From Cole, November 9, 1925, two pages, check for Charles M. Russell's picture of Mt. Helena and the placer miners discovering Last Chance Gulch, he wants history surrounding a painting, suggests a sheep picture.

November 9, 1925 PGC:EG Mrs. Charles M. Russell, Great Falls, Mont. Dear Mrs. Russell: I am with a great deal of pleasure enclosing herewith my check No. 657 on the Lawyers Trust Company for $3, 000.00 covering in full Charlie's picture of Mt . Helena and the placer miners discovering Last Chance Gulch. I wish I could tell both of you how very deeply I appreciate and love this picture. It is all that I had hoped for from Charlie - and that is saying a lot. I am a little uncertain as to just where he took his position. Rather think that it is from out toward what is now East Helena. Will you please ask Charlie to write me something in his own words of the story it tells and the historical interest. Am sure you know what I want - something about the date , how the men were on the way to wherever they were going, how they had about given up hope and took one "last chance”, how they discovered the gold , etc. etc. You and he can make a good story of it and add much to the interest and value of the picture for me. He might preface it by saying that he has painted this scene to order for me in response to my request. Now I don’t want to insult a real cowman like Charlie by talking sheep, but if he cares to do it without any obligation on my part (just as he did this one) I would be interested in a sheep picture showing a shepher>der with a close up of a big, band of sheep, his dogs, his horse , may be his tent or grub wagon, etc . Just as a suggestion – if Charlie felt that he had to get horses or cattle into it, and could do it 1ithout making anything too violent, he might prefer to show a little argument between the shepher>der and the cowboy or cowboys. If, as I say, if he cares to take a chance on this without obligation on my part and you can hold the price down a little better, I will surely [next] -2- be interested. Let me hear from you on this confirming the fact that I will not be obligated amd[sic] do be sure that he sends his story of the discovery of Last Chance Gulch on to me without delay. Mrs. Cole joins me in appreciation and every good wish to both of you. Is Charlie's pup l " Joe " ( I don't know his last name) doing anything of interest to me? I might be interested in picking up a small piece of his sometime to add variety to my modest collection . Sincerely yours, [signed] Philip G. Cole Dr. Philip G. Cole 470 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

[Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-12-17]

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