8 Conservative.
THE QUIVERA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A company of active explorers , in
their native work , by chniice collected
at the office of J. T. Kengy in the town
of Alma , Kansas , and determined , after
due deliberation , to organize the Qni-
vera Historical Society.
The gathering consisted of J. T.
Keagy and E. A. Kilian , of Alma , Kan
sas , J. V. Brewer of St. Paul , Minnesota
seta , and E. E. Blackmau of Lincoln ,
Nebraska.
The temporary organization was ef
fected by a motion by E. E. Blackman ,
that J. T. Keagy be chosen temporary
chairman. J. V. Brewer moved that
E. E. Blackman be chosen temporary
secretary.
Thus the organization of Quivera
Historical Society was perfected on this
29th day of October , 1901.
Moved that a committee of one be
appointed to act with the chairman and
draft articles of association for the Qni-
vera Historical Society , to be presented
at an adjourned meeting. Chairman
appointed J. V. Brower.
The members of the Qnivera Historical -
cal Society met pursuant to adjourn
ment in the forenoon , at 7:80 : o'clock p.
m. in the office of John T. Keagy.
Hon. J. V. Brewer reported the constitution -
stitution accompanying these minutes ,
which was unanimously adopted. The
life members , the honorary members
and the officers proposed therein were
also elected.
The meeting then adjourned to meet
again at the call of the executive com
mittee.
Articles of Association.
By these presents it is ordered and
determined that an association of ex
plorers , authors and ethnological
students is hereby organized for the
prosecution of investigations , and the
perpetuation of results concerning the
ancient and more recent occupancy by
man of the great west and north-west
along and adjacent to the waters of the
Mississippi and Missouri rivers , more
particularly the region of country from
Arkansas across Kansas , Missouri , Ne
braska , South Dakota , North Dakota ,
Iowa , Minnesota , and to Lake of the
Woods and Manitoba , and thence to
the crest of the Rocky Mountains ,
United States of America.
First The name of this association
shall bo the Qnivera Historical So
ciety.
Second John T. Keagy , Elmer E.
Blaokmau , Jacfib Y. Brewer , George
W. Remsburg , Edward A. Kilian , A. E.
Sheldon , and A. O. Hollingsworth are
hereby declared to be life members of
this society.
Robert Henderson , J. Sterling Mor
ton , Warren Upham , George Bryce ,
Adolph F. Bandolier , John A. Uddeu ,
William J. Griffing , Frederick W.
Hedge , F. B. Elliott , and George Park
er Wiuship are nominated and con
firmed as honorary members.
Third The transactions of the Qui
vera Historical Society shall be directed
by the life members thereof , of which a
majority shall constitute a quorum for
the determination of all questions and
proceedings.
Fourth The society shall have a
president , vice-president , secretary , and
an executive committee.
Fiftli Until otherwise provided and
ordered the officers of this society shall
bo as follows : Jacob V. Brewer , Pres. ;
Elmer E. Blackmau , Vice-Pres. ; Ed
ward A. Kilian , Sec. ; John T. Keagy ,
Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Sixth The president , vice-president ,
secretary and John T. Keagy acting as
chairman shall constitute the executive
committee , and shall have power to di
rect all the business transactions of this
Society.
Seventh The Minnesota Historical
Society is appointed as the final custo
dian of the records and collections of
this Society. The Conservative , a
journal published at Nebraska City ,
Nebraska , is hereby designated as the
official organ of this Society.
Eighth Additional members of this
Society may be admitted by a unani
mous ballot of the executive committee
when in session , on cell of the chair
man , by and with the advice and con
sent of the president and secretary.
Ninth The supreme object of this
Society shall be studies and discoveries
in the fields of geologic , ethnologic ,
archseologio , historic and geographic
researches , and the determination of
correct nomenclature , to be preserved
and perpetuated in published collections
and manuscripts. Each member con
tributing the results of discoveries and
observations shall do so over his own
signature ; be held responsible for his
own action ; be duly accredited with
and awarded all honor for new discov
eries , and this Society pledges protec
tion to each contributor against plagiar
ism and literary piracy.
Tenth The erection of monuments to
commemorate discoveries and to per
petuate actual historical facts and dates
shall be one of the highest privileges of
this Society.
Eleventh In cose of a vacancy in the
office of president , vice-president , secre
tary , or chairman of the executive com
mittee by death , resignation or other
wise , the executive committee shall
have power to fill the vacancy by ap
pointment , subject to the approval of
the Society at the next meeting there
of.
Twelfth All papers and articles for
publication in the annals of this Society
shall be submitted to the executive
committee for approval and acceptance
before the same is published.
For the perpetuation of actual historic
eric and scientific facts we pledge ] our
honor and the sacred name of the Qni-
vera Historical Society , organized and
instituted this twenty-ninth day of
October , A. D. 1901 , at Alma , Kansas.
Signed
J. V. BUOWEU , Pres.
E. E. BLAOKMAN , Vice-Pres.
EDWARD A. KILIAN , Sec.
JOHN T. KEAGY , Chairman of
Ex. Com.
* * * * *
The foregoing is a true copy of the
documents of organization for the Qui
vera Historical Society. This society is
a necessity. The various State Histori
cal Societies will investigate the evi
dences of occupancy in their own indi
vidual states thoroughly , and in that
much we hope to cooperate with them.
If the great question of "Qnivera" is
ever settled it must be taken up as we
propose to take it up irrespective of
states. Local pride will push every
button to bring this question home to
their own state. By this we do not
mean that any Historical Society
( worthy of the name ) will distort facts
to gain glory for their own state , but
every scrap of evidence bearing on the
question , favorable to their own par
ticular state , will be elaborated , while
silence is maintained on all evidence
detracting from state glory. This is as
it should be , every state should do its
own advertising , and every state should
draw what glory or consolation it can
from the very meagre historical data on
the subject of "Quivera. "
This society is formed without par
ticular state pride. The active mem
bers stand , three from Kansas , three
from Nebraska , and one from Minne
sota. Kansas and Nebraska are more
interested than any other states , but the
subject will be handled without refer
ence to states and , what is more im
portant , without calling for state aid
in matters financial. It will be sup
ported wholly by the members and no
contributions will be asked for. This
will give entire freedom , each explorer
may go as far in any research or study
as he wishes.
Vexed questions arise in the research
work of any state which could be easily
settled by a study of conditions in an
other state. This whole plains'country
is one single field and must be studied
as such if one would arrive at the truth.
This society hopes to cooperate with all
those working in this'vast field ; "in
union there is strength , " and we have
organized for strength.
There is , however , a certain thirst for
glory in any scientific work , and
archeology is not free from , its baneful
influences. Certain would-be scientists
are willing to take a faot already
worked into shape and claim it as their
own product. I do not know as it ever
does them any good , as "truth crushed
to earth will rise again , " and it may
rather work them harm , but the Qni-
