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Agate Fossil Beds
Administrative History |
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CHAPTER 2:
THE ROAD TO A NATIONAL MONUMENT, 1961-1964
The Preliminary Study and Advisory Board Endorsement, 1961
Decades of dreams and hopeful conversations finally bore fruit in 1960 when the National Park Service, as a component of its "MISSION 66" program, identified the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries in an inventory of scientific areas. In an August 5 letter from Chester C. Brown, Chief of Recreation Resource Planning of the Region II Office in Omaha (now called the Midwest Regional Office), the Service announced, "In connection with our Nationwide planning activities, we should like to include the Agate Fossil Quarries in an inventory of scientific monuments. Our purpose is to provide a readily consulted file of significant scenic, scientific, and cultural resources." [1]
Jack Eichstedt, a Park Planner from the Omaha Office, visited Harold and Margaret Cook on October 5, 1960. [2] A more detailed study of the area was made in November when Ed Alberts and Larry F. Knowles, Division of Proposed Park Studies, visited the ranch for two days. [3]
The prospect of Park Service involvement at Agate excited Harold and Margaret Cook. In a January 16, 1961, letter to his old friend, Howard W. Baker, now the Midwest Regional Director, Cook explained that the principal reason for the establishment of the Cook Museum of Natural History was "to save and protect collections we have here that are irreplaceable. . ."
We have felt for some time that the best possible arrangements should be made to carry on the ownership of the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries, in hands that will not only appreciate and use it, but will prevent vandalism and waste of these irreplaceable resources. To that end I have considered some sort of a trusteeship by one or more of the larger institutions, universities, and organizations, such as the Geological Society of America; and while that would be fine in some respects, in each case and to which we have given some direct thought, there are limiting factors and reasons why THAT ONE, might not work out as it should. I have the feeling that the N.P.S. could do this to the best possible advantage, even if it did require a bit in the way of special or unusual arranging of the usual patterns of activity. Certainly, from the widest viewpoints, it IS worthy of careful thought by all concerned. [4]
Authored by Larry Knowles, the "Preliminary Study of the Agate Springs Quarries Area, Sioux County, Nebraska" was completed on April 14, 1961, and forwarded to Director Conrad Wirth for approval. The Preliminary Study outlined the extent of the National Park Service's plans for a new national monument in northwest Nebraska. The study served not only as the basis of the Service's argument for establishment of an Agate Fossil Beds National Monument before Congress, but for all subsequent initial planning efforts in the new park.
The 1961 Preliminary Study noted that the site was of national significance and met the Evolutionary Development of Modern Mammals portion of Sub-theme VII, Golden Age of Mammals, of the National Park System Plan Handbook. If included, the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries would be unique in the System and "as outstanding to the chapter of life pertaining to Miocene mammals as Dinosaur National Monument is to Jurassic reptiles." [5]
A prefatory remark revealed that Dr. Harold J. Cook "is quite concerned about the future of this classic scientific site when he can no longer care for it. He has indicated he would like to donate his paleontological collection and quarry area to the Service." [6] The report admitted that although the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries had been worked by scientists for more than seventy years, the landscape had been only slightly disturbed. Further, it cited Harold Cook's assertion that "large representative remains" could be found within the untouched portions of Carnegie and University Hills, and Amherst Point—an estimated seventy-five percent of the quarries.
The interpretive potential, according to the Preliminary Study, was great and followed the often-cited National Park System's model, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado:
An unusual opportunity presents itself for display of in situ fossils by tooling beneath the burden at Carnegie Hill to the two- to three-foot thick horizontal fossil beds. Through use of electric lighting and imaginative interpretive display techniques, a visitor could more closely feel himself associated with conditions of this now vanished landscape than is possible even at the elaborately developed Mesozoic fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. Here, he could be made to feel he's right there within the Miocene, so to speak.
In addition, other methods could be used to present the story to the public, including visitor opportunity to observe scientists exposing the deposits, reconstruction of some of the creatures in place, and other interpretive techniques. [7]
With fossil reliefing on-going, there was a natural need for paleontological laboratory facilities at Agate which would then evolve into a Miocene research center complete with a reference library and fossil collection. This added attraction could then be made an important facet of the area's interpretation.
Site feasibility was termed "unusually high" with Cook's intention to make available land to preserve the fossil hills and "any additional land in the family that the Service feels is necessary to preserve the quarries and provide for public use and enjoyment." [8] At the time of the report, Cook had placed no conditions on his offer to donate the land, but several future consideration were discussed:
He would be very pleased if his ranch headquarters area could be retained as a base of operations for research workers in the area since it has so long a tradition of established hospitality to nearly all the noted vertebrate paleontologists of the past half century. He also feels that the achievements of his father in settling this territory and encouraging paleontological work should be memorialized in some way. In addition, he is concerned with the preservation of his father's priceless Indian collection and is very hesitant to break it up. He showed only lukewarm interest in the possible donation of it presently for display at Fort Laramie.
There are about 7 ownerships involved... totaling about 2,600 acres. Assuming Dr. Cook donated the approximate 1,600 acres of family land, there would be about 1,000 acres at an average cost per acre of $50 for the Service to acquire. [9]
The Preliminary Study outlined the "ideal" solution for a national monument consisting of 2,600 acres. The principal area, which included the three fossil quarries, was a 2,200-acre rectangle measuring one and one-half by two miles. Carnegie Hill, the site of the in situ fossil display area, was the focal point of the proposed boundary which was drawn to prevent any adverse development to the natural scene along the east-west road. The Stenomylus Quarry should be attached to the principal monument segment by a new road. The study admitted, however, that little was known about the area.
Similarly, a portion of the Devil's Corkscrew (daemonelix) area was incorporated into the remaining 400-acre tract which included the Agate Springs Ranch headquarters and a strip of State Highway 29. Described as an "interesting secondary feature," the Devil's Corkscrew was "desirable but not essential." With subsequent study, both the Stenomylus and Devil's Corkscrew features could be detached or deleted from the proposed monument. If included, the Service should control a narrow strip of land centering on the county road connecting the two detached areas to prevent adverse development. Control through scenic easement or fee acquisition was recommended for up to 350 acres per mile of roadway.
The Agate Springs Ranch headquarters was envisioned as the site of a visitor center and park headquarters to include orientation and information, laboratory, research library, camping, picnicking, administrative, residential, and utility facilities. Except for the in situ fossil site, interpretive services were also to be a principal function of the park headquarters. The site was chosen "because of the existence of mature trees, a good water supply from springs, both of which would provide pleasant and inviting surroundings and proximity to a state highway." [10] In addition, the facilities would not intrude upon the natural scene of the in situ feature.
The Cooks continued intimate involvement at the Agate Springs Ranch headquarters was seen as an added incentive to place park facilities there:
There is ample room for Dr. Cook to continue living at his home even with the addition of the facilities suggested. In fact, he should be encouraged to stay because of the great contribution and intimate knowledge of the scientific discovery and research aspects of the area's paleontology and the Indian history would indeed be assets to draw upon. His Indian collection is of such a high quality as to be worthy of representation in the Visitor Center as an interesting chapter subordinate to the paleontological theme.
This part of Nebraska can be very hot in the summer and cold and windy in the winter. An inviting oasis such as the Agate Ranch in this Great Plains setting of grassland would encourage the visitor to stay awhile and obtain a more meaningful understanding of the area. For many years, scientists have camped in a portion of the attractive wooded area as a base of operations for study; this type [of] use could continue. More recently, lay visitors to the site have camped here also. [11]
Following this outline of the area's attractiveness, the report hinted at the opposition of Harold Cook: "Although the area described is optimum, it is not minimum. Perhaps Dr. Cook would not be agreeable to this solution in its entirety. If this turns out to be the case after discussions with him, there are other possibilities." Later, it stated, "Perhaps Dr. Cook would prefer not to include a portion of his ranch for Visitor Center-Park Headquarters site. In this event, a minimum solution has been worked out." [12] Clearly, the National Park Service wished to include the Cook ranch headquarters within the boundaries, but was prepared to compromise in the face of Harold Cook's objections.
