Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Throwback Thursday #242: Looking Back at ESCONI for December 2024 #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #trex #tyrannosaurusrex @SUEtheTrex

This is Throwback Thursday #242.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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25 Years Ago - December 1999

• The ESCONI Holiday Party for 1999 was held on December 5th.  Dr. John Flynn was there to talk about his exciting discoveries in Madagascar.
• The 1999 Flea Market was a huge success.  Special thanks went out to Floyd and Betsy Rogers.
• DINO NEWS highlighted the September issue of Scientific American.  There were three articles in the magazine about Tyrannosaurus rex.
• The ESCONI By-Laws were up for changes.

50 Years Ago - December 1974

• The General Meeting saw Ted and Helen Piecko do a presentaion called "The Fossils of Pit 11".  Boy, wouldn't you love to see that now!  The Pieckos have multiple Mazon Creek species named for them.
• Mineralogy did a material swap.
• Micromounting did a round robin identification content.  Members were asked to bring their microscopes!
• Wilma and William Kelly were awarded an Honorary Membership.  Both were very active in ESCONI from near the beginnng.  Bill wrote many articles for the newsletter.
• The Micro of the Month was Ostracodes - minute bivalve crustaceans.

70 Years Ago - December 1954

• The General Meeting was "Gemstones - Fancy, Fabulous, and Phony".  Jack Lund was the speaker.
• The Archaeology Study Group met at the home of Bill and Wilma Kelly to discuss the history of DuPage County.
• Bill Kelly wrote a short article about classification of plants and animals.
• Jay Farr gave presentations at both Junior Meetings - "The Earth is Born" and "Coral".
• DID YOU KNOW stated that ran that falls has been aloft fot about 3 weeks.

Throwback Thursday #241: Happy 75th Birthday, ESCONI!!!! #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #birthday

This is Throwback Thursday #241.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Ok, just a few days late on this.... Happy 75th Birthday, ESCONI!!!!

Notes of the first meeting on November 11tth, 1949.

On November 11, 1949, thirteen people, each interested in some phase of the Earth Sciences, met in the basement of the W. H. Allaway home in Downers Grove, Illinois to discuss their common interests. They were:

• Jay Farr
• Roy Beghtol
• Helen Allaway
• Steven T. Norvell
• LeRoy Beghtol
• W.H. Allaway
• Dr. Spiesman
• Guy Spiesman
• Donald Thayer
• Herb Beck
• Bob Beck
• Arnie Besser
• Harry Thayer

Out of their enthusiasm and discussion, the idea grew that there must be more people in the western suburbs interested in these same subjects in this vicinity. They adjourned for the evening with plans formulated to circulate the idea among friends and acquaintances and to call a special meeting on November 25th for further discussion.

Notes of the second meeting on November 25tth, 1949.

Thirty-two people arrived at the home of Dr. Spiesman to discuss the idea further. Mr. Allaway acted as temporary chairman and Guy Spiesman as temporary Secretary. Committees were appointed to begin the ground work for a club that would embody geology, paleontology, paleobotany, mineralogy, ancient man and the lapidary arts.

Committees were:

• Nominating to appoint a slate of officers.
• Constitution and By-laws
• Meeting place
• Membership Chairman - Roy Beghtol

Discussion of a name for the new organization to be presented at the next meeting with a prize offered for the winner. It was decided to print a bulletin at regular intervals. Herb Beck agreed to print announcement cards for the next meeting to be held January 6, 1950.

John Ade wrote about how the following letter by Bill Allaway came to be for the 40th Anniversary newsletter.

We have heard many times about the small group of people who met in 1949 with the resulting formation of the Earth Science Club of Northern. Illinois. Although I had heard a few remarks about why that first meeting was held, I thought it must have been the result of foresight, planning and effort. It must be a story that all Esconians would want to hear a story that should be in our club records. Accordingly, I requested Bill Allaway, first chairman (we did not have a president until 1957), to write an account of what preceded the first meeting in November 1949. Bill's reply follows:

First Chairman of ESCONI Bill Allaway describes "How It Happened". 

How it happened--

It was 1943, with World War II upsetting the equilibrium of everybody, then suddenly the war was over and people were beginning to look for action to fill the vacuum of the sudden cessation of hostilities.

Some people, including myself had always been rock and fossil hunters and in- terested in natural history. Clubs were forming to bring people together that had similar interests, so they could exchange ideas and study their interests more effectively.

At the Western Electric Company, a few of the employees, including myself tried to get our social organization, the Hawthorne Club to sponsor such a group. We were told in no uncertain terms that they had a Science Club, a Coin Club, a Stamp Stamp Club, etc., and there wouldn't be enough interest in the organization we were proposing. How could they be so wrong?

Steve Norvell, Carl Hoffman, B.J. Babbitt, Roy Beghtol and myself let this stop our efforts for a little while. Steve and Cora Norvell joined the Marquette Geologists Association and became very active. However, they weren't too sat- isfied with the way things were run and wanted greater stress put on Education. They were not broadening out in their activities. We then decided something should be done.

During this period of indecision, a group of boys, Herb Beck, Guy Spiesman, and Wally Bridgeman, called on me one afternoon and asked me if it would be possible to find any Indian arrow heads around Downers Grove? I looked at my watch and told them if they would get in my car we could probably find one in 15 minutes. I had been passing a field on Highland Avenue several times and the gradual slope of the land that had recently been plowed had looked like a good place to get started hunting. We drove up to the field, parked the car and started going up and down the plowed rows of dirt. The Lord was on my side because in about 5 minutes I spotted a point sticking out of the top of a furrow and uncovered a beautiful projectile point. We 'searched for quite a while but had no further luck, but the boys were all enthusiastic. They asked me if it was allright for them to bring their fathers over to see my collection that evening, so I said, "O.K."

When the boys, together with their fathers met in my basement with Jay Farr and I that cold winter evening in 1949, they asked us to help form a club to study the specimens they had gathered and also to find places where they could go on field trips to add to their collections. So we agreed to meet the next month at the Spiesman's house and 30 people attended the meeting. Esconi was organized and we started to meet each month. The number of club mem- bers seemed to double each meeting so we had to find larger places to meet. We tried the Congregational Church basement in Downers Grove, the Library Hall in Maywood, the Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, the Odd Fellows Hall in Downers Grove, the Cafeteria room in the basement of the Downers Grove High School and finally in April 1951, a little over a year after our first meeting we were able to persuade the Board of Education members that we had 130 members and growing fast, and they allowed us to use the big Assembly Hall of the Downers Grove High School for meetings. We can thank the High School Principal Clarence Johnson and a few other friends for this favor.

When Drs. Wilson and Fleener found out what we were doing they came over to Downers Grove, joined our club and were a great help in advising, giving programs and teaching courses in Earth Science. It was their efforts that helped make Esconi the successful club it became.

Jay Farr, who became our second Chairman did such a great job with our Juniors that his lectures were published by the Earth Science Magazine and junior groups became a major factor in the club's activities and is to this day..

Thirty-five years have passed and Esconi is still taking honors as they have done right from the start. Hat's off to those who have carried on so well.

-- Bill Allaway --

Logo on the cover of newsletter #1.

