen offers valuable information about past geological events and environmental conditions. Researchers can reconstruct part of the region’s geological history by studying the composition and texture of the chalcedony breccia and its association with cinnabar. These investigations enhance our knowledge of volcanic processes, hydrothermal activity, and mineral-deposit formation.
The cinnabar- and chalcedony- breccia specimen discussed in this article was collected by Mark Walrod Harrington (1848 –1926) for the University of Michigan’s mineral collection. Harrington was born in the pleasing town of Sycamore, Illinois and he attended the University of Michigan. The grandeur of the historic buildings on campus captivated his eyes while the distant sound of student chatter filled the air. Graduating in 1868 with a bachelor’s degree, he continued his studies, delving into the world of academia, as the aroma of old books and the sound of pages turning surrounded him. In 1871, he earned his master’s degree, and his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.
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| Figure 3. Photograph of Mark Walrod Harrington, during his tenure as Director of the Observatory at the University of Michigan, which he held from 1879–1891. A renowned American scientist in the late 19th century, he held the distinction of being the first civilian to head the United States Weather Bureau and had previously served as president of the University of Washington. He also held positions at the United States Weather Bureau before his disappearance in around 1899. Photographer unknown. Public domain. |
He then started his career as the assistant curator at the University’s Museum of Natural Sciences in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The hushed whispers of students exploring the museum echoed in his ears. With each step, he felt the weight of knowledge and responsibility grow. Eventually, the university made him the professor of botany, zoology, and geology, and then gave him the honor of directing the esteemed Detroit Observatory, where at night the twinkling stars above filled him with awe and wonder (Mark Walrod Harrington, 1895-97, n.d.).
In 1874, he married Rose Martha Smith, a woman hailing from his Illinois hometown. Shortly after, they welcomed a son into their family. However, tragedy struck in 1876 when their young child passed away. Initially, Harrington had intended to take a year-long sabbatical in Germany alone. However, because of the heart-wrenching loss, he and his wife embarked on the journey together. During their time in Europe, they immersed themselves in the German language, embraced a simple lifestyle, and grieved the loss of their son (Swanson, n.d.).
The president of the University of Michigan appointed Harrington to be the director of the Detroit Observatory in 1879. The Harringtons welcomed their second son, Mark Raymond, in 1882. The boy, like his father, had an insatiable curiosity. Harrington divided his time between the Observatory during the day and exploring the Ann Arbor countryside with his son in the evenings and on weekends, looking for plants, rocks, and arrowheads (Swanson, n.d.).
After leaving his university post, Harrington took on the position of the first civilian director of the United States Weather Bureau, which fell under the authority of the US Department of Agriculture (US Department of Commerce, n.d.). He only maintained this position a few years before problems with managing non-academic staff led to his dismissal. Next, he became the president of Washington Territorial University, but he faced issues again and had to resign. His leadership abilities seem to have been impacted by a newly emerging mental illness. After briefly returning to the Weather Bureau in a lower position, he resigned in 1899 (Swanson, n.d.). Later that year, on a summer evening, he told his wife and 17-year-old son that he was going out for dinner (Swanson, n.d.). He never came back (Swanson, n.d.). He vanished for almost a decade, a tragic event that overshadowed his academic accomplishments.
During the lost years, it appears that Harrington first spent his time working menial jobs. After that, he traveled to China where he tutored students in English. Unfortunately, he became ill during his time there, but he managed to save up enough money to sail back home. Upon his return, he landed in the American South after passing through the Panama Canal (Swanson, n.d.). He worked on sugar plantations for a while before deciding to travel west and stake a mining claim. Eventually, he found work as a lumberman. After these adventures, he returned to a sleazy Chicago flophouse and later made his way to New Jersey (Swanson, n.d.). Sadly, it was in New Jersey that his memory finally and completely failed him.
In 1907, alone and frightened in Newark, he sought shelter from the rain at a local police precinct. Upon seeing his condition, the authorities took him to a mental institution and admitted him under the name of “John Doe No. 8.”
Harrington’s whereabouts remained a mystery to his wife Rose and her son for the next 10 years. During his collection of Native American artifacts out west, Mark Raymond, Harrington’s son, stumbled upon a newspaper report in 1908 about a peculiar admission to the Morris Plains Asylum for the Insane. He wasted no time contacting his mother, who soon found out that the man identified as John Doe No. 8 was her long-lost husband.
While at the asylum, the doctors determined that Harrington was suffering from severe mental illness. According to the University of Washington in Seattle, his wife claimed that, while he was investigating clouds over the campus during his brief tenure as president there, lightning struck him. The exact cause of his madness, however, remains unknown. Although there was some improvement in Harrington's mental state, he was never able to return to a normal life and refused to acknowledge his former name or personal history. As a result, he remained institutionalized for the rest of his life and passed away in the New Jersey State Mental Hospital at Morris Plains in 1926.
Harrington was a resolute scholar who delved into various fields including botany, astronomy, meteorology, and geology. He actively contributed to these disciplines through his studies and publications. And his knowledge extended beyond his vast scientific skills, as he was proficient in six different languages.
The chalcedony breccia, with its intricate patterns and vibrant hues, is a mesmerizing sight. As we gaze upon it, the contrasting colors of the delicate chalcedony captivate us against the vibrant red backdrop of cinnabar. The texture of the chalcedony feels smooth and cool to the touch, and the smell of earth and minerals fills the air. Professor Harrington’s cinnabar is a testament to the timeless beauty and geological complexity of our planet, reminding us of the boundless wonders that lie beneath the surface. And this specimen recalls the sad end of a brilliant scientist.
References and selected reading
Chesterman, C. W. 1990. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. New York: Knopf.
Mark Walrod Harrington, 1895-97 [Review of Mark Walrod Harrington, 1895-97]. University of Washington Libraries Special Collections. Retrieved April 12, 2024, from https://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/collections/exhibits/presidents/images/mark-walrod-harrington-1895-97/view
Swanson, F. (n.d.). Fault of His Stars [Review of Fault of His Stars]. Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://bentley.umich.edu/news-events/magazine/the-fault-in-his-stars/
The Seattle Post-intelligencer 22 August 1895 — Washington Digital Newspapers. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://washingtondigitalnewspapers.org.
US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "History of the National Weather Service" Retrieved May 11, 2024 from www.weather.gov.
