TO M Y WI F E E L L E N WHO MADE POSSIBLE THE E$ I STE N C E OF THE S T AT UE O F THORFINN KARLSEFN I THROUGH HER BEQUEST TO THE FAIRMOUNT PARK ART ASSOCIATION
CHRO N OL OGY
A SHORT CHRONOLOGY or THORFINN K ARLSE F N I
’ Copied from Hawk s book.
ho ne- a a a . . Gat r Tr nsl ted by G M H rdy,
was a man a Thord who Hofda There n med , lived in
Hofdastrand . a F rid erda a in He m rried g , d ughter of
- H ma and F rid e rda a of K a val Thori y of g , d ughter J r ,
hor wa a B K ing of the Irish . T d s son of BJorn yrdus
va -Hr A sl eick of mor, son of Thor ld ygg, son of , son
- - - B o ofR a uar a ec . Jorn Ir nside, son g Sh ggy Bre hes They
- had a a Snorri. a R son c lled He m rried Thorhild ype,
w h rd a daughter of Thord Gelli . Their son as T o
a and had a a e Thorfinn K arl sefni Horsehe d he son c ll d , who at R e nisness Ska af ord as lived in the north y in g j , k l now a . c K ar sefni it is c lled Besides being of good sto ,
’
a w hor nn . was a wealthy man . His mother s n me as T u
was a and had a a He in the cruising tr de, good reput tion
as a sailor .
F O REWO RD
The old theory of firc at wherever there was
was flame - a a smoke, there very ptly is illustr tive of controversies regarding the discovery and settlement of continents .
a a Thorfinn K arlsefni In the c se of the Icel nder, , this controversy is very prominent . Almost every historian who has written a history of
has a the Western Hemisphere, stumbled over Norse man or an Icelander who in some way reached this
Hemisphere .
’ a D is ci ler I nsul arum In Ad m of Bremen s Book , p ”
A ual onis in 1 595 . q , published
’ In John Fiske s history called The Discovery of ” America .
’ In Professor William Hovgaard s romance of The ” Voyages of the Norsemen to America . And the definition given about Vinland in the latest edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica . “ c And, quite re ently, The Norse Discoveries of — ” a a a . Gathorne America The Vinel nd S g s, by G . M
a H rdy, All mention Leif E ricsson and Thorfinn K arl sefni
a as the earliest discoverers of Americ .
t d es s e s be xac ca io The unset le qu tion e m to , the e t lo t n 1 FOREWORD
i a r a a d . n where they l nde This, turn , re ches f om C pe
Cod a and a a a to Long Isl nd Sound , n mes the l nd Vinl nd and a ca a v e u w Winel nd, be use gr pe in s were fo nd gro ing
w the on the mainland . If these historians ould study ocean currents which Hovgaard and Hardy have done in a a a wa th a a r c su l y, ey would h ve found sort of Northe n Gulf Stream w—hich for ages drifted close to the Massa chusetts shore piling up driftwood which came from
a a as nd the Arctic S ea. Sm ll bo ts such the Norsemen a Icelanders used were undoubtedly carried by this cur
a as o and can rent, the s me the driftw od , we only con
ecture a n j where they l nded , for nothi g is left to tell the
’
Thorfinn s a . t story , except in c se Providing the s ory of the Fletcher stone can be verified . The word settler had a Th rfi something to do with my choice, lso , for o nn did settle where he landed and remained some two years
u a a . nor ntil driven out by s v ges Also , his child S ri was
o n a born during his s jour in Americ , which undoubtedly was the first white child born in this country . — I have no misgivings over my choice quite to the
a a i a contr ry , for every l test history of Amer c seems to
horfinn K arl ni confirm the story of T sef .
Thorfinn— a J u I chose for the sculptor of Ein r o sson , a native of Iceland . And he certainly has modelled a
a — n typic l Viking being descended from the Viki gs . I hope my readers will agree with me that I have not erred in their conviction .
THO RFI N N KAR LSEF N 1
Why THORFIN N K A RLSE F N I was chosen to represent The First Settler in the Western Hemisphere And the remarkable bequest made by my wife for Statuary
Emblematical of the settlement of our great C o untrv .
THE REQ U E ST .
I give and bequeath to my husband all the residue and
a a a and o a rem inder of my est te, re l pers n l , of every kind
r a a and a t a for the te m of his n tur l life , f er his de th , I
i and a a m give, dev se beque th the s me to the Com issioners
a a of F irmount P rk , to spend the income thereof in the following manner . According to the official map issued by the Park
a a a 2000 Commissioners , there is sp ce of Two Thous nd ( ) feet commencing from the Beacon Light or last boat
n house to the Girard Avenue Bridge . O the edge of this ground bordered by the Schuylkill R iver is a stone bulk
a t a head . On top of this emb nkmen it is my will to h ve
d at a 1 00 a a erecte dist nces of one hundred ( ) feet p rt , on
a a r a and a high gr nite pedest ls of unifo m sh pe size, st tu ar a a a y emblem tic of the History of Americ , r nging in time from the earliest settler of America to the present
E ra a a d in a a , rr nge chronologic l order, the e rliest period
9 THORFINN KARL S E F N I at and i at the South end , going on to the present t me the North end $
w all a are a And hen the st tues in pl ce, the income to be spent in buying Statuary and Fountains to decorate the
Park according to the judgm ent of the Commissioners .
t n a a In get ing desig s for the St tues, it is my desire th t notices be in serted in the leading newspapers of the
a n for and ff n a world, ski g designs , o eri g to p y expenses ’ n and a ofi er an for sendi g returning the s me, but not to y
c a the c all spe i l premium , one hosen to receive the money ff o ered in the proposal . I nominate and appoint my husband Joseph B unford S amuel to be the Executor of this my last will and testa
and l a ment Trustee for a l purposes n med herein .
D CO ICIL .
l i a and a and I , E len Ph llips S muel, revoke m ke null void my appointment of the Fairmount Park Commis
and a n a sion to be Trustee of my Bequest , ppoint i ste d The Fairmount Park Art Association to receive and administer said Bequest in the manner described in the body of my will .
THE ADJ U DICATION OF W I LL BY JU DGE GEST
D ec . 9 1 91 4 . filed , The foregoing provisions of the will constituted
h B unford a a a and Josep S muel test ment ry trustee, not
a and merely life ten nt , consequently under the Act of 1 0 THORFINN KARLS E F N I
M a 1 7 1 87 1 . . 1 1 33 a Assembly of y , , Stew Purd , the leg cy in remainder to the Fairmount Park Art Association is
a not legally taxable until the death of Mr . S muel $ he has however as Executor paid the Tax on the remainder
n and a and n t i terest, the se led cou tersigned receip there for in the sum of w as produced to the Audit in tax 67 a t g Judge, being on $ fter the deduc ion of the life estate appraised at Counsel for the Fairmount Park Art Association ex
’ a a a i pressed his appreciation Of Mr . S muel s m gn n mous ” action in this as in other matters concerning the bequest . The usual commission p aid to executors was also omitted .
