Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-05-27
BEDS OF FOSSILS
WIN ATTENTION
BADLANDS NEAR HAVRE MAY BE
VISITED BY EXPEDITION FROM
FIELD MUSEUM
Visit of Frank E. RunkeI, Amateur
PaleOntOIOgiSt, to Noted Institution
in Chicago, and Submission Of Nu-
merOus Specimens Draws Interest of
Scientists.

Probability exists that an expe-
dition from the Field museum of
natural history in Chicago will
make a survey of the badlands and
fossil beds near Havre next sum
mer, according to Frank E. Run
KEEL of Havre. Runkel recently
spent several days at the Field
museum where he had taken a
number of specimens of fossil
teeth and other fossils to ascertain
their kind and information about con-
structing diorama.
A. B. Corey of the McCann- Erick-
son Co., a Ford national advertising
agency, was formerly public relations
man for the Field museum. Through
him MIR. Runkel received introduce
tons to MIR. Field, one of the direc-
tors and himself greatly interested in
fossils Runkel also conferred with Ell
mer S. Riggs, curator of the vertebrate
paleontology at the Field museum,
who has been in that department Al
years.
Views Of BadIands
Runkel, in addition to the teeth and
fossil remains, had with him views of
the Missouri river badland country
south of the Bears Paw and pictures
of the badlands north of Havre. Both
Field and Riggs were interested in
formations shown and believed that
the territory would prove most fertile
in fossil deposits. Field promised Run
KEEL that he would visit him in Havre
enroute to the San Francisco fair this
summer, probably in June or July.
Riggs also expects to visit this summer,
and will spend two or three days ac-
companying Runkel to various forma-
lions, for a personal inspection of the
fossil fields. If 1t is found that the
situation is as they believe, the Field
museum Will colaborate with Havre
and send an expedition next year to
examine the fossil beds near here.
New Types of Teeth
During the four days Runkel spent
in Chicago he was shown every pos
sible courtesy by the museum authori-
ties. He had with him two types of
fossil teeth which they had never seen,
and they were very curious about the
location of the find. He visited the
laboratories where the specimens are
made ready for exhibition and where
literally tons Of materials are exam
ined.
information about making a do
rama was secured by Runkel, who Is
now making plans to construct one
to be placed IN the Hotel Havre. Dis
play cases are being prepared TO be
placed in the hotel to house part of
the wonderful collection of fish scales,
dinosaur teeth, ETC., which Runkel
possesses.
Amazed at Finds
The museum authorities were
amazed at the finds which Runkel, as
an amateur paleontologist, had been
able to locate. One of the teeth which
he took with him was so small that
1t required a microscope to determine
what 1t Is. Especially was the mu-
scum anxious to know whether Runkel
had ever found any bird fossil re-
mains, or of the primitive horse.
Plans are being worked out by Run
KEEL with the HaVre Chamber Of Com
merce and bill county commissioners
to make a road around the fossil field
badlands north of the city, and for
the construction Of paths through
some of the most interesting sections.
Aerial pictures of the badlands
south of the Bears Paws, along the
Missouri river, which Runkel took
with him, were placed by Field IN his
private scrapbook, Runkel reported so
valuable did the museum representa-
tive believe them to be.