The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-04

lie in the portrait collection dispiayo1 in the historical gallery only serv3S t4 indicate how great interest would be n tension and Improvement will, n pre- viously Indicated. bring us relisk tn q large measure. The number of museum articles presented is quite large. Greene Relies.
 One of the most jealous collectors oR relics who ever resided In our ot4ko was Peter A. Greene. late clerk Of tho Circuit Court of Russell County. At his death his collection went Into tho hands of his step-grandchiidren, th6, grandchildren of . brother. Messr1sl Peter A. and William Brannon. On = conference with them, was able to' secure several old historic swords, pia-' tols. guns. etc. Included in the number are the pistols of Col. John Crowell and Colonel 0ater Generai) James Canteysl High School Relics.
 At the conclusion Of a series of seven lectures on Alabama history. delivered before the Girls High School at Monf- gomery, the young ladies and girls pre- sented the Department about twenty@ five articles of more than ordinary in.S terest.
 Alabama in the War Between tho
 States.
 The Director has been most zeaIoud and diligent in his efforts to collect original rosters. documents and papers relating to Alabama troops in the War between the States The plans of th6 United States War Department for tho compilation of rosters of the Union an6 Confederate armies is well known tQ you. It is a pleasure to be able ta state that over one hundred originaE rolls have this year been located ana secured. besides Q number of old diaries and other original papers. Very gene eral cooperation has been extended by surviving veterans and descendants o9 deceased soldiers.
 Narrative Histories.
 The preparation of narrative histo- ries, or historical sketches of Alabamx commands in the War between fhN States has been pushed as earnestly aa possible. It has been difficult to pro- cure full co-operation. but 1t is proper to state that histories of several com mands have been prepared. and several others promised. The Department sup- piles, to those who will undertake sketches. copies of all data in it's poss session or available to 1t. Plans are being developed looking to the compls@ ton of the series, in order that the next session of the Legislature may provide for publication. Our Circular No. 6. just issued, contains a full account of our plans and wishes as to this series. Diffusion of Knowledge in Refcranea
 to the History and Resources
 of the State.
 The diffusion of knowledge in refer.@ ence to the history and resources 0f Alabama has proceeded with as much thoroughness as has been possible with the limited resources at comm and. Tho history of Alabama is iong and plor- ious record of achievement and endea- vor; it's resources are wonderful in richness, variety and extent. The at- tempt has been made tu widen she ir,s formation both of cur own people in respect to these things. and also or those beyond our borders. The only means of accomplishing this has besn through the medium of the newspaper press and through books. h order that might supply libraries. institutions and all others who desired them with copies of A1amaa historical works and official documents. etc. have brought together such books as I coulI find. Hundreds of these nave Deon distribu- ted, and special effort has been put forth to aid certain oe the grcat lib-a- ries in completing sets of Alabama material. In this way students who resort thither will have the opportun,- ty of using Alabama experic ices aa examples in their researches and stid- ies. In addition to this. whenever anH of our citizens or public men have been in need of Alabama documents or off1S cial or other publications, have snS deavored to supply them. and have in almost all instances ewnsresd.d
 In order to render our usefulness greater for the future In these ra- spects, I am having collected for preservation all documents, papers, reports. bound books bulletins. and other publications. which could find about the capitol Too lit- tie attention has been paid these heres tofore, and hundreds have been destroys ed. The collections am thus making will be useful when our own people of such material. and attempt to make up or complete sets.
 Encouragement of Historical Wek4
 and Research.
 As stated in my last report. Sep. sos 1903:
 'The Department has stood ready to respond to every proper call for assis> tance on any and all subjects connec- ted with Alabama or it's history. This assistance has taken a great variety of forms, some of which ars (il supp plying war records, t2) supplying cop- ies of documents. (D veriftcation of historical references, (D response to inquiries as to books. ancestral data. archaeological data. for pamphlets and official documents. (5) consultation by the Daughters Gf the American Reveiu- tion. the United Daughters of the Con~ federacy and other patriotic socie- ties, etc, etc"
 It was there stated that this was deemed one of the most important branches of our work. It is certainly a phase of Department activity which brings it in close and intimate relationa with the public Irrespective af thef cost of time and inconvenience an ek~s fort is made to respond to all calls.
 To particularize somewhat. the De- partment through the Director. has lent all possible assistance to the Kner- vile Historical Society. Mobile. and the Tennessee Valley Historical Sce- iety.- Guntersville. in their work. ana the proceedings and papers of each are to be published in our reports. ffa- teriai assistance has D assn given Rev. James H. B. Hall. synodi ,al Historian