The Conservative (Nebraska City, Neb.) 1898-1902, January 02, 1902, Page 8, Image 8
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-