08/03/2026
2026 G.R.A.S. Newsletter – July/August
Hello Members, We have had some weather here in KY since the Elizabethtown Show, from extremely hot to severe flooding. We hope that everyone has fared well so far this year.
Our Elizabethtown KY Show hosted by Don Reynolds, was once again a great show! Don always hosts a well laid out room where every displayer gets exposure! We want to again thank everyone who attended or set up and displayed at the show and recognize our award winners. They were; Devin Hardy, Anthony Sluder, Dan Nalley, David Denny, Casey Goodman, Anthony Skinner, and Clark McCorkle! Congratulations one and all!
***NOTE*** We want to remind everyone that Our next show, which is traditionally held at the Barren River State Park, is scheduled for SATURDAY, August 22nd 2026. IT WILL INSTEAD, also be held at the Pritchard Community Center at 404 S. Mulberry St. in Elizabethtown. KY from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. We look forward to seeing all of you there!
I thought, for this Newsletter, that I would include a story about the dispersal of the Caldwell collection as related to me by our friend Charlie Wagers.
“Of all the Kentucky collections over the years none, with the possible exception of Bennett H. Young’s, who died in1918 compares to that of Jere Clemens Caldwell (Clem) of Danville, KY. He was my mentor and dear friend from 1958 until his death in 2007. In 1998 Clem had bypass surgery and suffered a stroke during the surgery. We did not expect Clem to live and I went to visit him. His wife, Peggy, was distraught and very concerned with her financial future as their income was from a trust left by Clem’s mother which would go to their children at his death. I explained to her that she could have all the money she would ever need by selling his relic collection. She asked how she would do that and I told her I would send her a letter with a plan and help her with the dispersal. The plan I detailed was: 1) Create a board to price and handle the sale of relics. 2) The board consisted of four individuals who knew Clem and his collection well; Charlie Wagers, Bill Brockman, Tommy Beutell, and Randy Carrier. 3) If someone wanted a relic, they would let a board member know and the board would price it. That price was a take it or leave it price. With a few exceptions, this worked well. One sore point for me was Tom Beutell’s refusal to follow that approach for any relics he purchased. No one other than Peggy knew what he paid for relics. He has since sold every Caldwell relic he bought. This approach to the dispersal allowed Clem to spend the remainder of his life at home, dying in the same room in which he was born. The total collection sold for approximately eight million dollars. It was quite an experience and kept me broke for nine years!” - Charlie Wagers
I thank you all for sharing a love of this hobby of ours. A good hobby should be something you genuinely enjoy and are passionate about. It should be a refuge from daily life, allowing you to absorb yourself in something you love.
Sincerely,
Monty Pennington
President G.R.A.S of Kentucky
If you would like to join the Green River Archaeological Society, renew your membership, or purchase a gift membership for someone, please contact:
Phyllis Goodrum – Secretary/treasurer
(270) 791-1035 [email protected]