 

 

Throwback Monday #240: Happy Veterans Day from ESCONI... and the Field Museum! #fossils #paleontology #VeteransDay #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #history #WWII #FieldMuseum @FieldMuseum @SUEtheTrex #brachiopods

This is Throwback Thursday #240.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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To celebrate Veterans Day, we are doing something different this week... How about a Throwback Monday and a Mazon Thursday?   Happy Veterans Day!  And definitely, thank you for your service!

In 2013, Paul Mayer, Collections Manager of Fossil Invertebrates at the Field Museum, shared an interesting post titled "Brachiopods and WWII." In it, Paul highlighted Dr. Sharat Kumar Roy, a Field Museum curator who served during World War II.

Brachiopods are interesting marine animals.  They are filter feeders that superficially resemble clams (bivalve molluscs), however they are very different and belong to a completely separate taxonomic phylum.  There are more than 12,000 species of Brachiopods known, mostly in the fossil record, as they were much more diverse during the Paleozoic.  They suffered great loses during the Permian Mass Extinction.  From Wikipedia...

Brachiopods live only in the sea, and most species avoid locations with strong currents or waves. The larvae of articulate species settle in quickly and form dense populations in well-defined areas while the larvae of inarticulate species swim for up to a month and have wide ranges. Brachiopods now live mainly in cold water and low light. Fish and crustaceans seem to find brachiopod flesh distasteful and seldom attack them. Among brachiopods, only the lingulids (Lingula sp.^[4]) have been fished commercially, on a very small scale. One brachiopod species (Coptothyrus adamsi) may be a measure of environmental conditions around an oil terminal being built in Russia on the shore of the Sea of Japan. The word "brachiopod" is formed from the Ancient Greek words brachion ("arm") and podos ("foot").^[5] They are often known as "lamp shells", since the curved shells of the class Terebratulida resemble pottery oil-lamps.^[2]

© The Field Museum, GEO79682. Dr. Sharat K. Roy stands over the Mapleton meteorite Geology specimen ME2286.

Dr. Sharat Kumar Roy (1898-1962) was an American geologist of Indian origin.  He was a Curator of Fossil Invertebrates of the Chicago Natural History Museum, later renamed to the Field Museum of Natural History from 1925 until 1946, when he was made Chief Curator of the Geology Department, a position he held until 1962.  He served in WWII as a captain in the U.S. Army.  He was stationed in India and Burma.  He took his love of fossils with him and was able to amass a large collection of Permian brachiopods from the Salt Range near the India – Pakistan border, in Punjab, India.

In 1941 the Fossil Invertebrate Section at the Field Museum was making plans for a new and larger display but with the start of World War II these plans were postponed. The Curator of Fossil Invertebrates, Dr. Sharat Roy, served with the U.S. Army as a captain in the India-Burma Theatre of war. Near the end of the war he was able to take a month long leave and collect fossils (including a large collection of Permian brachiopods) and other geologic specimens from the Salt Range in what was then Punjab, India, but today is part of Pakistan. The Salt Range is named after the rich salt deposits that are close to 500 meters (1600 feet) thick, but is also famous (at least among geologists) for Permian brachiopods.

© The Field Museum, Roy studing productid brachiopods from India.

Concave brachial valve of a Permian productid brachiopod, Waagenoconcha sp. (Photo by P.S. Mayer).

Dr. Roy passed away on April 17th, 1962.  At that time, he was Chief Curator of the Geology Department at the Field Museum.  A memorial appeared in the May edition of the Field Museum bulletin.

Sharat K. Roy
(1898-1962)

Dr. Sharat Kumar Roy. Chief Curator of the Department of Geology, whose death occurred on April 17th. was a distinguished scientist of outstanding ability and achievement.

Dr. Roy was born in India in 1898, and attended the University of Calcutta and the University of London. He came to the United States in 1920 and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1922. He received the degrees of Master of Science in 1924 from the University of Illinois and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1941.

He began his professional career in the Department of Geology of the New York State Museum in Albany, and joined the staff of Chicago Xatural History Museum in 1925 as an Assistant Curator in the Department of Geology. He has served continuously with the Museum since that time, becoming Chief Curator of his department in 1947.

Dr. Roy served in the British-Indian Army during World War I. In World War II he received a commission as Captain in the United States Army Air Forces and was discharged with the rank of Major in July, 1946.

In addition to many collecting trips in various parts of the United States, Dr. Roy was a member of the Second Rawson-MacMillan Subarctic Expedition of Field Museum in 1927-28; and he collected ores, lithological specimens and Paleozoic fossils in Newfoundland the following year. In 1945, on leave from the United States Army, he collected Permian fossils in mines in eastern India and in the Salt Range of northern India.

From 1953 to 1961 Dr. Roy conducted six field trips to Central America to study the volcanos of that region. In 1957-58 he spent one year in Europe and India under a National Science Foundation grant, engaged in research and consultation on stony meteorites, concentrating on those containing rounded bodies called chondrules.

He has published more than 30 scientific papers in the fields of invertebrate paleontology, meteoritics and volcanology, and was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society as well as a member of numerous professional societies.

In recognition of his exploratory geological work in the Arctic, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, in 1944. honored him by designating one of the mountain peaks on Baffin Island as "Mount Sharat."

With Dr. Roy's death the Museum staff has lost a colleague of unassuming and gentle temperament. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

 

Throwback Thursday #239: Looking Back at ESCONI for November 2024 #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #benldmeteorite #meteorite

This is Throwback Thursday #239.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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The Benld Meteorite damaged Edward McCain's car seat and dented muffler.  It's now on display at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. James St. John (Flickr)

25 Years Ago - November 1999

• The November 1999 issue of the newsletter marked the 50th Anniversary of ESCONI!
• The speaker at the General Meeting was Lawrence Scheff of the Oriental Institute and the Archaeology Department of the University of Chicago.  His presention was about Egypt and the West Bank's Valley of the Kings.
• The Paleontology Study Group was identifying Illinois fossils... I wonder how many were from Mazon Creek or the northern Illinois hard rock quarries.
• The fluorescent minerals of Franklin, New Jersey were the topic of the Micro/Mineralogy Study Group meeting.
• The Archaeology Study Group had a field trip to the Dickson Mounds Museum at the Dickson Mounds State Park near Peoria, IL.

50 Years Ago - November 1974

• The November 1974 issue of the newsletter marked the 25th Anniversary of ESCONI!
• There was a Braidwood field trip schedule for November 2nd.
• The Paleontology Study Group was discussing Florida corals and a Mastodon find in Indiana.
• Pseudomorphs were the subject of the Mineralogy Study Group.
• Hazel Peterson of the Chicago Archaeology Society had a slide show for the Archaeology Study Group.
• Doris Kemp was showing Lapidary how to display minerals and specimens.

70 Years Ago - November 1954

• The Regular Meeting featured Dr. Ben Hur Wilson speaking on "Messengers From Space".  Wilson was part of the investigation into the Benld Meteorite in 1938 (see Throwback Thursday #69).
• The ESCONI Auction in October 1954 was a huge success.  The financial gain was the second highest for the annual event, with the largest return being the "good fellowship and merriment".
• Each Regular Meeting had a new "Swapit and Whatsit" table.  Bring something to swap and something else for identification.
• Bill Allaway, first Chairman of ESCONI, wrote the article "Paleo News Cast".
• George and Ethel Malott wrote summaries of the Paleontology Night School classes.

Throwback Thursday #238: ESCONI 10th Anniversary Pictures #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #anniversary #10thanniversary

This is Throwback Thursday #238.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Here are some pictures from the ESCONI 10th Anniversary celebration in 1957.

