Earl and Pearl Douglass, 1924, 1926

File — Box: 12, Folder: 11

Identifier: IV

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

In 1924 Pearl and her son Gawin were in California for their health while Earl remained in Utah working at the dinosaur quarry and acting as geologist for oil and mineral companies.

10 April 1924--(Earl to Pearl) Douglass wrote that Dr. Frederick J. Pack, Department of Geology, University of Utah, informed him that they had raised the money and wished him to start work on the big Brontosaurus. Douglass mentioned oil company men, geologists, and others interested in the Uinta Basin and wrote "This country must develop, and I would like to have my share in it."

22 May 1924--(Earl to Pearl) "I have some unusual news to tell you. Mr. Kay found some bone which was partly rotten on the edges. He thought it was a couple of small ribs, perhaps of stegosaurus. We are about sick of this scattered trash. I went up to decide whether or not we would throw it over the dump. I thought it didn't look much like ribs. As I uncovered it, it looked less like ribs, until I was sure it wasn't. Followed the bones to one end and it began to look much like a jaw or part of the skull. I said that if I found a tooth I was sure that it was a jaw. I found the tooth. Then Mr. York uncovered the back--posterior portion and it looked as if the whole thing were there. It is not only a skull but it is a big one and one which has never been found before. It is doubtful if it is Brontosaurus. It may be something new throughout or skull and skeleton of something which is known from only a part of a skeleton. We cannot tell yet. Anyway it is a prize. So far as we have worked out the jaw, the teeth are in place. Apparently it will be a beauty. It is of so much interest that I have telegraphed Dr. Pack. I am going to write to him. . .

"Oh, yes, we got the cabin up to the Desert Claim and we made the final proof the third of May. I have the certificate already. This is practically the same as a patent--to be held until the patent is issued. So, as I understand it the little piece of land we so long wanted is ours, and we have 243 acres of our own. Believe me there is a prospect that it will be worth something, too, in spite of the dreary croakers. Things at last seem to be coming our way, our ranch, the Dinosaur Monument, roads etc, etc."

4 June 1924--(Earl to Pearl) "I do not believe the big skeleton is Brontosaurus at all. The skull is dandy and probably twice as big as any other we have found in the quarry. Probably the whole thing is new. Of course it is possible that some of the bones have been named--described, I mean. . . .

"We are now uncovering the posterior portion of a large carnivorous dinosaur, right up against the giant fellow. The hind limbs, feet and pelvis are partly in sight. Besides this the boys have uncovered the anterior part of a tail, to the hips of a medium-sized herbivorous dinosaur. I do not believe we will get this out. . . .

"The University is certainly getting a choice collection, and I guess Doctor Pack is 'tickled to death' though he doesn't write much. We hear of it in the papers."

18 June 1924--(Earl to Pearl) "I think that there was no decision about the Dinosaur quarry and Congress has adjourned, but it may be for the best as it will give time to have the facts published and the conditions known. There has been an effort to have Mr. Mather, the Superintendent of Parks and Monuments--and an enthusiastic lover of nature--come and visit the Monument. He may come this summer."

28 June 1924--(Earl to Pearl) Douglass wrote concerning finances and his work at the quarry and for Mr. Humphreys mapping and making geological reports on oil property. He quoted Dr. George Thomas, of the University of Utah, as saying "We've got the biggest Dinosaur with a skull in the World."

19 July 1924--(Earl to Pearl) Douglass's letter is one of concern for Pearl's health and Gawin's education. He urged her to remain in California during the winter, making it a year since she left home. Finances continued to worry both of them.

6 August 1924--(Pearl to Earl) Pearl described the family in California. Gawin looked for work and Pearl's health improved slowly.

16 August 1924--(Earl to Pearl) Douglass wrote that "a great deal of drilling is going on in the Hamilton area but as yet only gas, a show of oil and water. They now have the oil from the discovery well at Hamilton piped to the railroad at Craig." He continued to write about drilling for oil and stated "If the petroleum business does not come my way before long I may be in Salt Lake City before so very long, but I do not wish to go so long as the geological work is good."

In early 1926 Pearl, living in Montana, was caring for her mother who was ill. Earl wrote letters of despair, worrying about her health and his own and about their separation. Finances continued to plague them with his uncertain employment at the University of Utah and no progress in the oil drilling business.

13 January 1926--(Earl to Pearl) "This world is hell, and yet there are elements of heaven here. I do not at all like the way things go and the suffering we have to endure, yet when the success is won I can see that the tribulation has done me good. I have determined to do all I can myself and then when I can do no more I will have to leave it to the powers which are higher than I or the greater thing that is within me or works through me."

Dates

1924, 1926

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.