CrEOT.OGTCAL AND NATURAL PIISTORY SURVF.YS. 13 



ARKANSAS/ 



FIRST GEOLOtilCAL SDRVEY " UNDER DAVID D. OWEN, 1856-1859. 



Or(/anhafton. — 'The subject of a State geological survey of Ar- 

 kansas was, according to Professor Branner, first brought to public 

 attention by Governor Elias N. Conway in his message to the legis- 

 lature of 185(). Upon his recommendation the matter was taken into 

 consideration and an act passed on January 4, 1857, of which the fol- 

 lowing is a transcript: 



An act to providp for a p;eoloj:,'ifnl survey of tl^^ Stato of Arkansas. 



Sec'I'ion 1. Be if enacted by the General Assembly of the Slate of Arkansuft, 

 That the governor be authorized and empowered to appoint a State geologist, 

 to continue iu office until the close of the next genernl assembly. 



Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the dut.v of the State geologist 

 to make reconnoissance of the State, noting the mining and mineral lands, their 

 geographical position, extejit, ch.aracter, and geographical distribution; to ex- 

 amine and collect specimens of the ores of lead, iron, and other metals, of the 

 marbles, granite, limestones, slates, and all other rocks of economic value, as 

 well as the saline and mineral waters of the State; and to make a report of 

 tlie result of his investigations, suitably illustrated, to the next re.gular session 

 of the legislature. 



Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That a suitable room in the statehouse shall 

 be set apart by the secretary of state, for the use of the State geologist, and 

 the necessary cases and other furniture be furnished, sufficient to deposit speci- 

 mens of all his collections on minerals and fossils, illustrating the different 

 geological formations of this State. 



Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist shall receive a salary 

 at the rate of !?1,S00 per annum, payable quarterly by the State trea.surer, and 

 he shall be authorized, under the direction of the governor, to employ the neces- 

 sary assistance and provide the necessary outfit, and the expenditures of such 

 assistance and outfit, as well as traveling expenses and transportation, shall 

 likewise be paid to him by the State treasurer, from time to time, as .such 

 expenses are incurred, upon a certified account of such disbursement, to be 

 tiled by said geologist, which shall be done unfler oath, accompanied by a 

 statement of his accounts, with the original vouchers as near as can be obtained, 

 and an account of items, to be filed with the auditor of the State. 



Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That the sum of .?4,800 per annum be appro- 

 priated, out of any money in tlie State treasury not otherwise appropriated, for 

 tlie payment of the salary of the geologist and all other expenses incurred. 



Sec. 6. Be it ftirther enacted. This law shall take effect and be in force from 

 and after its passage. 



Approved, January 1.5, 1857. 



Under the provisions of this act Dr. David Dale OAven, then State 

 geologist of Kentucky, was appointed State geologist, entering upon 

 his duties October 1, 1857, 



1 See also Geological Stirvc.v of .Vrkausa^. by .T. C. Braunor. .Tournal of Oeoloiry, vol. i', 

 1894, p. 826. 



= CompilocI in part from manuscripts hy Ricliarri Owon. 



