On the 12th of April, 1889, there was a conference between the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of the General Land Office looking to the execution of the law, and on the 16th of that month the Commissioner submitted a statement on the subject, calling attention to the fact that the appropriation would not be available until July 1 following, and suggesting that a special agent should be sent out to examine the ruin.  This suggestion was approved, and on April 27, 1889, Special Agent Alexander L. Morrison, of the General Land Office, was instructed to proceed to the ruins for the purpose of investigating and reporting as to what method should be adopted for their repair and protection.  Mr Morrison was further instructed to report “all the facts obtainable as regards said ruins of ‘Casa Grande,’ in order that appropriate action may be taken by the Department for its preservation.”

On May 15,1889, Mr Morrison submitted a report to the Commissioner, describing his journey, the location of the ruin, the ruin itself, and other ruins in the vicinity.  He stated that danger to the ruin was of three kinds—­(1) by vandalism, (2) by elements, (3) by undermining.  He recommended the construction of a roof and an underpinning of stone for the walls.  Finally, he gave some historical notes, and closed with a peroration.

Mr Morrison’s plans were found impracticable, as their execution would require an expenditure of many times the sum appropriated, and on September 23, 1889, all the papers in the case were transmitted by the Secretary to the Director of the Geological Survey, “for appropriate action under the clause of the act referred to, as being within the 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.