Four Turn-Of-The-Century Smithsonian Ethnologists Consider An Offer To Excavate Native American Sites In Arizona

WILLIAM HENRY HOLMES (1846-1933). Holmes was an influential American scientist, writer, and curator. WALTER HOUGH (1859-1935). Hough was an American ethnologist and a curator at the United States National Museum. OTIS TUFTS MASON (1838-1908). Mason was an American ethnologist and curator. RICHARD RATHBUN (1852-1918). Rathbun was an American scientist and key figure to the Smithsonian. Archive. 5 pieces. January-April 1907. An archive of five letters from the ethnology department of the United States National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The letters, all from the early part of 1907, concern a potential archaeological excavation of Native American sites at Cibicu Creek, White Mountain Apache Reserve, and Tonto Basin in Arizona. The dig was proposed by Kenneth M. Jackson, owner of the nearby Scott Ranch, who was willing to fund and supply the dig in return for a share of the objects found. In these pieces of correspondence, four influential scientists of the United States National Museum – William Henry Holmes, Walter Hough, Otis Tufts Mason, and Richard Rathbun – debate the feasibility, desirable, and legality of the proposal. Jackson’s offer was ultimately rejected. The archive includes both autograph and typed letters, some with autograph additions, signed by these four men. Several are on “United States National Museum Smithsonian Institution” letterhead, and all are in at least good condition: ALS. 1pg. January 31, 1907. N.p. An autograph letter signed “Walter Hough”. In this first piece of correspondence, Hough informs Holmes of the dig proposed by Mr. Jackson. ”Dear Professor Holmes: Mr. Kenneth M. Jackson, a man of competent means, who has bought the Scott Ranch on the borders of the White Mt. Apache Reserve, told me the other day that he would be glad to finance an expedition to the ruins southwest of his place and in the Tonto Basin under the terms of the Gates agreement with the Museum. I promised to ascertain whether this would be practicable under the new law and tridepartmental regulations. Wont you please give me an opinion. Yours very truly Walter Hough”. Holmes replied in red ink at the top of the page. “Dear Mr. Hough – This is practicable if you can if you can go out and supervise the work Yours WH Holmes”. The letter is in very good condition with a small hole near the top. It bears two filing stamps. TLS. 2pgs. February 5, 1907. Washington D.C. A typed letter signed “Walter Hough”, with an autograph postscript signed “O.T. Mason”. On museum letterhead, Hough informs Rathbun of the details of the proposed dig. “Dear Mr. Rathbun: Mr. Kenneth M. Jackson, a man of competent means, owner of the Scott Ranch, at Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona, personally asked me to ascertain whether the Museum would undertake the exploration of the ruins west of his ranch---those of Cibicu Creek and other parts of the White Mountain Apache Reserve and in Tonto Basin. He agrees to furnish outfit, labor, and everything necessary for a season’s fieldwork (June 1 to October 1), and desires to make an arrangement similar to that of Mr. P. G. Gates with the Museum, viz.: The Museum to furnish the services of an explorer and his transportation; on his part, Mr. Jackson will equip and support the enterprise, receiving a moiety of the collection as his recompense. The proposed exploration would cover practically untouched country, and the results should contribute to our knowledge the western limits of the gray and red ware culture, besides adding to the surveys already made in this portion of the Southwest by the writer. The opportunity to explore the Tonto before the completion of the great reservoir, which will erase a number of ruins, is worthy of consideration. The cost will be nominal, (about $200.00 for travel), and judging from past experience, the value of the collection for the Museum would be tenfold the amount expended. Respectfully yours, Walter Hough Assistant Curator of Ethnology.” Mason added a short, autograph recommendation to the bottom. “Respectfully Recommended O.T. Mason 4/10/07”. The letter is in good condition with a few small tears to the right margin of both sheets, some toning to the first page, and overall wrinkling. It is stamped with Rathbun’s initials and a filing date. TLS. 1pg. February 12, 1907. [Washington D.C.]. A typed letter on museum letterhead, signed by Rathbun’s assistant. Mason is asked to remind the sender of the dig proposal at a later date. “To Prof. Mason: The Assistant Secretary directs me to bring up early in April the field work proposed by Doctor Hough in connection with Mr. Kenneth M. Jackson, covered by your letter of February 8, and his letter of February 5. Will you kindly ask Doctor Hough to call this matter to my attention at that time…”. Mason forwarded the letter to Hough with an autograph note and signature. “Dr. Hough Please note A. Mason 2/14/07”. The letter is in very good condition with a small tear in the upper left corner. ALS. 1pg. N.d. [c. April 11, 1917]. N.p. [Washington D.C.]. An autograph letter signed “R”, possibly by Rathbun, on museum letterhead. “Mr. Hough – Please let me know if the Museum can use the entire collection for study and report. R”. Hough and Mason’s names are written below, along with the word “conference”. The note is in fine condition with a small staple hole; it is stamped with Rathbun’s initials and a filing date. ALS. 3pgs. April 12, 1907. N.p. An autograph letter signed “Walter Hough”. Hough informs Holmes that the proposed dig has been rejected on the grounds that private individuals such as Jackson cannot own artifacts found on public lands. “Dear Professor Holmes:- Mr. Rathbun decides that by reason of the law which prohibits an individual receiving any archaeological specimens from public lands, or rather, that such objects should go only to reputable museum – it will be impossible to take advantage of the proposal of Mr. K. M. Jackson, which I brought to your attention some weeks ago. I am not familiar with the rules, but I suppose the point is taken in line with them and that there will be nothing to do except to inform Mr. Jackson that the plan has fallen through. Have you a copy of the rules in order that I may familiarize myself with them? Yours very sincerely Walter Hough April 12 1907”. Holmes commented in a short, autograph note in red ink at the top of the page. “Dear W. I do not recall the case. W.W.H.”. The letter is in fine condition with a tiny staple hole.