The alternate proposal called for the same provisions listed under the ideal, except for control of the roadway leading to the two detached areas. The minimum solution outlined the minimal elements acceptable for a national monument. The minimum differed from the ideal only by the absence of the Agate Springs Ranch as the visitor center/headquarters.
The Preliminary Study recommended the Director of the National Park Service approve the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries site as a national monument proposal. Subsequent to the Director's approval, the Midwest Regional Office would commence negotiations with Harold J. Cook, "striving for the Ideal solution, as soon as possible so that the necessary steps can be taken and action initiated to achieve the establishment of this area as a National Monument." [13]
Years later, this entire early park planning process was denounced by Park Service veteran Historian Merrill J. Mattes. Mattes, intimately acquainted with the Cook family from his service at Scotts Bluff, was Midwest Regional Historian during this time. Mattes accused his Omaha colleagues of failing to do their homework:
When the Agate Fossil bed proposition came up the landscape architects, planners, and naturalists took over, notwithstanding the fact that the historical elements were important. As Regional Historian I was left entirely out of it; all the planning and consulting was done without considering historical interpretation or preservation. Also ignored was the fact that I was acquainted with the Cook family, the principals as well as the daughters. Had I not been excluded (for whatever reason) from the process, not only would there have been a better grasp of the historical dimension, there would have been a better understanding of the people the NPS was dealing with. I was fully aware of the antagonism between the four daughters and their stepmother, but when that surfaced later, everyone else was amazed. Had I been consulted I could have warned that any agreement with the NPS that did not include an understanding with the girls would be an agreement in jeopardy. [14]
Also from retrospect, former Midwest Regional Director Howard W. Baker did not recall that the Regional Historian was left out of planning, but Baker believed early planning was broad enough to include all the aspects: ranch, collections, and quarries. [15]
At its April 15-19, 1961 meeting, the Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monuments considered the Preliminary Study. The Advisory Board concurred that the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries should be acquired for establishment as a national monument. [16] A news release from Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall's office on May 30 announced the Board's decision. [17]
Serious negotiations commenced June 26, 1961, when Regional Director Howard Baker and Chet Brown, Chief of Recreational Resources and Planning, went to Agate. Accompanied by Scotts Bluff Superintendent John W. Henneberger, the group conferred with the Cooks. It marked the first time since the development of Scotts Bluff National Monument in the mid-1930s that Cook and Baker had worked together. Baker remarked:
I am greatly enthused about the future of the Agate Quarries and hope something can be worked out. We shall let you know as soon as we can arrange for our planner to come to the area to work out preliminary development plans. [18]
Two months later another Service team arrived. Richard W. Barnett (Western Office, Design and Construction, San Francisco) and Harry Robinson (Chief, National Park System Planning) and Larry Knowles (Chief, Proposed-Park Studies), both of the Omaha Office, came for further discussions. [19]
In a show of good faith, Harold Cook donated an additional assortment of frontier style furniture to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. [20] While confidence with the National Park Service boomed, dissention began to grow within the family. A grandson studying economics at the University of Nebraska asserted that the investment of tax dollars at Agate would be wasteful as the majority of Americans would rather see the fossils displayed in a museum. Castigating him for short-sightedness, Margaret C. Cook responded that "your attitude toward his lifelong dream of this development of the fossil quarries will hurt [Harold] very much." [21]
Harold J. Cook's Death, 1962
Following the fast-moving, positive developments of 1961, the momentum for the proposed national monument evaporated with surprising swiftness in 1962. Had the National Park Service proceeded to obtain prompt Congressional approval, the course of development at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument may have been quite different. In the first nine months, there had been no action taken by the Park Service.
The sole initiative came from Harold Cook. In a seven-page letter to Howard Baker dated March 5, 1962, Cook delineated terms for relinquishing his rights to the government. Cook wanted the Agate Springs Ranch to continue as an operating ranch. Clearly he was concerned that land required for the monument not impede ranch operations. He specifically cited the "640 acres of the quarry hills area" and his donation of rights to the area providing "related considerations" were agreed upon. As background for his position, Cook explained:
The situation which my father laid out here, and which we have further developed at Agate around our home, with its groves and other buildings, corrals, ditches, etc., is something that has required almost 75 years to grow, develop, and produce and it could not be duplicated, since unalterable topographic and physical factors are involved, in ways vital to make this possible as it is today. It would take completely prohibitive expense and time to make even a workable inferior substitute.
Our whole ranch operations and economy are based on the irrigated valley sections of this ranch, with its hub and operational center at Agate; and in and around this area our main grove is situated. Consequently, the problems we face in your wanting to take over this grove area, go far beyond the old home in which we live, or any sort of life-tenancy arrangement for us to continue to occupy it, while we live. This actually strikes at the very foundation of our ranch operations here, from which we derive our principal income. [Emphasis added by author.]
This is a vital, key area, necessary for the continuation of our ranch operations, as long as we operate this Agate Springs Ranch, in many ways, that I could show you in detail . . . might not be seen or realized by people long distances away, who are not practical ranch operators. [22]
Cook further explained:
We were particularly delighted when the National Park Service approached us, proposing to develop these famous deposits properly, and make them available to the public in a safe and proper manner. It is exactly the sort of thing my father, my wife, and I have all hoped to be able to do for many years in some practical manner. This suggestion which you people made would offer a most practical solution. Anticipating the possibility of some such development many years ago, when it became necessary for me to transfer surface title to the land on which the fossil quarries are situated to others, I inserted in the deed a clause by which I retained, in perpetuity, all rights for the exploration and development of these quarries for scientific and educational purposes, and together with rights of ingress and egress to and from the quarry areas, which means the right to build roads and a right-of-way across the adjoining lands later acquired by George H. Hoffman, as well. [23]
George Hoffman was Harold Cook's son-in-law. In 1934, Hoffman married Margaret ("Margy") Cook and acquired Eleanor Barbour Cook's property—including the quarries, but not the quarrying rights which Harold Cook retained—and began ranching. The Hoffmans purchased another large tract from Harold Cook in 1948 and lived in the Bone Cabin for several years until their own ranchhouse was built in 1952. [24] Cook stated that Hoffman would have to be bought out as he "is unwilling to deal with you, since he does not have the background, perspectives, or interest in scientific and educational matters that we have and since he is completely dependent for his present and future income on this property." If the government purchased Hoffman's surface rights, preparatory to developing the fossil beds in situ, "I will, as I told you, convey all my rights and title to the quarries to the N.P.S. as a donation, in appreciation of their being put to this splendid public use." Cook also promised, if a museum and research center were built at Agate, to donate his extensive research library "for permanent use and safekeeping, if it is kept here, catalogued and made available to properly accredited research people." [25]
Cook's primary concern was that land, water rights, and windbreaks not be taken by the Federal Government. Without these, operation of the Agate Springs Ranch would be impossible. Preliminary plans called for Service headquarters to be built in the cottonwood grove enveloping the ranchhouse. Cook made a counter-offer:
. . .since the suggestions made to place this in our grove here are impractical from our ranch operations standpoint. . . I am willing to give to this project enough land adjoining Highway 29, and just east of the oiled State road, on which to locate your headquarters facilities, such as you, personally mentioned to me, and space for the proposed Museum and Research Center, to house the present collections of the Cook Museum of Natural History, appropriately and safely in fireproof quarters, properly exhibited, and, in the case of the library and research specimens, kept here permanently, catalogued, and with appropriate supervision and protection at all times. I must have positive, unalterable guarantees that these collections are to be kept in this area permanently, and not transferred for storage, or any other purposes, away from this area where they belong, and are of most effective use. [26]
Until the Service planted its own trees to shade and protect its facility, the Cook grove across the highway would provide this assistance. The use of the Agate Springs Ranch picnic grounds was also offered. As for the Park Service's desire to own and control all adjoining lands to prevent commercial development, Cook stated that he owned all the land within a mile in each direction, had never permitted any outside developments, and would cooperate on this point. He added:
Some features... like Daemonilix... can be worked into development without our having to run our ranch under serious handicaps, or you buying the whole thing from us. We know that the N.P.S. has long been wanting a Grasslands National Park, and it is possible you might want to consider these two ranches as the nucleus of, or a type unit of, such an area. In that event, of course, the N.P.S. would have to pay the commercial price for these lands, some 5,000 acres, as we cannot afford to donate them. [27]
In Omaha, great enthusiasm followed Harold Cook's positive letter. In the following six months, the National Park Service studied Cook's letter and discussed various planning alternatives. The delay proved costly. On September 29, following a bout of viral pneumonia, Harold J. Cook died from a massive coronary thrombosis. The result of Cook's sudden death, although an obstacle in the road to a national monument did not become clear for several years. A Pandora's box of troubles opened. Within the Cook family a simmering rift—largely unknown to the Service—became much deeper and gradually manifested itself, much to the distress of the National Park Service.
