From Nancy C. Russell, November 14, 1936, Lewis and Clark painting depicts them meeting with the Flatheads in Ross-Hole.

Trail’s End 725 Michigan Blvd., Pasadena, California. November 14th, 1936. Mr. R. H. Fletcher, Plans Engineer, Highway Commission, Helena, Montana. Dear Mr. Fletcher: Your letter of November 6th received and I am very happy indeed to give you the data you want re- garding the Lewis and Clark painting which is back of the Speaker’s Desk in the Capitol. Charlie an I went up to Ross-Hole where he sketched the background. We stayed at Darby and hired a buckboard to take us around through that part of the country so that Charlie could get the lay of the land where the expedition is supposed to have me the Flat- head Indians. The Flatheads are called another name as you will find the Journals. If any one[sic] wants the full description, the will find it in the Lewis and Clark journals between the chapter the Three Forks of the Missouri River and the Head Waters of the Columbia. I can’t give you the page numbers because the book that Charlie used has disappeared in some way. Charlie pur- posely used the meeting in Ross-Hole because it was on Montana soil and the Shoshones lived in Idaho. It’s great that they are trying to keep Charlie’s historical records straight. When a story is made up about a picture, it is mighty hard to live it down. All of Charlie’s pictures are so full of history and truth, it is a shame that wrong interpretations is given them. I appreciate your interest and the trouble you have taken to get the correct story. Sincerely,

[Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-10-19]

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