The University of Minnesota
Geological and Natural History Survey
Minneapolis, Minn. Dec 10 1875
Prof. H. A. Ward
My book shows the following record of account. Dr. Cr.
Jan? 1875 By Mounting Moose 110.00
Jan? 1875 To Plants [?] + bones at 10c 46.50
Jan? 1875 By damage to skeleton 6.50
Sept 1875 To Cash on Moose (Gibson) 100.00
Aug 7 1875 By Casts of Fossils 1500.00
Aug 7 1875 To Cash (collected by N.H.W.) 115.00
Aug 9 1875 To Cash (per Folwell) 330.00
Oct 1875 To Freight on Megatherium 13.95
Jan 1875 By Freight on Moose 16.03
Aug 9 1875 To Cash (from Treasurer) 170.00
Sep 18 1875 To Cash from Treasurer) 150.00
Dec 1 1875 To Cash (Collected by N.H.W) 250.00
_______ ______
1175.45 1632.53
Leaving a balance due you on Moose + Casts of 457.08
Feb. 12, 1876 Still due on above account $282.08 [penciled in]
Enclosed I return the “Zoological Letter’ referred to in your last.
I don’t know of any reason why that [torn] amount that may be due for taxidermy cannot be paid at once, after the delivery of the specimens, except your offer to wait for the pay if the job was assured to you. But I don’t know as that need be mentioned. The money was ordered set aside from a certain fund several months ago. Still, judging from the general condition of our funds I think you will find some delay necessary.
The reason is this. $25,000 were appropriated last winter for the University. The same legislation ordering that taxes need not be paid in certain quarters of the state eaten up by grasshoppers for a year or two. The non-payment of those taxes is given as a reason for the fact that not a cut of that $25,000 has yet been paid the University by the State Treasurer. It is good of course, and is bound to come. The legislature will meet about 1st Monday in Jun. What the regents will ask in the matter I do not know, but it will be straightened out.
Yours, over run with work
N. H. Winchell
P.S.
Please send full directions for Mounting the Megatherium.
[written in larger hand across page from top to bottom]