Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-26

Houses throughout the Union and
which we're called museums"
Third. There should be bill in
troduced in your Legislature to fur
Their archacologic sciencc and TO put
an end to pot hunting" There are
numbers of men who dig in ceme-
teries and village sites merely to Sc
cure stone pipes. gouges, ornaments
and other artifacts In order that they
may sell them TO wealthy collectors
Of curiosities. These men have no
regard for science, are unable to
make. technical observations and
have caused in other states, and
regret to inform Your Excellercy.
are about to cause in your State,
great damage.
Fourth-There are several pre-his-
toric cultures in the State Of Maine.
These are Of great importance. The
two gentlemen named above and my
self have discussed the study and ex-
ploration Of these cultures and it is
proposed TO investigate them during
four or five months Of next year.
starting the end Of April. It is vital
to THE State OF Maine as well as to
science to put an end to destructive
work on the part Of irresponsible
persons who do not understand these
cultures.
Fifth. The best posted man in
archaeological matters is Walter T..
Smith. Esq, Of Brewer. Me. He
served on the United States Geo!ogi-
cal Surveys and was with me on
three expeditions. Mr.. Smith is thor
oughly trained. 4 keen observer. a
man Of great intelligence and would
be the proper person to take charge
of work for the State. In case Mr.
Smith cannot leave his business.
Ernest o. Sugden. Esq. town clerk Of
Orland, q surveyor, who has been
with me on eight expeditions in rine
states and who is O citizen of your
State, would also be competent
man.
Sixth. The following line Of CO.
operation is proposed: The chair
man Of the committee Of the trustees
Of Phillips Academy. for whom I
work. has told me to say to Your
FIX cellency that they would appro-
pirate money next year for scientific
work in the State Of Maine. After
full consultation with Hon. James
p. Baxter of Portland. Walter B.
Smith. Bangor Historical Society. the
State of Maine Historical Society.
Mr.. Dunnack and Mr. James. it
seems best to offer Your Excellency
, the benefit Of the many years eN
perience our surveys have had in
your State. Ny exploration crew is
composed of citizens of Maine, living
at Orland. They constitute the best
trained archaeology crew in the
United States. | shall be glad to take
these men and go with Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Dunnack or Mr.. James to strate
gic points on the kennebec- Andres
coggin regions, where the Red
Paint" and other cultures merge and
work on q cooperative basis with
your representatives. That the ma
jority Of the specimens found be
permanently retained in your State
House. That all collections. without
reservation. be hrst shipped 70 your
State House for comparison and Sc
lection. That Phillips Academy APP
propriate either $4,000. so50o or $4,000
texaet amount to be agreed upon
later. that your State appropriate
anywhere from $500 to $4,000 (exact
amount TO be agreed upon later, and
that we all work together in tic in
terests Of science and OF the STATE Of
Maine. Our chairman has assured
me that he would do all in his power
to make of the proposed survey and
expedition d success. Our trustees
will vote upon this subject when we
have all agreed as to the line Of
action. furthermore. j: will not he
conducted merely to secure speci-
mems for our institution but on the
contrary to secure facts and detailed
observations. and as stated. the bulk