Ohio History Journal

TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OHIO

STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

 

 

FEBRUARY 26, 1908.

 

The twenty-third annual meeting of the Ohio State Archae-

ological and Historical Society was held in the parlors of the

Y. M. C. A. building, Columbus, Ohio, at 10 A. M., Wednesday,

February 26, 1908. The following members were present:

Prof. Martin R. Andrews, Marietta.

Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Mansfield.

Mr. George F. Bareis, Canal Winchester.

Hon. J. H. Beal, Scio.

Dr. D. H. Gard, Columbus.

Prof. A. B. Hulbert, Marietta.

Rev. I. F. King, Columbus.

Rev. N. B. C. Love, Perrysburg.

Prof. C. L. Martzolff, Athens.

Prof. W. C. Mills, Columbus.

Prof. B. F. Prince, Springfield.

Mr. E. O. Randall, Columbus.

Dr. William Shepard, Shepard Station.

Dr. H. A. Thompson, Dayton.

Mr. H. O. Whittaker, New Burlington.

Mr. E. F. Wood, Columbus.

 

Letters of regret because of their inability to attend the an-

nual meeting and expressing their continued interest in the So-

ciety were received from:

D. J. Ryan, Columbus; A. J. Baughman, Mansfield; Z. T.

Smith, Upper Sandusky; Thomas J. Brown, Waynesville; R. E.

Hills, Delaware; R. W. McFarland, Oxford; G. Frederick

Wright, Oberlin; Albert Douglas, Chillicothe; Rufus W. Clark.

Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. Mary McA. Tuttle, Hillsboro; Martin B.

Bushnell, Mansfield; F. H. Darby, Columbus; and William H.

Rice, Gnadenhutten.

(132)

• 1
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.            133

 

The meeting was called to order by Vice-President G. F.

Bareis, President Brinkerhoff not yet having arrived.

Mr. Bareis in his introductory remarks spoke of the work

accomplished by the Society during the past year. He compli-

mented the Executive Committee, the members of which have

faithfully attended the meetings and have so interestedly looked

after the affairs of the Society. He said that they had done

work neither for money nor for fame, but purely from interest

in the work, and therefore probably labored better than they other-

wise would. He congratulated the Curator, Professor Mills, upon

the admirable manner in which the latter had conducted the ex-

hibit of the Society at the Jamestown Exposition, where it had

received the greatest honors for an archaeological and historical

display. The Society has received the highest awards in its de-

partment at the World's Columbian Exposition and the expo-

sitions at Buffalo, St. Louis and now at Jamestown. He spoke

also of the services of the secretary in behalf of the Society. He

touched briefly upon the building project as being a perennial

subject at the annual meetings, the subject having been first

brought before the Society by President Sessions some fifteen

years ago. Vice-President Bareis particularly urged that the

proposed plans of interesting the school children of the state in

the study of our state history be carried to some tangible re-

sults, saying: "Children who study history soon begin to love

their country; to love all things good and true. They learn of

the past; they learn how to perform their duties in the present and

as they are the ones who must be depended upon in the future,

so we should especially incite them, to interest in the work

of our Society. Some of us, perhaps, study history and archae-

ology as a pastime. If we do it with only that purpose in view,

it is a great benefit to us, but when we study it as a science, then

it affords strength for our progress and gives us valuable in-

formation; it points out the paths in which other people have

walked. We see their stepping-stones and we also see where

their pitfalls lay. So I say, the study of history is one that

greatly deserves our attention, perhaps more attention than the

general run of men and women give it and it belongs to us to

interest the general public in the study of history and archae-

• 2
 

134        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

ology for the same reasons. Those of us who have become

familiar with the story of our own state, have learned the value

of union - of united effort, of an admiration for truth and right,

and we also see the fatal end of factions and all these things to-

gether are beneficial to the student, and therefore the state loses

nothing by appropriating certain amounts of money annually for

the work of this Society.    In fact the state gains thereby, be-

cause the patriotism, the love of country and its achievements all

incite both young and old to better and higher citizenship." The

remarks of Mr. Bareis met with hearty approval.

 

REPORT OF SECRETARY.

 

MEETINGS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Meetings of the executive committee were held, since the last An-

nual Meeting, (March 22, 1907) as follows:

April 19, 1907. Messrs. Bareis, Harper, Martzolff, King, Prince,

Ryan, Randall and Wood were present. The compensations of the sal-

aried officers of the Society were continued for the ensuing year (1907)

the same as they had been for the previous year -no changes being made.

The standing sub-committees for the ensuing year (1907) were appointed

as follows:

Big Bottom Park: Messrs. Martzolff, Prince and Bareis.

Finance: Messrs. Wood, Ryan and Bareis.

Fort Ancient: Messrs. Prince, Harper and Martzolff.

Jamestown Exposition: Messrs. Mills, Wright and Prince.

Museum and Library: Messrs. King, Wright and Mills.

Publications: Messrs. Ryan, Randall and Wood.