Eight days after Harold Cook's death, Margaret C. Cook informed Regional Director Howard Baker of her intention to see the monument established and to work with the Midwest Regional Office on the basis of her husband's March 5 letter to Baker. Scottsbluff attorney Lester Danielson joined Margaret Cook in her campaign. With Danielson's strong support, the widow announced her plan to form the "Agate Springs National Monument Association," a lobby group to further the establishment of the monument. Mrs. Cook also asked for a prompt meeting with Service officials "to carry on as if Harold were here." [28]
When Harold Cook's will was probated on October 5, 1962, the provisions were disappointing for the Service. Cook had failed to update his will. Executed in 1949, the document did not include a codicil for donating any portion of the Agate Springs Ranch for a national monument. Howard Baker later recalled how "aghast" Park Service officials were when they discovered Harold Cook never updated his will, but felt justified that no prompting or "looking over the shoulder" of Harold Cook was ever done. [29]
Harold Cook's widow was named executrix and was given "all land and real estate and interests during the term of her natural life." His four daughters, Margaret, Winifred, Dorothy, and Eleanor, were bequeathed equal shares of this life estate. Therein lay the basis for the widening disagreement between stepmother and stepdaughters. Margaret Crozier Cook welcomed the National Park Service with open arms to fulfill her late husband's wishes while her stepdaughters were less enthused by the Federal Government appropriating any part of the ranch headquarters. The remainder of the estate, which included personal papers and the famous Indian collection, went to Margaret Crozier Cook. [30]
Harold Cook had clearly stated his objection to an all-encompassing National Monument in his March 1962 letter. His intention of a ranch operating under the control of his heirs in coexistence with the monument became clouded and eventually diverted by his widow. Margaret C Cook, portraying herself as sole owner and excluding her stepdaughters in the decision-making process, advocated a "shrine concept" whereby to honor her late husband. The Agate Springs Ranch headquarters would become incorporated into the monument, the house to be used for exhibits and the grove for a picnic and camping area. Her vision of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument emphasized not simply the fossil quarries, but enshrining both Harold Cook and Captain James H. Cook in the new park.
This vision, nurtured by early park planning, provided for an expansive park area, and did not allow for the positions of Harold Cook's four daughters or the future operation of the Agate Springs Ranch. It was Margaret C. Cook's vision, acting as spokesman for the Cook family, that the National Park Service and the Nebraska Congressional Delegation eagerly embraced. Commenting later on her stepmother's actions and favored sale of ranch headquarters, Dorothy Cook Meade wrote:
Naturally she did all in her power to further this aim; and under her guidance, all publicity for years was based on the assumption that this sale could be treated as an accomplished fact.
Mrs. Margaret Cook, however, had only a life estate in the ranch. This gave her control of ranching operations and all income during her life, and all personal property to dispose of as she liked; but it did not give her ownership of land.
Harold Cook, our father, liked the idea of an Agate Fossil Beds National Monument but not in the form it was threatening to take before he died. He opposed purchase of large tracts of ranchland for the Monument, regardless of the owner. It was his opinion that 350 acres would be ample for the Monument and all its facilities; an opinion shared by many informed observers.
He was adamant in his refusal to consider sale of any part of Agate Ranch headquarters for Monument purposes. Nevertheless, after his death in 1962, plans for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument rolled ahead, expanding rapidly... up to 3,150 acres of ranchland, including the entire headquarters of our ranch. These plans were at all times represented as fulfilling Harold Cook's great dream, although his letter of March 1962... was on record to the contrary. [31]
The conflicting visions caused a deep rift within the Cook family with Margaret C. Cook portraying herself as the monument's enthusiastic champion able to mediate and overcome any opposition from within her own family. Mrs. Meade later asserted:
Since our existence was never referred to, it was the logical assumption that Mrs. Margaret Cook was the owner of Agate Springs Ranch, and could make the various donations of land and quarrying rights frequently publicized. There were those within the National Park Service who knew that Mrs. Cook did not own a great deal of that which she was credited with donating; but no doubt they found it awkward to correct this impression with the publicity campaign well under way. We also found it awkward, difficult to combat, and simply let it go. [32]
On November 7, Chester Brown and Larry Knowles, accompanied by Scotts Bluff's new superintendent, Harold R. ("Bob") Jones, met with Mrs. Cook and attorney Danielson. [33] Also present to discuss the monument proposal from the standpoint of paleontological significance were Malcolm McKenna and Morris Skinner from New York's American Museum of Natural History. Among other topics, Mrs. Cook gained assurances that the Service had no objection to the donation of Harold Cook's fossil collection found outside Agate Springs Fossil Quarries to the New York institution, [34] a decision later regretted by some Park Service personnel.
