Annual Meeting Ohio Valley Historical
Association. 401
that I know of in Columbus, still
resting in the old desk where its owner,
a distinguished scientific man of Ohio,
left it over thirty years ago, still
undisturbed unless it be by the prying
fingers of curious little grand-
children.
The men who settled this region
preserved the letters received by
them
and in cases of importance, copies of their own letters. These
should be found, published, or copied or
placed in some safe depository
where they may be of service. The State
Library would seem to be
the proper place for them, especially
when they have suitable room for
their preservation. If not the State
Library, the State Archaeological
and Historical Society, which, before
many years, will have adequate
quarters for the proper care of such
papers. But at any rate, the material
should be sought out, catalogued and
duplicate lists distributed to all
libraries.
The mention by the preceding speaker of
Governor Trimble
and his autobiography formed a most
fitting introduction to Mrs.
Tuttle's paper, which follows in full.
HISTORIC MATERIALS FOUND IN OLD DESKS.
MRS. MARY MCARTHUR TUTTLE.
[In the absence of Mrs. Tuttle, her
paper was read by Mrs. J. A.
Gallagher.]
It was a lonely afternoon when the
mother of a statesman and her
daughter, sat side by side, in deep
reflection: for old age was fast over-
taking-the mother, and the white hair
and delicate flesh tints were sug-
gesting to the mind of the daughter, the
opal colors of the sun sinking
beyond the horizon. The daughter looked up and said-"Sister
has
done so much for you, what is there left
for me to do? Anything that
will make you happy?"
"I fear to mention that there is
one thing, I should like to see
accomplished before my death, the papers
in your grandfather's secre-
tary gone over. They have not been
looked at for many years; and
it may be there are yet papers of
especial importance and interest there."
It was a very warm August afternoon, but
the daughter assured
the mother, all should be done according
to her wishes. The next day
a large table was placed in front of a
wide open western window, and
stacks of papers, which filled a colonial
secretary, were laid in the sun
light. Could you believe one would ever
have patience to examine each
and every one? Ah! yes: because the dear
mother desired it. And now
let me tell you a secret. This labor was
only terminated at the close of
two years of correspondence, editing,
etc., etc.
Vol. XVIII- 26.