Serpent Mound: Messrs. Wright, Brinkerhoff and Randall.

Messrs. Martzolff, Randall and Ryan were appointed a committee

to draw up some plan for awarding prizes by the Society to the school

children of the state for the best essays or papers on some subject or

subjects pertaining to Ohio History.

August 14, 1907. Messrs. Bareis, Prince, Randall, Wood and Wright

were present. Fifteen new life members were elected. Their names

are given elsewhere in this report. Messrs. Randall, Prince and Bareis

were selected a committee to open negotiations with the Ridges look-

ing toward the purchase of the Ridge Tract of Fort Ancient. This

subject is fully exploited elsewhere in this report.

October 11, 1907. Messrs. Bareis, Harper, Martzolff, King, Prince,

Ryan, Randall and Wood were present. The exploration of the Mary

Vincent Mound by Mr. A. B. Coover (October 25) was approved. Mr.

Coover's account of this exploration is found beginning on page 36 of

• 3
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.                   135

 

this (17th) Volume. Report of the Ridge Tract Negotiating Committee

(Messrs. Prince, Randall and Wood, the latter acting in place of Mr.

Bareis). The committee met on September 28, (1907) at Fort Ancient,

Messrs. George Ridge, owner of the tract, J. Maurice Ridge, grandson

of and agent for George Ridge and wife and Prof. L. S. Meloy of Spring-

field, son-in-law of George Ridge. The result of the conference was the

giving of a signed option by the Ridges to the Society on the so-called

Ridge Tract consisting of about twenty-one acres embracing the north

end of the fort and some thousand feet of fort wall. This, however,

excluded certain small lots of land inside the fort wall but not coming in

contact with it. The price to be paid by the Society was eighteen hundred

dollars, ($1800) subject to an appropriation for that purpose by the Legis-

lature. The Ridges further agreed to endeavor to rebuy the lots sold

within the fort at the selling price ($400.00) in all and sell same to

the Society at same price ($400.00). This option was to remain open until

the "adjournment of the coming session of the State Legislature." Four

life members were elected to the Society. Prof. Martzolff made report

of the improvements he had superintended at Big Bottom Park. The

Secretary of the Society was authorized to confer with Mr. Chester M.

Poor concerning the prospective purchase of that section of the Fort

Ancient property known as the Poor Strip. The Secretary was directed

to call together the entire Board of Trustees, before January 1, 1908,

that arrangements might be made by them for the then forthcoming Annual

Meeting which must, according to the Constitution be "within thirty days"

after February 1. The Secretary and Treasurer were authorized to pre-

pare the budget of appropriations estimated to be needed by the Society

and required to be submitted to the Auditor of State in December.

December 12, 1907. The entire Board of Trustees met in the Direc-

tors' Room of the Ohio State Savings & Loan Association, Outlook

Building, the place where each of the previous Executive Committee

Meetings were held. There were present:     Messrs. Andrews, Bareis,

Baughman, Hills, Harper, King, Martzolff, Prince, Randall, Ryan, Thomp-

son, Wood and Curator Mills. Letters regretting inability to attend

were received from Messrs. Beal, Brinkerhoff, Love, Keifer and Wright.

The Secretary reported he had received an option on the Poor Strip,

consisting of some three acres and including a small section of the west

wall of the new Fort (Ancient). He had also had the same surveyed by

Clinton Cowen, official surveyor for Hamilton County. The purchase

price, called for in the option, was two hundred and fifty dollars. The

purchase of this property was authorized, the deed to be made direct to

the State of Ohio, and not to the Society, all other portions of Fort

Ancient purchased by the state having been so deeded. Professor Mills

made a report on the exhibit of the Society at the Jamestown Exposition

which closed November 1. The Secretary made lengthy report of the

status of the project of securing a building for the Society, or quarters

• 4
 

136        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

for the same in connection with the State Library. Nothing of course

could be done or prophesied until the meeting of the Legislature. Report

was made of the budget asked for by the Society for the ensuing year

and placed in the estimate made by the Auditor of State to be furnished

the Legislature at its convening. This budget, as approved by the Trus-

tees, is given elsewhere in the Secretary's Annual Report. Several life

members were elected. A committee to fix time and program of the

coming annual meeting was named as follows: Ryan, Martzolff, Prince,

Wood and Randall. This committee met December 27, (1907) and

agreed upon Wednesday, February 26, 1908, as the date of the Annual

Meeting. A detailed program was suggested, embracing sessions in the

morning, afternoon and evening, the latter if possible to be a public

meeting in the Senate Chamber, State House. The latter, namely the

evening session, was subsequently abandoned because it transpired that

at that time the Legislature would hold in the House of Representatives,

services in memory of the late Governor Pattison.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS.