Scotts Bluff Superintendent Bob Jones soon became a close, personal friend of Mrs. Cook, and a devoted advocate of the proposed monument. In a November 23 memorandum to Midwest Regional Director Howard Baker, Superintendent Jones accepted the title of "Special National Park Service Representative of the Agate Quarry Project." Jones continued discussions with area landowners and reported that at a meeting in Scottsbluff of 100 businessmen, there was considerable local support for the new monument. [35]
The Cook Collection Goes To Scotts Bluff, 1963
On November 30, 1962, Mrs. Cook and attorney Lester Danielson visited Scotts Bluff National Monument to discuss storing the Cook library and Indian and Western gun collection there. Because of her periodic absences from the ranch, Margaret Cook expressed concern that the valuable items were not safe from fire, or from family members who wanted to possess some of the articles. Mrs. Cook repeated her intention to donate most, if not all, of the items to the Park Service. The fireproof walk-in vault at Scotts Bluff was an ideal place for the artifacts. Superintendent Jones noted:
She is very anxious not to have either the library or the artifact collection broken up. She will not be willing to donate this material until there is reasonable assurance that the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries National Monument will be established and the material can be used and exhibited there. [36]
Jones asked Regional Director Baker for special authority from the Director to store the historic, but not Federally-owned, items at Scotts Bluff, and forwarded a draft agreement for review. [37]
Following a ruling of the Interior Department's Field Solicitor in Omaha, the Regional Director reported on January 25, 1963, that since the loan was advantageous to the Service, "there is authority for accepting such loans where there is no unusual expense to the Government for maintenance, protection, and/or display." With the assistance of Field Solicitor Morris Cook (no relation), the Regional Office developed a proposed loan agreement based on Jones' draft. [38] On February 17 and 18, while Jones discussed the agreement, Mrs. Cook declared she would donate the collection when the fossil beds became a national monument. [39] During the review of the draft agreement, Field Solicitor Cook stated that since the estate of Harold J. Cook had not been officially closed, Mrs. Cook as an individual had no right to loan the objects until title to the objects had been transferred to her by the Sioux County Probate Court. The field solicitor urged that Mrs. Cook not only sign as an individual and as executrix, but a court order voicing approval should also be required. [40]
Margaret C. Cook signed the loan agreement in her Scottsbluff attorney's office on March 4, 1963. Scotts Bluff Superintendent Bob Jones signed on behalf of the Service. Lester Danielson did not agree to the need for a Sioux County Probate Court order, and Jones did not pursue the stipulation. [41] The agreement formalized Mrs. Cook's desire to donate the collection "if the establishment of the Monument in the vicinity of Agate, Nebraska, is assured before January 1, 1967," the centennial of the State of Nebraska. [42]
The transfer of the Cook Collection to Scotts Bluff began in the following weeks. Regional Museum Curator Newell F. Joyner was at the Agate Springs Ranch from May 13 to 15 to assist in packaging and fumigating the bulk of the collection. [43] On May 16, Mrs. Cook received an official receipt for the loaned collection which acknowledged that the items would be stored at Scotts Bluff until "the establishment of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and the construction of suitable facilities for the storage and research use of the material." [44] On the same day, Mrs. Cook, with her personal secretary Mrs. Teresa Forsling (wife of the foreman of the Agate Springs Ranch), helped Fort Laramie Museum Curator Robert Murray in conducting an inventory of the items. Stored in the vault at Scotts Bluff were thirty-eight cartons containing a paleontological research library of 5,656 books, periodicals, journals, research papers, and other scientific papers and publications. In addition, the Cook Indian Collection of artifacts and wearing apparel, and the Western gun collection were also in safekeeping at Scotts Bluff. [45]
Legislative Efforts Fizzle, 1963-1964
During the first week of January 1963, Senator Roman L. Hruska called Howard Baker and offered his strong support for the proposed monument. Hruska had already been approached by a Nebraska press delegation lobbying for a National Park Service unit at Agate. Among that group (whose other members are not known) was Joe Seacrest, a reporter for the Lincoln Journal. Seacrest's enthusiasm and appreciation for the quarries was contagious, both in his writing and his lobbying effort, and served to spark the staunch advocacy of Roman Hruska. The Cooks and the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries were by no means unfamiliar to Hruska who had toured the ranch and the fossil beds on a swing through the Nebraska Panhandle several years before. The press delegation approached Omaha-based Senator Hruska (elected to Congress in 1952 and the Senate in 1954) because of his important appropriations committee positions and other primary contacts vital to advancing the Agate initiative. Nebraska's other U.S. Senator, Carl T. Curtis from "out-state" Kearney County near Minden (elected to Congress in 1939 and appointed to the Senate in 1955), also supported the measure, but did not emerge as its principal Senate advocate.
Hruska thus began close consultations with the National Park Service, primarily with personnel at Scotts Bluff and the Midwest Regional Office, and later during the legislative process with the Washington Office. Hruska had considerable respect for the National Park Service and the dedication of its employees. He enjoyed particularly close working relationships with Park Service directors Conrad Wirth and George Hartzog and discussed the Agate program with them on several occasions. Close, too, was Hruska's acquaintance with Margaret C. Cook. The two corresponded frequently and held several meetings. The Senator admired Mrs. Cook's determination and dedication to the proposed park and believed her personal lobbying and testimony convinced members of Congress to support Agate Fossil Beds also. It was not until after the park's authorization, however, that Roman Hruska became aware of the different views of Mrs. Cook's stepdaughters. At no time did Mrs. Cook discuss this with Senator Hruska. [46]
On January 15, Howard Baker informed Mrs. Cook that it would be advisable to introduce a bill to establish the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument soon if it was to receive consideration and action during 1963. Baker offered Mrs. Cook a life tenancy; the Service would purchase her land within the proposed boundary and the ranching operations could continue for the rest of her life. Baker said a solution could be found to provide suitable access for the Cook cattle to and from the corral area, either by a bridge or culvert. As for the location of land donated for administrative and residential purposes, he suggested twenty acres east of Highway 29 for a Service residential area and six acres west of the highway for the visitor center and administrative offices. The later site would be bounded on the north by the Niobrara, on the east by Highway 29, on the south by an irrigation ditch, and the west by the old State Highway 29 alignment. Baker concluded:
Your offer to donate perhaps 30 or 40 acres of land and the scientific and historical library and collections to the Federal Government on the condition that the National Monument be established could not but help impress the Congress favorably. Authority to accept donations should be, and customarily is, included in any bill authorizing a new park or monument.
. . .I wanted particularly to point out to you that we should strive for early introduction of legislation and that many details concerning land acquisition, donations, and other matters can be worked out later. The big objective now is to get the Monument authorized. [47]
Predictably, Mrs. Cook signalled her concurrence by authorizing Senator Hruska to proceed and get the monument authorized. She assured Baker there would be no insoluable problems. [48] The wheels of progress did not gain much speed. During the same March 4 meeting with Superintendent Jones when the loan agreement was signed, Lester Danielson announced his intention to write Senator Hruska outlining his client's plan to donate the Cook Collection as well as land for an administrative site for the national monument. He agreed to delay sending the letter until Midwest Regional Director Baker contacted Senator Hruska about introducing the requisite legislation. [49]
The Agate proposal first came to public attention in mid-March 1963. The Omaha World-Herald featured the initiative, announcing Senator Hruska's interest and his impending trip to the area to meet with National Park Service personnel. The newspaper reported the Midwest Regional Office was preparing a study for Congress outlining the proposal and that "a good deal of the land is owned by Mrs. Harold J. Cook." Howard Baker told the news paper that "Mrs. Cook is anxious to carry out his [Harold Cook's] wishes that the National Park Service take over the site. Other owners of the land are favorable to the development." [50]
Thus began a succession of favorable press accounts in Nebraska. The World-Herald editorialized that the price for developing the new park would be $1,750,000, but that "Preservation of one of the greatest of scientific treasures should be worth that much, and more." [51] The Lincoln Journal believed it would assist in the continued growth of the Nebraska Panhandle while providing a "great educational service" in helping the State realize it possessed one of the richest fossil concentrations in the United States. The newspaper added, "The national monument would not only be a fine thing in itself, but it could further stimulate Nebraskans to greater development of points of interest and recreation. The fossil monument is evidence of the potential that could be realized by this state." [52]
The Midwest Regional Office's "Summary Statement for a Proposed Agate Fossil Beds National Monument" was ready for distribution on April 15, 1963. It stated that park headquarters—a visitor center, campground, staff housing, and administrative facilities—would be "in the vicinity of the Agate Springs Ranch," and that "Mrs. Cook has expressed the desire to donate sufficient land for these headquarters developments." The report recommended an area of 3,150 acres for the monument. It continued, "The proposal has been discussed with the owners who have all indicated an interest in it and a willingness to negotiate with the National Park Service concerning their property." The Summary Statement concluded with a map, drawn originally in March 1961 and revised in April 1963. All of the Agate Springs Ranch headquarters area on the west side of Nebraska Highway 29 fell within the "Developed Area" for park headquarters. [53]
On April 17, Senator Hruska led a press delegation to the Agate Springs Ranch for an inspection tour of the proposed monument. Declaring his full support, Hruska told reporters, "It is my intention to introduce such a bill [authorizing Agate Fossil Beds National Monument] at a very early date." [54] Hruska advised that Nebraska 3rd District Representative David Martin would introduce a similar bill in the House. Regional Director Howard Baker added that if the bill passed during the current session, the Park Service would be authorized to seek funds to begin construction in fiscal 1965, but it was unlikely development would be completed by Nebraska's centennial year. Scotts Bluff Superintendent Jones commented that the proposed visitor center at the Agate Springs Ranch headquarters could be finished as early as 1967. Mrs. Margaret Cook hosted the delegation of twenty-three with a dinner and then led them on a tour of the Carnegie Hill quarry. She made it clear that "establishment of a museum and paleontologic[al] study center was a dream of her late husband and that she was attempting to bring that dream to a reality." [55]
One of the most significant questions newsmen asked during the Hruska visit concerned the land acquisition program. Service officials responded that since no appropriation was available, no offers had been made. They quickly added, however, that the landowners involved were all contacted and "agreeable," and they foresaw no obstacles. In direct opposition to these statements, however, was George Hoffman who stated no one had even discussed land acquisition with him or any of his neighbors, with the obvious exception of Margaret C. Cook. Indeed, Mrs. Cook had not even invited the Hoffmans to participate in any of the events of Hruska's visit.* Subsequent to his visit, however, a Park Service official did discuss the matter with Hoffman and showed him a map. Prior to this, Hoffman asserted he had no idea how much land the Service wanted to take for the park. When he learned he would be left with only a small strip of land which would effectively make future ranching impossible, he was told the Park Service would take his entire ranch to alleviate this problem. [56]
*While Mrs. Cook declined to include the Hoffmans (and thereby prevent dissenting viewpoints from being aired), the Hoffmans were not dropped from Senator Hruska's mailing list for the occasion. The Senator's staff sent out letters under his signature expressing how he "enjoyed the day with you," and "we will keep in close touch." It continued, "Again, my thanks for your long standing and active support of legislation to preserve this historic area." A search of the files revealed no further correspondence to the Hoffmans. See Roman Hruska to Mr. and Mrs. George Hoffman, letter, 20 April 1963, Box 24: Correspondence, Alphabetical, 88-89th Congress, folder 123, Papers of U.S. Senator Roman L. Hruska, Nebraska State Historical Society.
