| dc.creator | Monnig, Oscar | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-06-05T17:48:50Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-06-05T17:48:50Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1976-06-09 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/59006 | |
| dc.description | Letter from Mr. Monnig to Mr. Paul Walters detailing tests of samples. | |
| dc.relation | Oscar Monnig Papers (MS 124) | |
| dc.rights | Prior written permission from TCU Special Collections required to use any document or photograph. | |
| dc.source | Series III, Box 06, Deport Iron, 1933-1977 folder | |
| dc.subject | Meteorite | |
| dc.subject | Deport (Tex.) | |
| dc.subject | Walters, Paul | |
| dc.title | Letter to Paul Walters from Mr. Monnig, June 9, 1976 | |
| dc.type | Document | |
| dc.description.transcription | June 9, 1976 Mr. Paul Walters, Jr. 813 Wateka Wav Richardson, Texas 75080 Dear Mr. Walters: I never specifically answered your April 1ith letter which was mostly about the Deport irons. I might mention you have to be a little careful not to buy some old rusted piece of farm machinery because sometimes fragments of that sort show up and are honestly mistaken for meteorites. You simply have to risk your judgment on shape. The only other test is to actually get one and grind a little place on a carborundum wheel. The test is quantitative. Cast Iron will spark vigorously and meteorites won't. A surer test is to polish a small area and to check for the crystalline [structure] but that takes time. [and generally you have to at least crudely polish & etch.] I appreciate being brought up to date on all the people there both those with whom I used to deal and the newcomers. I never did try using a metal detector there, but I did use an old Army SCR 625 and I know of a spot where there was a very loud signal, but fear it might just be' an old piece of farm machinery buried, and when we discovered it in July it was too hot to dig. Truthfully, I think the small fragments that were near the surface were pretty well ground [picked] up and the best hope for the future is a metal detector or a check of field where plowing occurs. Quite possibly there are many more left at some depth, or it may be that there are only a few large ones left a couple of feet in the ground. It is anybody's guess. I don't really think too much of additional publicity in the local papers. This is a two-edge sword and will bring other collectors into the region if they read about it. I think just working on it personally as you are doing is the best approach. Unfortunately you have to just go back, and go back, and go back because people forget you or lose interest unless they are constantly rejuvenated. Yours sincerely, Oscar E. Monnig | |