ESCONI Board at Pugh's - G. Law, O. Fether, R. Bish, M. Cornwell, V. Montgomery - 1959

ESCONI Board at Pugh's - J. Schnitzlein, Darrows, H. Knight, Hoff, Pugh - 1959

Max Hillmer, Carl Hoffman, Dorothy Ade, Jay Farr

ESCONI 10th Anniversary 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary - Bill Allaway 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary - John Ade_11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary - Warze & George Darrow 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary - Tom Wheatley 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary - Mrs Samford Gates, et al 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary Char. Montgomery, Joe Bloom 11-13-1959

ESCONI 10th Anniversary - Hazel Bonow & cake 11-13-1959

 

Throwback Thursday #237: Bruce Stinchcomb, Route 66, and Mazon Creek #TBT #history #ThrowbackThursday #MazonCreek #Route66 #US66 #braidwood.

This is Throwback Thursday #237.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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US Route 66 has been termed the "Mother Road" by some as it was one of the original highways in the United States.  It was commissioned on November 11, 1926 and ran from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, via Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.  Road signs were erected the following year.  One of the alignments of Route 66 ran right through the heart of what was the Northern Illinois Coal Corporation's (NICC) Pit 3.  We did a post about Piano Hill a few years ago (see Throwback Thursday #127).

At last weekend's 2024 MAPS Show, I was reminded of Bruce Stinchcomb when part of his collection was made available for sale. Bruce was a geologist and educator who taught at St. Louis Community College for 36 years. Sadly, he passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the age of 85. His contributions to science and paleontology will long be remembered. The following is an excerpt from his obituary.

Dr. Bruce L. Stinchcomb

85, passed peacefully at home, Wednesday July 12, 2023.  On Monday, two days before, he was doing what he loved; discovering fossils with friends and colleagues at Crowley’s Ridge. He leaves behind his daughter, Beth Stinchcomb; two nephews, Frank and Lou Wachowe, Teresa & Nick Wachowe, and many friends. He earned a PhD in earth science from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 1978, and received his MA in geology from Washington University in 1966. A professor at St. Louis Community College for 36 years; he retired in 2005. His contributions to science and paleontology will forever be recognized. Mentor and Teacher; he was instrumental in the discovery, excavation & preservation of our Missouri dinosaur: Parrosaurus missouriensis, currently on display at The Chicago Museum of Natural History.

Bruce did a small video of the geology of Route 66. The segment of the video about Mazon Creek and Braidwood is available on Youtube.  It's nteresting that he mentions the MAPS fossil shows in the video.

Route 66 crossed the Illinois Basin in the state of Illinois. It cut right through an extensive coal strip mine area what is and was the source of large numbers of fossils and known as the Mazon Creek (and Essex) fossil beds. Shown here are a variety of fossil plants and animals which came from this area and are representative of it. Many of these were collected in the 1950's and 60's when collecting of these fossils was especially productive.

Throwback Thursday #236: Only a Rock #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #rocks

This is Throwback Thursday #236.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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"Only a Rock" is a poem that appeared in the July 1964 edition of the ESCONI newsletter.  The poem was written by Alice French of the Flint Rock & Gem Club in Clio, Michigan, which is near Flint.  It's good to see that the Flint Rock & Gem Club is alive and well as they just had their annual show in September 2024.

ONLY A ROCK by Alice French

It's only a rock, they said to me
When I picked it up from the shore.
But it's pretty, just look at the color,
And there are many more.

It was washed so clean and smooth,
And its pattern so bright and clear,
I marveled at its beauty,
But I guess they thought me queer.

Perhaps it wasn't a precious gem
To be worn upon one's hand,
But it looked as lovely lying there
In its bed upon the sand.

I took it up to the cottage
And put it on the shelf
Now it's a conversation piece
That has gained honor for itself.

- from Flint Rock & Gem Club

Throwback Thursday #235: Field Trip to Rosiclare, IL for Fluorite #fieldtrip #minerals #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #fluorite

This is Throwback Thursday #235.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Have you heard of the Fluorspar Festival?  It's held in Rosiclare, IL on the first weekend of October every year... 2024 was the Diamond Celebration!  That's 60 years!  The Fluorspar Festival celebrates the history of fluorite mining in Hardin County, IL.  There's even the American Fluorite Museum in Rosiclare, IL.

For many years, ESCONI organized field trips to the Rosiclare, IL area for fluorite collecting. Unfortunately, most, if not all, of the mines have since closed. In April 1958, ESCONI rented a bus and traveled to this southern Illinois region. The announcement for this field trip was published in the March 1958 edition of the newsletter.

ROSICLARE BUS TRIP

We have the desired permission to enter Crystal Fluorspar Mine at Cave-in-Rock, Illinois on April 26th.

We also have 17 people signed up for the trip. We need 19 more to make that trip possible.

We plan to leave 7:30 P.M. on Friday, April 25th, stop at Harrisburg Hotel in the wee small hours.

Not later than 10:00 A.M. enter mine because they close Saturday P.M. We will ride to operations in a jeep. Each one must sign liability waiver, furnish their own galoshes, hard hat, and some kind of electric light. $10.00 for bus fare round trip.

We are taking March vacation, will visit these people on our way home so after April 1, we can give you more information. Please mail name, address and telephone number if you wish to go to

John G. Schnizlein
5905 Woodward Avenue
Downers Grove, Illinois

A report followed in the May 1958 edition.  There were ulimately 28 - 30 attendees.

THANK YOU - JACK AND DOROTHY

At the bewitching hour of midnight Friday April 25th, 30 not-too- sleepy folks boarded the bus in Downers for a better than anticipated trip to Cave-in-Rock and Rosiclare, Dorothy and Jack had dry run the route and knew just where we were bound. Cat naps were enjoyed by most of us, and there was singing too 'cause Dr. Hoff brought along his guitar. We saw Venus rise that early Saturday morning, but at sunup the rain came, but you helped us laugh that off.

While a tire was being changed on the bus at Olney, we had breakfast- then on our way again. By now it was really raining but that seems never to stop a rockhound donning our helmets, boots, and raincoats and carrying flash lights, bags and hammers, we were on our way to the mine. It was a walk-in entrance, really quite interesting, we walked and walked a descent of 250 feet someone said here we came upon fine specimen of fluorspar - we left ladened. Some of us who didn't hurry too fast to shelter in the office to enjoy brought-along sandwiches and cokes we took from the office refrigerator (nickels were deposited in a box inside) and cookies served by Ethel Malott and date bars Mildred Babbitt had baked, saw the flotation plant.

Back in the bus, we drove to Cave-in-Rock where we enjoyed an early dinner of catfish and corn sticks. So many folks in town at one time was an event in this small town, but the restaurant folk took good care of us, for Jack had made advance reservations. While here we also visited the cave at Cave-in-Rock State Park, we were glad we'd taken time to see this.

After dinner we ferried across the Ohio to the home of the Clements in Marion, Ky. It was raining here too, but we didn't let it bother us we just were amazed at the wonderful collection which is large. Incidently the collection is so large that much of it is right out in the yard in the weather. Mr. and Mrs. Clement were gracious hosts to our group. Many purchases were made, and we were glad for an oppor- tunity to get such fine specimen at the good prices Mr. Clement offered he gave ESCONI 10% wasn't that nice? We thought so. Thank you, Mr. Clement!

