1953: McFadden's death (1 of 2)

Ille; Curium

May 27, 1953Dear Mr. Megaw:

I am sorry about my delay in writing to thank you for your information on George's death. I certainly came in good time, since we had had only very confusing reports as to what had happened. It still strikes me as doubly tragic because the whole thing was so unnecessary and a kind of combination of bad luck.

You have probably heard from Roger Edwards by this time something of our plans for continuation and completion of the work at Curium. We have now all agreed that Roger should take charge there and attempt to complete all work for publications by the fall of 1954. It seems to us that George's bequest will cover the necessary working field at Curium, and we are of course committed to complete publication as soon as possible. Rodney writes that you expect to take over the site to the Antiquities Department our work there and turn over the house at Episkopi house when we complete the legal fellows here would like to know as soon as possible if the Cyprus Government will officially accept the gift of the house as this will presumably help clear up probate of the will. In other words, if you were not going to accept the houses and it then reverted to the University Museum, it would help to know this in making final disposition. I suppose it is too early yet for you to give me a definate or official answer on this but I agreed to inquire from you for the sake of the lawyer. Also, do you know whether the Cyprus Government appoints somebody to look after George's property there? I gather from the attornies here that it is probable that Cyprus courts may appoint somebody in this capacity, at least until the final disposition of the property.

There is one rather knotty problem which is the personal property at Curium not specifically mentioned in the will. I hope to see Mrs. Harrison this weekend in order to get this straightened out. Presumably, it will also go to the Museum, but there will have to be some legal recognition of that fact and I suppose that the house furnishings and so forth will later be turned over to you when we leave the site. Of course I will advise you as soon as I can get the detail straightened out. After a talk with the attornies, it seems unlikely that any funds can be paid out of the bequest for many months to come but I am sure we can carry all the costs in the meantime for refund when the will is finally settled. Roger should get there to take charge by about September 1. In the meantime I hope Joe Last has enough money in the Limassol Bank to keep the place going.