Ohio History Journal




REPORT OF THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL

REPORT OF THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL

MEETING OF THE OHIO STATE ARCHAEO-

LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

HELD IN THE MUSEUM AND LI-

BRARY BUILDING OF THE SO-

CIETY MARCH 26, 1931.

 

The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society

met in annual meeting March 26, 1931, at 10 o'clock

a. m. in the auditorium   of the Museum     and Library

Building.

On motion of the Secretary, Mr. Arthur C. John-

son, President of the Society, was chosen President of

the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been

published, the reading of the same was dispensed with.

Mr. Oscar F. Miller read the Treasurer's report for

the last fiscal year as follows:

 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER

For the Year Ending December 31, 1930

 

RECEIPTS

Cash on hand January 1st, 1930:--

Current  Funds .................                               $3,431.19

Endowment and Foundation Funds                 5,175.00

Battlefield of Fallen Timbers Sub-

scription Fund ................  1,745.62

$10,351.81

Life Membership Dues ........................                    695.00

Sustaining Members' Dues.......................                 80.00

Active Membership Dues ......................                  646.50

(517)



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Junior Members' Dues .........................     31.00

Subscriptions ................................    46.00

Books  Sold        ..................................   783.44

Contributions--

C. F. Kettering ......... ...................  843.13

C. H. Lewis ...................... ........    100.00

Battlefield of Fallen Timbers ...................  248.33

Interest  on  Above  Fund .......................                     134.59

Interest on Permanent Fund ....................                    1,050.00

Interest on  Other Funds ........................                                              270.26

Interest on Trust Fund ........................                                                   52.25

Miscellaneous Refunds .........................                                                36.46

Refunds of Cash advanced in 1929....                           $681. 14

Refunds of Cash advanced in 1930....                           3,259.42

$3,940.56

Received from State Treasurer on Various Appro-

priations as follows:

Administration Building, Museum and Library,

Columbus  .............................  $111,728.40

Miamisburg Mound .......................                                              566.29

Big  Bottom   Park ..........................                                             88.58

Campus       Martius ..........................                                     2,562.19

Fallen    Timbers ...............................                                    1,225.05

Fort        Ancient ..............................                                      2,389.52

Fort Amanda .............................                                                    505.44

Fort       Laurens .............................  3,681.25

Fort       St. Clair ............................                                        2,394.62

George        Rogers  Clark  .....................                                        220.57

Logan    Elm  ....... ..  ......................                                              461.30

M ound       City ..............................                                      3,023.32

Spiegel   Grove .............................                                          16,774.54

Schoenbrunn  .............................                                            3,750.08

Seip Mound ..............................                                            1,900.51

Serpent Mound ..........................                                          7,376.64

Custer Memorial .........................                                           3,593. 70

 

Total .............................   $181,551.33

 

DISBURSEMENTS

Museum and Library Building, Columbus, Ohio

Salaries ..........................  $55,089.44

Museum and Library Wages ........                              3,736.37

Wages Special Labor ..... ........                                    160.65



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 519

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting    519

 

Postage                               1,446.25

Communications ....567.83

Express, Freight and Drayage....                                    515.75

Travel  Expense...................                                       1,972.89

Publications  ......................                                        9,408.84

Water, Light, Heat and Power......                              1,329.30

Repairs  .........................                                                260.78

Office  Supplies  ....................  1,075.96

Museum Collections ...............                                   1,495.68

Books, Etc.          .......................                                 3,392.99

Subscriptions      .....................                                   37.00

Sundry Expense ..................                                          38.57

Annual Meeting ..................                                          48.40

Steel  Stacks  ......................                                         21,631.12

General Plant Supplies.............                                      606.17

Motor Vehicle Repairs.............                                      316.93

General Plant Materials ............                                 2,566.73

Print Plant Supplies..............                                      169.98

Archaeological Field Work..........                                2,952.47

Natural History  ..................                                      3,571.28

Endowment and Foundation Fund...                          5,034.75

$117,426.13

 

MIAMISBURG MOUND

Wages  ..........................    $411.34

Maintenance        .....................                                      154.95

Improvements     ....................                                       843.13

$1,409.42

 

BIG BOTTOM PARK

Wages     ...........................                                             $78.20

Repairs    ..........................                                              10.38

$88.58

 

CAMPUS MARTIUS

Salaries  ..........................                                            $1,620.00

Wages ...........................                                              119.25

Supplies, Office....................                                          31.58

Repairs  ..........................                                               33.50

Light, Heat and Power.............                                      292.59

Communications ..................                                          68.75

General Plant Supplies.............                                      316.94

Water       ...........................                                             17.50

Grading   ..........................                                              62.08

$2,562.19



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FALLEN TIMBERS

Wages ...........................    $1,182.51

General Plant Supplies .............                                      42.54

Improvements .....................                                            379.70

$1,604.75

FORT ANCIENT

Salaries  ..........................                                            $600.00

Wages ...........................                                              1,030.65

Supplies .........................                                                 33.98

Communications ..................                                          24.00

General Plant......................                                         94.71

Roadways ........................                                               409.71

$2,399.52

FORT AMANDA

Salaries  ..........................                                             $120.00

Wages ...........................                                              167.70

Repairs  ..........................                                                12.00

Supplies .........................                                                27.42

Sanitation ........................                                               28.50

Roadways ........................                                                149.82

$505.44

FORT LAURENS

Salaries  ..........................                                            $999.96

Wages ...........................                                                  756.55

Repairs  ..........................                                                655.34

General Plant .....................    531.00

Agricultural Supplies ...............                                      21.15

Electric Light Line ................                                          83.04

Shelter House .....................                                            512.06

Rest  Rooms .......................                                             122.15

$3,681.25

 

FORT ST. CLAIR

Salaries ..........................   $1,200.00

Wages  ...................... .....                                                387.15

Repairs ..........................                                            611.93

Communications ...................      24.00

General Plant ..................  171.54

$2,394.62

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK

Wages       ...........................                                       $207.65

Supplies   .........................                                         12.92

$220.57



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 521

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting     521

 

 

LOGAN ELM

Salaries  ............................                                             $50.00

Wages ...........................                                                 235.57

General Plant Supplies .............    150.73

Communications ...................       25.00

$461.30

MOUND CITY

Salaries ..........................                                             $733.26

Wages ...........................                                                 689.40

Repairs  ..........................                                                763.63

General Plant .....................                                            589.67

Sanitation  ........................    110.94

Communications ..................                                       12.20

Tables and Benches ................                                    149-55

$3,048.65

SEIP MOUND

Wages ...........................    $1,199.05

Supplies .........................                                               184.09

Improvements ....................                                           377.24

Landscaping Shelter House ..........                                   517.37

$2,277.75

SERPENT MOUND

Salaries ..........................                                             $590.00

W ages  ...........................                                               786.79

Repairs -- Communications .........                                 30.85

General Plant Supplies .............                                     346.07

Sanitation  ........................                                             26.90

Road Repairs ......................                                           125.62

Building Repairs ............... ...                                        649.95

Fence  ...........................                                                 50.02

Insurance  ........................                                              29.70

Shelter House ....................    4,770.44

$7,406.34

SPIEGEL GROVE

Salaries      ..........................                                        $5,000.00

