Letter by Dan R. Conway to Mr. Ed. Borein; states that he understands that Borein has information regarding mishandling of the Charles M. Russell memorial committee funds, declares that this is completely false, and that he and other Great Falls businessmen have worked long and honestly to make the memorial a reality, requests that Borein kindly support their efforts and to clarify the petty gossip. Typed on 3 pages (TU2009.39.925.1-TU2009.39.925.6).

[1] April Seventh, 1928. Mr. Ed. Borein, “The Patio,” 29 E. de la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, Calif. Dear Mr. Borein:-- I have just concluded a short con- ference with Mr. George Calvert of this city who a few days ago returned from Pasadena and other southern California cities. It was a surprise and a severe jolt to me as well as to the Charles M. Russell Memorial Committee to learn from Mr. Calvert that you claim to have reliable source for some very defamous information re this Memorial program and the Memorial Committee which has it in hand. Mr. Calvert cited for me your attitude toward this Russell Memorial Committee, as expressed to him one evening at Trail’s End, the home of Mrs. Russell. I gather from Mr. Calvert that you claim to have a letter from Great Falls or some other Montana point, setting forth that the local committee plans diverting all or a portion of the Charles M. Russell Memorial Fund for the exploitation of the North Montana Fair now being promoted in Great Falls. Naturally, in justice to the business and professional men who are members of the local Charles M. Russell Memorial Committee, you should disclose the person of your informant. If someone from Great Falls is circulating such defamatory statements in your part of the country, I think this committee is entitled to know who that “someone” is. To state that the information you seem to have received is libelous is putting the facts very mild. There never has been any thought or suggestion of diverting one single cent of this Memorial Fund for any purpose other than that which was set forth in letters written to you some several weeks ago, when I [hand drawn doodle in pencil] solicited your support of this program. [2] Borein #2 This work of solicitation of funds has been entirely in my hands from the start and I have been directly representing the Charles M. Russell Memorial Committee which comprises some of the very finest and most honorable business and professional men in this city and Montana. In every letter, I have set forth in explicit terms that the plan is to establish upon the Russell property in Great Falls a National shrine for lovers of the Old West. To divert any portion of the funds thus raised to any other channel would be nothing other than using the mails to defraud. Naturally, we were amazed when Mr. Calvert took us squarely to task upon the strength of your statements made to him. Naturally, now, we seek an explanation. We are entitled to one. For your information, Mr. Borein, I would like to set forth that from the start, this Memorial campaign has been almost entirely in my hands, as executive secretary for the committee. I have, ever since I came to Montana many years ago, been an ardent lover and admirer of Charley Russell and his works. Only last week, during the annual art exhibit, I made as high as five lengthy talks daily setting forth Charley’s marvelous talent. I have invested more than $1,000 of my own time and money in this work, of which I will never receive a cent in return, other than the inestimable satisfaction of having accomplished the very thing that Charley’s memory deserves. I have fought prejudice against Mrs. Russell, and misunderstanding, all unnecessary; and in face of the fact that all others said that it could not be done, I have won out. We now have more than $23,000 in hand. The Memorial is assured; nothing can stop it now, not even the petty attitude of those who should be heartily in support of the undertaking. As for Great Falls, this city has nobly done her share at a time when the citizens were and are least able to give. Many of our leading citizens were and are least able to give. Many of our leading citizens have contributed in amounts running as high as $500 and $1,000. In New York City and its environs I have realized about $7,800; while in California, where Charley’s friends seemed most numerous, and where we should be receiving the heartiest co-operation, I have received thirty-five dollars ($35.) in addition to the $500 from Will Rogers and the $250 from Bill Hart, contributed before the campaign started. Finally, Mr. Borein, this committee desires to assure you that there is not the slightest vestige of truth in the statement that this committee has in mind anything other than the carrying out the Memorial plans which were set forth to Mr. Russell and by Mrs. Russell before she left this city for California last Fall. There is no truth in the statement that this committee h^a^s ever had any other plans in mind. And, it hardly becomes a man of your position in life to ruthless^ly^ upbraid a committee of the finest most representative business men of Montana, merely upon the strength of idle petty gossip. It would seem much more dignified that you first ascertain the truth before you say those things which would hinder Charley’s friends in Montana, in New York, in Missouri, in Minnesota, in Canada and other parts of this continent from creating a suitable and practical Memorial to the great man who was such a good and true friend of yours. [3] Borein. #3 For your information, the personnel of the Charles M. Russell Memorial Committee of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce is as follows: Mr. Fred A. Fligman, President of the Paris Dry Goods Company and Director of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce; Mr. J.W. Sherwood, President of the Royal Milling Com- pany, and vice-president of the Washburn Crosby Company. Mr. O.S. Warden, President of the Great Falls Daily Tribune Publishing Company, and Director of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce; Mr. S.A. (Sid) Willis, Proprietor of the Mint Cigar Store and one of Charley’s closest personal friends; Dr. A.F. Longeway, Mr. H.B. Mitchell, President of the Ayrshire Dairy and Mayor of the City of Great Falls; Mr. J.D. Watson, President Knowles Watson Cattle Company; Mr. Russell Strain, President Strain Brothers Department Store; Mr. H.O. Chowen; retired business man; Mr. S.D. Largent, city superintendent of schools; Mr. A. E. Wiggin, General Manager the Anaconda Copper Mining Company’s Great Falls plant; Dr. E. M. Larson, President the Great Falls Clinic, and Director of Great Falls Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Lee M. Ford, President the Great Falls National Bank; Mr. J.W. Freeman, attorney; Mr. Dan Tracy; President Tracy Coal Mining Company and of the Park Hotel Company; (President country club); Mr.A.E. Schwingel, President the Conrad Banking Company, and President Great Falls Chamber of Commerce; Dan R. Conway, Assistant Secretary the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, and newspaperman and author. In the face of these facts Mr. Borein, which it seems necessary at this time to enumerate, we feel that we are not at all unreasonable in asking that the people of California to whom Charley looked as friends, should try to be fair with Charley’s Montana friends. The local committee’s “cards are face up on the table” and the ideals are just as high as any of Charley’s friends would want them to be. Since there is no reason why we do not deserve it, we covet your moral support and the moral support of all of Charley’s California friends. Very truly yours, [signed] Dan R. Conway Secretary for the CHARLES M.RUSSELL MEMORIAL COMMITTEE P.S. – The above-listed Great Falls business men would appreciate an answer to this letter. [3 verso] [handwritten] The model saw The [modeling?] his head unwrapped class got you awhile ago just down. as he was going this they [illegible] into the other room yell for more and he said oh who made the funny looking head-

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-10-25]

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