The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-13
Interesting Correspondence.
STAUNToN, VA +, Sept. 7. 1877


CAPT. W. L. BALTHIs, Mayor &C., OF Staunton.
Dear Sir:-1 take the liberty to address you this
letter in view Of your official position and such
through you the people of the county whose CO.
operation in the matter OF securing the object de-
sired is earnestly WISHED
You will agree with me, doubt not that it is
much to be regretted that we have not had and
have not now in our town a repository muse
ture art, science natural history might be pre-
served. We're suitable building or apartments
in an existing building. secured, the industry Of
the antiquarian. the arborist the geologist and
mineralogist would soon I'LL its shelves-make it
a cabinet of curioslties. Such a museum where
one might not only crafty an antiquarian taste,
but displayed the products OF the soil. fruits,
grains, timber, ores, &C., would become one of
the most attractive resorts in our community;
where might be studied from specimens every
branch OF science relating to organic and morgan
ic nature. The science OF geology has within the
progress Aided not only by the higher branches
OF physics, but by recent discoveries in mineral
ogy n has aooo gy9 anf Inc
chives OF the interior OF the earth, records of
former conditions OF our planet, and deciphered
documents which were sealed book to our an
cestors. 1t has, indeed, extended it's researches
into regions more vast and remote than come
within the scope OF any physical science except
astronomy Yet in our midst we have no collec-
ton Of the evidences of the formation OF the earth
OF native or eXtraneous fossils, such minerals,
vegetable or animal origin, such as plants, shells,
bones and other specimens-many of which are
petrifed and have been buried in the earth acct
dentaly
Virginia abounds in these interesting speci-
mens-our forests alone produce several hun
dred different kinds of woods, mostly of excellent
quality. Who amongst us has seen them all
brought together or could name or classify them
il they were? Our sell is rich in minerals, Goals,
iron, salt, copper gold, and gypsum, yet where is
there an interesting collection OF these to be
seen and studied?
When boy I remember to have seen in the
county many relics OF the red men, such as stone
arrow heads, hatchets and instruments in the
shape OF an adZe which the barbarians no doubt
used to fell timber and scoop out their canoes.
What an interest a cabinet of these curioSitieS
would now possess. trust it is not now too late
to secure many of these memorials. but to be
successful no time should be lost. I see with
surprise no momentoes of the late civil war, but
a few rusty blades and now and again delapida-
ted scabbard or broken gun barrel. Let us collect
these mementoes also OF that period in our histo-
~
When civil discord first grew high,
And men fell out they knew not why
My interest in the subject is doubtless the
greater from the fact that have visited many
celebrated museums in Europe particularly in
Italy, Which contain innumerable specimens of
the three ages into which antiquarians divide
the primeval or pagan ages, namely, first, the
each betokening different degree of advance
ment and civilization. And collections also of all
succeeding ages with the natural productions sc.
OF every country
With the hope that such a want may be sup
Piled in our prosperous and growing city, ai-
dress you this brief and hurried note and ask
your Valable cooperation.
am, Mr.. Mayor,
Very truly, yours,
JNO LEWIS PEYToN