Since the last Annual Meeting, the Society has completed the re-

printing of the fifteen volumes of Annuals in accordance with appro-

priation of 1907, ($9,600) made for that purpose. Each member of the

legislature was to receive ten complete sets, one hundred and fifty vol-

umes in all. These have been boxed and shipped by the Society as

authorized, a return postal was sent to each recipient with receipted

bill of lading at time of shipment. The return cards evidenced the deliv-

ery to every member. With the October (1907) Quarterly, the sixteenth

volume of our Annuals was completed. The four Quarterlies, viz: for

January, April, July and October, 1907, were also issued in book form.

Its contents bespeak the interest and value of this volume. The special

reports of Curator Mills, describing his explorations the last three years,

and previously printed in the Annuals and also in separate pamphlet

form, were issued in bound form. The edition is limited, however, and

not for gratuitous distribution. The Society now has in preparation a

volume of the "Poems on Ohio," compiled by Professor Martzolff, and

a small illustrated work entitled, "The Masterpieces of the Mound Build-

ers," prepared by the Secretary.

 

 

PURCHASE OF THE POOR STRIP.

It will be recalled that at various times in the past years the Trus-

tees have considered the purchase of what is known as the "Poor Strip."

This is a triangular piece of land, including a corner of the west wall of

the North Fort (Ancient). Mr. Chester M. Poor of Glendale, Hamilton

county, owns some forty acres west of the north fort extending from the

line of the fort property down the hillside to the railroad track and

• 5
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.                  137

 

incorporating the hotel. To make our title to the fort wall complete and

include the outside strip to our line on either side of the Poor property

it was necessary to secure about three acres. Under direction of the

Executive Committee, given at its meeting August 14, (1907) the Sec-

retary entered into negotiations with Mr. Poor resulting in the securing

of a written option from Mr. Poor upon the three acres desired, as re-

ported in the Executive Committee Meeting for December 12, (1907). The

Secretary had secured the survey of the land and the required information

as to title from the county recorder of Warren County, Lebanon, Ohio.

The deed was drawn and delivered by Mr. Poor on December 28, (1907).

The purchase price ($250.00) was paid to the grantor by voucher signed

by the President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Society. The State of

Ohio is the grantee of the deed which was duly recorded in the Warren

County Recorder's Office and deposited with the Auditor of State in

accordance with Section 179, Revised Statutes. The deed and all cor-

respondence covering the same is fully set forth in the typewritten min-

utes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Executive Committee. The

Auditor of State's receipt for the deed is as follows:

 

"STATE OF OHIO.

"AUDITOR OF STATE'S OFFICE.

"COLUMBUS, JANUARY 23, 1908.

"Received from E. O. Randall, Secy. Ohio State Archaeological

Society, deed of three acres of land by Chester M. Poor and wife to the

State of Ohio, being land adjoining and including small section of wall

of Fort Ancient, situated in Warren county.

"W. D. GUILBERT,

Auditor of State."

"(By O. J. Land Clerk.)

 

 

PROPOSED PURCHASE OF THE RIDGE TRACT.

The subject of the purchase of the Ridge Tract, comprising the north

wall of the North Fort Ancient and conveying with it some twenty acres

of land has been a "continued story" ever since the present Secretary

came into office. Once the sale was agreed upon and the purchase price

about to be paid when negotiations fell through. Negotiations were re-

opened during a visit to Fort Ancient on July 14, (1907) by Messrs. Prince

and Randall when they met Mr. George Ridge the proprietor of the prop-

erty in question. The purchase was informally discussed. As noted else-

where in the proceedings of the Executive Committee, the Fort Ancient

Committee was empowered to proceed with negotiations. On September

28, (1907) the committee as heretofore related visited Fort Ancient and

met the Ridge party. The result was the granting of an option to the

• 6
 

138        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

Society for the Ridge Tract for $1800.00 and a further option of $400.00

more, (total $2,200.00) for the lots sold by the Ridges but probably subject

to repurchase. The further proceedings in this continuous performance

depend upon the Legislature now in session. The budget of legislative

appropriations asked for by the Society calls for $2200.00 "for purchase

of remainder of Fort Ancient." Should the Legislature acquiesce in this

request the State of Ohio will then hold the entire Fort, and there will be

no other entrenchments to attack and take.

 

BUILDING PROJECT.

On this subject the Secretary spoke at some length, outlining the

situation at the time of this report. Nothing had, of course, been accom-

plished since the last Annual Meeting of the Society, there having been no

meeting of the Legislature until the convening of the present session of

this (77th) general assembly. This session met January 6th, 1908. The

question of the legal status of this session, namely whether it was an

adjourned or a new session, was finally disposed of by the Legislature

deciding to regard it as an adjourned session, but deciding also at the

same time to "clear the calendar in both the Senate and the House of all

bills introduced in the last session and now pending." This action re-

quired that all bills be introduced again ab initio. This action consigned

the Crist Bill, with all others, to the waste-basket. After consultation

with various parties in interest, particularly the State Library and the

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, Senator Crist re-cast

his bill and re-introduced it. It was practically the same bill as that of

two years ago - the Auditor of State being substituted for the Governor,

as the ex-officio member of the Building Commission, and any definite

appropriation also being omitted from the bill. The bill, as thus revised,

was introduced in the Senate and referred back to the Library Committee.

