He realized that the next great field for the energies of this society is in harmonious action concerning a building.

Prof. Frederick Starr, the eminent ethnologist of Chicago University, being present as the guest of the society, was called upon for an expression of his views. Prof. Starr proved to be a fluent and most interesting speaker. He stated that he had been greatly interested in the proceedings of the meeting; that his knowledge of the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society began at the Buffalo Exposition, where, under the direction of Prof. W. C. Mills, our Curator, there was a most commendable exhibit of the archæological department of the society. and a gold medal awarded the society as it thoroughly deserved. He was connected with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis as lecturer on the subject of ethnology and instructed a class of students for many weeks during the continuance of the exposition. He saw much of the exhibit of our society and of the work accomplished by Prof. Mills. He particularly commended the efficiency with which Dr. Mills explained to the teachers, school children, visitors and "archæological cranks" the objects of interest which the exhibit of the society presented. Prof. Starr said he was somewhat familiar with the publications of our society and that they were exceedingly high-grade in character and form. He knew of none better. Years ago he made the acquaintance of Prof. F. W. Putnam of the Peabody Museum, and was familiar with the history of the securing of Serpent Mound by Prof. Putnam through the influence of the Boston ladies for Harvard University and its subsequent transfer to our society. That was a much desired achievement both for Prof. Putnam and the Ohio Society, in whose hands it ought to be. The possession now by the Ohio society of Fort Ancient and Serpent Mound, the two greatest and most interesting relics of the mound builders in the United States, places this society permanently in the forefront of archæological institutions in this country; and naturally makes it conspicuous throughout the United States and the world at large. He commended the work of Secretary Randall as active executive of the society, and for his work in the historical department and then emphatically expressed

himself to the effect that the society should secure a building that would be exclusively its own and not be combined with any other state interest such, for instance, as the state library.

The remarks of Prof. Starr met with most hearty approval on the part of the meeting, which then adjourned.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES.

Immediately following the adjournment of the annual meeting of the society there was held the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees. There were present at this meeting. Judge J. H. Anderson, Prof. M. R. Andrews, Mr. G. F. Bareis, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Judge M. D. Follett, Hon. M. S. Greenough, Hon. R. E. Hills, Mr. W. H. Hunter, Col. John W. Harper, Prof. C. L. Martzolff, Prof. B. F. Prince, Mr. E. O. Randall, Judge Rush R. Sloane, Prof. G. Frederick Wright.

Secretary Randall called the meeting to order. Prof. G. Frederick Wright was asked to act as temporary chairman. Secretary Randall read the minutes of the last annual meeting of the trustees, which were approved without alteration except that the name of W. H. Hunter should be inserted in the list of the trustees selected to serve on the Executive Committee. His name occurred in the minutes of the proceedings of the Executive Committee but without indicating his authority to so act.

The trustees immediately proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year. The officers elected unanimously were: President, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff; First Vice President, Mr. G. F. Bareis; Second Vice President, Prof. G. Frederick Wright: Treasurer, Hon. S. S. Rickly; Assistant Treasurer, Mr. E. F. Wood; Secretary and Editor, Mr. E. O. Randall; Curator and Librarian, Prof. W. C. Mills. The Trustees selected to serve on the Executive Committee in addition to the officers who are exofficio members, were, Messrs. Greenough, Hunter, Martzolff, Prince and Ryan.

Prof. Martzolff called the attention of the trustees to the fact that Mr. Obadiah Brokaw, of Stockport, Morgan County, had erected a monument on the site of the Big Bottom Massacre. Since erecting such monument Mr. Brokaw is anxious in regard to the future care of the same and the ground immediately sur

[From a photograph taken by Mr. J. W. Newton at the Fort Ancient Station,

rounding it. In an interview between Prof. Martzolff and Mr. Brokaw on this matter, the latter had intimated that he might be willing to accept the services of the society in some scheme of co-operation in regard to the future care of the monument and property. This subject was finally referred to the Executive Committee for discretionary action.