W ages       ......... ..................                                      161.65

Office Supplies ....................                                         485 88

Postage      ....... ..................                                                5.00

Repairs      .......... ................                                       8,016.38

Water, Light, Heat & Power ........                              2,747.45

Express, Freight & Drayage.........                                      2.88

Travel Expense...................                                                29.47

Communications ...................                                            65.01

General Plant Supplies ............ .                                   260.82

$16,774.54



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SCHOENBRUNN

Salaries     .........................                                          $1,500.00

W ages      ...........................                                        1,411.38

Office Equipment .................                                            27.70

General Plant Supplies ............                                          749.92

Sanitation .......................                                                  5.00

Landscaping        .....................                                          30.20

Agricultural Equipment ............                                       25.88

$3,750.08

CAMPBELL PARK

Wages   ..........................     $17.40

$17.40

GEN. G. A. CUSTER MEMORIAL

Site  Monument  .........................$3,593.70

Cash advances made from time to time and refunded  3,259.42

Transferred to Permanent Fund:

Life Memberships ............     $695.00

State Treasurer refund on En-

dowment and Foundation fund                        2,500.00

Cash to make even money......                                 664.75

Endowment and Foundation Fund

transfer  ..................      140.25

$4,000.00

Cash on Hand January 31st, 1931.... ...............  4,669.68

Total  ..............................  $181,551.33

After some comments by President Johnson on the decrease of

the permanent fund, the Director, H. C. Shetrone, read his an-

nual report, as follows:

 

 

REPORT OF DIRECTOR

For the Year Ending March 26, 1931

The Director is pleased to report satisfactory progress in

every department of the Society. Thanks to our little monthly

news organ, Museum Echoes, the Trustees and the members of

the Society have been informed from time to time of all impor-

tant activities, so that only a brief summary, with emphasis on

outstanding achievements, is necessary at this time.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 523

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting    523

 

With reference to the several departments of the Museum:

The Department of Archaeology, Dr. Emerson F. Greenman, Cu-

rator, assisted by Robert Goslin of the staff, conducted a pro-

longed and satisfactory season's exploration during the past sum-

mer. Several important Iroquoian sites in the vicinity of Cleve-

land yielded a quantity of valuable material and much data, while

the exploration of a small group of mounds near Huron resulted

in the extending of the noted Hopewell Culture a full hundred

miles farther north than hitherto known in the State. The latter

half of the season was devoted to the examination of a large

mound near Athens, Ohio, and the finding therein of the most

pretentious timbered structure so far discovered in Ohio. The

head of this Department and his assistant spent the winter in

cataloging and classifying the material, and in assisting the Di-

rector in writing the report on the Seip Mound of Ross County.

This report is now ready for the printer and will appear in the

July Quarterly. It is one of the most extensive and important

that the Society has published.

The Department of Natural History suffered a severe loss

in the death of Professor James S. Hine on December 22, 1930.

Fortunately, the excellent work done by Professor Hine during

his incumbency will be ably continued through his successor, Ed-

ward Sinclair Thomas. The Society is fortunate in securing the

services of Mr. Thomas, who already has demonstrated his nat-

ural and acquired ability not only as an outstanding authority in

his line but as a museumist of unusual ability. Mr. Thomas is

being ably assisted by Mr. Charles F. Walker, assistant in the

Department. Accessions to this Department during the past year

have been numerous and valuable, the most outstanding of which

are a habitat group of Alaskan Brown Bear and a similar group

of Rocky Mountain Sheep, financed and presented to the Society

by Mr. William Rindsfoos and Mr. Julius F. Stone respectively.

The newly organized Department of History, Dr. Harlow

Lindley, Curator, has made notable strides toward the develop-

ment of this field. Dr. Lindley's work during the past year has

been mostly in the nature of foundational activities, an important

feature of which has been the organization of an Ohio historical



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conference. This body is made up of representatives of the his-

torical interests of the several universities and colleges of Ohio,

and the various historical societies, with the Ohio Archaeological

and Historical Society as the nucleus. This conference is the

culmination of a long-felt need and will make possible concerted

and effective accomplishment along the lines of historical research

and development in Ohio. Plans of importance have been formu-

lated for the conference and the outlook for the future is excep-

tionally bright.

A major activity of the Museum staff during the past year

has been the development and maintenance of the twenty parks

in the Society's custody. Mr. H. R. McPherson, as Business

Agent, has had active charge of these properties and has effected

numerous improvements and betterments. The following parks

have been added during the past year:

Custer Memorial State Park.

Buffington Island Memorial State Park.

Fort Jefferson State Park.

William Henry Harrison Memorial Park.

U. S. Grant Memorial State Park.

A unique undertaking was the partial exploration, under the

supervision of Mr. McPherson late in 1930, of the site of old

Fort Jefferson in Darke county. While the general location of

Fort Jefferson was known, very little in the way of historical de-

tails have been preserved. The application of archaeological re-

search methods to a site having its origin within historic times

but which virtually had been lost to historic record, is only par-

alleled in the experience of the Society by the identification a few

years ago of the site of the old Moravian town.Schoenbrunn. Mr.

McPherson succeeded not only in locating the foundations, out-

lines, basement and well of the old fort, but in securing a great

quantity of interesting relics from which a good idea of the oc-

cupancy and activities of this pre-revolutionary stronghold are

being reconstructed.

Although not strictly a department, it is a pleasure to report

that the Mineral Collections of the Museum have been greatly

augmented through the interest and efforts of Mr. H. R. Goodwin,

Registrar and Staff Artist.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 525

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting      525

 

Late in 1929 the Board of Trustees authorized the expendi-

ture of a specific sum in an attempt to augment the Society's

membership and to secure for it bequests and endowments.

Owing to the prolonged industrial depression, these plans were

only partly realized, but your Director feels certain that sufficient

interest was aroused and important contacts made to insure in

the not distant future more than a justification of the amount

expended. While the trustees found it impractical to continue

these expenditures subsequent to Jan. 1, 1931, Mr. Iowa D. Smith,

who was in charge of the work, has continued his efforts in this

direction voluntarily and without remuneration, in the expecta-

tion that he will be able eventually to realize in full the goal

which he has had in mind. Through Mr. Smith's efforts the fol-

lowing members have been added to the Society's membership

roll:

 

1 Patron--Mr. Frank C. Long, a Life Member of the Society

17 Life Members

19 Sustaining Members

80 Annual Members

105 Junior Members

Under the heading of Museum Service to the Society's mem-

bers and to the public there may be mentioned the following

activities and accomplishments:

To satisfy an increasing demand for something in the way

of a souvenir of the Museum and a guide to its exhibits, an

artistic booklet entitled The Ohio State Archaological and His-

torical Society, its Museum and Library and the Parks in its

Custody was prepared by the Director and is now available gratis

to members and at a nominal price to non-members. Reprints of

an article on The Mound Builders by the Director, prepared for

Natural History Magazine, were secured in numbers and have

been made available to everyone interested at cost price. Mr.