Again, we ferried across the Ohio and now to Elizabethtown to the picturesque Rose Hotel overlooking the Ohio (our group had the entire hotel here again Jack and Dorothy made arrangements for us). Our hostess here Mrs. Gullatte, 85 years young, she of the fifth generation of owners of this fine old hostelry since 1812, and Frankie (born right here just years ago) who was more the confidante than servant, possibly a generation removed from slavery.

Sunday morning everyone was up sorta early for in this old hotel there wasn't a bath to a room, or for even two or three rooms but faces were washed and teeth brushed and seems everyone was at Edna's restaurant 'bout the same time good food even juke box music and here Donnafred surprised some of us with another of her accomplishments.

It's time for us to be on our way now for we are going to the stock piles of the Aluminum Company of america to find flu fluospar with galena and sphalerite in one cluster. Fermission to enter these premises was obtained thru our own Carl Hoffman. 

Frankie and her husband, he the sort of helper when we drove away pictures were taken of them waved us good-bye - hope you see them.

Our driver says, he can tell there's more weight in the bus, did we collect?

There was a birthday party too Ethel Malott saw to it that we all had a piece of the fine birthday cake for Olive Knight and Hazen Bonow when we stopped for lunch in Carmi there was much fun when they opened gift packages and read their birthday cards.

Homeward bound now Wilbur Hoff's guitar accompaniment for our sing- ing was grand, as was Olive's song with gestures. And right here would move that we do away with the old fashioned auction 'cause we discovered in Helen Rapsul a most vivacious auctioneer. Yes, it rained all the way home but there was so much hilarity inside the bus weather was forgotten some said they'd not laughed and had so much fun since goodness knows when.

Arriving back in Downers and unloading was really something every- one helping get the "stuff" off the bus then transferred to cars good byes and "let's do this again sometime" seemed to be the thought when we parted and headed for our homes with our luggage, purchases at Clements, our "finds" and some of us even found specimen or (?) we'd not put in our bags. Now just who would do a thing like that???? It was fun worth the expense a bit more than anticipated 'cause we didn't quite have the bus quota but, we think we might like another such trip to some other interesting place.

Thanks again Jack and Dorothy. 

-Margie-

We have some photos of the trip.

The Ohio River.

Clements home?  Or is it the Rose Hotel in Elizabethtown, KY?

These last photos are from Cave-In-Rock, a state park in Illinois.

 

Throwback Thursday #234: Looking Back at ESCONI for October 2024 #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #dinosaurs #seismosaurus #diplodocus

This is Throwback Thursday #234.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Restoration of Diplodocus hallorum (Seismosaurus) in environment. 

25 Years Ago - October 1999

• The ESCONI Flea Market/Auction was held on October 2nd, 1999. 
• The Field Museum was unveiling its plans to put SUE on display in Stanley Field Hall in May 2000.
• DINO News had a news entry about Wyoming's Seismosaurus mount... supposedly the largest in the world at that time.
• The Archaeology Study Group had a field trip to the Dickson Mounds Museum.
• Paleontology was discussing the Quaternary Period - 1.8 million to 11,000 years ago.

50 Years Ago - October 1974

• There was a Braidwood field trip to Pit 11... take US 66 to IL 129 and drive just past the tipple.  Are you coming?
• Lucy McLuckie had an open house after the Braidwood field trip.  Her collection was a sight to be seen!
• Mineralogy was discussing "Sulphides"... with samples.
• The Western Springs Juniors were visiting the Thorton Quarry.
• The Micromount of the Month was Silver.
• The Lizzadro Museum had a program on "Gold and Gold Mining".

70 Years Ago - October 1954

• There was a field trip to Hamilton, IL to collect geodes... hmm, that sounds familiar.
• The Junior Group was learning about "Sulfur".
• Adult evening education classes were held in Downers Grove.  Courses were - An Introduction to Astronomy, Enameling on Copper, Paleontology, and Jewelry Making.
• ESCONI had a display at the Downers Grove Fall Festival on Labor Day.  Jewelry, mineral specimens, fossils, and Native American artifacts were laid out in the Band room of Downers Grove High School.
• Ben Clement wrote "Fluorite in Illinois and Kentucky" for the newsletter.  Mining for fluorite and galena started around 1812!

Throwback Thursday #233: Origin of Geodes #geodes #minerals #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #geology

This is Throwback Thursday #233.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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ESCONI held a geode field trip to Vickers Geodes in Hamilton, IL in August 2024.  The area around Hamilton, IL, and Keokuk, IA, is home to several sites where geode collectiing is popular.  Throwback Thursday #14 looked back at past ESCONI geode field trips to the area.  But what exactly is a geode, and how do they form? Below is an excerpt from the Wikipedia page explaining their formation.

A geode (/ˈdʒiː.oʊd/; from Ancient Greek γεώδης (geṓdēs) 'earthlike') is a geological secondary formation within sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Geodes are hollow, vaguely spherical rocks, in which masses of mineral matter (which may include crystals) are secluded. The crystals are formed by the filling of vesicles in volcanic and subvolcanic rocks by minerals deposited from hydrothermal fluids; or by the dissolution of syn-genetic concretions and partial filling by the same or other minerals precipitated from water, groundwater, or hydrothermal fluids.

Geodes can form in any cavity, but the term is usually reserved for more or less rounded formations in igneous and sedimentary rocks. They can form in gas bubbles in igneous rocks, such as vesicles in basaltic lava; or, as in the American Midwest, in rounded cavities in sedimentary formations. After rock around the cavity hardens, dissolved silicates and/or carbonates are deposited on the inside surface. Over time, this slow feed of mineral constituents from groundwater or hydrothermal solutions allows crystals to form inside the hollow chamber. Bedrock containing geodes eventually weathers and decomposes, leaving them present at the surface if they are composed of resistant material such as quartz.^[1]

When cut in half, visible bands corresponding to varied stages of precipitation may at times show patterns that reveal points of fluid entry into the cavity and/or varied colors corresponding to changes in chemistry.

The December 1972 edition of the ESCONI newsletter had a small article that discussed tthe "Origin of Geodes".  The article was reprinted from the "Illinois State Geological Survey Miscellaneous Pamphlet".  The references are listed as an article by Ray Smith Bassler "The Formation of Geodes with Remarks on the Silicification of Fossils" published in 1908 and another by Francis M. Van Tuyl "The Origin of the Geodes of the Keokuk Beds" published in 1912.  The second one is particularily relevant to the recent ESCONI field trip.

ORIGIN OF GEODES

 

Geodes are usually globular although they may also be irregular, discoid, or sometimes shaped very much like fossils. They are usually found in limestone, but they may also form in shaly rocks. Most of them are hollow, but many have become filled with minerals growing from the walls inward.

 

A typical geode sawed or broken in two will disclose a sequence of layers from the out-side-in as follows: (1) a thin layer of clay: (2) a layer of noncrystalline chalcedony; (3) crystals (usually quartz) projecting into the hollow interior. Less commonly calcite or dolomite crystals will form next to the outer chalcedony layer instead of quartz, and sometimes the inside of a geode will be nothing but chalcedony; and (4) a deposit of olin, aragonite, millerite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, limonite, smithsonite, malachite gypsum, fluorite, barite, marcasite, geothite, pyrolusite, and possibly tenorite and chalcocite. Perhaps the most thought provoking and rarest of geodes are those which contain petroleum or some thicker bituminous material.

