The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-01-08
A GREAT WORK
Already Done aud the Territory should
scrnrc Its ContInunncc

Already Done aud the Territory should
secure Its Continuance
Governor Renfrow few days since
received "a communication from w T.
Campbell, custodian of the Oklahoma
historical association, which is mat
ter Of general interest and is given be-
low.
Mr.. Cam bell Is quiet, unobtrusive
man aud, though having done great
amount of work, he has said very lit
Tie about it, and few people realize
the magnitude OF his historical collec-
tion, which is already worth thousands
OF dollars.
TIE collection should become the
property Of the territory and be
placed at the capital, with Mr.. Camp
bell in charge, as his heart is in the
work and no man in the territory is so
we'll able TO care for and foster the
collection as he.
The letter in question is as follows:
Office Of Historical Custodian. Oltlaho-
ma Press Association, kingHsher,
o. r., Dec. 2s, 1894.
/ Hon W. G.. Renfrow, Guthrie, O. T.:
SIR: ] presume there are times i'm
/ the life of every public man when he
| would like TO blot out some rash pub
! lication, but it must be remembered
that there are bad people i'm every
! line Of trade, busines and profession;
SO that the press is simply no eXcep-
/ tiou. Thinking men deploring what
ever is evil in the press must after all
recognize its potency in the develop
mCnt Of the country, as the forcrunner
! of good achievements, as civilizer
and public mentor. Like streams that
overflow the observing can still trace
defined current leading on tot com
mon fountain; so the press, which oc-
,asionally crowds the banks, though it
may be traced well defined current of
truth in which the custom of the times,
the traditions of the past and the cur
rent history OF the country may be
read and preserved
am sure you will join me in ac-
llnOw wledging the part the Oklahoma
press has served as a factor in reach
ing the wonderful present of this
young territory. Thus believing, am
pleased to submit the above, asking
due pardon for anything which may
seem presumptious. | beg leave, also,
| 20 hand you herewith this brief state
meut:
The Editorial Association Of okla
! homa at it's annual convention in
| Ningdsher May 20 1898, at my in
stance established historical bureau,
and placed me in charge as custodi an.
! Tne object of this department, as set
! forth iu resolutions creating it, is the
! collection and preservation Of publica
! uons books, maps, charts, relics,
views, photographs Of public charac-
ters and private citizens who have
contributed aud shall in the future
contribute TO the political and social
history of the territory, and other
matters which may prove of informa-
ton TO the present or of historical or
curious interest in the future.
The work has been prosecuted with
as much interest as circumstances
would warrant. the labor aud entire
expense thus far. falling entirely upon
me. ] have record in which every
publication received is listed so that !
can tell at a glance if any particular
number is on file. This record shows:
Dailies, oklahoma, 10.
Weellies, Oklahoma, 12S.
Monthlies and other periodicals, Ok
,ahoma, II.
Dailies, other states and terrific
ries, ..
Weeklies other,states and terrific
ries, SO, of which 33 are Indian terrific
ry publications; 3S, Kansas.
The aggregate Of these files would
make now about 200 volumes when
properly bound.
BESIDES these regular publications,
have perhaps T. O0u samples or partial
files OF miscellaneous publications
from various corners of the earth,
have also collected a large number
of volumes of books of rare interest,
pamphlets, charts, reports of public
Importance and of societies, views,
photographs, etc, on the line indi-
Gated in the purpose of this depart
ment
In conclusion, ! feel sure that this is
a matter of territorial interest and
will grow more SO as the years come.
| also feel sure that it is eminently a
proper subjtc. for legislative as well
as executive considerat on Should
you view Il e matter as do, and con-
Glade that you could justify yourself
in making any suggestions on this
line, / will e pleased TO call on you
for "A brief conference as necessarily
have given the matter a great deal of
thought.
Anticipating a candid and | trust
not unfavorable consideration, i am,
Respectfully,
w, F. CAMPBELL