Harold T. Clark of Cleveland, a trustee of the Society, generously

contributed funds for the purchase of 2500 of these reprints, re-

ceipts from sales of which are being placed in a rotary fund for the

purpose of financing future similar publications. Through the ef-

forts of Mr. Smith an arrangement was effected whereby the



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Standard Oil Company of Ohio financed the publication for free

distribution of a booklet entitled Pictorial Ohio, compiled and

edited by members of the staff. This publication takes care of a

long standing and insistent demand for exact information con-

cerning Ohio's archaeological, historical and scenic attractions.

In addition to augmenting and improving its displays, the

Museum has conducted additional activities of an educational

nature as follows: The program of Museum Service to the pub-

lic schools of Columbus and Franklin County has continued with

decided success. Under the guidance of Professor J. C. Hamble-

ton and Miss Olive Clevenger, teachers assigned for full time

service in the Museum by the Columbus Board of Education, a

total of 15,169 pupils, representing 445 classes, have received in-

struction at the Museum within the twelve months since the 1930

Annual Meeting. A total of 445 lessons and lectures, supple-

mented by study material from the collections of the Museum.

have been given, apportioned as follows: Introduction to Nat-

ural History, 121; Birds, 105; Mound-Builders, 73; Mammals,

56; Insects, 49; Minerals, 25; Fishes, 7; History, 4; Pottery, 2:

Invertebrates, 2. Under the able management of Mrs. Margaret

P. Cope, who for the past two years has been a valued voluntary

assistant on the staff, a series of special exhibits, comprising such

subjects as: Art Found in Nature; Loan Exhibit of Chinese and

Japanese Collection; History of Musical Instruments; History of

Architecture; has been offered during the past year. In addition,

under Mrs. Cope's guidance, there has been furnished to the

Junior Members of the Society and to the pupils of the public

schools, a series of Saturday afternoon Junior programs. These

have comprised such interesting subjects as Appreciation of

Music, History of Art, Architecture, American History, and

Yale Historical Films. The usual winter lecture course which the

Society offers to its members and friends has included lectures by

such authorities as Dr. Clyde Fisher, Dr. Lewis A. Warren, Prof.

Dixon Ryan Fox, Mr. George B. Smith and General Edward

Orton. The concluding lecture in the course will be that of Ham-

lin Garland on the evening of April 30th, at which time the lit-

erary-historical-social features of this Annual Meeting are to be

observed.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 527

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting    527

 

Individual activities of an educational nature by members of

the staff include numerous lectures and addresses before schools

and organizations, and radio talks over the University Broadcast-

ing Station. During the past autumn the Director gave a series

of ten weekly radio talks covering the entire subject of Prehistory,

while at present he is participating in a radio symposium on Mass

Education.

The list of gifts to the Society is so long that no attempt will

be made to enumerate them in this report. The accessions for

the year number about 130 and the full list will be presented in

an early issue of the Quarterly. Outstanding among these are

the two fine habitat groups previously mentioned; a fine old In-

dian birch-bark canoe presented by Mr. Julius F. Stone, together

with the boat and camping outfit used by Mr. Stone in his notable

trip through the Canyon of the Colorado; a silver service and

other relics deposited by Albert G. Giddings of Jefferson, Ohio;

a bronze Memorial Tablet to former Senator Frank B. Willis by

Charles A. Jones and others of Senator Willis' friends and

admirers.

The fact that the Museum is making substantial progress is

evidenced by the greatly increased number of visitors and by the

constant requests by educational, patriotic and other organizations

for the use of the Museum auditorium.

The outstanding educational activity now under way is the

preparation of 300 portable loan collections, divided equally

among the subjects "The Mound Builders," "Insects" and "Min-

erals." These will be ready for use by the public schools of Ohio,

one for each county, beginning next autumn. Samples of these

loan collections are on exhibition in the room adjoining the

auditorium and it is hoped that members of the Society will in-

spect them and make any suggestions regarding their improve-

ment.

As regards the future activities of the Society, it may be said

that in addition to what is now being done, numerous projects,

long contemplated, will be developed in the order of their impor-

tance and as rapidly as funds and personnel are available. It

has been the aim of the director and his staff to devise a long-



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time program, through study of conditions and methods utilized

by other organizations, and to crystallize these in definite form

for presentation to the Legislature in 1933. Special emphasis is

being given the requirements of the public and of tourists in the

matter of developing historical, archaeological and other out-

door attractions, and to providing that they may be properly

marked so that they may be readily intelligible.

On motion of Mr. Hinkle, the report was ordered printed

for distribution.

 

 

REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR

(Accessions are by gift unless otherwise designated)

The following accessions to museum collections have been

recorded since the last annual meeting of the Society:

Robert B. Hutcheson, picture of Gen. Sir Douglas Haig.

Obsolete copper tools, and burr-stone dressers; purchase.

Mr. Weil, Mansfield, Ohio, unfinished banner-stone.

Miss Rose Baker, Columbus, Ohio, bag of gold dust.

Mrs. C. Fisher, Columbus, Ohio, Indian pottery; loan.

Paul Baker, Columbus, Ohio, old photograph.

Mr. Stephen Richards, Bexley, Ohio, archaeological specimens.

Mr. Leon Thompson, Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Belle Miller, Spo-

kane, Washington; Mrs. Gail McDowell, Findlay, Ohio;

Civil War relics.

Dept. of Agriculture, State of Ohio, two paintings of race horses,

by E. Troye; loan.

Rev. S. R. Martin, Columbus, Ohio, German machine-gun belt.

Mrs. William Rhoads, Columbus, Ohio, six silver spoons.

Mrs. Mary Neiswender, Columbus, Ohio, blue china plate.

Mr. Charles Jarvis, Columbus, Ohio, aerial bomb.

Dr. Harvey Whitaker, Columbus, Ohio, trunk with military uni-

forms, straw hats from Philippines, and three pictures.

Archaeological specimens; purchase.

Mr. W. G. Wheaton, Columbus, Ohio; Maynard rifle and reload-

ing tools.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 529

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting     529

Miss Kate M. Litzenberg, Utica, Ohio, brass candle snuffers.

Senator Simeon D. Fess, Washington, D. C., United States flag.

Mr. Larry D. Bartlett, Fredericktown, Ohio, archaeological and

historical specimens.

Mr. Fred Sharer, Columbus, Ohio, account book, 1825, and pam-

phlet, 1811.

Mr. Julius F. Stone, Columbus, Ohio, boat and camping outfit.

Col. John Edwards, Columbus, Ohio, Spanish War relics.

Mr. W. Ross Teel, Indianapolis, Ind., correspondence of Elna-

than and Jay Cooke.

Mr. Herbert A. Hard, Columbus, Ohio, ox yoke.

Mrs. K. H. McCloy, Columbus, Ohio, picture of Battle of Stone

River.

Mr. L. Ridgeway, New York, Bible found at Harper's Ferry,

1860.

Mr. F. A. Bellus, Columbus, Ohio, old clock.

Mrs. T. C. Clark, Brilliant, Ohio, archaeological collection of late

T. C. Clark.

Miss Ollie J. Baum, Bourneville, Ohio, archaeological collection

of the late William Keran, and old books.

Dr. Westfall, Coshocton, Ohio, sandstone cone.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Watkins, Blanchester, Ohio, china plate.

Prof. C. M. Garber, Aikiak, Alaska, Eskimo material; loan.

Sheriff Gail Sesler, Lancaster, Ohio, copper still 100 years old.