At this juncture the movement took a new phase. Consultations partici-

pated in by the Library Committee of the House, the Library Committee

of the Senate, the Governor, Attorney General, State Librarian, Adjutant

General, Secretary of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical So-

ciety and a committee of citizens from the Columbus Board of Trade,

were held, resulting in the drafting of a new bill calling for the purchase

of 312 feet fronting on Third Street, immediately east of the Capitol,

and extending to the alley between Third and Fourth Streets, for the

sum of $400,000, that being the aggregate selling price agreed upon by

the property holders from the Y. M. C. A. building to Mrs. Whiting's

house, inclusive, the project being to utilize the Y. M. C. A. building and

the Vendome Hotel for state offices until the remainder of the square

south of Mrs. Whiting's house could be purchased and new state buildings

erected upon the property thus obtained. This bill was substituted by

Mr. Crist for his previous bill and was reported out by the Senate Library

Committee and referred to the Finance Committee, where it now rests.

• 7
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.                  139

 

What the outcome will be, no one can tell, but it is doubtful if anything

is accomplished along this line by this Legislature.

 

ITINERARY OF THE SECRETARY.

Since the last Annual Meeting, the Secretary has made journeys

as representative of the Society as follows:

June 12, 1907. To Maumee.

July 13, 1907. Spruce Hill Fort, Ross county.

July 14, 1907. Fort Ancient, accompanied by Trustee Prince.

July 15, 1907. The Secretary was elected Vice-President for Ohio of

the West Virginia Point Pleasant National Monument Association,

the purpose of which is to secure an appropriation from Congress

for the erection of a suitable monument on the site of the Battle of

Point Pleasant, where General Lewis defeated Cornstalk, October

10, 1774.

July 20, 1907. Glenford Fort, Perry county.

July 25, 1907. Dayton to confer with Father Bigot.

August 1, 1907. Fort Ancient.

August 4, 1907. Attended Lakeside Chautauqua and spoke on "Racial

Contest for the Ohio Country;" Trustee D. J. Ryan spoke on

"Contest for Statehood in Ohio."

August 6, 1907. Attended the unveiling of Perry's Victory Monument

at Hotel Victory, Put-in-Bay, Lake Erie.

August 8, 1907. Buffalo Historical Society.

August 17, 1907. In company with Trustee Wright, visited Fort Miami,

Hamilton county.

August 21, 1907. Fort Hamilton, Butler county.

September 13, 1907. Attended exercises on Ohio Day at Jamestown

Exposition.

September 28, 1907. Visited Fort Ancient with Trustees Prince and Wood.

October 19, 1907. Visited Fort Ancient with Trustee Ryan and Senators

Hafner and Huffman.

October 25, 1907. Visited Madisonville, near Cincinnati, and inspected

the explorations in the famous Madisonville pre-historic cemetery,

being conducted by the Archaeological Department of Peabody

Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. The explorations

were under the direction of Prof. F. W. Putnam, the immediate

explorers being Mr. R. E. Merwin and Mr. Hayden of Harvard

University.

October 26, 1907. Visited Serpent Mound, accompanied by Senator I. F.

Huffman, Hon. Bert Bartlow and Mr. Morey of Hamilton, Ohio.

November 29 and 30, 1907. Attended the Ohio Valley Historical Con-

ference, held in the auditorium of the Cincinnati University, Cin-

cinnati, Ohio. An account of this conference is given on page 99,

supra, of this volume.

• 8
 

140        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

January 17 and 18, 1908. Visited Cincinnati to attend council of the

Executive Committee of the Ohio Valley Historical Conference

Association. Was elected President of the Association for the

ensuing year (1908).

 

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Owing to the absence of Curator Mills, in charge of the Society's

exhibit at the Jamestown exposition, he was unable to conduct the usual

summer explorations of mounds. Mr. A. B. Coover, who has for several

seasons assisted Prof. Mills in the latter's investigations, was placed

in charge of the Museum and Library and most acceptably discharged the

duties of the office. He explored the Mary Dean Vincent Mound, of

which a full account is published in the January, 1908, Quarterly of the

Society. Prof. Mills will make a report of the exhibit of the Society

at Jamestown and the most successful result of the Society's display.

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES.

February 17, 1908, Governor Harris re-appointed as Trustees of the

Society for three years, Prof. B. F. Prince of Springfield and E. O.

Randall of Columbus. They will serve until February, 1911.

 

 

NEW LIFE MEMBERS.

Since the Annual Meeting last year the following have been admitted

to Life Membership:

Charles A. Hanna, New York, N. Y.

Jacob G. Schmidlapp, Cincinnati.

Florien Giauque, Cincinnati.

George M. Finckel, Columbus.

William H. Taft, Washington, D. C.

George R. Love, Toledo.

John W. Harper, Cincinnati.

Rufus B. Smith, Cincinnati.

Drausin Wulsin, Cincinnati.