1 4 1 91 3 . November , Acceptance of the bequest by the Fairmount Park
Art Association .
R ES VE D a the a a OL , th t Bo rd of Trustees of the F ir mount Park Art Association has received with much
m nifi en a a t u c t . s tisf ction , no ice of the bequest of Mrs
B nfo rd a a J . u S muel ( Ellen Phillips S muel ) which will provide funds for a comprehensive and dignified treat — ment of a noble theme the history of America symbol ized in a a a a a k and system of St tu ry in F irmount P r , which w ill ensure the continuance for all time on a gener ous scale of the influence of the Association in promoting the aims for which it exists .
R ES VE D a a e a ac OL , th t the Bo rd of Trust es gr tefully
ce ts . a and i a p the bequest of Mrs S muel, w ll c rry out, 1 1 THORFINN KARLSE F N I
the a a . to best of its bility, the wishes of the test trix
e . i r ( Signed ) L slie W M lle ,
a Secret ry .
The Selection of the man who was the earliest
known Settler in the Western Hemisphere .
It was something of an undertaking to find the first Settler amongst the mass of historical names associated with the first discoverers of our country .
had a t a and I never given the m t er thought before, started my inquiries with no knowledge of the subJect
at all . a a a I re d History fter History , until I c me to
’ “
a . Fiske s History, The Discovery of Americ He cer tainly mad e plain many points regarding the early dis coverers which put me on the path and interested me in trying to solve the question . The names of Leif Ericsson and Thorfinn K arl sefni appeared again and
a a to a a . h g in, until it seemed hopeless m ke choice W en
ma sa was a t d a ter a i a w suddenly, I y y I st r le f re d ng ne s paper description Of the Fletcher Stone discovered near
a a a w w r a Y rmouth, Nov Scoti , on hich ere lette s the me n ing of which was made clear by a translation by Henry
r Mrs . a and c i r. a a Ph llips, J , brothe of S muel, Se ret ry
a c o a of the American Philosophic l So iety f Phil delphia.
“ ’ His definition of it was Hako s Son Addressed the
a and w of x d Men . H ki his wife ere members the e pe i
horfinn K arlsefni w as tion of T , which supposed to have 1 2
THORFINN KA RLSE FN I
a e a a a a a 1 007 l nd d ne r C pe Cod , M ss chusetts, in the ye r , and remained there for two years until driven away by the savages . Tradition says that Leif Ericsson who had preceded
Thorfinn a had a a some seven ye rs , l nded on the s me spot and v w a erected huts to li e in, but no huts ere st nding on
a h nn the arriv l of T orfi .
’ The version of Henry Phillips translation here with follows .
A STORY
a R at a Of supposed unic Inscription Y rmouth ,
Nova Scotia .
l . By Henry Phi lips, Jr
B a On the shore of the y of Fundy , opposite the town
a a a a of Y rmouth, st nds rock weighing bout four hundred
a a t was pounds, which bout the end of the l s century dis
n h covered by a ma named Fletcher . It as been well
a an a and known for ne rly hundred ye rs, those who dwell in its vicinity have always accepted it as a genuine relic
a v a a of antiquity, no bre th of suspicion e er h ving f llen t upon i . The glyphs thereon have been at various times copied
a a a and sent abroad to men of le rning, who h ve m de more
at c n e a or less attempts de ipheri g th m, more th n one savant see ing traces of S emetic origin .
1 875 a c fr the e w In , rubbing pro ured om ston as 1 3 THORFINN KARLS E FN I
a a i pl ced in my hands for investigation . Since th t t me I have carefully considered the circumstances of the
a and a i a a e a c se , h ve become ult m tely s tisfi d of its bon
fide a a i w as t a n ture, th t the inscript on nei her modern fraud nor the work of the wayward playfulness of the
- a leisure hours of the sportive red skin . H ving become imbued with a belief that no deception was intended or
a the a pr cticed , I entered upon the study of m rkings with a a and far mind tot lly entirely free from prejudice, so from believing that the inscription w as a relic of the pre
an a had an Columbi discovery of Americ , I never given y credence to that theory . I therefore approached the subj ect entirely unbiased
. I n a a a a in my opinion f ct , somewh t prejudiced g inst the a t an uthentici y of y inscription on this continent , purporting to emanate from the hardy and intrepid
’ Norsemen . The difil cul ty of interpreting these mark ings was greatly increased on account of the nature of the material on which the rubbing had been taken and the fact that in the R unic alphabets the letters frequently ha a n a n ve m ny varyi g v lues a d forms . But like as in a
a o a a ar k leid scope , word fter word ppe ed in di sjointed
s and a w as form , e ch in turn rejected until at last an
w a o intelligible ord c me f rth , followed by another and a t a ea t nother, un il r l sen ence with a meaning stood forth to my astonished gaze
“ ’ H arkusson M en Varu Hako s Son addressed ” the Men . 1 4 THORFINN KARL S EF N I
a at Upon ex mining further , I found th in the expedi tion of Tho rfinn K arl sefni in 1 007 the name of Haki occurs among those who accompanied him . I confess I was staggered by the remarkable coincid ence and began to waver and the finishing touches were placed to my un
e O ma and saw the beli f when I bserved the p , how short
a w as a a a dist nce from Icel nd to Greenl nd , comp red with
a the stretch of water from Norway to Icel nd . It seemed more probable that the fearless race that actually did cross the latter expanse of ocean were not likely to be discouraged from navigating the former . As to the
a w h a e t t re son y such m men o should be lef of the visit ,
c a can but a a of ourse no definite nswer be given , it is f ct
w a a o a well kno n th t memori ls were ften m de or erected , engraved or placed at localities where events had taken
a and a a ma pl ce, the ddress of the Chieft in to the men y
a a a h ve been of some noteworthy m tter , perh ps even to commemorate the fact of having landed at that spot .
sa a ta are In conclusion, I would y, th t the circums nces
w h a a t n n . ort y of consider tion , if not bsolu ely convi ci g
l out a a man a As long as Mr . Phi lips found th t n med
’ Haki and his wife actually belonged to Thorfinn s ex
edition a a a a a n a as p , he m de mist ke in tr nsl ti g the n me
’ a a had Haki s son ddressed the men, for H ki no son with
him . a Su in , only his wife He lso erred in pposing the — scription w as R unic it is not $ the R unic alphabet is ’ th entirely difl erent from the letters on e stone . 15 THORPINN KARLSE FN I
l a w as a h a was a not a A so , H ki Scotc m n, runner,
a and a c Chieft in, being S ot , if he wrote the letters they
a a a must be Celtic. I am ende voring to cle r up this p rt of the story .
’ a u R a K ma a L ter on , I fo nd udy rd ipling s re rks bout “ ” a R a Thorfinn in his story of The Ph ntom icksh w , as follows “ ’ Conceive yourself at the door of the world s
a a b a . tre sure house, gu rded y child Till that evening Charles had spoken nothing that might not be within the experience of a Greek
a G lley Slave .
was had a But now , or there virtue in books , he t lked of some desperate adventure of the Vikings .