Mr. Clarence E. Baum, Duvall, Ohio, pad for horse collar.

Mr. Grover Koons, Sarasota, Fla., travertine and photos.

Mrs. J. W. Potts, Columbus, Ohio, Civil War relics.

Mrs. John Overly, Columbus, Ohio, archaeological and historical

specimens.

Mr. Philip P. Bascom, Columbus, Ohio, block matches.

Mr. D. D. Ketch, Plain City, Ohio, photo.of old Court House.

Mr. J. A. Kight, Columbus, Ohio, World War relics.

World War ribbons, purchase.

Mrs. Nora B. Turner, Columbus, Ohio, archaeological specimens

and books of the late Frank S. Turner.

Mr. Mathilda Natho, Columbus, Ohio, two samplers.

Surveyor's transit; purchase.

Vol. XL--34.



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Guilford College, N. C., quartz crystal.

Mr. John Starr, Berne, Ohio, burr-stones.

Dr. C. E. Rice, Alliance, Ohio, board from birthplace of John

Brown.

Mr. C. S. Westcott, Jr., White Cottage, Ohio, sausage grinder;

loan.

Mrs. Lola Hunter, Columbus, Ohio, pillow cover of featherwork.

Mrs. Jeanette S. Lohmann, Columbus, Ohio, melodeon; loan.

Pennsylvania Railroad Co., patriotic posters.

Mrs. H. V. Weil, New York, N. Y., historical specimens.

Miss Ollie J. Baum, Bourneville, Ohio, old letters.

Miss Elizabeth U. Sullivant, Columbus, Ohio, historical speci-

mens, maps, books, pictures, etc.

Mr. Carl C. Danford, Lewisville, Ohio, ciphering book of Tilgh-

man Brashar; loan.

Gen. Edward Orton, Jr., archaeological specimens from England

and France.

Archaeological specimens; purchase.

Miss Emma Jones, Columbus, Ohio, Kilbourne letters.

Mr. J. W. Miles, Pittsburgh, Pa., two wooden bowls.

Dr. Alexander, Newark, Ohio, historical specimens.

Robert C. Frame, Ralph G. Young, Guy Ellison, -- Smith, West

Union, Ohio, old letters, books, etc.

Mr. Calvin Sohl, Columbus, Ohio, hardware bill of 1816.

Mr. Frank J. Soday, Dept. of Chemistry, O. S. U., photos and

relics of penitentiary fire in Columbus.

Dr. C. C. Pheanais, Versailles, Ohio, minerals.

Mrs. Fred A. Williams, Ashtabula, Ohio, letters, diaries, etc., of

the late Joshua R. Giddings.

Mr. W. E. Miller, Columbus, Ohio, Civil War relics.

Mr. Albert G. Giddings, Jefferson, Ohio, silver service, chair, etc.

of the late Joshua R. Giddings; loan.

Mrs. Lucy H. Washburn, Columbus, Ohio, fossil fern.

Prof. Roderick Peattie, Dept. of Geography, O. S. U., specimen

of barite.

Archaeological specimens; purchase.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 531

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting     531

 

Mrs. Joseph O. Gregg, Columbus, Ohio, sword, picture, papers,

and fossil fish.

Miss Olive F. McKim, Parkersburg, W. Va., doll and book.

Mr. Rodney Gragg, Bainbridge, Ohio, old account book.

Mr. Robert E. Lanich, Columbus, Ohio, sword bayonet.

Dr. Emerson F. Greenman, Columbus, Ohio, Algonkian Indian

head-dress.

Mr. James W. McLaughlin, Newark, Ohio, safe destroyed by

Morgan's raiders.

Mrs. Foster Tyler, Alexandria, Ohio, two lamp chimneys.

Miss Sarah Williams, Circleville, Ohio, doll of 90 years ago.

Mr. M. S. Brown, Grand Rapids, Mich., the Symmes E. Brown

collection of books.

Capt. J. R. Benjamin, Columbus, Ohio, World War insignia; loan.

Mr. Eli Gabriel, Columbus, Ohio, Chinese opium outfit, and pipe

made by soldier of Civil war.

Mr. Harry R. McPherson, Columbus, Ohio, Darke County rec-

ord books.

Dr. Harlow Lindley, Columbus, Ohio, wooden butter mould.

Mr. Homer Zimmerman, Sugar Creek, Ohio, glass flask.

Miss Bertha Eisenbeis, Columbus, Ohio, valentine of 1830.

Mr. J. Russell Hayes, Swarthmore, Pa., 170 Quaker books.

Robert M. Miller, Columbus, Ohio, gas mask.

The Hastings Museum, Hastings, Neb., archaeological specimens.

Mr. Hugh Hardy, Columbus, Ohio, stone mortar and pestle.

Mr. George W. Gehman, Bethlehem, Pa., minerals; in exchange.

Prof. W. McPherson, 0. S. U., bill of sale of slave, 1856.

Mr. C. H. Murphy, Columbus, Ohio, Alaskan canoe, sled, har-

poons, etc., in miniature.

Dr. Frank Warner, Columbus, Ohio, great barred owl.

Mr. H. F. Pancake, Columbus, Ohio, specimen of barite.

Mr. D. E. Puckett, Columbus, Ohio, Civil war sword.

Mr. Alfred H. Leaman, Columbus, Ohio, lead pipe from Pompeii.

Mr. Robert E. Gardner, Columbus, Ohio, books on military tac-

tics.

Cherokee Ochre Company, Cartersville, Ga., barite.



532 Ohio Arch

532       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Johns-Manville Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, asbestos, and ex-

hibit of asbestos products.

Buckeye Steel Castings Company, Columbus, Ohio, iron ore.

American Rolling Mills Company, iron ore.

Mr. Dudley Fisher, Sr., Columbus, Ohio, photos of Columbus

Cadets.

Mr. George W. Gehman, Bethlehem, Pa., asbestos; exchange.

Anaconda Copper Mining Company, Great Falls, Mont., copper

ore.

Miss Josephine Klippart, Columbus, Ohio, sofa and chair.

Mr. Charles Snyder, Columbus, Ohio, mammoth tooth.

American Gypsum Company, Port Clinton, Ohio, gypsum.

Dr. B. H. Moffatt, Shelby, Ohio, archaeological specimens.

Mr. W. C. Fisher, Shelby, Ohio, two grooved axes.

Mr. C. J. Laser, Shelby, Ohio, minerals.

Eagle-Picher Lead Company, Chicago, Ill., lead and zinc ore.

Mr. David S. Clark, Cleveland, Ohio, Civil War envelopes.

Calumet and Arizona Mining Company, Ajo, Ariz., copper ore.

Mr. T. J. Andrews, Newark, Ohio, and Mrs. M. J. Lewis, New-

ark, Ohio, historical specimens.

Mr. Bernard S. Mason, Dept. of Sociology, O. S. U., Indian

drum; loan.

Mr. Albert C. Spetnagel, Chillicothe, Ohio, calcite crystal.

Donald Dell, Columbus, Ohio, Betty lamp.

Mr. H. Dale Kuhn, Shelby, Ohio, four stone pipes.

The United States Graphite Company, Saginaw, Mich., graphite.

The Grasselli Chemical Company, Cleveland, Ohio, sulphur.

