Typed letter from Nancy C. Russell to Hon. Joseph M. Dixon dated 16 May 1931; asks Dixon if there is a committee in D.C. to approve the models for the Hall of Fame, and asks if he could please help to persuade the Montana governor to abandon the present model of Charles M. Russell.

Pasadena, California. May 16, 1931. Hon. Joseph M. Dixon, First Assistant Secretary of United States Department of Interior, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Dixon: You will remember me when I tell you I am Charlie Russell’s widow and you will also understand my feel- ings when you read the enclosed clippings regarding the statue Montana has chosen to represent Charlie in the National Hall of Fame. The protests that have gone to the State seem to have been of no avail and the Commission is standing pat with the sick, wizened little model it has chosen. You know the kind of physique Charlie had – also what he typified to and for the old west but there seems to be no objections to that model from people who are now in authority in the State. You will see from the enclosed editorial by Fred Hogue that the controversy has become a national af- fair and the future artistic beauty of statues that are to be placed in the Hall of Fame should be judged by a certain standard. Is the information I have correct that there is no committee in Washington that passes on models before they are placed in their niches? Have you the time and are you inclined to give me some assistance in trying to have the Governor dissolve the present Commission, abandon the little model it has se- lected and start all over again? Charlie has earned, by his work in painting, modeling and writing, the best that sculptor can create and the Commission did not have strong enough models from which to choose. Possibly, the one chosen was the better of the lot. You can see from the newspaper cut that it falls far short of what we knew Charlie to be. There are plenty of sculptors who can make a fine artistic likeness Hon. Joseph M. Dixon -2- that would be worthy. Please. Mr. Dixon, lend your powerful influence to rectifying a mistake that Montana, in the future, may not be ashamed but rather proud of the honor she has done Charlie. I don’t know to whom I can appeal and, as I was work- ing at my desk, the picture of you and Charlie sitting on the porch at the Lake MacDonald Hotel came to my mind. This is the reason for the liberty I am taking in writing to you. Please let me have your opinion and any suggestions you wish to give me will be so gladly received. May I hear from you at your earliest convenience as I am absolutely in the dark as to which way to turn. The day isn’t decided when I am going to Montana but I usually go in June to my cabin at Lake Mac- Donald and I feel I must have some definite counsel as to which way to turn before I leave California. Sincerely, Encl.

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-12-03]