It was during the early spring of 1963 that Margaret C. Cook terminated all communications—up to her death five years later—with her four stepdaughters (whether this occurred before or after the Hruska visit is not known). As for her local relatives, Mrs. Cook requested that Margaret Hoffman discontinue receiving her mail at the Agate Post Office in order to avoid contact. Apparently, Mrs. Cook was angry over the suggestion that, if deemed appropriate by a judge, she pay her equal share of the Federal estate tax and mortgage encumbered on the ranch. She viewed this as a personal affront and, combined with her stepdaughters' unwillingness to embrace her position on the monument, Margaret C. Cook redoubled her efforts to ensure Congressional authorization for the park with boundaries which encompassed the ranch headquarters. Ingrained with this bitter attitude, Mrs. Cook referred to her stepdaughters' legal appeal as a blatant attempt to break Harold Cook's will and, thereby, her prerogatives. [57]
Hruska believed in the importance of including the Agate Springs Ranch headquarters within the boundaries of the national monument. He later recalled:
I think it is of prime importance for the normal tourist—aside from those who are scientifically qualified and interested—or the normal tourist that has a more or less superficial appreciation of paleontology. Unless there is on-site concrete evidence of the products of that site, it is most difficult to enlist support, enthusiasm, or interest. Without a display and without the ranch headquarters and exhibit hall, it's almost impossible to get attendance and interest. [58]
The Hruska visit spurred Margaret Cook to intensify her vigorous letter-writing campaign lobbying for legislation. People of influence, particularly members of Congress, were invited to come to the Agate Springs Ranch as her guest and see the fabulous fossil quarries firsthand. Referring to the bone-wearying effort, "I have to live outside of myself," she declared to a family member to whom she also confessed disappointment and frustration:
I do wish so much that the family would all get back of Harold's plans for the Monument. It grieves me that M. and G. [Margaret and George Hoffman] are behaving so queerly. I only wish them the best, and George will be the only one in the family to really profit by the project. He will receive a very fine price for his land. As he was going to sell anyway, it seems to me this is merely putting a very unusual opportunity for profit in his path. Why he behaves as he does is perplexing to me. I have studied psychology, but I confess these two baffle me.
I feel very, very strongly that since Harold and I have saved the ranch, have put it on a fine, businesslike, profitable basis, and have improved it considerably, and then have so drawn our Wills that it goes to the family, we both deserve fair consideration and deserve to have Harold's wishes and those of his father respected. This is my strong feeling. [59]
In an attempt to involve and inspire other family members in the monument proposal, Margaret Cook discussed the possibility of her son-in-law Grayson Meade's employment as the paleontologist at Agate Fossil Beds. The position, according to Bob Jones, could probably be arranged, although the potential salary would not be an incentive. [60]
A severe disappointment for Margaret Cook came in May 1963 when Director Conrad Wirth demanded Bob Jones' immediate transfer to the Washington Office to head the Park System Studies Division. To Margaret Cook, Bob Jones was the National Park Service official most committed to the proposed monument. His transfer would be a severe blow. Both Howard Baker and Margaret Cook wrote Director Wirth asking for a delay of the transfer until authorization occurred. Thanking Mrs. Cook for her effort, Jones admitted, "Our requests may not prevent my transfer, but at least we tried our best." [61] Jones was correct. By early June, he was on duty in the Washington Office.
The long-awaited day for introducing legislation for establishment of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument came on May 8, 1963, during the First Session of the 88th Congress. In the Senate, Roman Hruska introduced S.1481, while in the House, Dave Martin submitted H.R. 6149. The identical bills were referred to each chamber's Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. [62]
If Roman Hruska did not already know about the dispute in the land acquisition at Agate, he became informed through a June 8 letter from Scottsbluff attorney Robert Simmons, Jr. Written in response to statements in the Congressional Record upon the introduction of legislation. Simmons wrote that the quarries were not on Agate Springs Ranch land, but owned by George and Margaret Hoffman. Simmons explained that Harold Cook had conveyed the land in a property settlement to his first wife, Eleanor B. Cook, in the 1920s. Eleanor Cook later conveyed the property to her daughter and son-in-law to form the Hoffman Ranch. Simmons stated that Margaret C. Cook, responsible for breaking up the marriage of Harold and Eleanor Cook, was fully aware of the quarries ownership, but chose not to elaborate the fact during Hruska's April visit. He added that the Hoffman Ranch was quite small with only 140 cows and the Hoffman could not understand why they had to relinquish all of their land when a mere thirty-acre area was involved. The Hoffmans contended that not even Harold Cook had favored such a large area. "Now that Harold J. Cook is deceased, Mrs. Cook has made it as her personal project, to create a monument there and has suggested an area which included all of Mr. Hoffman's ranch and has offered very little additional land that is actually owned by herself." [63]
The new superintendent of Scotts Bluff, Keith E. Miller, first met Margaret Cook at the Agate Springs Ranch on July 23. During the four-hour meeting, the two discussed the problem of George Hoffman. Hoffman's lawyers had already contacted the Midwest Regional Office proclaiming Hoffman's opposition to the national monument. Superintendent Miller reported to the Regional Director:
She [Mrs. Cook] requested that I not approach Mr. Hoffman on the proposal at this time. She stated that there was some difficulty, but that it was a family affair; and, although there were friendly relations between all members of the family, that Mr. Hoffman was uncooperative. She was certain that Mrs. Hoffman would see the value of the project and would bring him around. She also stated that she was certain the government would pay what Mr. Hoffman wanted for his land and probably more than he expected. I did not attempt to enlighten her on that prospect at this time.
On our return from the tour of the quarry, we drove behind Mr. Hoffman's pickup through the gate and by the Hoffman residence. Mrs. Cook indicated that she would prefer not stopping at the house although she was sure Mr. Hoffman would be quite friendly.
