Journal of Francis W. Kelsey (April 1, 1925)
Journals - 1925, Box 4, Francis W. Kelsey Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
Click on picture to enlarge image
Kelsey penned this journal entry after a visit to the Michigan camp at Kom Aushim in early 1925. The excavation had only been in progress for a few months, and Kelsey had appointed J. L. Starkey, a personal friend and a renowned British archaeologist, to oversee the dig in his absence. The initial finds at Kom Aushim were even more impressive than Kelsey could have hoped, and as he made his way back to Ann Arbor to give a full report of the progress to University staff, he sent two messages by cablegram telling of the crew's early success. The first he sent to Frank E. Robbins, a colleague of Kelsey's at Michigan and an assistant to the University President. The second announcement was to George R. Swain, the University of Michigan staff photographer, who would eventually become the official photographer of the Kom Aushim dig.