The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-10
is GROWING YEARLY
COLLECTION OF BOOKS, ETC., OF
THE STATE HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
SECRETARY UPHAM'S REPORT

0ss.
Twenty-Five Hundred Bound Vol
Ing the Last Two Years-The
Newspaper Collection Growing in
Value with the Flight of Time
Accessible to Everybody.
The regular meeting of the State His
torical society was held last evening
at the state house. The proposed cele-
bration of the semi-centennial ami
versary Of the organization was dis
cussed, and President Alexander Ram
sey was authorized to appoint a COM
mittee of five to get up programme
for the occasion. The celebration will
occur in November.
Upon the suggestion of President
Ramsey the interior department will
be asked to forward the society du-
plicate copies of the maps designating
the northern boundary line of Mime
sofa, as outlined in the original Ash
burton treaty with the Indian nations
of the northern regions.
The committee on appropriations was
increased one member, and Gen. j. B.
Sanborn was selected to fill the place.
Resolutions of regret were passed
and ordered sent to Charles A. Mayo,
an old member of the society, who is
seriously i'll at his home.
The original minutes of the first Min
snesota Republican party organization
were presented as the gift of Mr.. Mayo
The charter members Of the original
party were W. w. Wales, ]. N. North,
G. D. Gilfllan, Alexander Ramsey
Warren Bristol, H. l.. Edwards, ]. P.
Owens, w. R. Marshall, T. M. New
son and G; A Nourse. Some of the
speakers who took the stump in Min
nesota during the succeeding campaign
are given as follows: Apiana..l 1.----
coin, Schuyler Colfax, Cassius M. Clay,
Galusha B. Grow, B. F. Wade.
Secretary Warren Upham made his
annual report to the society as follows:
During these two years there have been
added to the library 1854 bound volumes and
about 700 unbound volumes, making the num-
Der of the former, at the beginning of this
year, 023S, and of the latter, g, 20S; in total
G2, 446 volumes. In the accessions of bound
volumes, 1,44S were received by donation, IL
Guiding many United States government pub
LEGATIONS and 400 volumes Of Minnesota news
papers, sent gratuitously by the publishers
and bound by the oc.ety. References to these
books are inserted in the card catalogue, for
which, in the two years, Mr.. Kingsbury has
written 6130 cards, besides his general atten-
ton to supply the books inquired for by users
of the library.
By count Jan. it is found that the society .
collection of American genealogies contains
LOIS books and 40S pamphlets; total, 1,424. In
the genealogical division of the card cata-
logue these works referred to by about
1850 titles.
In the department of biography the card
catalogue comprises about 1000 titles; but
references to many other biographies are
found under authors and personal names
Of township and strictly local histories (but
not including county and state histories and
publications Of soceties) the number Of bound
Maine was 81; New Hampshire, 100; Vermont,
50; Massachusetts,, $780, Rhode Island, 49, Con-
necticut, IS; with considerable numbers for
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
all the states, so far as these special histories
have been published.
1t is the aim of the library to make these
departments as complete as possible, by secur-
ing, through purchase or donation, all books
and pamphlets published in the United States
and Canada on Amer. can genealogy and strict
ly local history.
cient care of Mr.. CLANCY, who receives an av-
erage of about ninety-fve newspapers daily
for the society. Aside from this collection,
which begins with the first paper issued in
Minnesota territory, April 2s is49, many of
the early newspapers Of Minnesota have been
lost, and much valuable matter, both of q
historical and legal character, would be i'm
possible to be obtained without these files.
The number of Minnesota newspapers, daily,
weekly, and monthly, regularly received by
the society at the beginning OF this year is
421 these being donated by the editors and
publishers, who appreciate the Importance of
having them placed where they will be pre-
served for all coming time. The newspaper
collection is kept in an extensive freproof
vault, which is a part of the society's rooms
in the capitol building. 1t Is accessible to all
who wish to consult 1t, and Is so arranged
that any paper of any date can be readily
found.
The total number Of bound volumes in this
department is 1889. Among these files are
three Canadian newspapers, and several from
large cities in the United States outside of
Minnesota.
The portrait collection displayed in the
rooms of the society comprise' 120 individual
portraits, besides twenty. group pictures,
which includes 1888 portraits. Nearly all are
of the pioneers and founders of Minnesota.
OF of citizens who in more recent years have
hsd prominent part in the history and de-
During the years 1897 and 1898 the society
has received donations of books and pam
phlets for library from 275 societies and in
from $50 persons who not members.
Manuscripts have been presented by eigh-
teen persons, including old letters of rare his
torical value, biographical sketches, etc. 1t
is hoped that many others of the early
pioneers of this state will write and forward
their "reminiscences to the society while it
is yet possible for them to do SO.
twenty-five donors have added 46 aliases
and 143 maps to this department Of the
library.
Thirty-fve portraits, besides three groups
comprising 163 portraits, and % other pic
lures, have been received by donation since
the last report, and the museum has received
1877 articles
Within the same time the society has com
pleted the publication of the eighth volume
of its historical collections; and during the
next two years it hopes to issue the rinth
of these volumes, for which many papers and
addresses that have been presented at the
society's meetings are on hand.
The total membership numbers 263 The
annual and life members, together comprising
III, are nearly all residents of Minnesota. or
were at the time of their election: hut the
SO corresponding and honorary members ron.
resent nearly all the states of the Union.
Alaska the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario
and England. Seventeen members of the So
ciety have died during the two years but AZ
members have been added within the came
time, giving a net gain of 49,
1, This society acts as the trustee of the state
IN gathering its very extensive and valuable
library, which stands in the front rank among
the great historical Libraries of the United
States. In concluding this report It ia urged
that In view Of the remarkable growth of
our state tn population and wealth this free
reference library In the state capitol deserves
proportional increase Of its support, that Min,
nesota shall continue to hold its position
among the foremost states in providing for
citizens. e ies
Nov, 10 of the present year will be the
m n, anndvTsary OF the soeiety's organiza.
ton, and Its fitting celebration is being
planned It is anticipated that this juhiJee
year will bring important historical stndiee
ana addresses which will duly appear in ths
published collection of the society. Its nfe
h in leek forward to the second half century
with continually widening usefulness.
Healthful Food.
1t is a safe practice IN soJac+ 49,.