’ Thorfinn K arl sefni s a n a d Of s iling to Wi el n ,
h h a h w ic is Americ , in the Ninth or Tent Century, the
a the a had and a b ttle in h rbor he seen , his own de th he ha d described . a a Thorfinn K arlsefni as I might write the s g of , it had never been written before, might tell the story of ”
sc r a v r r. the first di ove y of Americ , myself the disco e e
all a c ce In the Historic l Works reviewed by me, on rn
and a e Thorfinn K arl se ni ing the life dventur s of f , I
’ think K ipling s few words are very weird and opportune and w quite onderful . To the Committee of the Fairmount Park Art Association Gentlemen In order that the early erection of the Statue I pro 1 6 THORFINN KARL SE FN I pose giving to your Association as a starter for the whole
’ scheme of Statuary stated in my wife s bequest , I suggest
a a a the fund to be used for this first St tue , sh ll be the tot l
a a net income of the estate of Mrs . S muel for the ye r
1 5000 . a a 1 9 5 , less $ Also th t the first St tue be the Ice i a Tho rfinn K arl sefn . l nder , In conclusion— no one is more interested in present in a a art a a am g h ndsome work to your Associ tion th n I , and coO eration as with your p , I trust to give the public elegant a piece of Statuary as modern genius can execute .
ma add w as a a I y , no notice t ken by the Associ tion after the meeting at which I presented my Offer to erect
a a the first St tue . From th t time until the completion
Tho rfinn underook a at of , I the m tter my own risk . A year passed before anything very definite hap
and ca a a pened , I nv ssed round seeking some knowledge
n of Sculptors here a d abroad . It seemed that local Sculptors did not w ant to compete for the pro
a posed St tue .
a a a a Fin lly , the Editor of the Sc ndin vi n Foundation
a at of Americ , New York , suggested to me the name of
an ce a a onsso n as a o t I l nder, Ein r J , w rthy sculp or, and
sent me a copy of a letter writte n to him by Jo nsson
notifying me that he had sent a model of a Statue of
Thorfinn a had a th t he been working on over for year. The model arrived shortly afterward and I placed it on 1 7 THORPINN KARL SEFNI
exhibition at an Art Gallery for inspection by my friends, and herewith give copies O f letters in the matter .
a a i a a a The Americ n Sc nd n vi n Found tion ,
25 45th St . . West , New York
a 25 1 91 5 . M y ,
My dear Mr . S amuel
M a a a a y I suggest the gre t Icel ndic sculptor , Ein r
u as o ar Thorfinn Jo sson , the pr per tist to design the $ K arl sefni Statue We are this week giving a benefit for the purpose of bringing bronzes of his work to America . I enclose the article about him in the S candinavian R i w ev e .
No artist could do the work with more feeling for his aim . i Very s ncerely yours ,
a ( Signed ) Henry Godd rd Leach .
Translation from D anish letter from Einar Jousson
e e k a k an Jan . 91 . . . ac at R 3 1 7 to H G L h , d ed y j vi , Icel d, ,
a Dear Mr . Le ch :
am e a a Thorfinn K arl sefni I s nding l rge model of ,
a B is w hi a k a . by ste mer p , ch le ves for New Yor tod y
The a and a a a model is metre high, is m de of Pl ster P ris ,
e a had so it must be handled car fully . I h ve a very
a as was a short time to m ke it in , it w nted so soon , but — it matters little if it is not well finished off such models never are . 1 8
THORFINN KARLS E F N I
ai a art The m n thing is the position , the pl stic of the
h and o a . w ole work , the t t l impression
The i off and all a i a a finish ng , the det ils w ll not ppe r until it is shown in the main work .
l a and A so , the expression of the f ce , the whole spiritual physiognomy will be completed then . — Then comes the clothing it is not easy to determine
a a a how th t should be done . I h ve studied th t sid e of the matter very closely from the time some years ago
a a and a when I m de the St tue of Ingolf, got inform tion
w a are a s both from my countrymen , of hom m ny speci li ts
a n and s onsson nd in th t li e, from Profes or Finner J a
a Dr . V ltyr Gudmundsson in particular . I also studied
o . Si hus diligently with Pr f p Muller, Director of the
l ordisk a O dn Museum t Copenhagen . The latter told me that there are no exact descriptions in existence dat ing from that time or about 400 years before and after
not o and a Ingolf, even l ose descriptions , th t I would come nearest to the truth by principally letting my fancy
a u le d me , g ided by the knowledge we have of clothing from the time before or after .
o o a i ms sa a I f ll wed his dv ce , for I u t y th t othe r gentlemen I spoke with concerning this matter disagreed
a o as s n do . bout the questi n , cientists ofte
to out one n one a e But pick piece of clothi g from g , and ano o a t c s d u ther fr m no her, I on idere q ite out of the wa for a mann no esu t w u an y, in th t er r l o ld in y likeli
o hood be c rrect . 19 THOR FI NN KARLSEFNI
It must also be remembered that the old Vikings
a a were much more individu l in their dressing, th n people
- - nd a h a . had a a are now days They no f ctories, no f s ions to make the clothes from $ every individual more or less
has invented his ow n dress . And it been pointed out in the old sagas or histories how peculiarly this or that w person as dresesd .
Thorfinn and As with , with Ingolf, I dressed them as a a a I considered most prob ble, b sed on thorough study both with specialists and from the Northern collee
e a the at tion of Antiquities , esp ci lly one home ( in
R a has a Of eykj vik ) , which m ny good specimens clothing
a a and all d ting from ncient times , I suited of these to
a a and a and a the s g m nner of life of the person , the pl stic art of the Statue in memory of the one for whom it was
erected . For it should not be more or less a truly dressed doll only to represent the historical warrior
l an clothing of his time, such wou d be impossibility . These kinds of monuments need not be pl aced in the
open air. They are more in place as antiquities for
collections for collectors .
a . a Wh t Prof Muller s id is true . The nearest w ay to truth in this matter is reached by building upon the
a n modest knowledge we h ve of these things , a d guided
a a a by our f ncy for the b l nce .
am If the model I sending you should be broken , you
had an a a better get experienced pl sterer to rep ir it . He must be particular in placing the head on correctly if it 20 THORFINN KARL SE F N I
a can O Should be broken . A very sm ll thing ften do
a and a a k . h rm , it is the position th t counts in such wor
A nd now, in conclusion , my good wishes for the
A merican S candinavian R eview and a , with best reg rds,
am I ,
n Yours si cerely,
on s n Einar J s o .