 

By what processes and under what conditions did these interesting features originate? There are many theories, none of which are completely adequate. The following discussion is an attempt to compile some of them into a brief summary.

 

First of all, it is generally agreed that geodes are cavity fillings. The agreement ends here, for the stumbling block is the origin of the initial cavity. One idea is that the cavities are "vugs" caused by gas pockets or by shrinkage of the rock. However, vugs are integral parts of the rock in which they are contained, whereas geodes are complete entities which can be broken out of the rock formation with comparative ease. Some geologists have suggested that they are merely special types of concretions, but geodes grow from the outer shell inward, whereas concretions build up from a central core. Bassler (1908, pp.133-154) has shown that some geodes originate in fossil cavities and upon growth of the geode, the fossil bursts. Upon further growth, the fragments of the fossil are dissolved or absorbed by the growing geode and are lost. Van Tuyl (1916, pp.34-42) believes that the original cavity is the space which was occupied by a concretion. Concretions are easily removed from the rock by percolating waters and would thus leave a likely cavity in which a geode could grow. The fact that some geodes contain calcareous clay concretions lends support to this theory.

 

Pettijohn (1957,pp.204-205) gives a rather complex process by which geodes grow after the formation of an initial cavity. This process may be summarized in the following steps: (1) a cavity is formed in the rock by some means; (2) a salty solution fills the cavity and pore spaces in the rock; (3) a layer of gelatinous silica is then deposited, isolating the salt solution in the cavity; (4) later the water in the surrounding pore spaces becomes fresh. This sets up what is known as an osmotic cell. This particular osmotic cell consists of two different types of solutions separated by a membrane of gelatinous silica which will allow the fresh solution to pass into the geode cavity, but will not allow the salt to pass out of it; (5) the fresh water flowing into the cavity by osmosis builds up internal pressure which pushes on the walls of the geode; (6) this pressure, exerted outward against the surrounding limestone, dissolves the limestone, leaving an insoluble residue which becomes the thin clay layer on the outer surface of the geode; (7) the above process continues until the salt solution is so diluted by the incoming fresh water that the osmotic cell no longer operates. The geode has reached maturity; (8) gradually the silica gel. dehydrates and crystallizes; (9) shrinking and cracking then follows: (10) finally, mineral-bearing waters flowing through the cracks deposit the innermost layer of minerals. These cracks may eventually seal, leaving a completely closed geode.

 

The process by which some of the geodes of the Warsaw beds come to contain petroleum is also very much a mystery. Frank Fleener (1961) gives an interesting account of the problem. He envisions the petroleum having migrated up into the Warsaw Formation from the oil-bearing rocks to the south. There partially formed geodes were found with loose quartz crystals (some doubly terminated) adrift in the thick bitumen. The influx of the bituminous material stopped the growth of geodes, but the mechanism by which the bitumen was enclosed and hermetically sealed remains a matter of conjecture. We believe that many of these geodes are hermetically sealed because. the bituminous material will sometimes squirt out with force when the geode is punctured. This phenomenon is presumably due to the sudden expansion of the material when the pressure under which it was formed is relieved.

 

A more plausible explanation for the petroleum is that it was derived from the enclosing shale and shaly limestone. The weight of overlying sedimentary rocks could easily have freed hydrocarbons from the organic matter in the shale and shaly limestone. The hydrocarbons then migrated to zones of lowest pressure, and these most likely would be cavities inside the geodes. It appears logical that such a pressure difference would exist because the hard shell of the geode could withstand a great amount of lithostatic pressure.

 

The above discussion of the origin of geodes is incomplete and generalized, but we hope that it will stimulate interest in these remarkable geatures. Perhaps as you break them open in search of beautiful crystals, you will reflect upon their history and feel a greater appreciation for the intricate processes by which nature is continuously altering the crust of the earth.

 

REFERENCES

Bassler, R.S., The Formation of Geodes, with remarks on the Silicification of Fossils: National Museum Proc. vol.35, 1908, pp. 133-154.

 

Van Tuyl, F. M., The Origin of the Geodes of the Keokuk Beds: Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, vol 19, 1912, pp. 169-172.

 

via Gem City Rock News

- reprinted from Illinois State Geological Survey Miscellaneous Pamphlet

Throwback Thursday #232: Sue visits SUE #fossils #paleontology #dinosaurs #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #trex @SUEtheTrex @FieldMuseum

This is Throwback Thursday #232.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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So, Sue Hendrickson had a secret visit with her beloved namesake SUE the T. rex in July.  The Sneed had an article in the Sun Times in July.  Have a look on one of the archive sites, if you can't read it.

Archaeologist Sue Hendrickson visits her beloved “Sue the T-rex,” the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil at the Field Museum on Wednesday. Provided

Before we get nasty letters, Sue is an archaeologist, not a paleontologist.  That caption is not a mistake or misunderstanding of archaeology vs paleontology... although, I did need to correct the spelling of archaeologist.  There's an 'a' in there!   Unfortunately, later in the article, the use of "field paleontologist" seems to be confused with archaeologist.  Coincidently, a few of the Field Museum's Egyptian artifacts are associated with Sue's archaeology work.

Sue was a volunteer with the Black Hills Institute when she found SUE.  That was way back in 1990.   This was her first vist to the Field Museum since 2010 for the 10th Anniversary of the SUE's opening. Here's what Sneed wrote of her momentous find.

A digger, a diver, a searcher for sunken treasure, Hendrickson discovered the legendary dinosaur on a wild card’s chance. She was hiking with her golden retriever, Gypsy, on the “hunch” that “there might be something in an exposed cliff” she spotted on a boiling hot, foggy day in South Dakota.

 

The discovery became an international sensation.

 

“I still can’t believe it,” Hendrickson said. “I was a bit worn out after sleeping outside for two months while digging for dinosaur bones that day … and we were one day away from the end of the season when we developed a flat tire,” Hendrickson told me back in 1997.

 

“So Gypsy and I decided to take a hike to a butte we missed while the rest of our crew from the Black Hills Institute drove 30 miles back into town to get the tire fixed.

 

“I got lost, it was foggy and I walked in a circle for two hours. The fog finally lifted. Hours later, we reached the butte. It wasn’t long before I saw three articulated vertebrae exposed in the cliff.”

 

The rest is history — millions of years of it.

After a long controvery, court trial, and auction, SUE ended up at the Field Museum in 1997.  The $8 million price tag was covered generously by McDonald's Corp and Walt Disney.

Fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson smiles at the unveiling of the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton “Sue” that Hendrickson discovered and bears her name at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago in May 2000. John Zich/AFP/Getty Images

 

Throwback Thursday #231: September 1969 Field Trip - Sylvania Ohio on Labor Day Weekend #poem #history #TBT #1969 #ThrowbackThursday #Sylvania #ohio

This is Throwback Thursday #231.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Here is a poem about a September 1969 Field Trip to Sylvania, OH.  It was written by Bill and Virginia Popp and appeared in the November 1969 (20th Anniversary) Issue of the ESCONI Newsletter.  They were given Meritorious Service Awards in 1973.  Virginia was President in 1981 and 1982, 1st Vice President in 1979 and 1980, 2nd Vice President in 1977 and 1978, Recording Secretary from 1972 to 1975, and Historian in 1976.  Bill was Field Trip Chairman from 1969 to 1972 and served as the leader of various study groups over the years.  In 1969,

The trip announcement appeared in the July-August 1969 edition of the newsletter.  Remember the days before online maps?  Back then, you'd draw a map for whomever you were giving directions.

