In the End

They thought they would spend about $60,000.00, but ended up spending around $750,000.00.  This was a problem.  After all, they weren't made of money.  They decided to let 15 friends purchase shares after they spent $60,000.00.  This helped the diggers and their families financially.          

 Everyone quit digging when planting season began (spring), so the field could be planted in.  Norman Sortor died of cancer while they were digging.  He had been diagnosed with cancer just months before the digging started.  This didn't affect the digging very much.   His 15% of what was found was given to his family and friends.

            The Arabia was "born" in Pennsylvania in 1853, and "died" in 1856 in Missouri, but thanks to Bob, Dave and Greg Hawley, David Luttrell, Jerry Mackey, Mr. Sortor and his family, various volunteers, and the museum, she will be remembered forever.