Whilst casting around for some further facts regard
a and ing the e rly settlers discoverers of our country, I
al o n a M cM aster c led Professor John B ch , Professor
at a a and of History the University of Pennsylv ni , w received the following letter from the Professor , hich l ’ a at a l . a does not ccord with Mrs S muel s bequest .
a She distinctly s ys settlers of our country , therefore
a are a a a the St tues limited to p rticul r men , in f ct, the
’ Professor s scheme is absolutely outside the Ob ject
asked for .
a a 20 1 91 4 . J nu ry ,
B nford a e . . u Mr J S mu l ,
a a P a . Phil delphi ,
a Dear Mr . S muel
’ a The provision in Mrs . S muel s will that the time of beginning shall be the earlies t settlement of our country makes it unnecessary to consider the discoverers of the coast . 21 THORFINN KARLSE F N I
As a working basis I have considered our history as that of a people starting on the edge of the Atlantic seaboard and rapidl y overrunning the continent and would suggest three periods . l a and se ttt ement a . 1 . Occup tion of the Atl ntic slope
a and Of s 2 . Occup tion settlement the Mis is
a sippi v lley .
a and a 3 . Occup tion settlement of the Pl ins . O ur history has been made not so much by the acts of individual men as by those of great bodies of men . I would suggest therefore that the statues be not limited
a a a to p rticul r men , but th t some be devoted to types of
as a a . men , the explorer, the tr pper , the frontiersm n , etc
THE STATU ES
— t s 1 . S et lement in P enn ylvania
: a a an Group A Swede , Holl nder d
a a Willi m Penn $ bout their feet, luggage and implements to show
are they settlers . — 2 . I n a a ndia . a , with p ddle, etc , w tching the
w m n coming of the hite a . — 3 . The Tra er a at pp , with furs , tr ps , etc . ,
his feet .
4 — n — . F ro tiersman The C 0 m m o n w e a l t h
and fl . Builder, with plough ri e
a a a a ( In p nel on pedest l log c bin ,
or stockaded fort . ) 22 THORFINN KARLS E F N I — m l n a . 5 . C ha ai p , Discovery of the L kes
— ’ L l . 6 . a S al e , Discovery of the Mississippi
—E x lsion o the F rench rom the Ohio 7 . pu f f
an Mis sissi i a n t d pp . W shi g on on
e a . the Allegh ny, or with Br ddock
— I n e d ence a 8 . War or d en f p , W shington or
some one else . — ’ L isian P rchas 1 803 . 9 . Je erson ou a u e fl ,
— —I i n teamb at 1 08 1 0 . F nlton ntroduct o o S o f , 8 , or John F itch and his S teamboat
th D ar 1 0 . on e elaw e, 79 — rs a . 1 1 . M a e Telegr ph — 1 . F b m n n M ss s i a 2 lat oat a o i i sipp . Interst te
a Commerce . ( St nding on deck
holding end of huge sweep . ) — 1 3 . L ewis and Clark 1 805 a ( , Explor t — ion of Northwest St . Louis
to Oregon .
—I h P la 1 4 . ndians o t e f ins . — 1 5 . E mi rant on the P la ns g i .
— l r — a 1 6 . Go d in C alifo nia Settlement of P cific ” - Coast . Forty niner washing
gold in pan .
These are but suggestions rather hastily put dowri
a a a but will illustr te the gener l pl n . The twenty statues
h a s ould tell continuous , well thought out story begin ning with the settlement of the Atlantic Coast and as THORFINN KARLS E FN I
w ha of a a. a a ending ith t t C liforni Indi ns, gre t men ,
$
a a l all ha a a . L aw gre t women , gre t events shou d ve pl ce ,
d n a a . Me ici e, St tesm nship should be represented My
o purpose is to merely sketch ut a plan .
O N A S E ( Signed ) J H B CH MCMA T R .
S ome L etters from E minent S cholars
and th tate D t e S ep .
F rom P ro essor A mandus Johnson the f , of Univer
sit a a a a y of Pennsylv ni , giving some det ils bout
the Vikings .
F rom P ro essor H ov aard f g , of The Institute of Tech
nolo a gy in Boston, replying to letter I sent to him ,
asking if he coul d confirm Mr . Phillips translation
of the Fletcher Stone inscription .
F rom The S tate D e artment an p , replying to inquiry I
a a made about the st tus of the Government of Icel nd .
o University f Penna .
a a P a . Phil delphi ,
2 1 1 91 8 . July ,
To the Chairman of the Park Commission . Dear Sir : h a o at t e . onsson Three weeks g , request of Mr J , 24
THORFI NN KARLS E F N I doubts about the pre-Columbian discoveries and settl e n ments in Am erica by the Scandinavia s .
e In the next plac e a word about the statue . W
a o f no c es eans of k ow h ve, course, pi tur or other m n
x l Thorfinn o . c oweve is ing e act y how lo ked Su h , h r, also the case with Charlemagne and many other histor ical characters and yet we have statues of several of them .
u was use his ima Mr. Jo sson therefore compelled to g ination and his statue of Thorfinn is an artistic concep tion of the ideal Viking as he is portrayed in the Icelandic
a a The and e en are hose s g s . shield, sword other quipm t t
’ or h which a Viking of Th finn s stamp would carry. T e shields and often the swords and belts of this period were
o decorated with legends or sh rt verses written in runes . Thes e verses were s ometimes quotations from Gnomic
a a r c o l ys or other sources, sometimes origin l p odu ti ns
a d of the artists who decor te the weapons . The verse
’ ho finn a an on T r s shield is tribute to Icel d . It reads in translation as follows :
m a of and Fro the isl nd the north, of ice fire,
n a and a Of blossomi g v lleys blue mount ins , Of the waking sun (midnight sun ) and the
am dre y mists , h The ome of the goddess of the northern lights .
The runes were nearly always written on a serpent
s a tha s onsson roll, imil r to t u ed by Mr . J on the round as
THORFINN KA RLS EF N I
O and shield . Very ften the swords shields were decor ated with animals or other figures and scenes ( similar
d . onsson a to those use by Mr J , from the Edd or some
a v of the old legends . As I h ve studied in the Archi es an a a a r are d museums of the Sc ndin vi n no th, where there large collections of Icelandic shields and other weapons
r i rio can ra f om the Vik ng pe d , I testify to the gene l historical accuracy of the various details of the Thor
finn statue .
a n a a Person lly, I co sider the st tue wonderful work
art o a k a of , superi r to nything of its ind I h ve seen else — where the statue of Leif Ericsson in Boston is a mere
a e a to . o sh dow , it se ms to me, comp red it All l vers of art in P hiladelphia will surely be proud of it and thank
m n a o a a . ful to Mr . S uel for bringing over such rtist F r just as a great American artist would be more capable — of conceiving an ideal representation of say Daniel
B o Wintho a an o ne or John p th n y foreigner , so surely a great Icelandic sculptor should be more capable of
an a a a conceiving ide l represent tion of Viking, one of
a s a an ar a a his nce tors , th n y other tist of nother r ce .