The trip report was posted as a poem in the November 1969 edition of the newletter.

SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIP — Sylvania Ohio on Labor Day Weekend

T he start of the group hunting again brought
R ich returns to the Esconites who hunted
I n the Medusa Quarry, Sylvania, Ohio, for trilobites on
L abor day weekend. After 'the summer its great to be
O n the hunt again. Saturday morning was a
B right, sunny day end we assembled at the site to dig
I n the pile of rocks that held the treasured
T rilobites we sought. Rocks soon were rubble as
E ach rock hound hoped his would be THE ONE.
S oon pieces of them started finding a place in our bags.

C langing of hammers rang out and again we
A ll were hard at-work seeking thee-fossils and
L arge brachiopods that are so well preserved.
C rawling over the rubble was turning up heads and tails
I in the little pieces of rock.
T rying to stay cool in the quarry was a problem. Soon
E ach rockhound sought the coolness of his nest.

F oth's nursery was tha beautiful camping grounds for
L ucky campers this trip. A perfect spot to relax
O r just have a Pot Luck supper, where all of us
R eally had a delightful evening talking and resting.
I n the company of a wonderful host and hostess.
T o the Foth's we say, "Thanks again," to you from
E ach of us who enjoyed your hospitality on that Saturday night.

P ugh Quarry on Sunday, was a treasure box for.
Y our crystal collection. Blasting on Friday. had
R ewarded us with many good specimens. Some were
I nbedded for the hammer and chisel brigade
T o chop out and add to the goodies that
E ach of us wrapped carefully to work on later.

M ost of the Esconite were hosts to Mr. and Mrs. Foth
A t dinner Sunday night. Besides talking over the
R ock and mineral finds, we all enjoyed the food.
C collecting on Monday would be at either quarry,
A t the end of the evening we said our, "Farewells".
S oon we were planning which quarry we would be
I n looking for those last finds before we
T urned our thoughts and cars for that ride home.
E ach of the 42 rockhounds, including guests,- will long remember trilobites, crystals, and the Foth's.

-- Bill and Virginia Popp --

 

Throwback Thursday #230: Looking Back at ESCONI for September 2024 #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday

This is Throwback Thursday #230.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Drawing for "Brag Nite" for September 1967.

25 Years Ago - September 1999

• The General Meeting feated an anthropology presentation by Dr. Rebecca Rogers Ackermann.  Dr. Ackermann is the daughter of Floyd Rogers, who served a on the ESCONI board in the 1980s and 1990s.
• The Paleontology Study Group's meeting was called the "World's Greatest Show and Tell".  I'm members brought in some very nice specimens.
• "Baskets of the Southwest" was the topic of the Archaeology Study Group meeting.
• The club was planning the 2024 ESCONI Flea Market/Auction, which was scheduled for October 2nd.
• "Dino News" was full of news of SUE, Archaeopteryx, and feathered dinosaurs.

50 Years Ago - September 1974

• Planning for ESCONI's Silver Anniversary (25) was well underway.  A request went out for slides, snapshots, and other memorabilia.
• Most of the study groups were holding a "Brag Night" or "Show and Tell", which has been a very popular September meeting topic.
• Dick and John Ade discussed the flooding of portions of Pit 11 at the board meeting.
• Fred Labahn submitted a report on the Midwest Federation Conference, which was held in Lincoln, Nebraska in June 1974.

70 Years Ago - September 1954

• The evening school program was getting started for 1954.  Course topics were Paleontology and Jewelry.  (see Throwback Thursday #144)
• Downers Grove held its Fall Festival and ESCONI was there to display fossils and minerals.
• A field trip to Terre Haute, Indiana was held on September 19th.  They were hunting for Pennsylvanian plants and animals similar to Mazon Creek.  They also visited Indiana oil wells in the area.
• ESCONI was celebrating its Wood (5) anniversary.
• Dr. Frank Fleener wrote a mineral identity article for the newsletter.  This one was entitled "Luster".

 

Throwback Thursday #229: Happy 115th Birthday, Burgess Shale! #fossils #paleontology #fossilfriday #Cambrian #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday

This is Throwback Thursday #229.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Charles Doolittle Walcott discovered the Burgess Shale on August 30th, 1909.  At the time, Walcott was head of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.  He came to Mount Stephen, British Columbia, which is in Yoho National Park, in 1907, because of reports of "stone bugs" reported by railway workers, surveyors, and others.  In 1909, while exploring the slopes with his family, he found the area that would come to be known as Fossil Ridge.  Supposedly, he found a Marrella fossil while helping his wife, Helena, back up onto her horse.  Wolcott returned many times between 1910 and 1924, eventually collecting more than 65,000 fossils.

The quote below is from the Wikipedia entry for the Burgess Shale.

The Burgess Shale was discovered by palaeontologist Charles Walcott on 30 August 1909,^[4] towards the end of the season's fieldwork.^[5] He returned in 1910 with his sons, daughter, and wife, establishing a quarry on the flanks of Fossil Ridge. The significance of soft-bodied preservation, and the range of organisms he recognised as new to science, led him to return to the quarry almost every year until 1924. At that point, aged 74, he had amassed over 65,000 specimens. Describing the fossils was a vast task, pursued by Walcott until his death in 1927.^[5] Walcott, led by scientific opinion at the time, attempted to categorise all fossils into living taxa, and as a result, the fossils were regarded as little more than curiosities at the time. It was not until 1962 that a first-hand reinvestigation of the fossils was attempted, by Alberto Simonetta. This led scientists to recognise that Walcott had barely scratched the surface of information available in the Burgess Shale, and also made it clear that the organisms did not fit comfortably into modern groups.

Excavations were resumed at the Walcott Quarry by the Geological Survey of Canada under the persuasion of trilobite expert Harry Blackmore Whittington, and a new quarry, the Raymond, was established about 20 metres higher up Fossil Ridge.^[5] Whittington, with the help of research students Derek Briggs and Simon Conway Morris of the University of Cambridge, began a thorough reassessment of the Burgess Shale, and revealed that the fauna represented were much more diverse and unusual than Walcott had recognized.^[5]Indeed, many of the animals present had bizarre anatomical features and only the slightest resemblance to other known animals. Examples include Opabinia, with five eyes and a snout like a vacuum cleaner hose and Hallucigenia, which was originally reconstructed upside down, walking on bilaterally symmetrical spines.

With Parks Canada and UNESCO recognising the significance of the Burgess Shale, collecting fossils became politically more difficult from the mid-1970s. Collections continued to be made by the Royal Ontario Museum. The curator of invertebrate palaeontology, Desmond Collins, identified a number of additional outcrops, stratigraphically both higher and lower than the original Walcott quarry.^[5] These localities continue to yield new organisms faster than they can be studied.

Throwback Thursday #228: Midwest Federation Convention 1956 #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #geology #rocks #gems #minerals #fossils #stpaul #minnesota

This is Throwback Thursday #228.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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The Midwest Federation of Mineralogical & Geological Societies (MWF) is holding their 2024 convention in East Peoria on August 24 and 25, 2024.  In honor of that event, we present some photos of the 1956 convention, which was held in St. Paul, Minnesota from July 12th to 15th 1956.  This convention was billed as the "Largest Mineral and Gem Exhibition Ever Held in the Midwest".  The following announcement appeared in the May 1956 edition of the newsletter.

