The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-10-29
oHIo,s CENTENNIAL.
The State Archaeological and
Historical Society and
its Work.
From the Marietta Leader

Since the Society was organized,
March IL, Mr.. A. A. Graham, Sec'y,
has devoted his entire time to the
work. He has secured over five thou
sand valuable archaeological speci-
mems for the cabinet and has the as
uranc that many more will be do
mated. In addition, many valuable
books, manuscripts, maps, pamphlets,
letters, ETC., have been sent to the So
ciety for preservation.
The Ohio University has generous
ly set apart a large and we'll lighted
room for the Society, and also offered
it the use of its large vaults for the
safe keeping of valuable articles.
The Ohio Commissioners of the
New Orleans Exposition gave the So
ciety twenty largs double cases, which
provide safe means for exhibiting the
articles owned ana acquired by the
Society. 1t has now an excellent start,
and if its friends will aid its efforts a
few years, a society will be'established
that the people will be glad to foster.
The near approach of The Centenni-
al of the settlement of Ohio, at Mari
eta in 1888 has aroused considerable
interest in all parts of the West. The
historical society has taken steps to
properly celebrate the event. AS a
preparatory measure, a suggestive
course of reading is now being pre-
pared for use in the schools of the
State. This course will be issued in
Iea1et form, and will contain topics
for reading and lists of the best OBJ
tainable works for reading and con-
sultation. Its use will be introduced
into every school in Ohio, and for
the coming two years the children
will receive special instruction on
Ohm aud western history. They will
then be intelligently prepared for q
celebration to be held in every school
district on the 7th Of April, 1881, COM
memorative of the founding of the
northwestern territory. For this cele-
bralion day, a pamphlet, containing
appropriate selections of prose and
poetry, historical incidents, sketches
of the first settlement, ETC., will be is
sued by the society, and sent 10 every
school that desires its use. By this
means the State Society will arouse a
historical interest, and incite in the
children Of Ohio a 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 off
cially invited, and their legislatures
asked to take appropriate action con.
corning the event. Marietta will con.
tain such a gathering of people who
want to see the plymouth of the
Northwest" as will not be seen again
by this generation.
a State work, the State will be asked
to appropriate the necessary funds te
carry it forward. All other States
have such societies, supported by the
State. Ohio is as well able as any ant
should not be in the rear. This will bt
secured at the next session, as it will
he available then 70: the centennia
year. Until This can be done, however
the work of the society must be sus
tanned entirely by contributions of it
friends. Every one who feels an inter
est in the advancement of the Stat
will be interested in this work, ant
be glad to help.
There are now about two hundred
active members in the Society each o
whom has contributed five dollars I,
the work. There should be more thai
double that number. The Societ,
hopes TO secure about 600 active mem
beers, which will enable it to vigor
ously push its work through the win
ter. Those who do not feel able to be
come active members, can enter III
associate class, the fees OF which ar
three dollars each. or can contribut
as they may sec fit. Every one shoul,
do something and by..united and per
s%istent work, surprising results ca
be obtained.
Such men as Senator A. G. Thur
man, President of the Society; Elk
President Hayes, eX-Gov. Foster. d.
I. W. Andrews, Gen. r. Brinkerhof
Douglas Putnam, Beman Gates, w. T
. Curtis. DR.. John b. Peaslee, Rober
Clark, Dan. p. Ellis, j. IL. Devereu,
Senator A. J. Williams and other
equally prominent. are all ]connecte,
with the Society. are active member
G and efficient workers and-are sufficien
guarantee of its effectiveness.
The Secretary, A. a. Graham, Q
Columbus, gives his entire time t
the work and is untiring in his labor:
. He will promptly respond to any in
: quiries regarding the work of the So
r ciety, and hopes 10 visit all parts Q
Ohio in its interest. He should be up
| held in his efforts, and given promr