A committee of three, consisting of Trustees Randall, Wright and Ryan was appointed to revise the constitution and by-laws and present that revision to the members of the society at the next annual meeting.

The question of salaries for the officers receiving compensation for services was referred to the Executive Committee with power to act. The Y. M. C. A. was thanked for use of their rooms for the annual meeting.

LECTURE BY PROF. STARR.

The proceedings of the annual meeting on the afternoon of Friday, June 2d, were fittingly followed in the evening by a lecture given by Prof. Frederick Starr, of Chicago University, in the Auditorium of the Ohio State University. Prof. Starr's subject was "The Aztecs of Mexico," a subject with which the professor is not only exceedingly familiar, but upon which he is probably the highest living authority. Prof. Starr has visited. Mexico many times during the past years and made lengthy and most careful studies of the remains of the ancient Aztec tribe. His lecture was intensely interesting, bringing as it did the subject at first hand before the audience. It was illustrated by stereoptican views especially prepared by Prof. Starr. The lecturer gave a detailed account of the historic Aztec tribe of Indians, the extent of the territory over which they held dominion, their form of government, civilization and such of their history as has been preserved to the memory of the present generation. would not be possible to do justice to the lecture by attempting even a synopsis of it in these pages. Prof. Starr overthrew many prevailing ideas concerning the nature of the Aztec people and particularly controverted the universally read descriptions of that people by such distinguished authors as Prescott and Lew Wallace, whose portrayals of the Aztecs, the lecturer stated, be

long more to the realm of popular fiction than to that of accurate history. The lecturer gave it as a result of his studies that there was probably no racial relationship between the Aztecs and the so-called Mound Builders of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.

EXCURSION TO FORT ANCIENT.

On Saturday, June 3d, the society for the benefit of its members and invited guests, conducted an excursion to Fort Ancient. The party consisted of some sixty in number, among whom were Governor and Mrs. Myron T. Herrick; Col. Webb C. Hayes, Cleveland; Gen. J. Warren Keifer, Springfield; Hon. M. S. Greenough and Miss Greenough, Cleveland; Prof. and Mrs. G. Frederick Wright, Oberlin; Prof. Frederick Starr, University of Chicago; Prof. and Mrs. W. C. Mills; Hon. Tod B. Galloway; Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Mansfield; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. F. Bareis and Miss Bareis, Canal Winchester; Mr. E. O. Randall; Dr. C. S. Means and Master Russell Means; Prof. M. R. Andrews, Marietta; Col. J. W. Harper, Cincinnati; Miss Kate R. Blair; Prof. W. R. Kersey; Prof. G. H. MacKnight; Prof. and Mrs. Herbert Osborn; Miss Anna Russell; Mr. D. E. Phillips; Mr. J. W. Newton; Miss Alice Brown; Miss Martha J. Maltby; Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Covert and Miss Florence Covert; Mrs. N. E. Lovejoy; Mr. L. S. Wells; Rev. R. H. Cunningham; Mrs. Francis Sessions; Prof. J. H. Beal, Scio; Prof. Frank Cole; Miss Gertrude Hill, Los Angeles, Cal.; Mr. Sherman Randall; Mr. John L. W. Henney; Mr. E. F Wood; Mr. R. H. Platt and Masters Robert and Rutherford Platt; Mr. P. M. Wetmore; Mr. and Mrs. O. K. Ellis; Mr. Clarence Metters; Hon. Alex. Boxwell, Red Lion; Mr. L. B. Freeman, District Passenger Agent of Pennsylvania Lines, in charge of the party.

The party arrived at the fort about noon and after partaking of a lunch at the station inn proceeded in carriages up the hill to the fort. A halt was made at the Pavillion in the Old Fort, where speeches were made by Governor Herrick, Prof. Wright, Prof. Starr, and Prof. Mills, introduced by Mr. Randall. Prof. Mills made a brief statement of the general plan of the fort and contour of the earthworks. Prof. Wright gave a short history of the explorations which had been made among