Letter by Nancy C. Russell to Mr. John B. Ritch; thanks Ritch for starting a bill through legislature to honor Charles M. Russell, offers suggestions for a full-length statue and someone to serve on the committee, suggests that Ritch publish his poems and offers to help. Typed on three pages (TU2009.39.998.1-TU2009.39.998.6).

March 19, 1929. Mr. John B. Ritch, Lewistown, Montana. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ritch: Your letter of March 8 made me very happy indeed. It is perfectly wonderful that you had the idea and in- spiration to start the Bill through the Legislature to honor Charlie by placing the Memorial of him in the Hall of Statuary in Washington and I am writing to the men who you say were so helpful in carrying out your wonderful idea. I wonder if it wouldn’t be a good time to suggest and idea that came to me. You may know that I follow hunches more of less and this hunch came as I read your letter. It is this, - first, I have no idea of the size of the niche to be occupied by the statue; whether it is absolutely necessary that it be a bust or if it could be a full-length figure of Charlie. It would not be necessary to be life-size unless the niche was very large. If a sculptor would be willing to listen to suggestions from us who knew Charlie so well and every stitch of clothing that he wore and the way he wore them, he could make a type. With the help of photographs and certain facts that I know about his character, we could then have a perfect portrait of his whole body, boots to hat . This figure would not only be a portrait of Charlie Russell but it would represent a true type of the early cowpuncher. who took on and kept, to the end of his life, the type that was the backbone of the making of our great West. The task of securing an artist to model this figure is not a small one because it should be someone who understands and is willing to let his art swing into the spirit of what he is modeling and make it an emblem that will always be looked at as authentic in every way. It will be most artistic because of its individual character. I have no right, I suppose to even suggest these things but I have lived so close to Charlie for the thirty years and more that we were married that I feel I know -1- -2- Mr. Ritch Mar.19,1929. more about his individuality than anyone. I don’t think he should be in chaps but should be in boots his trousers slightly sprung at the knee, held at the hips with a sash and I don’t think anybody but I knew how that know was tied. The double-breasted coat was unbuttoned and hanging more or less careless, his collar unbuttoned, neck-tie half way in place, hat on one side and to the back and that lock of hair that hung down beside his eye. Can’t you just see the kind of a wonderful thing that would make? I hope you can and I hope we will have the joy of knowing that Montana has sent something different from the ordinary run of statuary that will be as strong and last for all time, as a picture of history. In regard to suggesting some person to act on that committee, I’m not in a position to do that al- though I know lots of loyal, wonderful friends of Charlie and the State who, I am sure, would be interest- ed in this movement. I don’t know whether they would want to serve on a committee of not so believe the Governor would know much better who to appoint. It is possible that Mr. J.R. Hobbins of Butte would serve. He was a great friend of Charlie and is mighty well known in the State and I believe about the busiest man of my acquaintance. I think some of the men who have had such active parts in putting this bill over would be the persons to carry on so I must leave it entirely in the Governor’s hands. It was mighty fine of you to send me a copy of your poem, “Love South of the Half Moon.” I don’t see why you don’t get enough stuff together to really make a book of verse because you represent the West in your own way and it sounds right. Some time, if you want me to, I’d be so happy to send you “Shortie’s Saloon” that Charlie illustrated, to the publisher who is doing my work and see if they don’t make an ex- quisite gift book out of it. It wouldn’t do any harm and it would be so lots of people could enjoy it. Think about it and let me know some time. Please write to me and tell me if I am over- stepping my right as Charlie’s wife in suggesting these things. I am so happy that he has won, by his own efforts the honor that the State of Montana has bestowed upon him. Jack is fine, almost as tall as I am. I’m looking forward to having him home for the Easter va- cation. He is in a military school in Pacific Beach where the life with the boys is good for him. -2- -3- Mr. Ritch Mar. 19, 1929. The book of letters that I was working on will be released from the press in August and is going to be another little memorial that Charlie built for himself. I think, when you see it, you will agree it is a wonderful bit of art. We called it, “Good Medicine.” You know Charlie used that word,a[sic] lot and somehow it came to me that same way hunches come and everyone seems to approve. Will Rogers, bless his heart, is writing the introduction again. Give my kindest regards to Mrs. Ritch and your big boy and when you write to Myrtle tell her I cannot realize that she has a family of her own. I always think of her as the little girl who came over to Great Falls to visit us. Thank you for your kindness to Charlie and to me. Sincerely, NCR:ED cc Governor Erickson

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-11-16]

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