My general impression at this point is that there is considerable conflict in the family and that Mr. Hoffman will not cooperate to the extent that has been previously indicated. Some mention was made by Mrs. Cook of the land that Mr. Hoffman claims an option on of $10.00 an acre. Her statement was that he desired to acquire the land for $10.00 so he could sell it to the government for $40.00. [64]
Miller also conveyed Mrs. Cook's plans to occupy a three-room suite in the Agate Springs Ranch House, while visitors could see the remaining rooms. She also wished to retain the old Agate Post Office (of which she remained the postmistress) as part of the historic scene of the ranch. Miller concluded he was impressed with the woman's desire "to be closely associated with the National Park Service. This was manifested in many ways, some too subtle to attempt to delineate. The presumption here is the probable alienation of George Hoffman and possibly other principals. . . ." [65]
While the April 1963 "Summary Statement" failed to clarify the land acquisition situation, the August 1963 Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: A Proposal, which was published by the Midwest Regional Office for public information, did elaborate on the point:
Mrs. Cook. . . has expressed a desire to donate sufficient land in the vicinity of the Agate Springs Ranch quarters for the Monument headquarters, and to donate quarrying rights at the principal Agate Springs Fossil Quarries (an area including Carnegie and University Hills). These rights include provisions for exploration and development of the quarries for scientific and educational purposes and for road access.* The surface rights for this area belong to Mr. George Hoffman. [66]
*The "quarrying rights" refer to the stipulations Harold Cook inserted in the 1926 deed conveying surface rights to Eleanor B. Cook. The legality of these rights upon his death passing to Margaret C. Cook was never challenged in court.
The August 1963 report repeated the figure of 3,150 acres recommended for the new park. The boundaries were justified in order to preserve principal paleontological sites and a "scenic stretch of the Niobrara River bluffs which today is somewhat indicative of the ancient scene here in Miocene times." It further explained that the proposed boundaries would "protect from unsightly developments the unspoiled scene along the existing roads; preserve the locale at the Agate Springs Ranch where scientific groups based their early historic operations; and provide space for the necessary public and administrative facilities." [67]
On February 7, 1964, following a report by the Budget Bureau that the Johnson administration did not object to the establishing legislation, Senator Hruska predicted speedy congressional approval before the fall adjournment. Unlike H.R. 6149, S. 1481 was blessed with a broad base of support. Joining Senator Hruska as co-sponsors were Carl Curtis (R.-Nebr.), Milward Simpson (R.-Wyo.), Gordon Allott and Petere Dominick (R.-Colo.), Gale McGee (D.-Wyo.), and Karl Mundt (R.-S.Dak.). [68] A week later, the Department endorsed the legislation and submitted recommendations to the Senate and House committees on Interior and Insular Affairs. In March, the Secretary of the Interior presented each member of the Nebraska Congressional Delegation and other sponsors of the bills copies of the Department's full report on the proposal. [69] Hruska confided to Margaret Cook confidence that his bill would pass the Senate by Easter, and clear the House by early summer. [70]
On March 11, 1964 following Baker's* transfer as Assistant Director for Operations under new Director George B. Hartzog, Jr., Mrs. Cook wrote Lemuel A. ("Lon") Garrison welcoming him as Baker's replacement. Baker's move, coming less than a year after Jones', was another setback. While the constant shift of personnel must have proven mystifying as well as un settling, Margaret C. Cook expressed full confidence in the National Park Service. She invited the new, regional director to attend the April 17 organizational meeting of the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Association. [71]
*Howard Baker stated he never considered acquisition of the Agate Springs Ranch headquarters vital to the authorization of the park. His primary concern was for the protection of the fossil quarries and a natural entrance-way into the park. See Howard W. Baker, interview with author, Omaha, Nebraska, 13 May 1986, transcript, p. 4.
On March 17, Superintendent Miller drove to the Agate Springs Ranch to discuss the formation of the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Association. He wrote, "I was unable to determine the specific motive for the formation of the organization except that it will undoubtedly be a prime pressure group. It can be hoped that their efforts can be directed primarily in assisting the National Park Service." [72]
Because Garrison had not yet entered on duty in Omaha,* Acting Regional Director Harry Robinson and Superintendent Miller attended the April 17 event. Earl Cherry, a Mitchell rancher and member of the Nebraska Centennial Committee, was elected president. Gene Ramsey, Crawford (Nebraska) Tribune publisher, was elected vice-president; Father Robert L. O'Neill, Harrison, was elected secretary, and Paul Hefti, executive vice-president of the Bank of Chadron, was elected treasurer. Other members of the board of directors were Margaret C. Cook; Lester Danielson; Gene Kemper, publisher of the Alliance (Nebraska) Times-Herald; W. E. Mumby, Harrison attorney; and Gerald Bardo, copublisher of the The Harrison (Nebraska) Sun and Lusk (Wyoming) Herald. [73]
*Lon Garrison did meet with Mrs. Cook at the Agate Springs Ranch on the morning of May 14, and was reported to be "impressed with the quality of the area and in the possibilities for development." See Harry Robinson to Margaret Cook, letter, 18 May 1964, box 46, Cook Papers.
The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Association was incorporated with the State of Nebraska on May 19, 1964, with the purpose of promoting the establishment of "Agate Springs National Monument." The day before, the same officers and directors filed incorporation papers for a separate entity, the "Agate Springs Foundation." Its purpose was to "receive and maintain a fund for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes in connection with the Agate Springs National Monument." [74]
During the early weeks of spring the uneasy truce in the Cook family shattered. No longer willing to sit idly by and allow their stepmother free reign regarding the future of the family ranch, Winifred C. McGrew Howard wrote a candid letter in which she expressed the four daughters' position that they, not Margaret C. Cook with her life interest, were the actual owners of the Agate Springs Ranch. The letter, which received only polite responses from public officials, along with other circumstances served to rupture the already strained relationship between stepmother and stepdaughters. Margaret C. Cook continued not to speak to Margaret and George Hoffman or any other family member who opposed her views. With this communication source terminated, information concerning Park Service plans at Agate had to be obtained by direct request as no attempt was made to inform the four heirs. [75]
Another chapter in the growing public anticipation for the monument came in April. Senior architecture students at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln revealed plans and sketches for visitor facilities at Carnegie Hill. The students proposed elaborate plans for multi-level chambers to view excavations and a subterranean auditorium for interpretive purposes. [76] Covered extensively in the press, the students' concepts were more grandiose than the popular public conception which held Dinosaur National Monument as the model. The University hoped the Park Service would incorporate these ideas when construction drawings were prepared. The highly imaginative plans served to heighten public expectations throughout Nebraska for the Congress to act quickly on the Agate Fossil Beds proposal.
Swift congressional action was not to be. The Senate became bogged down with the debate over the proposed Civil Rights Act and other Kennedy era New Frontier legislation advocated by the Johnson administration. Senator Roman Hruska vowed to Mrs. Cook that he would press for prompt consideration of S. 1481 "in every way possible." [77] Under Roman Hruska's direction, the Senate approved the bill on August 3, authorizing "$275,000 land acquisition of the Agate Springs Ranch." The bill went to the House where no action was taken by the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee despite repeated pleas from Dave Martin. [78] The reason for the lack of lateral support in the House involved a failure to solicit the hearty support of the Nebraska and other regional state delegations. [79]
At a September 3 meeting of the Western Nebraska United Chambers of Commerce (WNUCC), Keith Miller read a telegram from Senator Hruska confirming the bad news: the House would not likely act on the bill before adjournment for the fall general election. Hruska expressed optimism that strong support in the Senate would ensure early approval in the next Congress.
While the announcement was met with general disappointment throughout the state, there were few more chagrined than Nebraska Governor Frank B. Morrison. Midwest Regional Director Lemuel A. Garrison met with Governor Morrison in Lincoln on June 24 to discuss Agate Fossil Beds. Garrison praised Morrison's letter to Senator Henry Jackson, Chairman of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs in which he pledged full support of the State of Nebraska to the bill. [80] Governor Morrison sent a similar letter to Jackson's House counterpart Wayne N. Aspinall, who also happened to be a good friend. In a response explaining the matter would have to be held over for the 89th Congress, Aspinall included a handwritten note: "I'm sorry, Frank, but if I'm back next year this will have priority." [81] Governor Morrison also personally lobbied Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall and the Washington establishment which doubted Nebraska's commitment to Federal involvement. In a letter to father Robert O'Neill, he wrote:
I am dedicated to the matter of the Agate Beds Monument and am working for it. I discussed the matter fully with Secretary Udall when he was here recently.
