province of your Bureau." It was ordered that the work be commenced
without the least delay, and November 27, 1889, Mr Victor Mindeleff, of
the Bureau of Ethnology, was detailed by the Director and ordered to
proceed to the ruin and report on the best means of repairing it and
protecting it from further destruction. He was also directed to make
other investigations in the vicinity, which have no relation to the
present case.

On July 1, 1890, Mr Mindeleff submitted a report. He described the ruins
of which Casa Grande is the type, and also Casa Grande itself. He also
made a statement of the condition of the ruin and suggested that the
main destruction "was due to the undermining of the walls, and stated
that much damage had been done by tourists. He recommended (1) that an
area about the ruin be fenced in; (2) that a man be located permanently
on the ground to watch the ruins; (3) that the ruins be cleaned out; (4)
that the walls be underpinned with brick instead of stone, as previously
suggested; (5) that the tops of the walls, after removing several inches
to afford a good bearing surface, be treated with a coping of cement. It
was regarded that this plan, if carried into effect, would afford
sufficient protection against the weather, but a plan for a roof was
submitted should such a structure be deemed desirable and practicable.
Mr Mindeleff also recommended a number of tie-rods and beams, the
replacement of the broken-out lintels, and the filling of the cavities
above.

This plan was approved in its general features, but the means provided
for its execution were found insufficient. A further complication arose
from the fact that a few months later Mr Mindeleff severed his
connection with the Bureau of Ethnology and his knowledge became no
longer available.