Mr. Edward A. Day, Columbus, Ohio, poster of 1865.

Mr. William J. Nonnenmacher, Columbus, Ohio, collection of

watches and watchmakers' obsolete tools.

Mr. Byron Blake, Columbus, Ohio, Civil War musket.

Mr. W. G. Pengelly, Columbus, Ohio, three land grants.

Mr. H. P. Leiendecker, Groveport, Ohio, antique watch.

Mr. A. D. Sproat, Chillicothe, Ohio, minerals.

Mr. Laurence B. Webster, Columbus, Ohio, archaeological speci-

mens.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 533

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting  533

Mr. Julius F. Stone, Columbus, Ohio, habitat group Rocky

Mountain sheep.

Mr. William Rindsfoos, Columbus, Ohio, habitat group Alaskan

grizzly bear.

Remarks were then made in regard to the proposed

new constitution for the Society by the President, Mr.

Hinkle and Mr. Harrop.

The Secretary called attention to the fact that there

were three vacancies to be filled on the Board of Trus-

tes. Mr. Goodman nominated for the three vacancies

Mr. Arthur C. Johnson, General George Florence and

Mr. Oscar F. Miller. On motion of Mr. Bareis the

rules were suspended and the Secretary instructed to

cast the vote of the society for these three members. The

motion was unanimously carried and the Secretary cast

the unanimous vote of the Society for the three members

nominated.

Remarks were then made, bearing appreciative tes-

timony to the life and character of Edwin F. Wood who

had recently passed away.

Somewhat extended remarks were made by Mr.

Hinkle on the proposed new constitution though none of

its provisions were read.

Mr. Shetrone gave reasons for the change of the

name of the Society from the Ohio State Archaeological

and Historical Society to the Ohio State Historical So-

ciety.

On motion of Mr. Hinkle, seconded by Mr. Pengelly,

the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED: That the Articles of Incorporation of The

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society be and the same

are amended so that its corporate name be changed from The



534 Ohio Arch

534       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society to The Ohio

State Historical Society.

President Johnson suggested the following resolu-

tion:

WHEREAS, The Ohio State University is seeking author-

ity and funds from the General Assembly for enlarging and im-

proving the institution's broadcasting station WEAO, and in

view of the further fact that this station has proven of ines-

timable value to this Society in furthering its educational pro-

gram throughout the State, and since manifestly the broadcasting

station of a state university should be second to none in efficiency,

therefore,

Be it resolved, that the Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society which was, now the Ohio State Historical Society,

its officers, trustees and members in annual meeting assembled this

26th day of March, 1931, does hereby approve and endorse the

efforts of the Ohio State University in its effort to provide ade-

quate radio facilities for tendering its educational services to the

people of Ohio.

Mr. Edward S. Thomas moved the adoption of the

resolution. His motion was seconded and unanimously

carried.

At this point Secretary Galbreath drew attention to

the fact that the Secretary's report required by the con-

stitution had not been read. The President stated that he

had overlooked this and called upon the Secretary to

read his annual report.

The Secretary read his annual report as follows:

 

REPORT OF SECRETARY

For the Year Ending March 26, 1931.

The last Annual Meeting of the Ohio State Archaeological

and Historical Society was held in this room on March 29, 1930.

Our present meeting is held just three days earlier in the year,

1931. When we adjourn today both will have been held strictly

within the requirements of the constitution, which provides that



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 535

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting     535

the Annual Meeting should be held within ninety days after

December 31.

It is the duty of the Secretary to keep the minutes and rec-

ords of the Society and attend the meetings of the various

standing committees of the Board of Trustees. These duties

within the past year have not been arduous.

There was only one meeting of the Board of Trustees. This

was held at the call of President Johnson, in his office, June 9,

1930. He stated that the object of the meeting was to consider

the purchase of the Squier and Davis collection of Ohio pre-

historic material now in the Blackmore Museum in Salisbury,

England. He presented communications received from General

Edward Orton, Jr., then in Europe, stating that the collection

could be purchased for the approximate sum of $7,500. The

Board unanimously agreed to a motion by Mr. Hinkle authoriz-

ing General Orton to expend not to exceed $8,000 for the col-

lection. On motion of Mr. Wood, the Treasurer of the Society

was authorized on behalf of the Society to borrow this sum for

the purchase of the collection. The action of the Board of Trus-

tees was cabled to General Orton. It was learned later, however,

that the purchase could not be negotiated.

There is no committee of the Board of Trustees that has

held a meeting within the last year.

The second duty of the Secretary is to "edit all publications

of the Society." This is a large opportunity with a corresponding

responsibility. The appropriation made for the legislative bien-

nium proved sufficient for the issue of the Quarterly and a num-

ber of reprints from the same. An unusually large number of

copies of the Museum Echoes have been circulated and some other

printed matter has been prepared and distributed designed to

promote the work of the Foundation Department. In addition

to this there has been inaugurated the publication of a series en-

titled, Ohio Historical Collections. The first volume has been

issued in bound form and is here for inspection. The Secretary

plans that at least two other volumes of the series shall be issued

within the present year. In connection with this arrangement it

may not be improper to explain a little more fully the inaugura-

tion of this work.



536 Ohio Arch

536        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

For some time there has been manifest a desire of the His-

tory Departments of the Colleges and Universities of the state to

cooperate in writing a critical history of Ohio.    It was thought

best to publish this in the form of a series of monographs, each

covering a certain phase or period of that history.

In Museum     Echoes for July-August, 1930, the following

news item appeared under the caption

 

COMMITTEE ON COOPERATION

Pursuant to the action taken at the Ohio History Conference held

February 7, 1930, President Arthur C. Johnson appointed the following

Committee on Cooperation:

Prof. Carl Wittke, Ohio State University.

Prof. W. T. Utter, Denison University.

Prof. B. W. Bond, University of Cincinnati.

Mr. Wm. A. Duff, Ashland Co. Historical Society.

Prof. E. J. Benton, Western Reserve Historical Society.

Mr. O. G. Rust, Clark Co. Historical Society.

Dr. Harlow Lindley, Ohio State Arch. and Historical Society.

Dr. Harlow Lindley called a meeting of this committee for 10 o'clock,

July 12th. The entire committee was present. Mr. Iowa D. Smith, Su-

pervisor of Foundation and Endowment, was also in attendance.

Dr. Lindley opened the meeting and was elected chairman. Dr. Utter

was elected secretary. After introductory remarks by Dr. Lindley, the fol-

lowing basis of discussion was suggested:

A. That a check-list of Ohio newspapers should be prepared.

B. That a calendar of manuscript material bearing on Ohio history

in libraries outside the state is urgently needed.

C. That a program of photostating such materials might well be con-

templated.

D. With regard to the publications of the Ohio State Archaeological

and Historical Society.

1. A closer contact with local centers of historical writing, not-

ably the departments of history in the various colleges and

universities, would enrich the content of the Quarterly.

2. That the publication of a historical series, comparable to that

of the State Historical Society of Iowa, might well be con-

templated.

In the discussion that followed these points were endorsed

and emphasized:

1. Importance of increasing the public interest in local his-

torical societies.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 537

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting       537

 

2. The preparation and publication of a check-list of Ohio

newspapers also.

