[meteorite-list] Nininger to Henderson letter; May 1, 1939 - Goose Lake Meteorite

[MARK BOSTICK]

.H. NININGER, A.M.
Director

The AMERICAN METEORITE LABORATORY
RESEARCH ON METEORITES
Office 1955 Fairfax Street
DENVER

                                                                             
                                                                             
                        Alturas, California
                                                                             
                                                                             
                            May 1, 1939
Mr. E.P. Henderson,
Dept. of Mineralogy,
U.S. National Museum,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Dr. Henderson:

                             We left Denver April 3 for a lecture tour of 
California institutions. Before leaving we had word from a Mills College 
Professor regarding a large meteorite in northern California which he wished 
to show us.  He had examined a sample.  Upon reaching U.C.L.A. Dr. Leonard 
very urgently requested that after my lecture engagements were filled I 
should come here to examine the same meteorite in the interests of securing 
it for the University of California and other California institutions.  At 
the time of receiving these two requests I had not known of the U.S. 
National Museum negotiations with Mr. Schmit on behalf of his associates, 
the finders of the meteorite.  Accordingly, I agreed to come with the 
understanding that they would pay Mr. Schmit's personal expenses on the 
trip.  In return I was to allow these sponsors the use of my notes and 
photographs for reporting this specimen.  I was instructed to have a survey 
run to determine whether the meteorite were on government or private land 
since the forestry office in San Francisco was not sure.
                               The Forestry office gladly cooperated in this 
enterprise for they had been worried the thought of the possibility of the 
meteorite being removed without a careful examination by trained scientists. 
  They had also been consulted by California scientists who were eager to 
retain this meteorite for California institutions and who knew there was 
considerable patented land in the vicinity.  I agreed to come as their 
representative leaving the matter of my expenses to be cared for after the 
matter of ownership was cleared up.
                                We arrived here Friday morning, April 28, 
and made one attempt to relocate the specimen that day.  We were 
unsuccessful but the second day succeeded in finding it and in making field 
notes regarding its situation and surroundings.  Yesterday we had the Forest 
Service run a  survey to determine on what land the meteorite lies.  It was 
found to be on government land about one-half mile from the nearest 
privately owned land.  Last night I wired you and am now waiting for a 
reply.
                                I estimated an expense of $70. (seventy 
dollars) for its removal, allowing $20.00 for two days of my time.  I do not 
think it will require more than two days to remove and ship the specimen.  
It is, of course, possible that we may encounter difficulties which will 
require more time.  It is located about 45 miles from Alturas, on a high 
lava mesa.  Five miles of this road must be negotiated by team at this time 
of year.  If it could be left until later in the summer a truck could be 
driven within a half mile of it but it is a practical certainty that the 
specimen would be badly mutilated by that time since there would be no way 
of policing it and the entire community is aware of it presence.  Some of 
the local people knew last fall of its discovery and recently excitement 
regarding it has been growing apace.  Naturally, that was intensified by our 
visit.
                                 We have found Mr. Schmit who represents the 
three finders a very high-type fellow. He has considerable appreciation of 
the importance of the find and expressed to some of his friends a very keen 
regret over the probability that all responsibility for removing the 
specimen might be left on his shoulders.  He felt that a trained scientist 
should be given that responsibility.  He placed me in a very embarrassing 
situation when he told me that California scientists had informed him that 
$3000.00 would be made available for the specimen if it could be retained in 
California and demanded of me, after seeing the specimen, to state its true 
value.  I avoided a definite estimate but you can imagine the situation in 
which I was placed when he told me that if it were on government land he 
would have to give it up to the U.S. Museum who had agreed to pay him for 
his time after dividing with the two fellows.  I told him that, of course 
you could not be too liberal in your offer before seeing the condition 
except for the removal of a small sample and I trust that you be as liberal 
as possible in your allowance to the finders in view of this whole 
situation.  I  also told him that I was in no position whatever to speak for 
your institution.
                                After seeing the keep interest of California 
scientists in this specimen and the very respectful attitude which they have 
taken toward the fact of its being on government property and their entirely 
honorable conduct throughout the whole affair including their disappointment 
I think it would be a very splendid thing if they cold be privileged to 
exhibit the specimen in California throughout the summer with the clear 
understanding that it be shipped to the U.S. Museum in the autumn.  Even a 
shorter period of exhibition would be appreciated by them.  I informed them 
that I had no right to speak in this matter and leaving it entirely up to 
you.
                                I have said nothing about my expense of 
coming here and you may do whatever you think is fair in the matter.  I will 
have lost four days beside that which will be consumed in removing the 
meteorite and have driven 528 miles.
                                 If upon receipt of this letter you have 
instructed me to proceed with the meteorite's removal, then you may write me 
in reply to this letter in care of General Delivery, Reno, Nevada.  If, on 
the other hand, you have no so instructed me you may send your reply to my 
address in Denver, as I will have to leave the meteorite to its fate and get 
back to my work.


Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
H.H. Nininger

NNH/AN

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
www.meteoritearticles.com