Frazer E. Wilson, Greenville.

Frank L. Pfaff, Cincinnati.

Frank P. Goodwin, Cincinnati.

The Business Men's Club Co., Cincinnati.

J. A. Easton, Bell, Highland county.

J. F. Richmond, McConnelsville.

Mrs. Livia Simpson Poffenberger, Point Pleasant, W. Va.

John H. Miller, Cincinnati.

The Walnut Hills Business Men's Club, Cincinnati.

E. B. Vincent, Swifts.

Mrs. Thomas J. Emery, Cincinnati.

• 9
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.                    141

 

Alfred M. Cohen, Cincinnati.

F. H. Darby, Columbus.

Rufus W. Clark, Detroit, Mich.

Clinton Cowen, Cincinnati.

C. S. Van Tassel, Bowling Green.

John P. Smith, Sharpsburg, Md.

Bert Bartlow, Hamilton.

Frederick Shedd, Columbus.

Charles A. Dana, Marietta.

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS.

The Secretary and Treasurer submitted to Auditor Guilbert last

December, the following desired appropriations to be asked of the present

legislature:

Current  expenses  .....................................   .......$2700.00

This is the same as for the last two years.

For  publications  ..............................................$2800.00

This is the same as for the last two years.

For field work, Fort Ancient and Serpent Mound ............... $2500.00

This is $500 more than for last two years.

For the purchase of Fort Ancient, (Ridge Tract) ..............$2200.00

It is of course impossible to state thus early in the session what will

be the result of the considerations of the Finance Committees of the House

and Senate concerning the appropriations asked for by the Society.  The

members of both committees seem friendly to the Society and will prob-

ably deal justly with our requests.

Respectfully submitted,

E. O. RANDALL,

Secretary.

 

REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR YEAR ENDING FEB. 1, 1908.

 

RECEIPTS.

Balance  on  hand  Feb. 1st, 1907 .............................                                                                                 $1,827     12

Life            membership     dues ............... ......................                                                                               395      00

Active       membershipdues ...................................                                                                                      102      00

Books       sold        ........................................... ....                                                                                               66   15

Subscriptions         .............................. ..... .........                                                                                                 26   00

Refunded by W. C. Mills .......    ............................                                                                                           21 55

Ohio Commission, Jamestown Exposition ...................                                                                          2,000 00

Interest  on  permanent  fund ................................                                                                                       244  50

From Treasurer of State:

Appropriation for current expenses ...................                                                                          2,377 98

Appropriation for Publications ........................                                                                           3,204 40

• 10
 

142         Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

Appropriation for reprinting publications..............  13,600 00

Appropriation for Field Work, Ft. Ancient, and Ser-

pent Mound        ............................... .                                                                                1,247 65

 

Total receipts ...................................                                                                                  $25,112 35

 

 

DISBURSEMENTS.

Reprinting Publications ....................................                                                                                       $13,600 00

Publications  ...............................................                                                                                                 2,541  98

Expenses of Trustees and Committees ......................                                                                                    247 75

Job  Printing  ..................................... ........                                                                                                         11    25

Postage         ...................................................                                                                                                       77    26

Field              W ork                                                                                                                                       ..............................................                                               7                      65

M useum       and     Library .......................................                                                                                       766 12

Salaries (3) ..............................................                                                                                                       2,200 00

Express  and            drayage.......................................                                                                                        98    15

Big   Bottom            Park  ..........................................                                                                                         34    80

Serpent Mound, Improvements and care ....................                                                                                  323 80

Ft. Ancient, improvements, care and purchase ...............                                                                            871 10

Jamestown Exposition, exhibit ............................                                                                                    2,375 77

Refunded to Ohio Commission, Jamestown Exposition....                                                                      89 73

Premium    on  Treasurer's  bond..............................                                                                                       15    00

Ohio News Bureau .......................................                                                                                                     22 00

Transferred to Permanent Fund ............................                                                                                          660 00

Sundry expenses ..........................................                                                                                                      8 64

Balance on hand, February 1st, 1908 .......................                                                                             1,161 35

 

Total  .................................................                                                                                                $25,112  35

The Permanent Fund now amounts to the sum of $5,500.00.

Respectfully submitted,

E. F. WOOD,

Treasurer.

 

REPORT OF THE CURATOR.

I have the honor as Curator and Librarian to make my annual report

upon the condition of the museum and library located in Page Hall, O.

S. U., as well as the final report concerning the Archaeological exhibit

by the Society at the Jamestown Exposition, Norfolk, Va.

During the year the Archaeological Museum has not kept pace with

former years in the way of added specimens. This was on account of the

absence of the Curator from early June until late December at the James-

town Exposition, as no actual field explorations were undertaken.

In my last report I gave an account of the proposed exhibit by the

Society at the Jamestown Exposition, which makes the fourth time this

• 11
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.             143

 

Society has been called upon to represent Ohio at the various expositions

in this country. Profiting by past expositions, the curator endeavored to

make the Jamestown exhibit the largest and perhaps the most compre-

hensive this Society has ever made, and from every point of view our

display was a complete success.

