Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-10-22
oHIo's CENTENNIAL.
The State Archaeological and Histor-
ical Society and its Work.
[From the Marietta Leader.l

From the Marietta Lesder.l
Since the Society was organized,
March IL, Mr.. A. A. Graham, Secretary,
has devoted his entire time to the work.
He has secured over five thousand
valuable archaeological specimens for
the cabinet and has the assurance that
many more will be donated. In ad-
dition, many valuable books, manu-
scripts, maps, pamphlets letters, etc.,
have been sent to the Society for pre-
servation.
The Ohio University has generously
set apart large and we'll lighted room
for the Society, and also offered it the
use of its large vaults for the safe keep
ing of valuable articles.
The Ohio Commissioners of the New
Orleans Exposition gave the Society
twenty large double cases, which pro-
vide safe means for exhibiting the
articles owned and acquired by the
Society. 1t has now an excellent start,
and If its friends will aid its efforts few
years, a society will be established that
the people will be glad to foster.
The near approach of the Centennial
of the settlement of Ohio, at Marietta
in 1888 has aroused considerable interest
In all parts of the West. The historical
society has taken steps to properly cele-
brate the event. AS preparatory
measure, suggestive course of reading
is now being prepared for use in the
schools of the State. This course will
be issued in leaf let from, and will con-
tain topics for reading and lists of the
best obtainable works for reading and
consultation. Its use will be introduce
ed into every school in Ohio, and for
the coming two years the children will
receive special instruction ON Ohio and
western history. They will then be in
telligently prepared for celebration to
be held in every school district ON the
7th of April, 1888, commemorative of
the founding of the northwestern terri
tory. For this celebration day, PAM
phlet, containing appropriate selec-
tions of prose and poetry, historical
incidents, sketches of the first settle
ment, ETC., will be issued by the society,
and sent to every school that desires its
use. By this means the State Society
will arouse historical interest, and
incite in the children of Ohio taste
for good and instructive reading.
The celebration at Marietta will be
one of the largest affairs ever held in
the west. Prominent men from all
parts of the Union will be present. The
northwestern states will be officially
invited, and their legislatures asked to
take appropriate action concerning the
event. Marietta will contain such a
gathering of people who want to see the
plymouth of the Northwest" as will
not be seen again by this generation.
AS the work of the Society will be q
State work, the State will be asked to
appropriate the necessary funds to car
ry it forward. All other States have
such societies, supported by the State.
Ohio is as we'll able as any and should
not be in the rear. This will be secured
at the next session, as it will be avail
able then for the centennial year.
Until this can be done, however, the
work of the society must be sustained
entirely by contributions of its friends.
Every one who feels an interest in the
advancement OF the State will be in
terested in this work, and be glad to
help.
There are now about two hundred act
i've members in the Society each of
whom has contributed five dollars to
the work. There should be more than
double that number. The Society
hopes to secure about 900 active MEM
bers, which will enable it to vigorously
push its work through the winter.
Those who do not feel able to become
active members, can enter the associate
class, the fees of which are three dollars
each, or can contribute as they may see
fit. Every one should do something
and by united and persistent work,
surprising results can be obtained.
Such men as Senator A. G.. Thurman,
President of the Society; Ex-Presiden nj
Hayes, ex-Gov. Foster, DR.. I. w. An.
drews, Gen. r. Brinkerhof, Douglas
Putnam, Beman Gates. w. f. Curtis,
DR.. John B. Peaslee, Robert Clark, Dan
P. Eells, J. HI. Devereux, Senator A. j
Williams and others equally prominent,
are all connected with the Society, art
active members and efficient workers
and are sufficient guarantee of its effec'
tiveness.
The Secretary, A. A. Graham, of Co
lumbus, gives his entire time to thu
work and is untiring in his labors. FL
will promptly respond to any inquiries
regarding the work of the Society, ant
hopes to visit all parts of Ohio in its In
terest. He should be upheld in his ef
forts, and given prompt and efficien
support, ..H.. sf-