If the Park Commission Should wish to have any other points in connection with the statue or the history
Thorfinn x a a a of e pl ined , I sh ll be gl d to do so . I hope to write a short account of Thorfinn and his colony for one of our Sunday papers and will see to it that a copy
n . is se t to you Yours truly ,
Am a ndus Johnson . 27 THO R F I NN KARLS E FN I
6 a . 7 Edmont Street, Brookline, M ss
. 4 1 920 . Nov ,
B unford a Mr. J . S muel ,
1 609 Spruce Street ,
a P a . Philadelphi ,
Dear Sir
I am in receipt of your letter of November 1 and am much interested in what you say about the Yarmouth
am a a a a Stone , I not cqu inted with the tr nsl tion of the
and inscription made by Mr . Phillips would like to see
was a it . In my book the inscription given in the s me
way as on the stone now in the Museum at Yarmouth $
a as sa w . a l not it m y be , you y, upside do n It cert in y is
a K arl sefni was a R unic . I do not believe th t in Nov
Scotia until I Obtain positive evidence to confirm
that theory . In any case I am glad that you cause a statue of
K arl sefni to be erected $ he certainly made the first seri
ous attempt at settling on the Am erican continent and all people interested in this chapter of American history
k . am will be than ful to you I ,
Yours very truly,
W . Hovgaard .
THO RFI N N KARLSE FN I
a a a d ta . so and dr w some pl ns for Pe es l He did , in cluded an Exedra or seating bench around one side o f
a was c ve . the proposed Pedest l , which I thought very le r The Park Commissioners all owed me to erect this
s Six o h s con truction , providing I would remove it in m nt ,
and am a who saw a re which I did , I sure the m ny it pp
cis ted its beauty .
The Fairmount Park Art Association had the ir
a an a a ak the Architect prep re el bor te model , t ing in entire landscape from the S edge ly Club House to Girard
a rt a Avenue Bridge, po ion of which m de in Plaste r
a w Paris being erected longside of my ork .
It was unfortunate for our Citizens that my Model
was not accepted for the Exedra contained eight place s
a a a a an 1 44 ea s for se ts round e ch Pedest l , which me t s t t around the eighteen Sta ues to be erected . My model
and off all th was R omanesque in design , would set e Statues of all nationalities in better form than the
Pedestal adopted . Some photos are herewith given of them .
The sculptor Einar Jonsson and his wife arrived in
a New York in July 1 9 1 6 . They st yed there for a few
and a e . days , then c m here
o at an a n se I secured ro ms for them Ap rtme t Hou ,
o h nd a a . 4 t a P rkside Avenue, overlooking the West P rk The F airmount Park Commissioners allowed the sculptor to use as his studio a small section of the old 30
THORFI N N KARLSE FN I
Merry-go- round building at the corner of Belmont and
a P rkside Avenues, which they fitted up for him , where
a two he rem ined for years until the Statue w as finished .
was n a z a It the c st into Bron e by Bure u Brothers , and finally erected in its present position on November
20, 1 920 .
Below is given a descriptive letter about Einar w t i usso a . Jo n by his wife, lso one rit en by h mself Then come copies of the speeches made at the dedi
a and a a et t a c tion services , , fin lly, l ter of h nks from the
a a A rt a and F irmount P rk Associ tion to me , my reply ,
’ “ and a a a l te criticism of H rdy s book , The Norse Dis ”
a . . O . coverers of Americ , by Prof Julius E lson
A LITTLE SKE TCH OF THE LIFE OF
N R J ONS ON E I A S .
n 1 9 1 8 . Writte by his wife,
a Dear Mr . S muel
’ ou ask a a onsson s o wh Y me to expl in Ein r J w rks , ich I will gladly do in as few words as 1 can make their meaning clear . First you must know something of w hat art and life
a him . a me n to Nothing is produced h stily by him , but usually after years of conscientious study of his subj ect . Before any work leaves his hands he insists it must ex press the same truth in three ways : The Idea ( which is the spiritual conception ) $ the
and a . L ines, the Pl stic Form in the whole composition 31 THORFINN KARL SE EN I
a a a Therefore, his finished work lw ys expresses complete harmony on these three points . His first conception of the outline regulate s the whole composition . The dif ferent figures must all conform to these lines and are not
a a fl mar . llowed , by single de ection , to the work
a was a w as a Ein r Jonsson born in Icel nd, here boy he gave proof of the sculptor that was in him by his
a wonderful c rving on wood and bone . At the age of
ma a a eighteen he went to Den rk , where for sever l ye rs
d R a a a n a a he studie in the oy l Ac demy , m ki g speci lty of anatomy . Though much of his life has been spent
a a a has a a a in Sc ndin vi , he lso studied in Germ ny , Austri ,
a a and a a a Hung ry , Holl nd It ly, studying ne rly two ye rs in R ome . But while improving these opportunities his main inspiration has been nature herself in all her living
as a a a forms , which he sees m nifest tions of th t divine
and all love power in which things have their origin . He does not follow the Art of the Old Masters nor
a a of the newer schools , but believes in keeping w y from
a a o a n the be ten tr ck , in freeing himself fr m tr dition a d
a h convention lity, working out his own thought in is own
a i a w ay. At the s me t me being very toler nt for all those
' difl erent hi s n who work on lines from own , only feeli g
a t that Art once produced c nnot be imi ated . He says “ ” Copying would fill the world with useless things . For many years Einar Jo nsson has exhibited his works in Europe ( not trying to sell or profit by them ) . 32 THORFINN KA RLS EFN I
' a z how difl ers a art He re li es much his Art from Europe n . but hopes for the time ( which must come ) when friends and critics of Art will not be blinded by tradition but will see and realize that all true Art searches in different
ways to express the same perfection . In the year 1 91 5 it w as planned to publish a Mono graph with illustrations on the A rt and Philosophy of
d ffic m av Einar Jonsson . We hope the i ult ti es h e only
deferred its publication . In Iceland his countrymen have begun to build a Museum which is to contain the whole collection of his
a and . works p st , present future In this collection he wishes the works known by numbers rather than names
as a a a a insuffi ( they formerly h ve ) , feeling th t n me is
the ha cient to express the content of the work , rmony
and a a mystic l ngu ge of the lines , which must be left to
the intelligence of the spectator to divine .
Sincerely yours ,
B a onsso n . Per E . D . . Ann J
E F E I N R J ON SSON LIF O A .
Written by himself .