The Society was requested by the Ohio Jamestown Commission, to

place on exhibition at the Jamestown Exposition, a representative Ar-

chaeological collection of the State of Ohio.

The division of History and Education at Jamestown was for-

tunately under the direction of two very estimable gentlemen, J. Taylor

Ellyson of Richmond, Va., Governor of the Division, and Dr. J. A. C.

Chandler, also of Richmond, Director of the Division, and very great

credit is due them for the interest shown in the Ohio Exhibition.

The History Building was of fire-proof construction and contained

besides the Ohio Archaeological collection, perhaps the largest collection

of priceless relics, manuscripts and books bearing upon the earlier colonial

period of America, ever assembled under one roof.

The Ohio Exhibit occupied about eighteen hundred feet of floor

space near the entrance to the main exhibition room from the south and

the books representing the publications of the Society, were placed in

a book case near the south entrance to the room. The general plan of

exhibiting the collection under the three divisions planned by the com-

mittee was carried out in detail.

First, the Publications of the Society.

Second, Models of Prehistoric earth-works owned by the state and

kept as free public parks.

Third, Results of the explorations by the Society.

In the first division, an exhibit of all the publications of the So-

ciety from the beginning to the present time was made.

Models of Fort Ancient Park and Serpent Mound Park constituted

the second division. The models for the most part were made of wood

and covered with a light covering of plaster varying in thickness from

one to one-half inches. The object in using such a small amount of

plaster was to lighten the models in order that they might be safely

transported to Jamestown and easily handled in placing the same on

exhibit. The model of Fort Ancient was made after the survey of Mr.

T. B. Van Horn. The size of the model is fifty-three inches by fifty-

four inches. Horizontal scale 1 inch equals 100 feet. Vertical 1 inch

equals 50 feet.

The model of Serpent Mound Park was made after the survey of

Clinton Cowen, 1901. Scale 3 inches equals 100 feet. Horizontal and

Vertical equal.

In the third division of the exhibit was shown the results of explo-

rations by the Society together with models of mounds and graves. The

entire exhibit occupied twenty-two large show cases. The largest col-

• 12
 

144        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

lective exhibit and perhaps the most interesting one, was from the Edwin

Harness Mound, and occupied seven cases on the west side of the main

aisle, a full account of which appears in volume sixteen of the Society's

publications.

Three cases were filled with the artifacts taken from the graves and

these were most interesting as to quality and quantity, representing the

highest art of prehistoric man in Ohio.

Case number 9 contained a representative collection from the recently

explored (1906) Seip Mound, which is located in the famous Paint Creek

Valley, Ross county, Ohio.

Case number 10 contained a representative collection from the Adena

Mound, examined in 1901. This case attracted great attention because of

the excellent specimens of copper and bone and the finely carved tubular

pipe taken from one of the graves. The Adena Mound Pipe is the finest

specimen of prehistoric miniature sculpture found in the Ohio Valley.

Case number 11 contained a representative collection from the Gart-

ner Mound and Village Site.

Cases Nos. 12, 13 and 14 contained results of the explorations of

the Baum Village Site and show the artifacts taken from the Tepee Sites

and graves from every portion of the village. The remainder of the

cases contained representative type collections of artifacts of the prehistoric

peoples of Ohio such as grooved axes, pestles, celts, banner stones, hema-

tite objects and a fine collection of arrow and spear points.

The jury on awards after making a thorough examination of the

exhibit and the methods of exploration, bestowed upon the Society a gold

medal, the highest award in the department.

The Archaeological collection, together with the new cases neces-

sary for its exhibition at Jamestown, were safely returned to Page Hall

without the loss of a single specimen and the expenses of the exhibit did

not exceed the appropriation. Since my return the greater part of my

time has been employed in making room for the new cases from the

Exposition. In my former reports to the Society, I stated that the large

exhibition room was greatly crowded, but a visit now will convince you

it is over-crowded. By a re-arrangement of the cases, I was enabled to

use eighteen of the new cases in the main exhibition room, enabling me

to place on exhibition a number of collections which had come to us

unsolicited during the past few years and also to place on exhibition a

part of the collections secured through the explorations in the field, but

we hope that there will be some way found to relieve the crowded con-

dition of affairs, as we have in the room entirely too many cases which

already contain too many specimens.

The new additions have necessitated an entire re-arrangement of

the specimens in the various cases and the work of arranging the museum

so it will properly fulfill its functions is a work not only of great mag-

nitude but of extreme difficulty.

• 13
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.                   145

 

During the year a number of collections have been presented to the

museum. Mr. Almer Hegler of Washington C. H. has sent a new con-

signment to this splendid collection from his vicinity in Fayette Co. Mr.

