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February 3rd, 1932.

My dear Dr. McConaughy:

Replying further to your letter of Jan. 27th:

It would seem from inquiry that the most likely reason why the ivory industry located in Deep River, and then Ivoryton, was because of the abundant water power in these localities: one of the early ivory cutting establishments was moved to Deep River from Meriden, apparently, for that reason.

I have heard somewhere that some of the early sea-captains who went to the east coast of Africa lived on this river, and brought the tusks to the Connecticut, and so the working of the ivory started here: but I cannot verify this. I am inclined to think that the water power explanation is the true one.

I have looked for an actual record of this origin, but find none; but I do find the following books which may be of interest to you. Probably most of them are available in your library and the Russell Library.

History of Middlesex County    J.B. Beers & co., N.Y., 1884
Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley
Geo. S. Roberts- Robson & Adee, Schenectady, 1906
The Connecticut River   E. M. Bacon   Putnam's, 1907
History of Connecticut   G. L. Clark   Putnam's, 1914
History of Connecticut   E. B. Sanford   S. S. Scranton Co. Hartford, 1922
In Olde Connecticut   O. B. Todd   Grafton Press, N.Y. 1906
Connecticut as a Colony and as a State Forrest Morgan, Ed.
Publishing Co. of Connecticut, 1904
(All the above are in the Deep River Library)
Steamboat Days   Dayton   Stokes, 1928
(This is in the Chester library)

I am enclosing part of the Deep River New Era of Oct. 9th last, which has an article about the river boats: and you will find an article in the New York Sun of Oct. 29, 1931.

I also enclose a pamphlet titled "Old Deep River". The short article I got up about Pratt, Read & Co. would not give you anything on the subject in question, I find in looking it over. Would be pleased to send it if you would like it, though.

Would you kindly return, after you are through with it, the pamphlet "Old Deep River"?

Sorry not to be of greater help, but hope something in the above will prove useful to you.

Sincerely and cordially yours,