ESCONI had parts of what would become the "Plant Life Through the Ages" exhibit on display.  That exhibit was created by ESCONI members.

Displays

Some nice drawings

A better view of the Carboniferous plants

Dinner for the ESCONI delegation

There was a field trip to the Lutz Quarry as part of the convention.  Check out those old buses!

Throwback Thursday #227: Stones for Everyone! #history #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #stones

This is Throwback Thursday #227.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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From the June 1974 edition of the ESCONI newsletter.... "Stones for Everyone".

STONES FOR EVERYONE

For laundresses..... The Soapstone
For architects..... The Cornerstone
For cooks..... The Puddingstone
For politicians..... The Blarneystone
For borrowers..... The Touchstone
For Policemen..... The Pavingstone
For stockholders..... The Curbstone
For shoemakers..... The Cobblestone
For burglars..... The Keystone
For tourists..... The Yellowstone
For beauties..... The Peachstone
For motorists..... The Milestone
For editors..... The Grindstone

Throwback Thursday #226: Poem "Rockitis" #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #history #poem #southdakota

This is Throwback Thursday #226.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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The author of the poem below was Winifred Reutter (1909 - 1998) of White River, South Dakota.  She is a noted on the South Dakota Hall of Fame as an author of books and poems.  One of her books is "Prairie Poetry".

Winifred Reutter, of White River, SD, is one of the outstanding people who helped preserve the heritage of her area in writings dating back to the 1920’s and 30’s when she was a junior editor of Sunshine Magazine published at Sioux Falls, SD.

Early Dakota Days was one of Winifred’s awards winning County History Books. It was published in 1962. The previous year, her Mellette County Memories was published.

Reutter wrote a column titled “Cowbelle Notes” for the Hereford Journal, published out of St. Louis, MO. For 20 years, she wrote a monthly column for the Gem and Mineral Bulletin. She also contributed many stories to Dakota West and Dakota Farmer.

Prairie Poetry is a book written by Winifred Reutter. She also had her poetry published by Pasque Petals in 5 of their 8 publications. She is listed in Who’s Who under Bennette County Literature.

Winifred was a correspondent for the Associated Press and 10 years with the United Press International for the Argus Leader and the Rapid City Journal.

Winifred Reutter received the Dakota State College Award for Distinguished Contribution to South Dakota History.

The poem was dedicated to the Zeitner Museum, which refers to June Culp Zeitner.  She is known for her "significant collection of gems and minerals", a portion of which is in the Smithsonian.  She was the author of 9 books about gems and minerals, including -   

1. Midwest Gem Trails
2. Midwest Gem Trails: The Great Lakes States
3. Midwest Gem Trails: The Prairies States
4. Appalachian Mineral and Gem Trails
5. Southwest Mineral and Gem Trails
6. South Dakota, Borglum’s Unfinished Dream
7. How to Carve Jade and Gems
8. Gem and Lapidary Materials
9. Geodes

June won many awards and founded many Gem and Mineral clubs.  Interesting note from "Dakota Matrix Minerals" - Assembled probably the largest mineralogical field trip ever in Murdo, SD in 1970 in which 2000 collectors participated.  More information about June can be found here.

The Gem of the West passed away on October 11, 2009 at 93 years old. We lost a friend and mentor to us all. June Culp Zeitner passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Up until her last days, June would sit comfortably in her chair, with a pile of mineral books aside her and a twinkle in her eye. That twinkle was always there. She was always thinking. You see, she had a few more books to write. Holy cow, she just co-authored a book called “Geodes” at 91 years old. She told me her next (yes, next) book was going to be a compilation of the national “State’s Stones” program, which she pioneered. To my amazement, she had a good start on that one but never quite finished it. Even at 93, June didn’t procrastinate.  

June at 91, after publishing her last book "Geodes"

The Zeitners owned a hardware store in Mission and also the Zeitner Geological Museum. In the museum was a wonderful collection of petrified wood, fossils, artifacts, and rocks of all types. June volunteered to research and label the collection—a maneuver she thought might attract Albert's attention. It did, and soon he began inviting June on one-day collecting trips to the badlands. After spending a great deal of time together working on labeling and expanding the collection, Al and June were married.

It was in 1949 that the couple decided that work was getting in the way of what they really wanted to do: go field collecting. So June quit her job, and Al sold the hardware store, and they purchased a 31-foot travel trailer. The plan was to take a year off and travel the United States in search of minerals, fossils, and rocks. The year went by, but the two were not yet ready to settle down. They were having the time of their lives.

Winifred's poem "Rockitis" appeared in the September 1964 edition of the ESCONI newsletter. 

ROCKITIS

Dedicated to Zeitner Museum and all other rockhounds!

by Winifred Reutter, White River, S. D.

If ever the rock-bug bites you,
You'll never be the same.
For the rock fever lasts forever
An exciting backbreaking game.

You'll start some sunny morning,
Travel happy and weary miles.
Sunburn your nose and crick your back,
Looking over old rock piles.

Your legs will ache from walking,
Also your head and every joint,
But you'll forget that all the minute
You find a Folsom point.

You forget to eat your dinner,
While gathering fossil bones,
And thrill with great victory
Finding Fairburn agates and other stones.

You'll pace across the burning sands,
Far from traveled highways,
To locate old camp sites
Used in olden days.

Thru cacti and Badland wastes,
(Perhaps by rattlers terrified),
You'll search for fossil skeletons,
And woods long petrified.

Out for a great adventure,
Foretting to eat or drink
You might make the "Great Discovery"
On this safari, you think.

Stones and bones and artifacts,
Scientists and collectors treasures.
The fact you picked it up yourself
Multiplies the value beyond measure.

Searching and studying rocks
Hard work but what a lark,
Always open season in every state
And fun from dawn to dark!

Reading history backwards,
Reconstructing yesteryears,
By footprints and formations,
Made when dinosaurs were peers

There are gems of all colors and textures,
In natures treasure chest,
From hard obsidian to frail sand crystals,
Phosphorescents and all the rest

In classifying and comparing specimen
Pleasant evening hours are spent.
(And the bottle passed around,
Is one of liniment!)

You wonder how I know so well
A rockhounds pedigree?
Alas, I'm one myself, because,
The rock-bug once bit me!

Throwback Thursday #225: Hoff's on Vacation #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #history #vacation

This is Throwback Thursday #225.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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The June 1951 edition of the newsletter had a couple pages of charming artwork that detailed Wilbur and Donnafred Hoff's plans during the summer of 1951.  We've posted previously on the Hoff's, with a favorite being "Mid-century Mazon Creek" in Mazon Monday #104.  In that post, we discover just how cheap and plentiful Mazon Creek fossils were back in the day. 

The following photo shows Wilbur and Donnafred in 1958.  They were both very active in ESCONI.

Many ESCONI members talked of their vacations in the past newsletters, both before and after they went.  This piece by the Hoff's has an alphabet theme and details everything they planned to do on their trip into the American west during the summer of 1951.

I think my favorite is "Wrestling Writhing Wrattlesnakes", but "Tracking Terrible Triceratops", "Arduously Acquiring Agates", "Justifiably Jubilant over Jade and Jasper", and "Industriously Ignoring Insatiable Insects" are very good, too.  Actually, they are all good and imaginative.

