Letter by Nancy C. Russell to Mr. John E. Lewis; informs the Lewis' that the Governor of Montana has received many protests over the model chosen for the Charles M. Russell statue, describes the model as pitiful while Charles M. Russell was strong and powerful. Typed.

Pasadena, California. April 18, 1931. Mr. John E. Lewis, 230 West Second Street, Kalispell, Montana. Dear Uncle John and Lady Lewis: I really haven’t very much to write about but I wanted you to know that Charlie’s friends down here as well as East who have seen the cuts of Mrs. Lincoln’s model, all feel it is unworthy to represent our Charlie. Many protests have been sent in to the Governor and to me and I hope it will have the effect of delaying the deci- sion which was made and other models will be called to choose from because there is some one in this country who can make a fine thing of Charlie that Montana will always be proud of. The one that was selected is too pitiful. We don’t’ want to portray Charlie as sick and crumbling but rather as a fine strong human being that knew the power he possessed. The model should interpret him as a vital thing that represents the West and the great outdoors. He was more than an artist. There is some one who can make a fine artistic model that will please the people. Don’t you think they should have looked futher and not accepted the one they did? I have no choice of who should make that model but the one thing that is necessary is that it must be a like- ness of the real Charlie Russell and show strength so that it may live and all Montana be proud of it. The little model that Lion sent was not objectionable to me but it is very possible there are people who could improve on that. I am sending you a copy of a descrip- tion a friend of Lion’s wrote about his model. This was volunteered, I did not ask for it. I am looking forward to the little bronze to be returned and also thinking how glad I shall be to see you folks when I get to Montana. Love to you both. Sincerely, Air Mail Encl.

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-11-14]