Handwritten letter on Charles M. Russell's letterhead from Nancy C. Russell to Mr. Schatzlein dated March 18, 1902 gives brief accounting of Charles M. Russell's life history.

[handwritten] Russells life Great Falls Mont March 18th 1902 My Dear Mr. Schalzlein I will tell you all I can. Chas was born in St. Louis MO in 1865 March 19th 37 years ago ^today^ he come to Montana in 80. by rail road to Corin and staged it to Helena then he and an other fellow (by the name of Miller) bought four horses and a wagon loded [sic] up with grub they then drove to the Judith basin Chas stayed with Miller for a while he (Miller) took up a ranch they dident [sic] agree very well so Chas took his two horses and left then he met Jake Houver a skin hunter and trapper [sic] Chas went with him and lived with him traped [sic] and hunted until 82 then went to Night hearding [sic] horses for the O.H. at Judith Basin roundup he punched cows worked with cow outfits until 88 when he and a fellow by the name of Green went north among the Blackfeet Indians as far as Ft. Calgery [sic] North West [He?] stayed with the Indians six months then came back to Milk River where the cattle had moved to from the J. Barin and stayed with cow outfits until 92 then come to Great Falls and started to paint for a living but he had been painting just for fun all his life but in 92 he quit Cow punching and has painted for a living ever since. Chas went back to the Basin and crossed with the cattle to the Milk River country. It is jus t like pulling teeth to get him to tell me any thing so I have got a little mixed up but hope you can get some idea of what you want [.] he spent some Winters in Helena and Cascade before he came to Great Falls for good. I hope this will help you out. Very Truly Mrs. C.M. Russell P.S. I do hope you wont be sick nor have to leave Butte but if you do leave town you and Mrs. Schatzlein, had better come and make us a visit. Nancy Russell

[Transcript by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-10-16]

SPAN>