O f myself the most important thing to say is that I was n 1 87 4 a and t bor in here in Icel nd , from the ime I began to think for myself I wanted nothing but to go
ow n a a at saw a a my w ys, but little l er I lso, th t I must
’ respect other people s ways $ for I realized that if I did
a not respect the w ys of others , I would get no joy from 33 THORFINN KARLSE F N I
w two n ece s my own . I sa then that these thi gs were n
sary for an artist . Art has been my great chastener and the bitterest
a scourge which such n unruly nature as mine needed .
as a man and ano as an a a To be one thing ther rtist , th t
a i w as I quickly re l zed impossible , for then both the
artist and his work would be false . To run away from
art ff my would be possible , but to be di erent from it ,
a m at a a a s a i n . so long I cre ing it , th t I c nnot m gi e
w a a e — a Therefore , if I ish to cre te th t which I lov th t — which is good in one way or another then I see the
n necessity of reaching the same as a ma . U nfortu
natel a and a y, it is h rd for me others to follow our ide ls , but before we reach them we cannot attain to the heights of art .
a all ma a all I wish th t y go their own w ys, find their
own a a a . and a , e ch fter his temper ment I go mine , re p
d a a o a an a t . pr ise bl me, but I t ke b th with equ nimi y
a as can n Money I do not re p , but so long I get fourtee
a m a l am a kroner onth to p y for my ittle room , I h ppy, and no one is likely to die of starvation in our somewhat chilly but glorious Iceland . The State of Iceland has granted me a little sum — o f money to have my things moved home all the works t a a hat I h ve m de in the course of time . At present they are all a a in n a a a hidden w y Cope h gen , but I c nnot fford
n to pay storage on them a y longer. All that is not sold becomes the property of the State of Iceland on the 84
THORFINN KARL SEF N I
a fl and i a . R he will h ve a ock of pupils mit tors odin ,
a all at all for ex mple , is worthy of honor, but look the
imitators of him that have shot up like mushrooms .
art are and Schools of impossible , there ought not to exist forerunner or follower in art . For it should come
and o . from within , not entirely fr m without It should
a be an expression of the personality itself . Yet I repe t
a all n art th t I respect si cere , even when it is founded o n tradition .
FAIR M OU NT P AR K ART ASSOCIATION — 1 Office of the President 5 0 Ludlow St .
a a 22 1 020 . Phil delphi , December ,
B ord a . unf J S muel ,
1 609 u St . Spr ce ,
a a Phil delphi .
a a De r Mr . S muel At the stated meeting of the Trustees of the Fair
a a l oth a mount P rk Art Associ tion , held on the inst nt , a mi w as a a a nute dopted , th t I now h ve the privilege of transmitting to you .
DI I TE N U .
The President stated that the dedication of the
a Tho rfinn K arl se fni a St tue of , erected in F irmount
a . R unfo rd a . a P rk , the gift of J S muel , Esq , member
a had a a of this Associ tion , t ken pl ce on November 2oth
a a a m l st, the ceremonies p rticip ted in by the Com issioners
36 THORFINN K ARL SE FN I o fF airmount s P o Park repre ented by resident St tesbury ,
t a ffi and with other members of h t body , the o cers mem
a as a a a a bers of this Associ tion , lso not ble deleg tion of
Scandinavian authorities from New York and elsewhere .
a a Mr . S muel in person presented the st tue to the city of Philadelphia through the agency of this Associa
tion and the Commissioners of Fairmount Park . The Board desires to recognize at this time the very
a n generous act of Mr . S muel in thus a ticipating its re
cei t o f the a the a p the trust from est te of his wife , l te
a and a a all Ellen Phillips S muel , to ssure him th t of our citizens fully appreci ate this noble addition to the attrae
a a s a all t tions of the P rk , to be s oci ted for time wi h his
honored name . The Board further notes the hospitality extended by d t . a an a an Mr S muel to friends visi ors on this occ sion , action tending to support the reputaton Philadelphia
has a a it a e rned in the p st , which is hoped the ex mple thus ” an t l shown may be incentive for o hers to fo low .
a a With cordi l reg rds , believe me ,
Very sincerely yours ,
a . e Ch rles J Coh n ,
President .
e l to above l etter R p y .
: Dear Mr . Cohen I am in receipt of the copy of the Minutes adopted by the Fairmount Park Art Association on the l st of 37 THORFINN KARLSE FN I
December and feel very gratified that the Statue of
Thorfinn K arlse fni was so acceptable to your Ass ocia
has aff an ca n in a a a tio n . It orded me edu tio St tu ry th t I never could have acquired without application to
am the subject . I ,
Yours sincerely ,
B unford a . J . S muel
THE NORS E DISCOVERERS OF AM E RICA
NE ND G S THE W I LA SA A . Translated and discussed by
tho rne- a . M . Ga G H rdy,
’ ansen s a a 1 91 1 Since N sl shing ttempt , in , to rob the
a a a ia im Vinland s g s of their historic l rel bility, four
on a a a a portant works the Norse voy ges h ve ppe red, none of which have shown any disposition to accept his
are chief contentions . These works by Hovgaard Fossum Steen sby and the
a volume under consider tion . Only one of these investi
a Steensb a a g tors ( y, of Denm rk ) grees with the Scandi navian scholars Storm and Jonsson that the S aga of Erik the R ed is a more reliable record than the so - called
a a a a a o Greenl nd n rr tive of the Fl t Isl nd Bo k . Fossum “ and Gatho rne - Hardy believe w ith Hovgaard that both accounts may probably be considered as essen tiall o and a a a y hist ric essenti lly of equ l v lue . It must
a m a - a be d itted th t these three open minded investig tors , without any pretensions to expertness in textual eriti ss THORFINN KA RLS E F N I eism and a se , relying l rgely on common nse , the contents
a a and a d of the s g s, det iled knowle ge concerning the
r a a and a - hilolo no th Atl ntic l nds co st lines , give the p
a a a a a a gists h rd run $ while N nsen , with we lth of rese rch in a dozen fields of learning involved in the Vinland
- definite lv a . Gatho rne a controversy, is v nquished H rdy “ - wa a deftly contends , in his common sense y, th t the
n za a an h a a successful colo i tion of Greenl nd is istoric l f ct , and its story is chronicled in precisely those sagas which are here under consideration with regard to Wineland . This general refutation is followed up by a detailed and
at an comprehensive investig ion , presented in such emi nentl a and a a a r a a y f ir re son ble spirit , th t the c itic l re der is led to believe that the final verdict on the vexed ques
ec a tions of this controversy , where sp i lized knowledge
a has in so m ny fields been invoked , will be given by laymen . So far as the essential historicity of the Vinland
h n - a a . Gat or e a s g s is concerned , Mr H rdy , erudite in
a and a a a Old Norse historic l lore , with mple geogr phic l
w a a n c kno ledge , m kes disti ctive contribution by pie ing and dovetailing the two discordant sagas into one har — monious story seemingly a hazardous process from the
an t a a a eff ec st dpoin of the ver ge schol r, but the result is
and . a tive convincing Nothing is lost to the he der, how
as a a are at an a ever, the elimin ted p rts g hered in ppendix ,
a following the reconstructed story . Professor Hovg ard
a a seems to h ve first suggested this dovet iling process, 39 THORFINN KARLSE F N I
ath ne~H ard has c an but Mr . G or y exe uted it without y suggestion from his predecesor . Though the four authors cited above agree in being convinced of the historical accuracy of the Vinl and
a a i a a c d s g s in the r m in fe tures , they come to pronoun e disagreement on the question of the landfall of the
Steensb a a voyagers . y ( professor of geogr phy in the University of Copenhagen ) and Fossum ( an American philologist ) both contend for the lands on either side
a . a R ak of the estu ry of the St L wrence iver, m ing very plausible arguments $ while both Hovgaard and Gathorne - Hardy place the most southerly points reached
t a d a r wi hin the bound ries of the Unite St tes, the fo mer
a the a R a l pl cing ultim te point in hode Isl nd, whi e the latter pushes on to the western end of Long Island and the mouth of the Hudson R iver . This disagreement seems to indicate that the problem
a a a a and v of est blishing l ndf ll is unsolved unsol able .