George M. Finckel, 1477 Fair Ave., Columbus, has presented to the

Society a large collection of grooved axes, celts, slate pieces, spear

points, arrow points, chisels, rough and unfinished pieces from the region

of Washington, D. C., and since his original consignment in April, 1907,

he has sent two other collections from the same region, one of 508 pieces

and the other of 44. The collection presented by Mr. Finckel is one of

very great interest and fully represents the archaeology of the country

surrounding Washington.

From Mr. Rains, Roxabell, Ohio, a collection of thirty-five flint

knives from Roxabell and vicinity were received. From Mr. C. P.

Thompson, a consignment of ninety-eight specimens were received to add

to his already large collection in the museum. The specimens consist

of pestles, grooved hammers, and axes, celts, unfinished slate pieces of

various kinds, arrow points, spear points from the vicinity of Galena,

Ohio. Mr. Thompson's collection is from one section and it is most val-

uable because it shows what may be found in his particular part of

the state.

From Mr. Wilbur Stout, of Sciotoville, Ohio, we have received a

number of specimens including celts, spear points, arrow points, grooved

axes and hammer stones from Scioto County. Mr. Stout has added to his

collection from year to year and he will soon have one of the most inter-

esting collection of relics from the vicinity of Sciotoville to be found

in that part of the country.

From Mr. T. B. Bowers, of Columbus, Ohio, we have received two

more consignments for the Bowers' collection from the vicinity of Co-

lumbus. Mr. Bowers is an enthusiastic worker and never permits an

opportunity to escape him in securing specimens for the Bowers' collection.

His last additions include splendid examples of grooved axes, and polished

celts as well as large and fine specimens of chipped implements.

Mr. D. H. King, of Glenford, Ohio, presented a small collection of

celts, arrow points, spear points and flint knives. They were found in

the vicinity of Glenford.

Mr. Ezra G. Gard, of North Bend, Ohio, presented a collection of

grooved axes, celts and pestles. These were all collected at North Bend.

It gives me great pleasure to speak of the rapidly growing library

with its splendid collection of scientific and historical publications, and

which shows 3104 bound volumes recorded in the accession book. Ap-

parently this does not seem to be a great many additions since our last

report, but considering that all of the volumes added to our library are

received by gift or in exchange for our publications, the growth of the

library is more than satisfactory.

We have placed three new nine foot table cases in the library and it

Vol. XVII.-10.

• 14
 

146        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

is the intention to fill them  with manuscripts and rare publications.

During the year we have received a number of interesting letters and

old papers. Among them is a collection of old letters written from Lan-

caster, Ohio, between the years 1802 and 1821 by members of the Car-

penter family. These were presented by Seymour D. Carpenter of Chi-

cago, Ill.

Mr. Almer Hegler of Washington C. H. has presented to the library

a document giving the appraised value of the Ohio Company's cattle,

which were imported from England in 1834, and also a silk badge used

by the members of the Ohio Company.

From Mr. H. M. Gortner, No. 69 N. Princeton Ave., Columbus,

we received fifteen copies of the "Circleville Herald", all of the year

1846, and from Miss Alice Butterfield, No. 710 Penobscot Building, De-

troit, Mich., we received Mr. C. W. Butterfield's notebook, giving list

of authorities for various works, also a number of autograph copies of

various books and pamphlets.

From Prof. J. A. Bownocker, of Columbus, we received a copy of the

"Columbia Republican" printed at Hudson, Ohio, January 19, 1861.

From Mr. John Seip, Chillicothe, we received a letter written

by Mr. David Bell of Washington C. H. dated the 20th of July, 1797, to

Thomas Worthington, Massieville, Ross Co., Ohio.

From Gen. Alfred A. Thomas, Dayton, we received copies of a valu-

able pamphlet giving genealogy and history of the Thomas family.

Pleasant relations have been established with kindred institutions

and our exchanges with these institutions are constantly on the increase.

The curator has had the satisfaction of meeting personally the represen-

tatives of other societies in this country and finds that the work which

has been done by the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society

is of a character which meets with approval. I wish to thank the officers

and members of the Executive Committee for their help and encour-

agement afforded me during the past year and especially the Secretary,

who has constantly aided me in making my work pleasant and agreeable.

Respectfully submitted,

W. C. MILLS,

Curator.

 

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FORT ANCIENT.

A number of visits have been made during the year and certain

improvements have been suggested and consummated. The roadway from

the entrance to the great gateway, about one-half mile in extent, has

been re-graveled.

An ice house has been built, and other minor improvements have

been made.

On the west side of the fort a small portion of the wall still be-

longed to a private owner. A tract of three acres has been purchased

• 15
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.                147

 

and gives us entire control of the west wall and also straightens the line

which formerly was broken by various angles. This new purchase is

now enclosed by a substantial fence.

The Custodian, Mr. Warren Cowen, is improving the appearance

of the Fort year by year and making it a delightful place to visit.

Respectfully submitted,

B. F. PRINCE,

Chairman of the Committee.

 

 

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BIG BOTTOM PARK.

