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018_Power's Letter to Keyes

Title

018_Power's Letter to Keyes

Description

This letter from Mr. Powers to Mr. Keyes congratulates him for the probable improvement of the Archaeology Department and Museum because of a generous gift of over 4 million dollars to the college. Mr Powers also speaks of the articles and books he has donated to the college for the Archaeology Department.

Creator

Powers, AJ

Date

8/14/1922

Rights

Education use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution of this digital item is not permitted without written permission of Cornell College Archives

Language

English

Type

Document

Digital Reproduction Information

Items scanned using Xereox Work Centre 4735 at 600 ppi

Repository

Cornell College Archives

Repository Collection

Charles Reuben Keyes

Contact information.

College Archivist, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Phone: 319-895-4240, archives@cornellcollege.edu

File Name

107_page1Powersletter.jpg

Digital item created

2012-04

Digital item modified

8/9/2012

Transcription

Bozeman, Montana, 8/14/23 Prof. Chas. A. Keyes, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
My Dear "Charlie":- Your letter of 2nd came to have duly and has been perused with much interest. I am aware that it was quite some time since I formerly wrote you; but knew my letter had not been consigned to the waste basket, and that whenever the "psychical Moment" arrived, you would give due evidence thereof. I had known of the demise of Dr. King, and one of the reflections that occurred to me was a mental query as to whether or not it might affect the matter of the Museum interests. It is therefore with pleasure that I learn the "Windfall" the College fund has acquired, and the strong probability that the Archeological Department, in which you are so interested, is likely to have better facilities in room space and other points, provided for its functionings. I do not at the moment recall Mr. Emmert; but am glad he pursued a successful business career, and that the good old College is to benefit there from--a total of $4,400,000 added to the fund is certainly a great record and adds very great financial strength. I note the probability now, that there is hope for a new building and space and proper equipment for the Museum department. This, of course, very considerably alters the outlook for the future--for which naturally we build. And your letter only strengthens and confirms my judgement of having pursued the proper method in having asked you to accept fully and unreservedly, the charge and care and disposition of whatever is to be done with the articles which were donated by me. This, merely in passing, I here confirm. Personally, I regard it a real favor that you were willing to take over the charge and whatever responsibility may attach therefrom. I quite realize that personally, from existing conditions, it is something that I could not do intelligently myself; also, that your qualifications are incomparably better
than mine are or can be. It is therefore as another added pleasure that I learn of the deserved appointment you are having this summer and of the advantages it brings to your efforts. The trips you were appointed to make must have carried a good deal of pleasure and satisfaction with them to you.
As to the Books on Antiquities etc I have rather hastily looked over what I seem to have, which includes the following:-
Fort Ancient, by W.K. Moorehead,
Historic Implements " ,
Primitive Man in Ohio " ' and

Antiquities of the Southern Indians, particularly of Georgia, by C.C. Jones.

Rather to my dismay, I failed to find the one you mention, "Thruston Antiquities of Tennessee"--which I know I did have; and am entirely at a loss to comprehend where it may be. I shall make a further search; since having become homeless through loss of my wife, my things are scattered and a good many given away and entirely lost to knowledge. I may find it and will make further search. (Had a happy thought occur-have been home and
looked in the right spot and found it).
Of the others, the "Historic Implements" by Moorehead, contains illustrations of the "Idol" or Image I gave the College, also of the large Mortar and two pestles obtained from the Silver Lake country in SW Oregon. I have some photographs of them also.
The Georgia book was presented by the author to Col. Lewis Tumlin, a Georgian, on whose plantation some of the famous Etowah mounds are located--and which I have seen and been over. A Daughter of Col. Lewis Tumlin, Mrs. Lyon, a former good friend of mine (now deceased) presented with me the book about the time I secured the Etowah stone effigy. While I prize these two volumes from personal reasons, yet I think I shall send them to you; where they will, I know, be better and more carefully preserved and made useful than if I keep them; meantime would be glad if you will advise me if copies of the volumes mentioned will be duplicates-in which case of course you would not particularly care for them. Perhaps by the time I hear in regard to that point, I shall be able to find the Thruston book to be made to accompany the others. There will be not "bill" for them-while all but the Georgia book were purchased by me; and it is possible I may come across others. In case you have not read the new book of Wells, "An Outline of History"-I will guarantee it will deeply interest you.
With sincere kind regards and always with best wishes, I remain
Very sincerely yours,
AJ Powers