The collection at this time was in New Harmony. The inappropriate- 

 ness of such a location was soon realized and consequently in December, 

 1854, the specimens and all museum materials were packed in boxes 

 to be sent by boat down the Wabash 40 miles to the Ohio, 120 miles 

 down the Ohio to the Mississippi, 140 miles up the Mississippi to St. 

 Louis, from thence by rail 100 miles to Springfield. But cold weather 

 filled the rivers with ice and the museum did not reach Springfield till 

 the following April, (1855). Even then it was given a cool reception 

 since no place could be found for housing it. Finally it was stored in 

 the Supreme Court room in the building which at that time served as 

 State House. In a few months, in order to make room for the ap- 

 proaching session of the Court it was moved to the Senate' Chainber 

 where it was made accessible during the winter of '55 and '56. During 

 the summer it was moved to the new arsenal building where new cases 

 and drawers were provided. 



But unfortunately the building was not heated and not only did the 

 workers suffer but their reagents and ink froze and consequently dur- 

 ing two or three months the work was given up entirely. 



Such were the obstacles encountered by Dr. Norwood — the neces- 

 sity of moving the museum three times, finally alighting in a place unfit 

 for work; the newness of the field, there having been practically no 

 geological work done previously in the State ; and finally the handicap 

 of small appropriations — from $3,500 to $5,500 per annum only being 

 allowed for all expenses including salaries of geologist and two assist- 

 ants, traveling and office expenses and publications. In the face of such 

 obstacles even if the worker were energetic and competent there would 

 "be danger of criticism from people ignorant of the difficulties under 

 which the work was done.. After six years' work, there being some 

 dissatisfaction with the results shown by the survey* a committee of 

 nine legislators was appointed to investigate the work and reportedf 

 that Dr. Norwood deserved "great credit for the faithful attention 

 which had been bestowed upon this branch of his duty" (the museum) . 



In reply to a request from the committee for his opinion of the 

 museum, the State Geologist of Missouri, G. C. Swallow, wrote : J 



"The collection is very large and contains a great variety of minerals and 

 fossils. * * * When properly arranged and set up in a suitable room, it 

 cannot fail to be a source of pride and gratification to every citizen ' of 

 Illinois * * * ." 



In spite of these comrnendations the Governor's message above 

 quoted reads : "From the unsatisfactory progress made, however, and 

 from the fact that nothing in relation to the survey had ever 'been 

 published or even presented for publication (with the exception of a 

 pamphlet of a hundred pages, the publication of which was obtained 

 by the State officers after much effort and within the last eighteen 

 months) it was deemed essential to reorganize the corps. This was 

 done last spring (March 22, '58) and A. H. Worthen was placed at 

 its head." 



In behalf of Dr. Norwood it might be noted, however, that even his 

 talented successor did not bring out his first report until 1866 that is 



* See Goyernor Blssell's "Governor's Message," Journal of the Senate, 1859 

 t Report of the Committee on the Geological Survey, Feb 10 '57 n' 4 



t ibia, p. 12. ' ' ''• ■ 



