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The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Trustee of the State)
Madison. Jan 8/1910.
Reuben G. Thwaites, Secretary and Superintendent.
Isaac S. Bradley, Librarian and Assistant Supt.
Dear Misses Lapham:
I was more than pleased to receive the package of gifts for the museum. The ring is a fine specimen and will fit in very nicely in either our old [Fach?] round jewelry or Civil War exhibit. I have been conducting a search for a few wood[euter?] of first the kind which you sent. Because of their association with your father these have added historical interest.
Dr. Lapham's drawing instruments, triangle and [illegible...] are proud and pleased to get Prof. [Illegible] and may have for some [kind?-illegible] had in contemplation an exhibit to [instructed?-illegible] [illegible] Engineer? and [Imagine?-illegible]. evening and these will add much to that exhibition [unless?-illegible] [illegible.] You the [illegible-Milwaukee?] & will please these
p. 2
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Trustee of the State)
Madison
Reuben G. Thwaites, Secretary and Superintendent.
Isaac S. Bradley, Librarian and Assistant Supt.
with our pioneer [radiating?-illegible] articles. The toll road ticket is now quite a curiosity. The photos of Wis. river rafting days are treasures indeed [and?] another year I hope to be able to have lantern slides made and give a talk and these days just researched [illegible] Mr. Craylou? C. Sincalu? had written for [illegible] his long hood/boyhood? experiences as a Wis. River raftsman and had constructed a model of one of the old rafter. The wise enjoy looking at these photos as much as I do where he again appears at the museum. I am greatly interested in Dr. Dr. Lapham's water wheel patent and The library plan.
The early letter relating to the State Historical
p. 3
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Trustee of the State)
Madison
Reuben G. Thwaites, Secretary and Superintendent.
Isaac S. Bradley, Librarian and Assistant Supt.
society & are now [persevering?] with the greatest of interest. Dr. Lapham's prominent part in the organization of this society is not so widely known as it should be. You need not fear that any of these papers will go into a waste basket. You have & wish there were many more.
After going over them again I will hand them to Dr. Tietau? of our communications department who will see to it that they are properly filed and indexed for future uses. I [suppose?-illegible] already that he will be as well pleased with them and our qualified for them as I am.
It is quite interesting to me how, under [illegible] present plan for [extruding?] the [illegible] usefulness,
p. 4
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Trustee of the State)
Madison
Reuben G. Thwaites, Secretary and Superintendent.
Isaac S. Bradley, Librarian and Assistant Supt.
almost every article of historical interest soon becomes an important link in some strong connected with our [illegible] development. Please accept the Museum's qualified thanks for these particular specimens, every one of which will prove most useful to me in every laborer I have already exhibited some of [them?] to a few particular friends and was not surprised to find that they found some of them as interesting as I did. I again [illegible] upon articles of this kind do not hesitate about sending them and at the Museum's expense.
[Illegible] look particular [pairs?] with that drawer quite [sincerely?] and I should be pleased if he developed his [grandly?] [illegible...] in that time.
p. 5
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Trustee of the State)
Madison
Reuben G. Thwaites, Secretary and Superintendent.
Isaac S. Bradley, Librarian and Assistant Supt.
I wish that I could meet your mother. I presume that you refer to Miss Mary Lapham. Kindly excuse my writing so long a letter. Mrs. [Illegible] and the family join [illegible] in sending best regards.
Yours gratefully
Charles E. Brown, Chief.
P.S. I hope to come to Oconomowoc as soon as I [called up with my words?...illegible].