It is difficult to get these things when the representatives are always giving the administration fits for spending money. If it hadn't been for this sort of thing it probably would have been obtained.
There is a question in Washington whether people in Nebraska want federal projects. I have been doing all I can in spite of this difficulty. [82]
More than 200 people attended the WNUCC meeting which was held at the Agate Springs Ranch. Superintendent Miller informed the WNUCC that the establishment would result in nearly $2,000,000 in land acquisitions and construction funding, and provide an annual payroll of more than $100,000. With surrounding national monuments and State areas, the Agate site would naturally become a major tourist attraction. [83]
Evidence of the intra-family disagreement over the scope of the monument surfaced when one stepdaughter, Mrs. Grayson (Dorothy Cook) Meade, wrote to Director Conrad Wirth and other officials complaining that she and her sisters, having equal interests in the ranch, were being ignored.* Acting Assistant Director Ira B. Lykes responded that the Service had dealt with Mrs. Harold Cook as the family representative, but would require the Midwest Regional Office to keep all the daughters informed. Lykes affirmed the Park Service would not retreat on any planning goals:
In following out the wishes of your father, Mrs. Cook has discussed the possibility of a donation of a headquarters site for the national monument with the full understanding that this could only be done with the concurrence of all of the daughters. Although the exact acreage or location of this site was not finally determined, it was felt that the daughters would approve of this donation on behalf of their father. Your father's original offer of this donation was predicated on his active continuation of the ranching operations as a primary source of income. The new set of circumstances brought about by your father's death increases the urgency for the National Park Service to acquire those lands needed for development of a visitor and service facilities for national monument purposes before the occasion arises in which these lands might be sold to settle an estate. However, we are willing to negotiate with the members of the Cook family and the Hoffmans for the purchase the other lands involved with reservations for a life tenancy or a term estate for a specified number of years at the option of the present owners. We realize that none of the lands in the Cook estate can be purchased without the concurrence of all four daughters and Mrs. Cook. [84]
*Because Mrs. Margaret C. Cook had decided to cease communications with her stepdaughters, Mrs. Meade emerged as the spokesman for her sisters and began writing to Senator Roman Hruska to forward copies of the Senate hearing and draft legislation. A copy of the final bill was obtained in this same manner. See Roman Hruska to Mrs. Grayson E. Meade, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, letter, September 29, 1964, Box 26 Correspondence Alphabetical 88-89th Congress, folder 178, Hruska papers, Nebraska State Historical Society; and Mrs. Grayson E. (Dorothy Cook) Meade, interview with author, Agate Springs Ranch, 22 May 1986, transcript, p. 9.
The dispute even reached the attention of Representative Dave Martin. In a reassuring letter, Margaret Cook convinced him to continue his efforts in Congress:
I can assure you, very strongly, that I am not opposing the view of Harold's daughters as to the reduced acreage, but I do not agree. I know Harold's views and wishes and I sent copies of his letter to the National Park Service to his daughters. Harold thought carefully, with a scientific thoroughness, for six months before he wrote his letter longhand, then I copied it and we sent it to [Regional] Director Howard W. Baker in Omaha. In this letter Harold stated his wish to give land to the N. P.S. for their Visitor Center, Indian and Historical Museum and headquarters buildings. This land is opposite the post office, on the east side of Highway 29, as described in Harold's letter.
This is why I am devoting my time, health, and the best of my abilities and wisdom to carrying out his dearest wish: that of establishing a Monument to protect the fossil quarries at Agate for future generations. [85]
Why did the four Cook daughters choose to remain virtually silent while Margaret C. Cook acted as family spokesman and monument champion? The reasons are personal and rooted in family loyalty and love. Margaret Cook Hoffman, an extremely shy woman and fearful of public controversy, was the only daughter residing in the area and the one most directly affected by the new park. Her other three sisters had their own families and lived far from Agate. Because they did not wish to be "quarrelsome within the family" and did not want to embarrass Margaret Hoffman, they resigned themselves to writing letters stating their positions to Congressional and Park Service officials. That decision, Dorothy Cook Meade later admitted, was a mistake:
We just shut-up and said nothing. That's how we went through the whole thing. It was more or less just shutting-up and saying nothing. I feel now we made a serious mistake. I feel now we would have had less trouble with the Park Service actually if we had expressed ourselves strongly, early. All we did was write and say in a very civilized way that we were the actual owners, and that they should know that, and that we'd like to be kept informed. And then we didn't nag or carry on or anything else. I think probably we should have tried to because, you see, she was talking to the Rotary and Kiwanis and so forth, and my sister would sometimes send a copy of the report of the talk. She was talking about how she was going to give this land and give that land. Right then a person should have xeroxed that and sent a copy of it to the relevant Park Service individual, whoever that might be, and say, "Now, this is a mistake. If you'll look up the deeds, you'll see. If you look up the will, you'll see." Perhaps we would have gotten into less trouble if we would have done that, but we were trying not to be quarrelsome within the family." [86]
An October 1964 meeting of Midwest Region superintendents held at Fort Robinson (Nebraska) State Park included a field trip to the proposed Agate Fossil Beds area. On October 2, the group arrived at the Agate Springs Ranch where Margaret Cook, Father O'Neill, and Charles Mumby greeted them. As she had done on countless opportunities, Mrs. Cook delivered a speech on the area's history. [87]
On November 1, Keith Miller visited Agate to meet with Mr. and Mrs. George Hoffman. Miller informed the couple of an impending appraisal of the Hoffman Ranch to be used in a supplemental report to Congress. Mr. Hoffman was primarily concerned that local ranchers were trying to keep land prices down so that he would not receive a favorable appraisal. Miller assured him that it would be conducted by an independent certified appraiser. [88] When approval by the Regional Office was received to permit Mr. Elmer Magdanz of Scottsbluff to make the appraisal, Miller met with Margaret C. Cook, George Hoffman, and Harold Skavdahl, the three principal landowners. Miller experienced great difficulty with George Hoffman who finally agreed to the appraisal only after considerable coaxing.
Miller's goal was to have the Magdanz appraisal ready for submission to the 89th Congress by mid-January. [89] The Service hoped that the appraisal, together with the Department's report, would make a strong case and result in early passage of the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument organic act.
Endnotes
1. Chester C. Brown, Regional Chief of Recreation Resource Planning, to Harold J. Cook, letter, 5 August 1960, box 22, Cook Papers.
2. Russell L. McKown, Acting Regional Chief of Recreation Resource Planning, to Harold J. Cook, letter, 12 October 1960, box 39, Cook Papers.
3. Lawrence F. Knowles, Regional Chief of Proposed Park Studies, to Dr. and Mrs. Harold J. Cook, letter, 29 November 1960, box 36, Cook Papers.
4. Harold J. Cook to Howard W. Baker, letter, 16 January 1961, box 18, Cook Papers.
5. "Preliminary Study of the Agate Springs Fossil Quarries Area, Sioux County, Nebraska," prepared by Region II, National Park Service, 14 April 1961, p. 5, H2215.
14. Merrill J. Mattes, letter to author, 20 July 1985, Littleton, Colorado.
15. Howard W. Baker, interview with author, 13 May 1986, Omaha, Nebraska, transcript, p. 5.
16. "Actions of Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monuments, Agate Springs Fossil Quarries, Sioux County, Nebraska," Status Report No. 1, August 1961, D18.
17. Midwest Regional Director Howard Baker, to Dr. Harold J. Cook, letter, 7 June 1961, box 18, Cook Papers.
18. Baker to Cook, letter, 29 June 1961, box 18, Cook Papers.
20. John D. McDermott, Acting Superintendent, Fort Laramie National Monument, to Harold J. Cook, letter, 26 July 1961, box 39, Cook Papers.
21. Gary Hoffman to Cooks, letter, 26 July 1961, and Margaret Cook to Gary Hoffman, letter, 28 July 1961, box 12, Cook Papers.