Enjoy, and we hope you have some "Variously Vivacious Vacations" this summer!

Throwback Thursday #224: Stephen J. Gould at the Field Museum #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #history @FieldMuseum #evolution #paleontology

This is Throwback Thursday #224.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

This post originally appeared as Flashback Friday #17 back in the run-up to ESCONI's 70th anniversary.

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On Thursday, September 14, 2000.  ESCONI co-sponsored a Steven J. Gould lecture with the Field Museum.  This was a huge event for ESCONI, with about 700 people attending.  By all accounts, it was very successful.  Too bad, Steven isn't still with us, I'm sure that was a very interesting lecture.  If you get a chance, read some of his books, he does a great job telling stories and presenting concepts from a somewhat unconventional viewpoint. 

Stephen J. Gould

One of Gould's popular books, this one somewhat controversially on the Burgess Shale.

At that time, Joe Kubal was President of ESCONI, while Irene Broede and Karen Nordquist were vice-presidents.  Jim Fairchild was Treasurer.  Irene Broede did quite a bit to make this event a success.  She is the longest standing ESCONI member, having joined in 1956!  She and her husband appear in the December 1956 issue of The Earth Science News.  She has served in many capacities over the years, including 1st or 2nd Vice President.  Thank you for your efforts over the many years!  It has helped make ESCONI what it is today!

The flyer is shown below.  It appeared in the September 2000 issue of "The Earth Science News".

This report appeared in the October 2000 edition of "The Earth Science News"

The Stephen Jay Gould lecture that we co-sponsored with the Field Museum was very successful, with approximately 700 people in the audience.

Our President, Joe Kubal, did a great job of explaining the club's activities and goals at the start of the program. Thank you Joe!

ESCONI had a table outside the Simpson Theatre, where people could get information about the club, pick up sample bulletins, or buy the ESCONI Fossil books. Thanks to Jim Fairchild, Andy Hay, Karen Nordquist, and Joe Kubal for helping at the table.

The people in charge of the Museum Lecture Series were Beth Adams and Encarnacion Teruel, they made all the contacts with the speaker, took care of the publicity and organized everything. Beth and Encarnacion expressed their thanks for our co-sponsorship of this program many times.

Irene Broede, 1st Vice President

Throwback Thursday #223: Eugene Richardson - Fossil Localities Old and New #TBT #fossils #history #ThrowbackThursday #MazonCreek @FieldMuseum

This is Throwback Thursday #223.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected].  Thanks!

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Eugene Richardson, Jr. wrote a nice little article for the May 1952 edition of the Chicago Natural History Museum's Bulletin.  At the time, the Field Museum was called to as the Chicago Natural History Museum from 1943 to 1966.  Richardson was Curator of Fossil invertebrates from 1946 until he retired in 1982.

Richardson working on Permian brachiopods collected by Dr. Sharat Roy.  Roy was Curator of Fossil Invertebrates and later Chief Curator of the Geology Department. 

Richardson's article is called "Fossil Localities Old and New".

FOSSIL LOCALITIES OLD AND NEW

by Eugene S. Richardson, Jr

Curator of Fossil Invertebrates

W er, when robins, earthworms, skunks, and such little wild creatures scurry about and begin to take a new interest in life, the paleontologists likewise look up from their winter overlay of books and microscopes. "So pricketh hem nature in hir corages," quoth Chaucer, our favorite spring poet; "Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages."

And away on various "pilgrimages" go the collectors of fossils. Highway construction crews stumble over them, quarry managers shoo them away from their blasting, coal miners find them a mile under the ground; they peer into gullies, chip pieces off of rock ledges, dig in fields and gravel pits, and return to their collections with new treasures from the distant past. Some of these treasures seep into the Museum during the rest of the year, as their proprietors bring them here to be identified (or sometimes just to be admired). We are grateful to those who allow us to look at their fossils, for often we can add a new occurrence to our records.

But an active and growing collection requires additions of its own, beyond the occasional glimpse of what someone else has collected, and so it is that the "fossil hounds" of the Museum staff also go forth to gather new specimens.

There are two kinds of localities that we can work on: the old ones and the new ones. Old localities are those where fossils have been collected before, and new localities are those where we hope to find some. For the benefit of the Museum collection, staff members are planning to visit some of each during the field season of 1952. For the twenty-second consecutive year, George Langford, Curator of Fossil Plants, will make several visits to the spoil heaps of the open coal mines in the vicinity of Wilmington and Braidwood, Illinois. That qualifies as an old locality. The writer, on the other hand, will visit a new locality near Mecca, Indiana, where interesting fossil fragments were discovered only last year by Dr. Rainer Zangerl, Curator of Fossil Reptiles.

SEEK NEW SPECIES

We collect in new localities in order to find new species that should be made known to science, or in order to gain more information on the past distribution of known species, or in order to improve the representation of ancient faunas in the collection. "But why," one might ask, "do you keep going back to the old localities? Surely, you already have all the fossils you need from those places."

No. There are some old localities that aren't worth revisiting for our collection because no species other than those we already have from them has been found there for many years. These we may call "used- up localities," and we might go back to them again to get additional specimens for exchanging with other museums, but not for our own collection. There are other old collecting grounds where we couldn't collect if we wanted to, such as the famous crinoid beds at Crawfordsville, Indiana, or the quarry near Milwaukee that once yielded quantities of fossil fishes. The first is inaccessible because the surface exposures have yielded almost all of their fossils and the rest lie under a forbidding weight of rock and soil; the second, thanks to a legitimate but discouraging operation in land reclamation, is now the bed of a river. These we may call "extincť localities."

But the area near Braidwood and Wilmington, though old, is neither used up nor extinct. No matter how often a locality has been visited, if it still yields fossils that were not in the collection previously, it remains a productive locality, and one that should be periodically re-examined with the object of collecting representatives of all the species present. As in most human endeavor, there is a point of diminishing returns in fossil collecting; it is reached later in some localities than in others.

REASONS FOR RETURN VISITS

A question that may be asked in regard to these places is: "Why don't you take one trip and spend several months all at once instead of doing it in pieces, a few days at a time?" A single long visit might indeed be the answer to collecting in some areas, but conditions differ from place to place. The plant-bearing clay near Puryear, Tennessee, has already been visited a half a dozen times by Mr. Langford, with the writer or Dr. R. H. Whitfield, Research Associate in Fossil Plants, accompanying him, and it is still productive even though strenuously explored on each visit. This is because the clay is being actively quarried for brick-making, and new beds are continually exposed.

The old spoil heaps of the Wilmington-Braidwood coal mines are still productive, even though the miners have long since moved to greener (blacker, that is) fields; for rain, frost, and thaw continually free new specimens from the hard clay of the heaps. Digging in this clay with hand shovels or picks is a forbidding task. In terms of fossils recovered per unit of labor and expense, it is sounder practice to let the weather do the work and to return many times to pick up the specimens freed by natural means.

Whether a locality is old or new, close to civilization or far, it is well for the collector, amateur or professional, to take advice from the hunter and camper: don't go alone. Not only will two people be able to find and bring home somewhat more than twice as much "bacon" as one, but each will be ready to help the other in case of a fall or a flat tire.

I hope you guys are getting out there and finding some nice specimens for "Brag Night" in September!