3. The preparation and publication of a calendar of unpub-

lished manuscripts bearing on Ohio history in libraries outside of

the state.

4. The preparation by Ohio libraries of their manuscript

sources of Ohio history.

5. The preparation of a Sesqui-Centennial history of Ohio.

Your Secretary was not present at this meeting but he was

an interested reader of the proceedings. Upon a careful survey

of the proposals, he concluded that the program could not be

carried out in the current Society year. Such, of course, was

not the intention of the Committee on Cooperation. They doubt-

less had in view a comprehensive program covering a number of

years. Your Secretary has been striving to accomplish one thing

at a time outside of his regular routine duties. A few years ago

a friend said, "Well, now, you have made a pretty good showing

in the newspaper line, why not take up something else?"  Well,

the Secretary was not through with that work and he is still at it.

When the Secretary looked over the program of the Com-

mittee on Cooperation he concluded that there was one thing that

we might begin at once. That was the publication of a series of

monographs on Ohio History. At his request a meeting of the

Committee on Cooperation was called for November 1, 1930. A

statement of the proceedings of that meeting is found in Museum

Echoes for November. The opening paragraph related to the

publication of this series and is here quoted:

The Committee on Cooperation representing the Ohio State Archae-

ological and Historical Society, the local historical societies of the state

and the colleges and universities met Saturday, November 1, and approved a

plan presented by Secretary C. B. Galbreath for the immediate publication

of the first volume of a regular series of historical collections relating to the

history of Ohio. Following the suggestion of Mr. Galbreath, an editorial

committee was appointed consisting of Mr. Galbreath, Dr. Carl Wittke and

Dr. Wm. T. Utter.

It is at present planned to issue three volumes within the

year. The second volume has been printed and is in the hands

of the State binder.



538 Ohio Arch

538       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

In addition to this series another publication, biographical

and literary in character, has been printed and is now passing

through the binder's hands. The title of this book is An Inter-

pretation of the Poetry and Life of Coates Kinney by Miss Deb-

ora M. MacNeilan. This is the most extended biography of a poet

that has been published by the Society. It is well written and it

is believed that it will prove sufficiently interesting to encourage

other contributions of this character.

The reprints from the Quarterly outside of the series already

mentioned, include the following titles:

The Negro in Early Ohio, by Charles Ray Wilson.

Americans Before Columbus, by Gerard Fowke.

Ohio's Monument to General Anthony Wayne Unveiled.

It will, therefore, be seen that the output of printing within

the past year by the Society has been commendably large.

For the years in the immediate future the Society will con-

tinue to be dependent largely upon State appropriations for its

printing. In view of this fact it is the opinion of your Secretary

that the Quarterly and the Museum Echoes should be furnished

free to all the public libraries of the State as they are issued.

There are in Ohio about 200 public libraries to which these pub-

lications should go. The County Superintendents of Schools, by

action of the Society, have already been placed on the member-

ship list free of charge. The same courtesy should be extended

to the University, College and Public Libraries of the State and

they should be encouraged to keep a full file of the publications

continually accessible to their patrons.

Years ago partial files of our publications were distributed

through members of the General Assembly. These occasionally

got into private libraries and there has been a somewhat frequent

demand for books to complete these sets. Of course the Society

could not undertake to do this and the State should not under-

take to furnish these volumes free upon request of individual cit-

izens. However, it could very properly reprint from the plates

these publications and distribute them generally to citizens of the

State at the actual cost of publishing. This would not be in

excess of $1.00 a volume and many citizens of the State would



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 539

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting    539

 

probably purchase these volumes at that price, if they had the

opportunity to do so. It is suggested that two years hence a re-

quest should be made for the republication of the volumes to be

distributed at cost to those desiring to purchase.

 

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY

Within the past year progress has been made in additions to

the library. Books and bound pamphlets to the number of 882

have been accessioned since the last report. As stated, one year

ago, many of these are from the private library of the late Wil-

liam C. Mills. Among the interesting genealogical items that have

been added are a number of volumes from the library of the late

Mr. Farrand Felch. Mrs. Felch presented his entire library to

the Society, numbering 872 volumes. These have not yet been

accessioned but they are in one of the new vaults and the volumes

of genealogy have been conveniently placed for reference use.

There are also unaccessioned and ready for addition to the

library from the Dawson collection, 274 volumes; a general col-

lection of books, 921 volumes; bound pamphlets, 1,663; making

a total unaccessioned of 3,730 volumes and bound pamphlets.

At the last Annual Meeting the Secretary in announcing the

large number of newspaper volumes added within the previous

year, stated that it was not probable that so many volumes could

be added this year. Eight hundred volumes were mentioned as

the assured increase for the year that ends today. By actual count,

however, 2,198 volumes have been added. The total number of

volumes of newspapers in the library at the close of the previous

year was 18,617. The additions for the year that ends today

bring the total number of volumes now in the library up to 20,815.

This is much larger than anticipated one year ago.

As previously stated, the Committee on Cooperation at its

meeting favored the preparation and publication of a check-list

of newspapers in the libraries of the State. At some time in the

near future such a work may be undertaken. It will not be diffi-

cult with the data at hand for the library of the Ohio State

Archaeological and Historical Society to prepare its check-list.

But while newspapers continue to come into that department at



540 Ohio Arch

540        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

the rate of over 2,000 volumes a year, it probably would not be

wise to publish such check-list. Later, when the State has been

pretty thoroughly covered and the available sources of additions

have become, in a measure, exhausted, the published list, of

course, should be undertaken.

Mr. Simpson, the assistant in charge of the newspaper room,

has furnished the following information in regard to these addi-

tions:

There are 555 volumes transferred here from the various

courthouses, where they had been accumulating since the law of

1850 was enacted; 464 volumes have been contributed by news-

paper publishers; 118 volumes were sent by other libraries; 372

volumes came by current daily mail; 510 volumes came from the

Ohio State University library; 36 volumes of Columbus dailies

were delivered by carriers; and 143 volumes were from miscel-

laneous sources, mostly gifts.

Among the papers received during the year the following

may be mentioned as of unusual value for reference purposes:

Lancaster.

Gazette. Complete 1826-1833, 3 volumes. Same incomplete 1834-

1844. 1 volume. Same complete--March, 1860.

Lancaster.

Ohio Eagle, March 1858-March, 1860.

McArthur.

McArthur Republican. April 13, 1850 (vol. 1, No. 1) to August

19, 1852.

New Lisbon.

Buckeye State. 1860-1872. 4 volumes.

Ripley.

Ripley Bee. 1850-1852.

Warren.

Trump of Fame. Numbers 1-28 of volume 1. June-December, 1812.

Ohio Miscellaneous Papers.

1 volume including dates from 1811 to 1854.

Ohio Miscellaneous papers. 1 volume including papers from 1800-1865.

London, England.

Times. June 22, 1815. This issue contains the first published

news of the battle of Waterloo.

Manila, Philippine Islands.

A volume containing copies of newspapers published in Manila

during and immediately after the Spanish-American War.



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 541

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting     541

 

In the gathering of newspapers and especially a number of

the rare volumes, credit is here given to the Business Agent of the

Society, Mr. H. R. McPherson, whose duties call him to the

various properties of the Society in different parts of the State

and who has found it possible to look up newspapers and rare old

volumes relating to the early history of the State. His interest

in this work has been continuous and is appreciated by your Sec-

retary and Librarian.

