I considered writing an apology for "stirring up trouble" on the Conch-L
with my question of "Who owns Shamaron Shells now?"
 
But then I realized I have nothing to apologize for--I was only asking for
the good of unsuspecting shell collectors everywhere.  I did say that our
club was the victim of this person--and fearing a law suit (he's already
threatened us once) I said I would tell shellers privately what happened.
 
I have been overcome with e-mail, wanting to know (1) what happened with
the Museum of Natural History, and (2) what happened with our club.
 
(1)  This information is in the Conch-L Archives (thanks, Bill)
(2)  What happened to our club--this was partly to blame on our then
president, who bought many shells through the mail.  He committed our club
to have the owner of Shamaron Shells come from Miami to Columbia, SC and
back to Miami to do a program for us.  We're a small club and no way could
we afford that.  The agreement was that we would pay for the expenses for
one person.  (Our club couldn't even afford that, but the arrangements were
made. by our President.  I was under the impression that Mr. Gill was
coming through the area.  Mr. Gill came, gave a slide presentation and
presented us with a bill for over $500 for his and his companion's
expenses.  We were  overcome by this--we tried reasoning with him, held
meetings, protested the extra travel meals, etc, and were threatened with a
law suit.  One of our members is with the State Tax Dept. and is a criminal
investigator.  He contacted the Attorney General's office and was told our
president had made a verval agreement, and we should just go ahead and pay
up.  We did and have finally recovered our treasury enough that we can
again give a scholarship.
 
I readily admit that our president made a huge mistake in making this
verbal contract.
 
We have a member, Bill Conklin, who has written the x-ray books on shells.
He was at a shell show last year and had a booth next to Mr. Gill's.  When
Mr. Gill found out that Bill C. was from SC, he started lambasting and
lowrating our club with all sorts of things.  Some can't be repeated here.
Bill told him he thought we were pretty nice and he was a member of our
club.
 
As I said, my intention was to warn new shellers as to what's out there.  I
don't understand all these "cutsie" sayings I have been sent, because I
don't understand why anyone would condone what has been done--not so much
to our club, but to others.
 
So I will not apologize.
 
Carol