A nd Gathorne -H a a rdy , despite the det iled presentation “ a m of his rgu ent, concedes in his introduction that the geographical details can probably never be settled with ” a absolute fin lity .
ar t a a Ap t from the ques ion of the l ndf ll, the volume in hand is a readable and convincing book on the actu alities of the Vinland voyages . It has both an adequate
and an bibliography excellent index .
. n Julius E Olso .
THORFINN KARLS EF N I
a a a o a P rk , through the gency of the F irm unt P rk Art
a and Associ tion $ ,
c l a Se ond y, to see whilst I live , how the first st tue would look placed in the situation selected by my wife
a for the first eighteen st tues .
Thorfinn so a t e a In selecting , I only did fter hre ye rs of research work here and abroad to find out who came
a to a and a ee a ne rest the ide l , f cts s m to h ve borne me out in my choice .
wa a e c a c I s fortun t in se uring the Icel ndi sculptor,
a onsson the a and k Ein r J , to model st tue , thin his con ception and dressing of the statue is very ably and artis tically done .
v t a I believe in en ironmen , especi lly in representing
a an Icelander by an Icelander . The n tives of all coun
e a s s tries have their p culi ritie , which culptors living out
a of the country cannot f ithfully reproduce . The motto on the shield reads “ a the and From the Isl nd of the North, of ice of the
fl a and the fire, of the ower covered vill ges blue moun
a the a a and a t ins , ever r di nt sun, the dimness of the dre m , th ” one of the houses of the Goddess of the Nor ern light .
ma a a a Thorfinn It y not be miss to st te th t the wife of ,
udrid a so named G , ssisted him by her fortitude whilst j ourning in the wilderness . I wish to thank the Commissioners of Fairmount
Park for their courtesy in fitting up a studio in one of 42 THORFINN K ARLS E F N I
a and a the P rk buildings for the sculptor , in pl cing the foundation for the pedestal . As the statue at the time it came from the foun dry was formally accepted by the Fairmount Park
o a t a Commissi ners, I trust the F irmoun P rk Art Associ ation will follow in my footsteps when they receive the S amuel bequest and maintain the high level of art in the erection of the seventeen statues to follow . (Applause )
M O E N : . a a R . C H Mr S muel , Members of the F ir mount Park A rt Association and Guests : It is a privi
ee in a a and are a e a lege to gr t you Phil delphi , we ppr ci tive
t a a n of your presence on his uspicious occ sio .
a o a a k On beh lf of the C mmissioners of F irmount P r ,
a a and a o t the City of Phil delphi , the F irm un Park Art
o at a munificent Ass ci ion , in ccepting this gift from Mr .
ford e a w . B un a J S mu l , it is desired to ckno ledge the gen e rosity of the donor in thus himself beginn ing the work of erecting the m emorial not only by his addition to the funds available but with the corresponding saving of
as w as has a time , ell the service he rendered by his initi tive with his advice and counsel in determining the character of the memorial and of the actual completion of this noble statue .
’
. a a e a Mr S muel s wife, the l te Ell n Phillips S muel,
was a e a n . l ni ce of the Honor ble He ry M Phi lips , well remembered as one of the most public spirited men of his generation occupying many positions of honor and trust in our community . 43 THORFINN KARL S E F N I
Mrs . S amuel had shown a deep interest in the wel fare of the Fairmount Park Art Association and the proj ect which she had so much at heart was shared
. a and w a and by Mr S muel , o es much to his symp thetic
a o cordi l co peration . This representation of the Icelandic explorer is the
a to o d c initi l figure, be foll we by the ere tion of seventeen
a t all e a of simil r propor ions , to be mblem tic of the history
Am a and ta e a a of eric to s nd one hundred f et p rt , thus
ak a a t to a k. m ing splendid dornmen our P r And then, for future generations the income from this endowment of over a half mil lion dollars will be available for the
c a and w k a ere tion of fount ins other or s of Art, thus be uti f in t o a w all y g his public d m in , ith which for time will be a a e a e n nd ssoci t d the n m s of the ge erous donors, Mr . a
. B unfor a . a Mrs . J d S muel ( Appl use )
a i n I now h ve the pr vilege of prese ting to you Dr .
a Am a - a n Le ch , who represents the eric n Sc ndi avian
Foundation in this country .
L EA . n D R . c H : . am a Mr Preside t , Mr S uel, L dies
’ and Gentlemen : I don t know why I have been chosen to repres ent the delegation which has just come over
a am from New York, bec use I the junior member of the
a whole party . We h ve with us today the Honorable
o e a o m Ge rge B ch , Consul Gener l fr m Den ark and Ice
a . a . a H ermannson l nd We h ve Dr H lder , of Cornell
a a a University, the gre test Icel ndic uthority in this coun
a a a try . We h ve lso the Editor of the le ding Norwegian 44
THORFINN K A RLSE F N I
a Am a a p per in eric , the Editor of the le ding Swedish
a and a a h a . p per, the Editor of the le ding D nis p per We also have a representative from Princeton Univer
i who h r m a s t . a as tu y, Mr M lone , just re rned f o visit
a to Icel nd .
are a a and l in We here tod y , l dies gent emen , the
a ma a an h s t r nt presence of wh t y be c lled i o ical eve . We are to h no C o m o r m i o not here o r lu bus , A er g Vespucci ,
are h to do ho o an a or Leif Ericsson , but we ere n r to lmost
io neer the fi rs t io n e r to a m an a forgotten p , p e tte pt to pl t
r colony on the mainland o f Am e ica . Statues have been erected befo re to these other gentlemen $ even Leif Ericsson has a statue to his mem orv I w h in a prominent place in the City of B o ston . t as t e voyage of Leif Ericsson to our shores which aroused the interest of the Scandinavian colonists in Iceland and Greenland to come to this Vineland of the sagas which
cr Leif Ericsson has des ibed to them . About the year 1 002 Tho rfinn K arl se fni came over
an a em o f an o ld I a a and from Icel d , m ber cel ndic f mily , married a sister of Leif E ricsso n $ and he w as the most serious of those w ho in tho se early davs o f the eleventh
tu r the ho o f an k cen ry set out f om s res Greenl d , to see
a a m n th t more fertile l nd , which their fellow country e
had described to them .