This occasion must not pass without a fuller expression than

has yet been accorded to Mr. Harold G. Simpson for the splendid

work that he has done in building up the newspaper collection of

the library. From the inception of this work to the present time

he has been the "right arm" of the librarian in faithfully and effi-

ciently planning and administering this important work. He has

at his desk, as well as designated on the volumes themselves, the

period that each volume covers and can furnish this information

promptly to the patron. The work that he has done to make

these papers accessible indicates to anyone who will make inquiry

in regard to details, the expenditure of patient and long sustain-

ing energy and never-flagging industry. He knows his job, enjoys

it and pursues it with genuine enthusiasm.

He finds time also to do some important work not imme-

diately related to the newspaper collection, in shelving and listing

duplicates. This has proven a helpful service. At present he is

industriously engaged, while serving patrons of the newspaper

department in the library, in indexing and placing in the new cases

provided for them, about 4,000 halftones and etchings. Most of

these cuts bear on them no indication of what they are intended

to represent. The identification of the cuts and the supply of

proper titles is a work of considerable magnitude. Some of them

when the work is concluded will perhaps remain unidentified. In

some instances cuts outside of those used in the publications of

the Society have become a part of the collection and this increases

the difficulty of identification. But the great body of these, of

course, are identified, properly named, labeled and indexed so that

they will be just as readily accessible as the newspaper volumes.

This will place within easy reach of the Society, a large collection

of illustrative material.



542 Ohio Arch

542       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Mr. Simpson has had three able assistants, physically strong

and industrious, who have done much of the heavy work involved

in moving the newspaper files and keeping them in order, with

no expense to the Society except that in furnishing to each of

these workers one meal a day. He has gotten along harmoniously

and pleasantly with these assistants and from this source has suc-

ceeded in getting a service that would have cost the Society thou-

sands of dollars.

And right here permit us to say, thanks for this service are

due to Warden P. E. Thomas. He has certainly sent us the best

of his men whose generous response to every word and act of

fairness and kindness has been most gratifying.

Your Secretary could not let this opportunity pass to pay

this modest tribute to the valuable service of Mr. Simpson, and

his whole-hearted interest in the work.

Something must be said also in appreciation of the service

of the cataloguer, Miss Alice S. Davis. Not only has she been

diligent in the work but she has conducted much important genea-

logical research, the results of which have greatly pleased many

of the patrons of the library. Her equipment for this work is of

a high order. She is also an excellent proof-reader and your

secretary is dependent upon her assistance in the publications of

our Society, including the indexing of all the annual volumes of

the Quarterly.

Many of the books in the library of Dr. William C. Mills

were duplicates of those already in the Library. His daughter,

Miss Helen Mills, before her present illness, prepared and sent

through the mails to other libraries a list of about three hundred

of these duplicates with a letter soliciting an exchange. As a re-

sult, a number of books needed here were added to the Library.

Among those received was one volume priced by the publisher at

$50.00. This was one of the very rare issues of Western Travels,

edited by Thwaites, which fills a break in our set.

RARE MANUSCRIPTS ADDED

Some notable additions have been made to the manuscript

department within the past year. Especially notable are the fol-

lowing:



Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting 543

Report of the Forty-fifth Annual Meeting             543

 

Joshua R. Giddings Collection

1. From Mrs. Fred A. Williams, of Ashtabula, Ohio, a gift has been

received of five volumes of mounted letters; 1 file of miscellaneous

letters; 1 package of annotated letters.

Two volumes of Diary 1838-1839, 1848-1849 and one congressional

album. These are all manuscript letters and papers of Joshua R.

Giddings and constitute the only important collection of Giddings

papers in existence.

2. A loan by Albert G. Giddings of Jefferson, Osio, of seven scrap-

books collected by Joshua R. Giddings. These added to a similar

scrap-book already in the library, throw much light on the issues

and activities to which Joshua R. Giddings devoted his energies

through his remarkably active career.

3. Loaned by Albert G. Giddings of Jefferson, Ohio. One silver serv-

ice and glass case for same; 3 souvenir canes, 2 oil paintings of

Joshua R. Giddings; 1 plaster bust of Joshua R. Giddings by J. Q.

A. Ward; 1 congressional chair; 1 parchment roll in metal case,

appreciative of his services as consul to Montreal, Canada.

These valuable Giddings items were secured through the

service of Prof. Harlow Lindley, through whose efforts were

procured also a complete set of the printed minutes of the Indiana

Yearly Meeting of Friends, 1821-1923, including a large member-

ship from Ohio.

From the Collection of Dr. Charles E. Rice

Your Secretary for a number of years has been personally

acquainted with Dr. Charles E. Rice, a manuscript collector,

writer and traveler, of Alliance, Ohio. While an enthusiast in

collecting manuscripts for the past forty years, Dr. Rice has been

indifferent to fame and has not advertised the large results of his

labors which include the bringing together of interesting Ohio

materials. It was through your Secretary that Governor James

E. Campbell and Dr. Rice were brought into pleasant correspond-

ence which resulted in substantial additions to the Campbell col-

lection, which some of his heirs wished to transfer to this Society.

Less than a year ago, Dr. Rice intimated to me that he was

thinking of distributing his large collection. After some corre-

spondence he proposed at a very reasonable price to transfer a

portion of these to our Library. The result was that five volumes

of these are now the property of the library of the Society. All



544 Ohio Arch

544         Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

of these are properly designated as strictly Ohio material. They

are as follows:

1. Letters and signatures of all the members of the Ohio Constitu-

tional Convention of 1802. This collection contains autograph let-

ters from all the members of that Convention except three.  The

signatures of these three are included with documents that they

signed. There are biographical sketches of each of the members;

photographs from paintings of fifteen of the thirty-five; and letters

to the collector, chiefly from descendants of the members, attesting

the genuineness of many of the manuscripts and their sources.

2. Autograph letters, portraits of the members of the Supreme Court

of Ohio and the Northwest Territory from 1787 to 1851, when the

new Constitution went into effect.

3. Autograph letters, portraits and biographical sketches of all the

members of the Supreme Court of Ohio from 1851 to 1913.

4. Autograph letters, portraits and biographical sketches of all the

governors of the State.

5. Autograph letters and biographical sketches of all the United States

Senators from Ohio and portraits of almost all of them.

Soon after the arrival of these, seven additional volumes were

acquired, all carefully mounted.

6-12. Autograph letters with signature of persons prominent officially

or otherwise in the different periods of Ohio History.

These twelve incomparable volumes of autograph letters

rank especially high in the manuscript collection of the Society.

The statement may be added here, that Dr. Rice who, the past

winter has been making another journey around the world, inti-

mated before he left that he was considering the transfer of his

large collection of autograph letters from prominent literary men

and women of the United States as a free gift to the library of

this Society.