My report is necessarily short. I have attended, from time to time,

the different meetings of the Executive Committee, and in addition to

what was accomplished since the last meeting of the Executive Committee,

last fall in the month of September, I think it was, I supervised the placing

of sign boards in conspicuous places. We have one large sign with the

words, "Big Bottom Park" in white letters; a smaller one with the

name, "The Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society". These sign

boards are conspicuous from the roadway and people on passing boats on

the river and railway trains on the other side of the river can see them.

At the same time we made a gravel walk from the front entrance up to

and around the monument, and made a terrace of some twenty-five feet

square around the monument. We are arranging now for the planting of

additional trees. I visited the park recently and entered into arrange-

ments with a gentleman who is doing our work there, for the plant-

ing of forty additional rapid growing maples and two English walnut trees

that were presented to the Society by Dr. H. L. True, of McConnelsville.

We seeded the terrace last fall but it did not take and I have had our

Custodian haul some fertile earth and rake it down and replant it and

sow it in grass. In addition to that I would suggest the erection of a

gate at the entrance. We have an entry there of about 18 feet, but no

protection to prevent passing cattle from intruding upon the park. During

an interview, the local planing mill man stated he could construct a gate

there, if we so desired. The trees have all grown with but one exception,

and by the time we have the forty-two trees planted, that I arranged

for last Saturday, we will have about one hundred trees planted on the

two acres.                     Respectfully submitted,

C. L. MARTZOLFF.

Chairman of the Committee.

 

It was moved and carried that the Ohio State Archaeologi-

cal and Historical Society become a federated member of the

Ohio Valley Historical Association, by the payment of ten dol-

• 16
 

148      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

lars, and that the Executive Committee be authorized to choose

delegates to the next annual meeting of the Ohio Valley Histor-

ical Association.

*    *    *

Mr. H. O. Whitaker presented to the Society a brass kettle

which was cast in Pennsylvania before the American Revolu-

tion and brought into Ohio in 1801.

 

*    *    *

Messrs. Beal and King were appointed a committee of two

to audit the accounts of the Treasurer.

 

*    *    *

 

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES.

A committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Prince, Thomp-

son and Wood, were appointed to nominate five trustees to serve

for the ensuing three years, in the place of those whose terms

expired at this meeting, namely, Messrs. Anderson, Hills, Kil-

bourne, Martzolff and Wright. This committee retired, and

after due deliberation, reported to the meeting the names of R.

E. Hills, Delaware, C. L. Martzolff; Athens, G. Frederick

Wright, Oberlin, Albert Douglas, Chillicothe, and W. H. Rice,

Gnadenhutten. The report of the Nominating Committee was

unanimously accepted and the Secretary was authorized to cast

the ballot of the Society for the election of the five named nomi-

nees to serve as trustees from this meeting until the annual meet-

ing in 1911.

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES.

Immediately after the adjournment of the annual meeting of

the Society there was held the annual meeting of the Board of

Trustees.

Those present were, Messrs. Martzolff, Bareis, King, Wood,

Beal, Brinkerhoff, Thompson, Prince, Randall, Love, Andrews,

and Prof. W. C. Mills, the Curator.

Mr. Bareis was made Chairman of the meeting and Mr.

Randall Secretary.

The following were elected by the Trustees as officers for

the ensuing year:

• 17
 

Twenty-third Annual Meeting.              149

 

Prof. G. Frederick Wright, Oberlin, Active President.

Mr. George F. Bareis, Canal Winchester, 1st Vice-Pres.

Mr. D. J. Ryan, Columbus, 2nd Vice-Pres.

Mr. E. O. Randall, Columbus, Secy. and Editor.

Mr. E. F. Wood, Columbus, Treasurer.

Mr. W. C. Mills, Columbus, Curator and Librarian.

As members of the Executive Committee to serve for the

ensuing year, in addition to the officers already chosen who would

be ex-officio members, were selected Messrs. Harper, King,

Martzolff, Prince and Baughman. The compensation for the

salaried officers of the Society, was referred to the subsequent

action of the Executive Committee.

After the adjournment of the Board of Trustees, the Trus-

tees, Officers and members of the Society repaired to the dining

hall of the Y. M. C. A. where luncheon was served.

In the afternoon at 2:30 P. M., a literary session was held

in the rooms of the Hunter Society, Page Hall, Ohio State uni-

versity.

A goodly number of the trustees and members of the So-

ciety were present.

Mr. Bareis presided and after a few brief remarks intro-

duced Mr. Archer B. Hulbert, who made a most interesting and

entertaining address on Washington's relation to the West. He

recounted at some length the interest which Washington took

in the country northwest of the Ohio; his visits to the Ohio Val-

ley, his securing of large sections of property in that region, and

his many projects of uniting the northwest territory with New

England by artificial waterways.

This address will be published in full in a subsequent num-

ber of the Society's Quarterly.

Prof. W. C. Mills read an interesting account of the origin

and development of the archaeological museum of the Society.

After the addresses the meeting adjourned. Those present

made a visit to and inspection of the Society's museum and

library.

• 18