a a a n Three winters , ccording to the s g s , he spe t here
man can somewhere in North America . No point out l l with exactitude the p ace where he p anted his colonies . 45 THORFINN K ARL SE F N I
a a a a o a Only this l st summer, gre t D nish ge gr pher , Pro fessor Steensb a and y, c me over here , on foot , went down the Coast of L abrador and along the north and south
and a . a R h shores of the St L wrence iver, t ought th t he at a had e l st , like others before him , found wher Leif Erics son and his three ships and one hundred and sixty associates spent those three winters . Will it ever be
a n a a possible , by finding sto e or the found tion of house , to point out with precision just where on our shores these colonies were planted $
a a a It is, indeed , curious coincidence th t stone found
a a a a at end the 1 8 ne r Y rmouth , Nov Scoti , the of th
and n a a has century , i terpreted in v rious w ys , in one interpretation bee n designated as a runic inscription
’ made by a member of Tho rfinn K arl sefni s expedition $ and this interpretation was made by no other than an
- - Am a a r. a in l aw eric n schol r, Henry Phillips, J , brother
n n a a of the ge erous do or of this memori l , distinguished
. nfor . B u d a . citizen of your city , Mr J S muel
’ This little expedition of Thorfinn s spent three winters here . They encountered the usual vicissitudes
a of the e rly colonists . They had hunger to compete with , they were troubled with the cold , but one of the
ffi was a i e Skraelin s most serious di culties the n t v s, the g , as a a a w they c lled the Indi ns or Esquim u , hoever they
ma a e . a a d off y h ve be n These str nge people were ch se ,
a a a o a . a in one of their tt cks , by w m n The n tives had n n a an w a and ever see Europe om n before, she seemed 46
THORFINN KARLSE F N I
. n man Thorfinn foreign soil I thi k the selection of this ,
K i a arl sefn a a a . , is p rticul rly fortun te He is , more th n
an a m . y other, worthy to be commemor ted by monu ent
a was You see him before you there in rmor, but he not one of those men of his day who made w ar his busi
s . was an a a a ne s He enterprising merch nt , l borious
a and a and a a f rmer experienced s ilor, cour geous ex
o m a a pl rer of unknown lands . It y not be ex ctly fitting
a a a to represent him in rmor, bec use he only put on rmor
had e a when he to defend his lif , or his f mily or friends ,
or else his liberty and his lands . He was a representative type of man who made a
e a and settl ment of Icel nd possible, it is upon the kind of man that he was that the future of the new Icelandic
a . has v St te depends It been doubted ery frequently , but most pepole who have read history have come to the
a it was a a ac . conclusion th t historic l f t I , myself am absolutely convinced that he actually came to this coun
and was his cou t n try, since he the first of n ryme to reside
a he as a l in this l nd , might well serve mode for those of
a a at k his countrymen who h ve come l ter so th they, li e he, may devote themselves to peaceful occup ations and only
a a and are when the occ sion rises they compelled to, they may shoulder the gun and defend their liberty and the land of their choice .
n a I am not goi g to deliver long speech here to you . I am merely going to express my gratitude and that of
u a a my co ntrymen to those who h ve erected this st tue , 4s THORF IN N KARLS EFN I an above all the enero s and the F a r d , to g u donor of it , i
ss c a i h a e a who ave mount P ark Art A o i t on of P il d lphi , h given it a place in this beautiful park here . It will remind future generations of Thorfinn and of his nativ
and r a t a e and ity, I t ust th t this s tu the memories which are connected with it will form in the future a bond of sympa thy and friendship between the small and the
a t the a a n ea and gre t , be ween one of gre test n tio s on rth one a l t bet e n m a and a and of the sm l es , w e A eric Icel nd $ that it may also be a reminder of the accomplishments
ma na and o i s za of s ll tions of their c ntr bution to civili tion , and may cause the strong and powerful to protect the rights of the weak and small .
a a h In conclusion , llow me to express my th nks for t e courtesy shown Iceland by the erection of this monu
a ove rmnen ment, but lso for the interest which the g t of the Am erican people has shown the Icelandic people
r s a a ffi and and a du ing thi l st ye r of di culties trouble , llow me to convey the heartiest greetings from the Icelandic
people to the Am erican nation . ( Applause )
M O E N : The are R . C H ceremonies now concluded
and a . a are d , on beh lf of Mr S muel , you invite to come
inside the club house . ADJOU R NM E NT THORFINN KARLSE F N I
The following are extracts from letters recently received regarding the inscri ption on the F letcher S tone
D onne brook . y , Dublin Co
25 February 1 922 .
Dear Sir
h a a I have received your letter of the l ot inst . nd c re
l o . a fu ly studied the encl sure , which I return Wh tever
a ma it a an the Y rmouth inscription y be, is cert inly not y form of Celtic .
a R Nor do I believe th t it is unic, some of the letters
a a a a R ni and h ve superfici l resembl nce to u c letters, indeed there are characters resembling Greek and old
S emetic a . letters mong them This , however, I feel is purely accidental . As to the interpretation suggested in the accompany
“ ’ t a a e ing paper . In the firs pl ce H ki s Son Address d ” The Men does not seem at first sight a very probable
h n n t i g for a y one to write on a stone . In the second
a are a pl ce, there more letters in the tr nscript than there
are . a in the Inscription In the third pl ce, no R une writer woul d perpetrate a sentence so full of grammati
’ H o — cal errors . ac s Son Addressed rather Warned
The Men would be written .
$ If the Yarmouth inscription be not a modern scribble
t a and k by some illi er te person , it loo s preciously like
’ H a as w l y Willi ms , it ou d be distorted by someone work so THO RF I N N KA RL S E F N I
an na o a r a ing on u ccust med m te i l , it must be some p ro
d a c l ct uction of Indi ns , like the ro k scribings co le ed by Garrick Malley in the Publications of the Bureau of
- Ethnology 1 888 89. It cannot I feel sure be taken as an ancient Euro
pean record .
a Very f ithfully yours ,
“
. . . . A R . A S . a a S M c lister, F
Smithsonian Institution
a 1 3 1 922 . M rch ,
D ear Sir I have your letter of M arch 1 1 th enclosing a brief
a R and a rticle on supposed unic Inscriptions , sking my
w a and in vie reg rding them , reply I beg to quote from
w i z r M . C sano c a I . a r . the repo t of Dr , Cu tor of Old World Archeology in the United States National M u
s um w a w as as e to hom the m tter referred , follows “ The signs of the Nova Scotia stone have no equa
t o an R ni a — i ns in y of the u c Alph bets Nordic , Gothic or
A - a can an m a nglo S xon , nor they by y stretch of the i gi
a i n ation be m de out to be S emet c characters .
are a can a As to whether they of Indi n orgin , I re lly
sa o a a w y n thing s ve th t , since we kno of no other occupa
a a a tion of the region th n Indi n , they prob bly are t heir work . 5 l THORFIN N KARLS EF N I
he are ow e no an c a ac er wn T y , h ev r, t like y h r t s kno
ave bee ed b t e a act t m . to h n us y h Indi ns, in f hey ay
have a a te at all e i n fia not been ch r c rs , in the s nse of s g i cant inscriptions .
c rel r Sin e y you s,
W . H . Holmes,
Director.
62