Journal of the Northwest Territory

Presented by John H. James

The most notable addition to the manuscript department

within the year and the one that has received the widest publicity

is the Executive Journal of the Northwest Territory. An accu-

rate statement of the scope and character of this unique contribu-

tion from the library of Mr. John H. James of Urbana, Ohio,

was published in Museum Echoes for February, 1931, and a copy



Report of the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting 545

Report of the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting              545

 

from that statement is here included for permanent record in the

Minutes of the Society. It reads as follows:

For years an effort has been made to complete the official record of the

Northwest Territory. In this volume which has been preserved by the

James family the record is absolutely complete. The first entry bears the

date of July 9, 1788, the day on which Winthrop Sargent arrived at Fort

Harmar. The first important record noted by the Secretary is the speech

made by Governor Arthur St. Clair on the 15th day of that month. This

is given in full.

The dates following, record the important transactions of the govern-

ment through the entire succeeding period to the 15th day of January, 1803.

The last record enumerates appointments that were made on this date.

It was customary, as evidenced in this record, at stated periods to

make a transcript of the record and forward it to Washington, D. C. On one

of the pages we have this notation:

Copy of this journal to the first day of January, 1795

has been transmitted to the President of the United States.

Another instance near the close of the record bears testimony to the

fact that this order had been maintained throughout the period. It reads

as follows:

The Secretary transmitted to the Department of State a

copy of the official proceedings of the governors of the

Territory from the 16th of October 1799 to the 1st of

July, 1800.

It was, therefore, thought that a complete record of the proceedings

had been filed in Washington. Unfortunately, however, about half of that

record disappeared years ago.

When William Henry Smith was editing the St. Clair papers for pub-

lication, he employed a clerk in Washington to make a copy of the record

of the proceedings of the Northwest Territory. This copy was attested on

the 10th day of June 1873, by Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State. At the

conclusion of this copied report appears this significant statement:

No records of the government of the territory northwest

of the Ohio are found in the Department of State of the

United States of a date subsequent to June 1795.

Through all these years research workers have looked in vain for the

record subsequent to June 1795. In this volume, which has now been brought

to light, the complete record is found. It is remarkably well preserved and

every word is perfectly legible.

As students of early Ohio history know, there were three men who held

the office of Secretary of the Northwest Territory. The first of these was

Vol. XL--35.



546 Ohio Arch

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Winthrop Sargent, a soldier of the Revolution, with an excellent military

record, a graduate of Yale college. The Sargent family was eminent in

the colonial history of America and has fully sustained that eminence

through succeeding generations. Winthrop Sargent was Secretary of the

Northwest Territory from July 9, 1788, to May 31, 1798, when he resigned

to become Governor of the Mississippi Territory.

On the 28th of June, 1798, the President of the United States appointed

William Henry Harrison, Secretary of the Northwest Territory. His record

in this old volume begins with that date and continues until October 1, 1799.

This is the last date in the record of Harrison, though he probably continued

in office until the appointment of his successor.

The record kept by Harrison's successor contains the following as its

first item:

The executive of the United States on the 31st day of

December in the year 1799 appointed Charles Willing Byrd

secretary of, in, to, and for the Territory of the United

States northwest of the River Ohio.

When Ohio was admitted into the Union, Charles Willing Byrd be-

came the first judge of the federal district of Ohio.

The foregoing is a brief description of this old record. Illustrative of

the use which has already been made of it is a request from a member of

the Supreme Court of Michigan for a list of officers appointed by the gov-

ernors of the Northwest Territory for the county of Wayne, which in-

cluded Michigan before it became a part of Indiana Territory. The names

of the officers which he wished to get were included between the years 1776

and 1800. They were in the portion of the record that had been missing for

perhaps over a hundred years. The reference librarian in the Museum and

Library Building has copied about two hundred names to send in response

to this request. They could not have been found in any other record.

It will be noticed that we have used the term "governors of the North-

west Territory." In the absence of the governor, the secretary of the Ter-

ritory acted as governor. A large proportion of Winthrop Sargent's service

was in the position of acting governor in the absence of St. Clair. Harrison

and Byrd also at times acted in this capacity.

 

Prominent mention of the discovery of this item and its

transfer to the Society was made in the Columbus Evening Dis-

patch of January 22, 1931, and the news was promptly carried to

all parts of the United States. Within a few days after this pub-

lication, clippings of telegraphic reports of varied length were re-

ceived from papers published on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts

and from the Lakes to the Gulf. More recently proposals to



Report of the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting 547

Report of the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting      547

publish this record complete have come to the Secretary from

reputable publishing houses.

The special value of this item lies in the fact that until it was

found there was no record anywhere of the proceedings of the

Northwest Territory from June 20, 1795 to March 1, 1803. It is

now possible to complete the record. There has been in the

library here a copy of the record up to and including June 20,

1795. The Secretary plans to have the remainder of the record

typewritten in the very near future and added to the record pre-

viously in the library. This will make two complete copies that

will be in safe-keeping until the Executive Journal of the Terri-

tory Northwest of the Ohio River is available in printed form.

This Journal covers 535 pages of legible written manuscript,

the major portion of which is in the handwriting of Winthrop

Sargent. With the 1,070 Sargent manuscripts that were pre-

viously in the possession of the library through the kindness of

Winthrop Sargent VI of Philadelphia, the collection of letters

and documents relating to the early history of the Northwest Ter-

ritory now in the possession of the library is unsurpassed in im-

portance. The St. Clair Papers, edited and published years ago

by the State, have been available for years, but the Sargent

Papers, equally important, were not available until collected by

this Society.

The Executive Journal of the Northwest Territory is the

first volume of a number of journals now in the possession of

the library. There is here also the first volume of the Executive

Journals of the Governors of the State. All of these in time

should be published. They include the record from day to day

of the executive departments from the beginning of constitutional

government in Marietta from the year 1788 down to the present

time. All official appointments, including militia and civil officers,

all proclamations and other executive details of interest are

recorded therein. The genealogists and the historians may find

in these records items of interest and importance.

I congratulate this Society on becoming the custodian of these

valuable original source materials with an ever widening prospect

of valuable additions to the same.



548 Ohio Arch

548       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

The law creating the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commis-

sion made the Director and the Secretary members of that com-

mission. The latter was made also secretary of that commission.

He kept the minutes of some of the earlier and the later meetings

of that commission. He passed final judgment on the text of the

seventy-three major markers erected in the western part of the

State. This sometimes was not an easy job, especially when there

were local disputes in regard to the historical facts and the spell-

ing of names. However, the work was satisfactorily concluded

after a somewhat voluminous correspondence which is on file

here and eloquently attests the fact that while there was but one

meeting of our Board of Trustees, the pen of your Secretary has

been kept rather warm within the past year.

It becomes our sad duty to record the decease of a member

of the staff of the Society, Prof. James S. Hine, who passed away

after a very brief illness, December 22, 1930; and the very recent

death of Edwin F. Wood, our worthy and faithful Treasurer and

for forty years a trustee of the Society. These two friends and

co-workers are sadly missed and long the vacancies that they left

behind will be felt in this Society.

In concluding this report I wish to thank the members of

the Board of Trustees for kindly counsel and assistance, the

patrons of the library for words and letters of appreciation, and

the assistants in my department without exception, from the as-

sistant librarian, the cataloger and the librarian of the newspaper

department, to the student help for faithful and efficient service

and kindly cooperation in all the work that comes to the Secretary

and Librarian of this Society.

On motion of Mr. Hinkle the meeting adjourned until

April 30 to consider whatever business may come up on

that day.