Jensen, Utah, Oct. 1, 1910

Dr. Wm. J. Holland

Carnegie Museum

Pittsburg, Pa.



My dear Dr. Holland:-

I have recd and read your letter of Sept. 22. I take the first opportunity to give you information concerning the condition of affairs here. I have not time to write much to day but will try to take time soon.

This quarry is not what we thought it to be when we started, that is certain. What it is we know not. If there had been but the one complete skeleton it would probably have been in Pittsburg long ere this but when it is so you cannot get out one skeleton without getting out four or five, it makes considerable difference. The Brontosaurus No. 1 is out nearly to the neck, is boxed and down the hill. We have as yet but one large femur and that may belong to 25. The greater part of the tail of 40 is out, the neck of No. 25, except a box or so. All we found of 24 is out. We have two large scapulae, with coracoids and two large humeria [sic] in view. But we cant get out anything without getting out a lot of ribs, vertebrae, limbs &c of Stegosaurus and other Dinosaurs which are sown through the quarry and surround everything. It is this and the hardness of the rock which occupy so much time. Then too there is no sign of bones giving out in any direction, so our hope of cleaning out the quarry is founded on our ingnorance of what is in the rock.

I do not wish that anything I have said shall be interpreted as a wish to have my own way or to mean that I do not want to take orders from one higher in authority. Your will in the matter is absolute and if I do not wish to follow instructions it is for me to step out of the way like a man, and when you give orders I know it is for me to follow them so far as I can without violence to precious specimens, &c. But I am on the ground and I am sure that you want suggestions. With regard to plans for removing the skeletons I do not like to say much for plan as we will and say what he expects to do he always errs because the hard facts do not coincide with his dreams. But it looks now as if No. 40 to the neck and perhaps all ou[gh]t to come out with comparative rapidity as a large share of the surrounding bones and matrix are removed. If the neck goes straight forward that ought to be readily removed when we get the mass of the bones of Nos. 1 and 25 out of the way. Just now we are in a puzzle about the anterior portions of these three or two skeletons and I will write later.

With regard to getting the boxes to the railroad we seem to be in luck again. They are going to put in a new bridge at Jensen. The teams have to be hauled from Dragon of course. They are on the point of awarding the contract. Probably ten or a dozen teams will be employed. It seems likely that Mr. Neal will get the contract. If so he wants our job and they ought to do it at a less figure than the Uinta Ry. Co.

As I said I am sure it will not do to leave the quarry. I have reason I think for believing this. To my judgement the proper and economical thing to do is to let by contract the running of the cut by the cubic yard the work to be done during the winter. Then we could come out and take up and pack the skeletons during the summer. We have done the initial work and it ought now to move right along smoothly, and the fruit be more abundant. I see nothing to hinder if the money can be raised, and we have made too long famous to look back. Now I have no desire to dictate, personally it is not material to me -- yet I would like to see this thing through -- at least another season. I dont think of anything from the early Cretaceous that we may not get -- but I'm dreaming again.

I think Mr. Ainge would take the contract or work with another man by the month and he is a man whom we could trust I fully believe.

I am very sorry indeed to hear of Raymond's condition and I do hope that the next time I will hear encuraging [sic] news. I know how you feel.



In haste,

Earl Douglass