22. Harold J. Cook to Howard W. Baker, letter, 5 March 1962, box 18, Cook Papers.
24. Mrs. Grayson E. (Dorothy Cook) Meade, interview with author, Agate Springs Ranch, 22 May 1986, transcript, p. 7.
28. Margaret Cook to Regional Director Howard Baker, letter, 7 October 1962, box 18, Cook Papers.
29. Howard W. Baker, interview with author, Omaha, Nebraska, 13 May 1986, transcript, p. 5.
30. Last Will and Testament, Harold J. Cook, 24 October 1949, D6215.
31. Mrs. Grayson E. Meade to Mr. [?] Rummel, Editor, Western Sky, letter, no date [circa fall 1969], L1425. (See also Mrs. Grayson E. (Dorothy Cook) Meade, interview with author, Agate Springs Ranch, 22 May 1986, transcript, pp. 7-8.
33. Superintendent Bob Jones to Regional Director Baker, 6 June 1963, A2615.
34. Margaret Cook to Dr. Malcolm C. McKenna, letter, 7 November 1962, box 39; and Chester Brown to Margaret Cook, letter, undated [15 November 1962?], box 22, Cook Papers.
35. Superintendent Jones to Regional Director Baker, 23 November 1962, D6223.
36. Superintendent Jones to Regional Director Baker, 30 November 1962, D6223.
38. Regional Director Baker to Superintendent Jones, 25 January 1963, D6223.
39. Superintendent Jones to Regional Director Baker, 6 June 1963, A2615.
40. Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor to Regional Director, Midwest Region, 21 February 1963, D6223.
41. Superintendent Jones to Regional Director Baker, 4 March 1963, D6223.
42. Agreement Between the National Park Service and Margaret C. Cook, 4 March 1963, D18.
43. Newell F. Joyner to Regional Director Baker, trip report, 20 May 1963, A5427, SCBL.
44. Superintendent Jones to Margaret Cook, letter, 17 May 1963, D6223.
46. Honorable Roman L. Hruska (former U.S. Senator from Nebraska), interview with author, Omaha, Nebraska, 26 June 1986, transcript, p. 1, 4, 6.
47. Howard Baker to Margaret Cook, letter, 15 January 1963, box 18, Cook Papers.
48. Ibid., Margaret Cook to Howard Baker, 21 January 1963.
49. Superintendent Jones to Regional Director Baker, 6 June 1963, A2615.
50. "Agate Fossil Beds May Become National Park," Omaha World-Herald (15 March 1963), box 63, Scrapbooks 1962 to October 1964, Book 1963 Volume 1, Papers of U.S. Senator Roman L. Hruska, Nebraska State Historical Society. (Hereinafter cited as "Hruska papers.")
51. Ibid., "The Agate Fossil Beds," Omaha World-Herald (21 April 1963), Volume 2.
52. Ibid., "National Fossil Monument," Lincoln Journal (7 May 1963).
53. Summary Statement for a Proposed Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska (Omaha: Midwest Regional Office, National Park Service, (15 April 1963), Midwest Regional Office Library.
54. John C. Oster, "Hruska Pledges to Sponsor Agate Bill At Very Early Date," Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald (18 April 1963), p. 1, D6215.
56. W.E. Mumby (Harrison, Nebraska attorney for George Hoffman) to Senator Roman L. Hruska, letter, 4 June 1963; and Robert Simmons to Senator Hruska, letter, 8 June 1963, Box 192: Departmental Correspondence, 90th Congress, last Session, folder—Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1967, Papers of Senator Roman L. Hruska, Nebraska State Historical Society.
57. Mrs. Grayson E. (Dorothy Cook) Meade, interview with author, Agate Springs Ranch, 22 May 1986, transcript, p. 9; and Mrs. Meade to Robert G. Simmons, Jr., letter, 4 June 1968, L1425.
58. Honorable Roman L. Hruska (former U.S. Senator from Nebraska), interview with author, Omaha, Nebraska, 26 June 1986, transcript, p. 6.
59. Margaret Cook to Dorothy and Grayson Meade, letter, 24 April 1963, box 10, Cook Papers.
61. Superintendent Jones to Margaret Cook, letter, 26 April 1963, D6223.
62. Acting Superintendent Louise Ridge to Regional Director, annual report Fiscal Year 1963, 27 May 1963, A2621, SCBL.
63. Robert Simmons to Senator Roman L. Hruska, letter, 8 June 1963, Box 192 Departmental Correspondence, 90th Congress, 1st session, folder—Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1967 (misfiled), Hruska papers, Nebraska State Historical Society.
64. Superintendent Miller to Regional Director Baker, monthly report for July 1963, 1 August 1963, A2615.
66. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: A Proposal (Omaha: Midwest Regional Office, National Park Service, August 1963), p. 38, Midwest Regional Office Library.
68. "Fossil Beds Bill to Pass," Omaha World-Herald (8 February 1964), K3415.
69. "Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Nearer to Reality; Holiday Hearings," Mitchell Index (20 February 1964), p. 1, K3415; and Harold R. Jones to Margaret C. Cook, letter, 2 March 1964, D6215.
70. Margaret Cook to Eileen and Reid Macdonald, letter, 4 March 1964, box 38, Cook Papers.
71. Margaret Cook to Lemuel A. Garrison, letter, 11 March 1964, box 29, Cook Papers.
72. Superintendent Miller to Regional Director Garrison, 29 March 1964, A2615.
73. "Monument Association Organized at Agate Friday," The Harrison Sun (23 April 1964), p. 1, K3415.
74. Office of the Secretary of State, Corporation Division, Clerk Cheryl Kobza, to Management Assistant Roy W. Weaver, 24 January 1972, A42.
75. Mrs. Dorothy C. Meade to Senator Roman L. Hruska, letter, 28 May 1968, Box 196 Departmental Correspondence, 90th Congress, 2nd session, folder— Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1968, Hruska papers, Nebraska State Historical Society; and Mrs. Grayson E. (Dorothy Cook) Meade, interview with author, Agate Springs Ranch, 22 May 1986, transcript, p. 10.
76. "NU Students Boost Agate Fossil Beds," Lincoln Journal (11 April 1964), K3415.
77. Senator Roman Hruska to Mrs. Harold J. Cook, letter, 20 May 1964, Box 22 Correspondence Alphabetical, 88-89th Congress, folder 23, Hruska papers, Nebraska State Historical Society.
78. "Agate Springs Monument Bill Approved by Senate," The Mitchell Index (6 August 1964), p. 1, K3415.
79. Honorable Roman L. Hruska (former U.S. Senator from Nebraska), interview with author, Omaha, Nebraska, 26 June 1986, transcript, pp. 2-3.
80. Lemuel A. Garrison to Governor Frank B. Morrison, letter, 8 July 1964, Box 127 Federal File 5A-13, folder F-13 Department of Interior, Papers of Frank B. Morrison, Governor of Nebraska 1961-1965, State of Nebraska Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society.
81. Ibid., Wayne N. Aspinall, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, to Governor Frank Morrison, letter, 3 September 1964.
82. Ibid., Governor Frank Morrison to Father Robert O'Neill, letter, 24 September 1964.
83. Miller to Regional Director, 30 September 1964, A2615, and M. M. Van Kirk, "Prospects for Agate Bill Are Excellent, Says Sen. Hruska," Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald (4 September 1964), p. 1, K3415.
84. Ira B. Lykes to Mrs. Grayson E. Meade, letter, 13 August 1964, box 37, Cook Papers.
85. Margaret Cook to Dave Martin, letter, 20 August 1964, box 38, Cook Papers.
86. Mrs. Grayson E. (Dorothy Cook) Meade, Interview with author, Agate Springs Ranch, 22 May 1986, transcript, p. 9.
87. Miller to Regional Director, 2 November 1964, A2615.
88. Miller to Regional Director, 1 December 1964, A2615.
89. Miller to Regional Director, 4 January 1965, A2615.
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agfo/adhi/chap2.htm
Last Updated: 12-Feb-2003